Amy Sedaris Interview: How Rabbits Can Change Your Life

Amy Sedaris has a nice apartment in New York City’s popular Greenwich Village neighborhood, which she often describes as a cabin. It’s a rabbit hutch.

Mr. Sedaris, an actor, comedian, and author, until recently lived with a rabbit named Tina. The rabbit was male, and I only learned this fact many years after I started raising it. Tina took full advantage of the apartment and, like the rabbit who lived there before him, gnawed at the bedding, sofa and some of the clothes.

“Honestly, I lived with him, not the other way around,” said Sedaris, who has appeared on Strangers with Candy, BoJack Horseman and The Mandalorian. he told me in an interview earlier this year.

She’s known for her unconventional brand of comedy, so it’s no surprise that her pets are also unconventional. “I’m a rabbit person,” she said. Tina, who died in the fall, was one of the few rabbits Sedaris had cared for over the past 30 years.

But while Sedaris is often a bit of a dork, her interest in these animals is actually quite serious.

She educates would-be rabbit owners about rabbit care, attends rabbit conferences, hosts Humane Society fundraisers, and educates people like me about why rabbits and other animals deserve attention. I’m talking about.

Why did I talk to her? I’m often looking for new ways to engage readers in conversations about wildlife and nature. Another option, Sedaris said, is through pets. If you develop love and respect for your pet rabbit, perhaps that love and respect will spill over into other parts of the non-human world, he said. And respecting wild animals, many of which are endangered, is the basis for protecting them.

The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

When did you first incorporate animals into your life?

When we were kids, we always had dogs, cats, fish, and turtles. In the 80’s I had my own cat. Then in the 90s, I saw a rabbit in my window and thought, “Let’s go get that rabbit.” And I did. I was just struck by the beauty…ears. In other words, we’re used to seeing dogs and cats, but seeing rabbits? I was fascinated.

Having animals in your life makes your life better.

Since then, you’ve had other rabbits. What on earth is going on with these animals?

they are just the best. You have to really pay attention to them to know when they are in pain or something is wrong. They are perfect little friends for me. They slept in bed with me. I called and they came. It’s just fun. Dogs surprise me because I think they see into your soul. I also like dogs and cats, but I’ve always been loyal to rabbits.

They have very strong personalities and I can accept that. I said, “Okay, you can be the boss. You want me to do this? Okay. Do you want to be my pet now? Absolutely.” I liked being in that position with the rabbit because

Who was your first rabbit?

Tattletale was her name. She only lived to be three and a half or four years old. A year and a half later, I adopted a rabbit named Dusty. That’s when I realized that rabbits are assholes and very bossy creatures. Like, do you really live with them, not the other way around? A year later, I was walking past Petco and stopped in to meet the newest rabbit, Tina, who had just passed away on Halloween. I had him for 10 years. Four years after giving birth, I found out it was actually a boy. He was my first male pet. When I found out he was a boy, it made sense. Of course you’re a boy. I felt like you gave me masculine energy.

How was your relationship with Tina?

It took several years for Tina to trust me. Usually, when you bring a rabbit home, the first thing you do is put it in a cage. They can observe you and get to know you better, and you can release them. I didn’t do that step. I immediately gave him an apartment. I lived with him in this big cabin. He was free range and that was why he was so bossy. He would jump on the furniture and jump on the bed. Especially near the end of his life, he would sleep with me and cuddle with me. He became really affectionate and groomed me. He was a really good communicator. He was a really fascinating person.

As Tina’s last day approached, everyone came and everyone helped me. I tell people that when adopting an animal, the first step is to find the right veterinarian and then surround yourself with a community of people who will help you when you need it.

How have rabbits shaped your life and your comedy?

I lived around Tina’s schedule. It was always date night with Tina. It was always about going home. My agent is tired of hearing about Tina. They say, “Tina is a senior bunny so she can’t travel.” And if I had to work long hours, there was a woman who would come check on Tina and just sit with her. he was part of the family. Like when I did the talk show, people always asked about Tina. I can go on talking about Tina forever.

I like the idea of ​​giving prey animals a sense of security. I like people who are opposites in their careers. For example, someone who is unattractive but thinks their girlfriend is beautiful. And with rabbits, there’s always the fear of being eaten. So if they have my back, that’s great. Also know that you are giving them complete control. They will tell you where the restrooms are. They will tell you when they are hungry. My father always told me: “That damn rabbit is holding you hostage.” Tina bit me out of the house and out. I haven’t had good bedding for 27 years because my rabbits chew on the sheets.

Sometimes I look at my dog ​​and am struck by the fact that he is…a living thing. It’s not human, it’s like a different species that has nothing to do with the stressful reality of everyday life, and in a way, that brings me calm. Did you have that kind of relationship with rabbits?

I did that. You just tune into them. Rabbits calm me down. You lie on the floor and they come into bed and know your routine. I think having a rabbit helped me stay in tune with something else: someone who needs me, someone who depends on me. I like taking on responsibility and chores. You want a job where you can complain. I have 20 minutes of housework to do every day. And I like meeting farmers to get hay. I love talking to people about rabbits for hours on the phone. Or you go to a rabbit conference and people say they look like pets, but it’s funny how there are buck-toothed people there. Like, this is interesting.

So I changed. If I were an animal, I would be a rabbit.

I think many people have a hard time engaging in conversations about wildlife decline and animal suffering. What does it take to bring more people into the conversation?

Well, it’s difficult. Even at the Humane Society, when they show us videos of animals suffering, it’s really painful to watch. Or you’re watching a news station and a commercial comes on and you think, “Oh my god.” People are tough. They think you’re shoving it down their throat.

But you know, when the coronavirus pandemic happened, all these animals came out into the wild. There wasn’t as much car traffic so there were more fish in the river and a family of bears crossing the street. It’s like, “Look!” Maybe it’s always like this. ”We can live with animals and protect them.

What is your message to people who don’t feel connected to animals and the natural world?

Having a relationship with animals is one of the best things you can do.

It really allows you to see life from a completely different perspective. You can love something and it really opens your heart. And the best thing you can do when you lose an animal is to get another animal. It takes time to get the next rabbit. I guess I just need to start living my life a little bit, but I know I will eventually, and it’ll make me feel good.