Brave

Cute little bunny!  Watch out!  The big hungry dog is coming!  
That’s what you think.  

But the truth is not always what it seems.  
And you’ll never understand what’s going on in this picture unless I explain it.  

Really.

This is my kids’ cute little bunny, Philomena.  She should have a hutch in the great wild yonder somewhere, but instead, she lives in my living room.  She is a two pound tyrant who likes to be the center of attention, and I’m an eejit..  So she wins.  She lives in a play yard in my living room.

We also live with a yellow lab named Jack.  Ninety pounds of muscle and strength… a big boy with a big bark.
Philomena is mischief.  She sits around like a queen,  shredding whatever she gets her teeth on.  Here she has stolen my daughter’s paper doll, and is giving it a 
toe amputation, er - pedicure. 

My daughter is on her way to take it back.  And here comes Jack. Is he a threat?  Is little tiny Philomena safe?  One might wonder.

But as soon as Jack, the lumbering oaf, sets one yellow foot into Philomena’s perceived territory (this day, it’s the pillow)  Philomena strikes out in growls and foot thumps, charging at the impudent dog who dares offend.  

Jack could eat her in one gulp.

But he is afraid. 

Little Phil has biting incisors of death and destruction, and she ain’t afraid to use ‘em.

So Jack, the ninety pounder, is scared off by the two pound bunny.  He retreats in haste, to lay his big head down in shame and submission.  

Philomena wins again.  

It’s hard for me to admit which of these animals I identify with more…  

I am like Jack.  My problems may be small, but I cannot overcome them at all.  I’m so beaten that I don’t even try.  One Perky little Problem sasses off to me, and I slink away with my tail between my legs, and lie down on the floor.  Beaten.  I don’t even have the gumption to try, to bark, or to lift up my head.  I could be so much more than I am!  I have power!  But I’m down for the count.  Poor me.  I lost the fight before it began.  

Some days, every once in a rare while, and only for a moment, I get to feel like Philomena. Sass and bravado in spades.  I am a two pound fury that frightens away the bad guy.  Problems flee like water down a cliffside.  Who needs strength?  I am Attitude with a capital A, and that’s all I need.  

Watch out, world.  

If only I could be more like Philomena, more often.  Small, but brave.  Petite but powerful.  

Oh, my gosh.  She’s looking at me.  Oh dear.  
Excuse me, but I’m leaving now.  Phil says it’s time to sit on the floor.  So I’m going.  Goodbye.  I'll be brave some other day.