Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected furry curveballs your way, especially when you're already navigating the complexities of international living with a beloved dog. My latest adventure didn't involve a new country, but a new, very unexpected, resident in my home: a little grey rabbit.

It all started like any other morning. My dog and I were enjoying our usual 45-minute to hour-long walk around our lovely neighborhood. My dog, bless her heart, has a peculiar hobby: she loves to sniff out every cat in the vicinity. It's a game to her – a thrilling hide-and-seek where she finds them in their secret spots, gives a playful jump, and sends them scattering. No harm done, just a good old scare.

On this particular morning, her keen senses led us to something different. There, in the park, was a small, grey rabbit with distinct floppy ears. It looked unmistakably domesticated, not like a wild bunny at all. And to make matters more urgent, it was being stalked by two rather determined cats. My dog, ever the protector (or perhaps just eager for a new chase), noticed them immediately.

My heart went out to the little creature. It was clear it needed help. Thinking it must belong to someone in our neighborhood, I scooped it up. My immediate thought was to bring it home, keep it safe, and then find its rightful owner. I contacted our neighborhood committee, hoping to spread the word. They kindly posted about the lost rabbit online, but days turned into a week, and then weeks, and no one, absolutely no one, claimed the floppy-eared rabbit.

Suddenly, I was an accidental rabbit parent.

Now, let me be clear: I already have a dog, my wonderful companion for all my international travels, and I had absolutely no intention of adding a rabbit to the mix. My life was already complicated enough with the paperwork and preparations required to travel with my dog! So, I got a cage, made sure the little one was comfortable, and began the earnest, often frustrating, journey of trying to rehome it.

This journey, surprisingly, lasted two years.

While the rabbit was with me, I decided to try something I'd seen online: litter-box training. It seemed like a much cleaner and easier solution than constant mess, and to my surprise, it worked! This was quite a revelation, especially here in China, where rabbits are typically kept outdoors or in more confined spaces. People were genuinely amazed that this rabbit could hop around the house freely, then return to its designated spot when nature called. It was a definite advantage, I thought, for its eventual new home.

My relationship with the rabbit was, well, interesting. I love my dog fiercely; she's family. The rabbit, on the other hand, felt a bit like... my dog's pet. I felt obligated to ensure it had a good life, letting it run around, making sure it was fed and cared for. And yes, I did care for it deeply. But that deep, unconditional love I have for my dog? It wasn't quite the same. When it finally left, after two long years, I admit there was a pang of sadness.

But that sadness was quickly, overwhelmingly, replaced by relief.

My veterinarian, knowing my predicament, had a friend who was looking for a rabbit. And not just any rabbit, but one that was litter-box trained and used to a home environment. It was a perfect match. The rabbit now has a person, its own person, who can give it all the love and attention it deserves, as their only pet. Not my dog's pet, but a cherished member of a new family.

And for that, I am truly, deeply happy. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best love you can give is finding the perfect home, even if it means saying goodbye.