Dust Bunnies

“Mummy, I’ve found a dust giraffe.”

“Giraffe! Oh Darling. I think you mean dust bunny. In any case, I’ve only just vacuumed.”

“No, it’s a dust giraffe.” (emphatic three year old)

“Really?”

“Yep! Its got a long neck. Look.”

“Oh”

For the many of you who have never had the dubious pleasure of meeting a dust bunny, it is a small creature that lives, grows and multiplies under free-standing furniture. On the whole, they remain there, happy and hidden. They prefer houses full of furry pets, vacuums with short hoses and tiled floors. It is unknown what benefit they add to the household, but on the whole they are tolerated, as they keep to themselves.

They, however, are extremely hospitable creatures who enjoy welcoming visitors into the house. As soon as the outside door is open, they roll out from their hiding spot. Just like grey, furry tumbleweed, blown out by a sudden draught.

Do not be fooled. It is intentional. Although dowdy coloured, the dust bunnies rapid movement is instantly noticed by the visitor. The best way to deal with a dust bunny is to tread instantly on it, before it is mistaken for a mouse. The problem comes when more than one dust bunny appears. I suspect that greeting your visitors with a tap dancing routine, may eventually get you a name.

And yes, the dust bunny, that my son found today, did have a definite long neck. A strange mutation. Unfortunately, it was speedily rehomed, before I could take a photo or perform any significant scientific experiment. As for my son, I guess if I am going to encourage him to be creative, then I only have myself to blame.

So anyone going to make me feel better and own up to dust bunnies?

24 comments

  1. P.S. You will be sending me photos and info. on the dolls you’ll be painting, won’t you? I already have a page set up on my blog for a wee peg-person gallery!

    Cheers —
    MB

  2. seriously, where do they come from?!! i swear i sweep and vacuum. 😉
    that little sweater bunny (that’s what i’m guessing he’s made of) is sure cute! love those ears. wish my dust bunnies were half as adorable!

    1. Ha! I get the feeling that we all feel like that!

      It is a sweater bunny. The result of accidently shrinking eldest’s favourite jumper. Managed to make three rabbits out of that mistake. Not bad. I am far happier for the children to play with this style of bunny!

  3. dust bunnies and giraffes sound rather cute…I think we go for Jurassic monster bunnies or Mammoths or something here… I blame my dyson breaking (just don’t ask how long ago it broke….. 🙄 😳 )

    A very elegant hound photo btw

    1. Those sound like BIG dust bunnies! I don’t think it matters what you do, dust bunnies will always be with us!

      I miss my dyson. Although it did have the disadvantage that the children could spot if I had vacuumed up something that they held precious!

  4. Dust bunnies rule in our house. Two white haired cats and a forever malting white labrador means dust bunnies breed faster than real bunnies. Drives me nuts, but what can you do? 😀 Life is to short to be vacuuming every day.
    Anne xx

    1. My feelings exactly. Life is too short to be vacuuming all the time. Have toyed with the idea of vacuuming the dog, but I suspect this would not go down well or solve the problem. I’d have to be a whole lot more house proud to go down that route!

  5. Hi Cheryl,

    Thankyou so much for sharing with me on my blog. Its a hard thing to talk about I know. Babies really are a miracle, and I am so lucky to have all my healthy and perfect children. There are so many woman out there who can’t even have one. I really appreciate your kind and caring words to me, they are a real comfort. And I have loved reading about your dust bunnies. We make lots of these behind our sofa as its on a laminate floor, its really quite busy behind there in between hooverings! Have a lovely Sunday!

    1. Oh Liz. I hope you are taking care of yourself. You’re right. They are all little miracles. How they make me smile!

      Behind sofas is a popular place for dust bunnies. Undisturbed, they can create whole warrens of dust bunnies. I’m sure they flourish most in busy households. 😀

  6. I have dust dinosaurs at my house…we also have so many spiderwebs that Ruby now has her own collection of spiders in jars on her dresser…she was actually “selling” the spiders to her friends for 25cents each…to raise money so I wouldn’t have to go out to work!
    Time to do a good spring cleaning!
    xo maureen

    1. Oh my goodness. I’d be rolling in the money if I could sell our spiders! Hats of to Ruby as a young entrepreneur. I’m sure she will go far!

  7. Oh I’ll own up to that one! With no carpets, a dog (and often Chickens!) in the house – we have created whole new species under our furniture! I now know why I love my bloggy friends so much – in muggle world I am sure I would get funny looks for admitting to dust bunnies – its so lovely that everyone else is human too in the blogosphere! 😀

    1. This is certainly turning up a lot of dust bunny sightings. A truely international creature, as well. Maybe only bloggers provide the best living environment for dust bunnies. I won’t be testing the theory. Probably best that I refrain from starting this conversation in the school playground.

  8. Oh yes, we have all sorts of mutant dust bunnies running around here, too. And they seem to multiply the moment before a guest arrives. 😯

    I love the sweet bunny – did you make that? Precious!!

    1. Hee hee! Multiplying just before guests arrive seems to be another trait of the dust bunny. It doesn’t matter what I do, my house always has at least one dust bunny in residence and ready to meet and greet.

      Yes, the felted bunny is one of my creations. Made from an unintentional shrinking of my daughter’s angora jumper. Makes super bunnies! 😯

    1. Hmm. Another worrying trait in a dust bunny. It would surprise me if no scientific research has been conducted on dust bunnies. At least a David Attenborough special, featuring these fascinating creatures. 😉

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