Jack entered my life in the summer of 2004. Quietly. Unexpectedly.

I worked at a Natural History Museum at the time. I was the website manager. I arrived at work early, when only one other human was on the floor. It was the Exhibits floor, so it was full of creative people and all sorts of 'stuff' that one would never see in a typical office environment.

That morning was like any other. In the door, up the steps, through another door, around the corner…and there was this cart full of colorful costumes and fuzzy animals. Being a big kid myself, I smiled a huge smile. Then I saw it. Those brown eyes looking out of the pile of fur. Those big brown eyes! I saw the bat…the raven…the skunk…the bobcat…but this one--the jackrabbit--was exceptional! So, I picked up the critter. Wow…a puppet! Even better! The color of the fur was so realistic. The ears…the paws. Everything was well designed and made. I looked at the butt tag…Folkmanis…I should have known. They are a creative bunch. Boy would I like to be a part of their team. Sometimes I think to myself, "I could do better than this", but with this rabbit, I knew I could not.

'We' moseyed down two doors to my office. The rabbit hung around my office all day. Sometimes when I looked at it, it appeared as though its expression had changed…or possibly, it was actually listening to the conversation going on around it. I kiddingly sent a ransom note to the exhibit developer who owned the cart of costumes and animals. I heard her hearty laugh upon reading the note. The rabbit stayed in the office with me for a couple days. When the weekend arrived, I asked if I could borrow it for the weekend. As mentioned earlier, I am a big kid. I envisioned numerous photo opportunities (G rated only, BTW). Off we went for the weekend, and the first cell phone pictures were taken…checking for the mail, sitting at the kitchen counter with a carrot, and smelling the flowers. The puppet acquired a name, Mr. Jack R. Abbit. And that was how 'Jack' came to be.

The cart of costumes and furry critters was destined for an upcoming exhibit on the natural history of wildfires. A children's creative play area had been created, including a hand-painted mural on the wall. The clever costumes and puppets were to become a part of the exhibit experience for children. Yes, hundreds of little, possibly grimy, fingers were to enjoy all these wonderful fuzzy exhibit additions.

The thought of Jack being subjected to life in an exhibit didn't fare well with me, so I located a toy store with a jackrabbit puppet on hand (tee hee, get it? on hand?), purchased the puppet, and replaced Jack's spot on the cart. A year and a half later, Jack and I rescued this replacement puppet, Jill, from her occupation that had become hazardous to her health. Tough love, one might call it. She had a large hole in her throat, other areas were furless, she was quite dirty, with rumpled whiskers and droopy ears. I took her home, gave her a bath in the sink. Brushed her. Found fur that amazingly almost matched perfectly, and patched it into her throat. She is now allowed her to live out her years in a safe and quiet environment. She still looks 'well loved', but I will just refer to that as 'character.'

Might I add that my life does not focus around these two puppets. It can be weeks between photos, and six months between website updates, but when a unique opportunity exists, I don't let it pass me by. It's been over two years since Jack became a part of the office and my household. Grown men walked by the office and said 'hi' to Jack. Staff purchased toys and apparel for him. One made Jack an official Museum badge, another made Jill an official Volunteer name tag. Another, a macho ex-marine, made Jack the surfboard. People questioned where Jack was if he was not is his 'usual' spot in the office. In 2005, I was the van driver for a Museum photography trip to Yosemite. I took Jack, but kept him low key until everyone was out and about taking photos. While taking my first shot of him in front of Yosemite Falls, the trip photography instructor saw him, grabbed him, exclaimed…"I received one just like this for Christmas last year!"…and off he went down the sidewalk with Jack peeking over his shoulder. This instructor was in his 50's, and I'm far from my 30's. Do you realize the odds of two adults on one trip of 22 people owning the same puppet? And it being a recent purchase--not one from their long-lost childhoold? This instructor uses various puppets to teach kids camping safety, etc. when he conducts other family-oriented trips.

If I take a road trip, Jack goes along. If I see something along the side of the road that would make for a good shoot--I stop. The plane photo…it was parked along the side of the road. Little did I know when I stopped, that a tiny little rabbit-sized window was open on the side of the plane. We have yet to get arrested for trespassing.

There are places I will take Jack, and others that are not appropriate. Most people smile when they see me taking pics of him. Some may think I'm just an odd woman-and that is ok also. I thrive on odd or unique. I will never do anything to harm or embarrass another person, so only willing participants need apply. Jack's pictures make people smile and laugh, and allow them to think like a child again--even if only for a few moments.

We've had fun so far. No telling how long we will keep this up. I created a hardcover photo book (with Shutterfly) for my mom so she could smile, laugh and enjoy Jack's Adventures. She knows I'm creative, so nothing I do would surprise her. She's in her 70's, and showed it to another woman her age who enjoyed it just as much. Her comment to me…"I'm in love with Jack!"

This rabbit seems to appeal to all ages. Global hare appeal? ? ?

Stay tuned for more adventures.

< Back to Jack