Petco Love just announced their 25 winning Love Stories for 2024. Each year thousands of adopters from across the country write stories of how their pet made a positive impact in their life. This year East Bay resident, Desiree Gatto, submitted a winning story about the love shared between her family and their rabbit, Luna, who was adopted from East Bay Rabbit Rescue. Desiree’s story follows below. shared her story with this magazine in the September 2022 issue, which you can still read online at www.NorthgateLivingCA.com.
On February 8th, Petco Love in partnership with BOBS from Skechers presented East Bay Rabbit Rescue with a grant for $25,000 to support their life saving work. For more information about adoption, please visit eastbayrabbit.org.
A Big Bunny Fills the Void
By Desiree Gatto
My son had his first migraine at 11 years old. For hours or even days at a time, his world became his bedroom, dark, with the blinds pulled shut. The fear of waiting for the next attack became another challenge for him too. A big white bunny, quiet and loyal, became his best friend.
His migraines loomed over our whole family, and I had to quit my job to manage his doctor’s appointments, scans, and treatments. With everything suddenly a trigger, home study became his only option. On bad days he could not leave his room, let alone the house.
Solitary and lonely, he read about emotional support animals. He knew that he couldn’t walk our dog on his bad days and I’m allergic to cats, so his research led him to house rabbits, a novel idea to us. When he told me that a spayed/neutered rabbit is A easier to litter box train than a cat, I was intrigued.
He found East Bay Rabbit Rescue online and convinced me to take him to an adoption event, just to look. Once we arrived, I soon realized we weren’t leaving without a bunny. And so it began, our life with rabbits.
Our beautiful bunny Luna, a whopping 11 pounds, has a joyful personality. When my son lies down on the floor to pet her, she “grooms” him back by licking his face. She’ll follow him from room to room, always ready to be petted or given a treat! And although she loves us all, my son is definitely “her person”. Luna puts a smile on his face with her leaps and enthusiasm for greens and fresh hay. She lives in the moment and reminds us to enjoy each moment we can too.
Rabbits are somewhat independent, yet Luna somehow seems to know he needs love and comfort when a migraine hits. With migraines often striking in the middle of the night, he is no longer alone. She’ll hop up on his bed and just lie next to him. He feels reassured knowing she is sleeping in her x-pen nearby. He enjoys taking care of her too. He is happy to make Luna feel safe and loved. I believe she gave his life purpose in a time of great need.
We have since learned a lot about migraines, and he is managing with the right medications and support measures. This is a big year for our family with my son in his freshman year of college. He is staying healthy, handling the change and the stress. Already after just a few weeks at school, he came home for a visit. His father and I are delighted that we get to see him, even if his motivation is to see Luna!
Next year Brendan plans to live off campus so he can bring Luna with him. Until then, they stay connected through FaceTime calls. Brendan seeing Luna on camera always brings a smile to his face and Luna visibly livens up with the sound of his voice.
I am grateful that Luna came into our lives for the blessing she has been to my son.
By Joan Wegner, East Bay Rabbit Rescue