Gray, Shivering Bundle in the Rain Catches Woman’s Eye During Dog Walk

The rain was coming down steadily when Samantha arrived at a local nature preserve with her dog, Tonks. They had barely stepped out of the parking lot when something small and gray caught her eye in the grass. At first, she thought it might be a wild animal — maybe even a young groundhog — but something didn’t seem quite right.

“She didn’t have the movement or silhouette of a wild rabbit,” Samantha recalled. “When I got closer, I saw the floppy ears … and the fact that she didn’t run from us made it clear she wasn’t wild at all.”

The little bunny — later named Fig Newton — had likely been abandoned. She wasn’t equipped to survive in the park on her own, and Samantha instantly knew she had to help. After walking Tonks to a safe distance, she returned to try to rescue the shivering rabbit.

Fig allowed Samantha to get within a few feet before hopping off into the woods. Disheartened, Samantha feared she’d lost her chance. But moments later, Fig reappeared — this time following her up the path. It was as if the bunny was quietly saying, Please don’t leave me here.

Samantha lowered herself onto the wet, muddy ground and waited. Slowly, Fig hopped closer, seemingly comforted by her rescuer’s stillness. When Samantha’s friend Rachael — an experienced rabbit owner — arrived with treats, they were able to coax Fig into a carrier.

Once safe inside, Fig devoured pellets and fresh greens, her exhaustion from the cold and rain evident.

A vet visit confirmed she was between 6 months and a year old — underweight, with overgrown nails, but otherwise healthy.

Initially, Samantha planned to place Fig with a rescue. But after learning how to care for her, and feeling an undeniable bond, she realized this little rabbit had already found her forever home.

Fig settled in quickly, showing no fear and showering her new mom with affection from the start. She went from abandoned and drenched in the rain to cozy, safe, and loved — exactly where she belonged.