Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Unlikely Friends



The Tortoise and the Hare, by Arthur Rackham




Do you remember the story
of the tortoise and the hare?

Always one of my favorites.
Slow and steady 
wins the race every time.




Cute old vintage artwork.

Had not really thought about it
for a long time.


But then over the weekend
my daughter and I were out shopping
and we walked into one of our
 favorite pet shops in the city
 where we used to take the kids  
 when they were very small.

Completely did not expect to see
this most uncommon sight.

A most unlikely pair
sharing a nesting area in an
old open closet within the shop.


The tortoise's name is Betty, and the lop-eared rabbit's name is Holly.

Close up of Holly... she weighs 18 pounds! Can you believe it?

This tortoise is a breed from Ethiopia, an African Spurred Tortoise.
(See Holly in the background... napping.)




Can you believe they share their
food and their living space?


Remarkable.




Holly has such a sweet disposition.




Betty likes to go to the beach at Lake Michigan to bask in the sun,
they told us.... in the warm summer months.


Both of these animals
lived with their owners until
Betty got too big and the family 
that had her felt they 
could not keep her any longer.


Holly's family moved  
and could not take her with them.


They are both orphans 
of the pet shop now,
but they have become so much more.


They have become the best of friends.



They do not seem to be in any
hurry to get anywhere. No races here!
Just happy enjoying each other's
company and all the attention
the pet shop employees and visitors provide.


Thought I would share
this unique friendship
with you.




The end!


(Heading off tomorrow morning 
to attend the Junk Jubilee
in Des Moines tomorrow. 
Are any of you 
planning to attend as well?
Maybe I will see you there!)




Home





36 comments:

Olive said...

Sweet to the tenth power.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That is the coolest story. Aren't they cute? The rabbit weighs more than my dog.

Pamela Gordon said...

That is so amazing! I love this story with a happy ending.

Debbiedoos said...

That is so stinkin cute! I heart this story:) I hope they can find a home together, how neat would that be?

At Home in English Valley said...

Hi Alison, Can't wait to show this post to my little niece...she will have so many questions! Love, Penny

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

How wonderful this post is! I love it.

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh what a sweet post! They are so adorable!!

Deserae said...

So amazing....this is such a sweet story!!!!! I hope whoever adopts them keeps them together :o)
~Des

AntiqueChase said...

ahhh, I want the bunny... so cute.

Rebecca said...

What serendipity!
Wishing you great success & lots of fun in Iowa...

Ricki Treleaven said...

...and what adorable little friends they are! Such a sweet post, Alison, thank-you.

Anonymous said...

Hi Alison! Oh, what a sweet post! I would have thought these two would have been afraid of each other! How precious to see this.
Hope you're doing well and have a great time and find lots of treasures.
Thanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Calypso In The Country said...

How cute is that! What a great story. Can't wait to see what you buy...
-Shelley

Kelly said...

That is such a sweet story. Glad that they have each other for companionship!

NanaDiana said...

Oh- How sweet is that?! I was telling my grand daughter about that story just the other day..and explaining what it meant. Wait till I show her this post! xo Diana

Gail said...

What a beautiful story! I hope they find a home for them together. Don't tell us if they don't....it would break my heart.

Karen said...

Alison,
That is so heartwarming and sweet. I love stories and images of animals getting along. Thanks for sharing this.
Karen

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Ahhh, a real life fairy tale..I love it...On my way home from getting more Annie Sloan Paint there was a traffic jam...cars backed up...for a cute turtle crossing the road...he made it!!...

Des Moines...a bit far for me, but my dad was born and raised in Iowa on a farm...Have fun!!!

Clara said...

Such a sweet post. Thank you for sharing.
~Clara

Ann said...

So cute! I just found your blog and it is always wonderful to "meet" other people with the same interests. Another polo player who is design crazy - I'll be reading! :)

Linda in AZ * said...

*** What a SMILE-MAKER!!! They're sooo PRECIOUS, so UNexpected to see, that one can't HELP but smile... a realllly BIIIIIG ONE!!!

Thanks for the heartwarmer!!!

Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

Just what the world needs more happiness and things to make us smile.

I cannot believe how cute they are!

I have never heard of the show you are going to, I cannot wait to see all of he great things you find.

I hope you try my cinnamon roll pancakes...they are fabulous!

Elizabeth at pine cones and acorns

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

What an odd pairing! I have some friends that would say we are an odd paring too! Isn't it wonderful when we love others just for who they are!

The bunny and tortoise could teach us a whole lot.
This is a great story!
Junk Jubilee sounds like a whole lot of junkin' fun!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

What a loving post Alison. I just read this story to my 5 yr. old grand so she can go to sleep, a month ago that she and her sister were visiting us. The fat rabbit is adorable. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your weekend.
FABBY

Tina said...

How sweet. I love stories about unexpected friendships.
Have a great weekend.

County Line Road said...

What is Jubilee Junk? I have a feeling I've missed it!

County Line Road said...

What is Jubilee Junk? I have a feeling I've missed it!

Sarah said...

What a precious post! Love the vintage illustrations, but the story of Betty and Holly is even sweeter. ;-)
Have fun shopping. Wish I lived near by to join you. Just returned from a trip to visit my mom and found a fun find that followed me home. Will share soon.
Thoughts of you ~ Sarah

Savannah Granny said...

So adorable. I just Loooooove this post! Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Ginger

French Charmed ~ Chelle said...

Bonjour mon ami ~ How amazing! A delightful post... Merci for the share! Wishing you a charmed weekend! Au Revoir ~ Chelle

thistlewoodfarm said...

What a great friendship! They are absolutely adorable together! Thanks for sharing this sweet post!

blessings,
karianne

andrea@townandprairie said...

People don't realize how big some rabbits can get. I hope they find good homes!

Ivy and Elephants said...

What a beautiful post! It's like seeing one of my favorite stories come to life, but in the best possible way. It's so amazing how God can show us how to love and get along in the most powerful ways.
Thanks for sharing this great story.
Hugs,
Patti

Babs said...

What a sweet post! Thanks for sharing Holly and Betty's story. Have fun at the Junk Jubilee! Hope you find some great things! I'll see you for Favorites on the First.
Babs

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

LOVE this post Alison! What a sweet story of theses two cuties!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

They are sooo cute! Darling!