VICTORIA — Although Madison Davenport had no experience raising rabbits, when she happened upon a social media post showing baby bunnies abandoned at a construction site, she felt compelled to help. “It was instant tugging at my heart strings,” Madison says. So, until a rescue society could be contacted the next day, Madison agreed to look after a bunny overnight. “I had a bathtub,” Madison laughs. “That was my best option.” Madison filled her tub with blankets, food, and small stuffed animal in the hopes of making the bunny feel safe for the short term. But when she learned all the animal rescues were full, she committed to keeping the bunny for the long term. “It’s something about small animals, they don’t have a voice,” Madison says. “And I felt like he needed someone to be his voice.” But first the bunny needed to be called something. Madison named him after one of the buildings where he’d been found. “I like quirky names, so I chose Motel,” Madison laughs. “And then I thought it’s embarrassing going to the vet saying, ‘Here’s Motel!’” So, she started calling him Mosby at the vet, Mo at home, and Mo-Mo whenever the bunny would cuddle up close to her face and make Madison realize she needed to change her life. “When I found Mo, I was going through an intimate partner violence situation,” Madison says. “It’s hard to leave. I knew I needed a safe place for myself, but also for this life that I was now responsible for.” During the process of saving Mo, Madison says she found the courage, strength, and resilience to save herself. “In a way he’s my cheerleader, even though he can’t talk,” Madison smiles. “With me giving him a voice, he helped me to find mine.” Now, years after escaping the situation, Madison says she and Mo are not just safe but thriving. “Now he’s a great reminder of how you can flourish from a really bad situation,” Madison says. Their relationship shows that no matter the size of your heart, the power of loving unconditionally is limitless. “The gratitude I feel today makes my heart happy,” Madison smiles, before cradling Mo and petting the top of the bunny’s head.
