Bunny the Birthday Squirrel

Digital color over cleaned scan of black Uni-ball® roller ball ink pen on paper.

-EVERY BODY NEEDS A BUNNY-
Bunny is a celebratory mascot in the same fashion as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Meaning: he's a mascot that really has nothing to do with the historical roots of his associated holiday/celebration/event/occasion.


-THE BIRTH OF A BIRTHDAY SQUIRREL-
Now a two-year old creation, Bunny was something I dreamed up when I was issuing birthday announcements at work. Primarily, I thought it would help the message be more an announcement and less a personal message from myself. Secondarily, Bunny was a way to interject some goofiness if not fun. Tertiarily, birthdays need a mascot as much as Easter and Christmas and et al.

Yes, Bunny is a squirrel, and NOT a rabbit. (That's wacky, right?)

And, yes, (if you've been paying attention), Bunny is a BOY squirrel. Aren't all the best American mascot/character icons boys: Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Cap'n Crunch, Mr. Bubbles, et cetera? Not that I'm saying that's right. Not that I'm issuing a challenge to prove me wrong. But really, it's such a long list that the statement may as well be true.


-THE LEGEND OF BUNNY THE BIRTHDAY SQUIRREL-
Once upon a time, birthdays has no mascot. Oh, what woeful, piteous days those were.

Then a mascot for birthdays was chosen, or rather mascots, plural. They were a flock of sparrows: peace-loving, Earth-loving, love-loving sparrows. They were hippies - "hippie birdies" Unfortunately, even a flock of hippie birdies was not responsible enough to cover the daily celebrations that birthdays are. They were sacked.

Then a new mascot was chosen: Bert the Hippopotamus. Hilarity ensued. Then he was sacked.

Then some thrity plus contenders popped up on making birthday rounds.

In the end, a very eager, energetic and wholly optimistic (perhaps exceedingly so) squirrel rose above the crowd to be the sole birthday mascot, partly through pure "stick-to-it-tivness" and partly through natural attrition. That squirrel's name was "Buddy" as announced by a huge greeting card corporation.

Some years later, "Buddy", having gained popularity in North America, would exert his celebrity and travel by his given name "Bunny."


-HERE COMES BUNNY-
Now, ev'ry body sing.

If you need a melody, try the one accompanying Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum's tale of "The Walrus and the Carpenter (or "The Story of the Curious Oysters") " from Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland.