On a frigid Ohio night, when temperatures had dropped well below freezing, two domestic rabbits sat shivering in a stranger’s front yard. They had no food, no shelter, and no protection from predators or the icy winds. The pair huddled tightly together, refusing to leave each other’s side, their bodies the only source of warmth they had left.
For weeks, the rabbits had been spotted in the same area, their small figures barely visible against the frost-covered grass. They didn’t hop around freely like wild cottontails. Instead, they stayed close to one another, clearly out of place in the neighborhood. To passersby, they may have looked like wildlife, but one neighbor realized something was wrong. These weren’t wild rabbits at all — they were domestic bunnies, abandoned by their family and left to fend for themselves in the bitter cold.
That call for help made its way to Snickerdoodles’ Rabbit Rescue, an organization in Ohio that specializes in saving abandoned or neglected domestic rabbits. Founder Lauren Keller, a veterinary social worker, immediately understood the urgency. Domestic rabbits cannot survive in the wild. Unlike cottontails, they lack the instincts and adaptations necessary to evade predators or find safe shelter. Left outside, they usually die from starvation, predators, or exposure to harsh weather.
“These two had been out there for a couple of weeks with temperatures dropping lower and lower,” Keller later explained. “It was a miracle they were even still alive.”
A Race Against Danger
The situation was far more dangerous than it first appeared. The rabbits had been abandoned near a busy street, where fast-moving cars zoomed by at all hours. Stray cats and other predators also frequented the neighborhood, meaning the bunnies were under constant threat. For Lauren and her team, time was running out.
“Every day they were out there, their chance of survival shrank,” Keller recalled. “We knew we had to move quickly.”
The rescue effort was led by Cody Keller, the rescue’s treasurer and field rescue coordinator. He gathered volunteers and the tools needed for a safe capture. Armed with treats, carriers, and nets, the team headed into the cold night with one goal — to bring the rabbits to safety before it was too late.
As soon as the rescuers arrived, they could see how deeply bonded the pair was. The rabbits never strayed more than a foot apart. When one moved, the other followed. When one froze in fear, the other pressed close as if to comfort them.
“They were glued to each other, constantly grooming and leaning on one another,” Cody said. “It was obvious they were partners, depending on each other to survive.”
A Bonded Pair Named Apple Juice And Cow Tale
With patience and care, the team set up a safe trapping zone. It didn’t take long before the bunnies, too exhausted and hungry to resist, were guided into nets and gently placed into carriers. Finally, for the first time in weeks, the little pair was out of danger.
Back at the rescue facility, the rabbits received full veterinary exams. They were underweight, dehydrated, and crawling with fleas. But despite their condition, they seemed to relax as soon as they realized they were safe indoors.
Rescuers decided to name the pair Apple Juice and Cow Tale — names as sweet as the bond they shared. The moment that followed would forever stay in Keller’s memory.
“We’d never heard a bunny whimper and scream from despair and relief before,” she explained. “Apple Juice knew he was safe — and when he saw us take his companion, Cow Tale, out of the carrier, he realized she was still alive, safe and there with him, too.”
For the first time in weeks, both bunnies could finally breathe. Their days of running from shadows, hiding from cars, and shivering against the cold were over.
Healing, Rest, And Second Chances
As the days passed, Apple Juice and Cow Tale began to experience what life should have been like all along. Soft blankets replaced frozen grass. Warm meals replaced scavenged scraps. Gentle hands replaced the looming threats of predators and cars.
The moment Apple Juice felt truly safe, he performed a dramatic “flop” — a behavior where rabbits throw themselves onto their sides in complete relaxation. It was a gesture of trust and relief, a sign that he could finally rest his body and mind after weeks of trauma.
“Apple Juice did a huge flop on his side from exhaustion,” Keller said. “He was finally at peace, safe indoors, and could rest his sweet mind and body from being in constant chaos.”
Both rabbits were soon spayed and neutered, received flea treatment, and were given time to adjust to indoor life. Their personalities began to shine through. Apple Juice was playful and curious, while Cow Tale remained calm and affectionate. But no matter what they did, they always did it together. Whether grooming each other, exploring their new surroundings, or sharing a quiet nap, the bond they shared was unshakable.
A Forever Home, Together
After their medical care was complete, Apple Juice and Cow Tale were transferred to a foster home. The plan was for them to stay temporarily while the rescue searched for the perfect adoptive family. But sometimes, foster families fall in love so deeply that letting go becomes impossible.
That’s exactly what happened here. Apple Juice and Cow Tale’s foster family couldn’t imagine life without them. They quickly became “foster fails,” meaning their temporary home became permanent. The bunnies now had the forever family they deserved, one that promised they would never be abandoned again.
“They are as happy and healthy as can be and thriving with their new family as indoor companions,” Keller said with pride.
From being dumped in the freezing cold with nothing but each other for comfort, to thriving in a warm, loving home, Apple Juice and Cow Tale’s journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience of animals — and the difference compassion can make.
Never Left Each Other’s Side
From the very beginning, Apple Juice and Cow Tale made it clear that their love for one another was their lifeline. When abandoned, they clung together. When rescued, they found relief in knowing they were still side by side. And now, in their forever home, they continue to live every moment together.
For Lauren Keller and her team, the rescue of Apple Juice and Cow Tale reinforces an important truth: domestic rabbits are not disposable pets. They are sensitive, social animals who rely entirely on human care. Dumping them outdoors is not only cruel — it’s often fatal.
Thankfully, for these two little souls, love and loyalty carried them through the hardest days. And now, their days of shivering in the cold are nothing but a distant memory, replaced by the warmth of family, comfort, and safety.
