Jack the Rabbit Killer

I was so looking forward to sleeping in this morning. Yesterday I finished the last of my obligations that had been consuming my time and attention for the past few months, and though there are new assignments ahead, I was looking forward to a break of at least one restful day.

I would have roused and made myself presentable if I had received a call asking me to substitute teach, but barring that occurrence, I planned to loll in bed for awhile and then have a leisurely day.

Relax.

At a little after 5:00 a.m., Jackson's whining drove me to get up and let the dogs out- actually just Jackson, because Jasper could care less about an early morning pee. Jasper has figured out that the 5:00 a.m. outing has nothing to do with getting fed, so he keeps sleeping. Jackson, however, continues to insist on these pre-dawn romps in our fenced-in backyard.

I got up to let Jackson out, knowing that I would have no trouble getting back to sleep. I stumbled back to bed and was soon asleep; I roused just enough to hear Ken getting ready for work. Ah! I had not received a call to substitute teach- I snuggled back under the covers.

But.

Within minutes of Ken's leaving for work, Jackson was whining in earnest again. (Ken had brought him in and fed both him and Jasper and brought them back into the bedroom.)

Fine. I would let out Jackson and Jasper for their post-feeding romp and ... er... release... er ... relief... THEN I would go back to sleep for at least another half an hour.

I stumbled out of bed and took them downstairs and they bounded out eagerly-- Jackson in the lead--

to grab up his big, dead rabbit.

YUCK.

I tell him to drop it. He does, but stands over it, growling when Jasper comes near it.

Poor, food obsessed Jasper. He can tell that what Jackson has is something that contains food, but he is completely baffled as to how one might get at the food. Isn't there a bunny wrapped around it?

I start to approach and Jackson grabs up his kill and runs INTO THE HOUSE followed by Jasper.

Double YUCK.

I go inside and get the broom and a rag. I chase Jackson away from his kill with the broom, grab the carcass with the rag, and storm outside to fling it out of the yard and into the weeds outside of fence.

I go back inside and wash up and resign myself to being up early.

Because I can't go to sleep NOW.

YUCK.