In Honor Of Rini Zwakenberg,

I have often reflected upon the relationship of man and animal. From the very beginning of time the two have been together and it is clear that it is by design. Yet we struggle to define the relationship pet and owner can share. It is obvious that the connection can be and most often is very strong, well beyond that of a mere caretaker. Its depth is reflected in common phrases such as; “man’s best friend” or an owner’s tendency to refer to themselves as the pet’s mommy or daddy. Yes it is clear that we come to love, cherish, and greatly value our pets but the speculations on why are vast and varied.

I have had the unfortunate opportunity to reflect on this question at some length as my own pet bunny, Rini has passed away and while I do not think I can offer an answer to end the question, I do want to offer my thoughts. It is with a beloved pet that we feel the freedom to come to them as just ourselves. It is in this completely raw and open relationship that we know we will find love an acceptance free from judgment, assumptions, or pre-conceived notions. And in this purely love based relationship we share the most precious gift we have to give, our life. This is what binds the ties of love so strong between human and animal; it is the ability to share an uncensored life in the light of love knowing that you are safe to do so.

There is only one other place to find a relationship like that. Christ Jesus. And even with God we try to hide our true selves behind pious masks. Yet God so ingeniously designed the relationship of a person to a pet and the connection that they share that we can begin to see a reflection of the relationship he wants with us.

So what am I trying to say? Simply this; it is my firm belief that God created dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish, or whatever other pet you may have, with personality and more unbound love than most people can manage so that humanity could find in them acceptance and companionship to be just yourself, unaltered and unprotected. And in this relationship glory is lavished upon our awesome Creator and Lover. The ties that bind us to our pets in love run so deep because our need for love is so deep and God is willing to shower it on us through His creation.

For this, Rini was an awesome bunny of God. We got Rini to be a friend and companion to our other bunny, Chubby and even with a few bumps in the road it didn’t take long for her to steal our hearts and his. She was a wonderfully stubborn bunny who was extremely jealous of our love and attention. She was curious, strong-willed, and a bit of a destructo-bunny and we couldn’t have been more lucky.

Rini brought glory to God through the beauty of His creation; she had the softest white fluffy fur you could imagine. She also brought glory to God in her love for us. When countless hours of college piled up on us Rini and Chubby were there. When money was non-existent and friends were far away and we sat lonely with little to do Rini and Chubby were there. When I spent long hours working and left Jenny at home she wasn’t alone, because Rini and Chubby were there.

Jenny and I would lay on the floor while Rini and Chubby ran and binked and wove in and around us; or even climbed up on us. She brought us joy and companion ship. I remember I could never sit at my computer without talking to them ever so often because Rini would get ticked I wasn’t paying attention to her and would let me know it by thumping until I did. She shared our life with us no questions asked and we are better off for it. Rini did what God created her to do very well and so it breaks my heart to have to say good-bye. I loved her and will miss her.

Lord I pray that you will fill our hearts with the memories of joy she brought us and let us be thankful for our time with her. You say in your Word that not even a sparrow drops without your knowledge for they are not forgotten (Luke 12:6), so Lord we know Rini too was part of your creation that you made and love so incredibly and that you never forgot her either. Lord we thank you for making her, for her love, and her friendship and we ask that you would help us to love more readily and more completely because we know as Rini loved so you love us and unbelievably more. Amen.

Rini you did your job and you did it well. We miss you already and we hope you knew how much we loved you. Sleep well.