Amy Sedaris has a beautiful apartment in New York City’s desirable Greenwich Village neighborhood, though she often describes it as a hutch. A rabbit hoots.
Until recently, Sedaris, an actor, comedian and writer, lived with a rabbit named Tina — who is male, a fact he learned years after getting her. Tina had free rein in the apartment and chewed up her bed, couch and some of her clothes like the rabbits that had been there before her.
“To be honest, I used to live with him. It wasn’t the other way around,” said Sedaris, who played Stranger to Candy, Bojack Horseman, And The Mandaloriantold me in an interview earlier this year.
Known for his unconventional brand of comedy, it’s no surprise that his pets are also unconventional. “I’m a rabbit person,” he said. Tina, who fell to her death, was one of a handful of rabbits the Sedaris cared for over the past three decades.
But even though Sedaris often does some work, his interest in these creatures is actually quite serious.
She educates potential rabbit owners about rabbit care, she attends rabbit conferences, she hosts Fundraiser for the Humane SocietyAnd he talks to people like me about why rabbits and other animals deserve our attention.
Why did I talk? his? I’m often looking for new ways to draw readers into conversations about wildlife and nature. One way might be through pets: If you develop love and respect for a pet rabbit, Sedaris said, perhaps that love and respect will spread to other parts of the nonhuman world. And respect for wildlife—most of which is endangered—is the foundation of conservation.
Our conversation, below, has been edited for length and clarity.
Benji Jones
When did you first bring animals into your life?
Amy Sedaris
Growing up we always had dogs and cats and fish and turtles. In the 80s, I had my own cat. And then in the ’90s, I saw a rabbit in a window, and I thought, “I’m going to get that rabbit.” And I did. I was just blown away by how beautiful it was… I mean, you’re used to seeing dogs and cats, but see a rabbit? I was mesmerized.
Having animals in your life gives you a better life.
Benji Jones
You have other rabbits since then. What is it about this animal?
Amy Sedaris
They are just the best. You really have to pay attention to them so you know when they are hurting or if something is wrong. They are the perfect little companions for me. They slept in bed with me; They came to me when I called. They are just delightful. Dogs scare me because I think they can see into your soul. I love dogs and cats but I’ve always felt loyal to rabbits.
They have such strong personalities and I can take that. I’m like, “Okay, you can be the boss. Do you want me to do this? You got it. You want to be pet right now? Absolutely.” I loved being in that position with the rabbit, because I was finally going to be the one with the power.
Benji Jones
Who was your first rabbit?
Amy Sedaris
Tattletale was his name. He lived only 3 1/2 or 4 years. And then I got a rabbit named Dusty a year and a half later. That’s when I realized bunnies can be assholes and really bossy. Like, you really live with them, not the other way around. A year later, I was walking by Petco and popped in to see my last bunny, Tina, who had died on Halloween. I kept him for 10 years. I found out after four years of having him that he was actually a boy. It was my first male pet. It made sense when I found out it was a boy. I’m like, of course you’re a boy. You have given me male strength.
Benji Jones
How was your relationship with Tina?
Amy Sedaris
It took Tina years to believe me. Usually, when you bring a rabbit home you first put them in a cage. They can see you and get to know you better and then you can let them go. I didn’t make that move. I immediately gave him the apartment. I lived with him in this big hut. He had free range – and that’s why he was so authoritative. He would jump on the furniture, jump on the bed. He would sleep with me, hug me, especially towards the end of his life. He got really affectionate and would groom me. He was a really good communicator. He was a real charmer.
Near Tina’s last days, everyone came and everyone helped me. I would tell people when they are going to get an animal, the first step is to find the right vet for you, and then surround yourself with a community of people who can help you when you need it.
Benji Jones
How has Rabbit shaped your life — and your comedy?
Amy Sedaris
I lived my life around Tina’s schedule. It was always date night with Tina. It was always about getting home. My agents are tired of hearing about Tina. I’m like, “Tina’s a senior bunny and I can’t travel.” And if I had to work long hours, I had a woman who would come in to check on Tina and just sit with her. He was a member of the family. People always ask about Tina, like when I do a talk show. I could talk about Tina forever.
I like the idea of a prey animal feeling safe. I love opposites in my career, like someone who is unattractive but thinks she’s beautiful. And with rabbits, they are always afraid that they will be eaten. So when they come back to me, it’s the best. Also, knowing that you give them complete control. They tell you where they want the litter box; They tell you when they are hungry. My father used to tell me all the time, “That damn rabbit is holding you hostage.” Tina chewed me out of the room. I haven’t had a nice bed in 27 years from rabbits, because they chew the sheets.
Benji Jones
Sometimes I look at my dog and I’m just amazed at the fact that he is … an animal. Not a human being but a different species that has no connection to the reality of everyday stress and in some ways that brings me a sense of calm. Did you have that relationship with the rabbit?
Amy Sedaris
i did You just tune into them. Rabbits calm me down. You lie on the floor, they come to bed, they know your routine. I think having a rabbit really helped me stay in tune with something else, like someone who needed me, who depended on me. I like to have responsibility and work. You want a job you can worry about. Like every day you have 20 minutes of work. And I love visiting farmers to get hay. I love talking to people on the phone about rabbits for hours. Or you go to a rabbit convention, and it’s funny because they say people look like their pets, and there they are [people] There by the buck’s teeth. like that, This is ridiculous
So it changed me. If I were an animal, I would be a rabbit.
Benji Jones
I think a lot of people struggle to engage with stories about the decline of wildlife or the suffering of animals. What does it take to draw more people into the conversation?
Amy Sedaris
Well, it’s hard. Even at the Humane Society, when they show those videos [of animals suffering]It’s really hard to see. Or when you’re watching a news station and that commercial comes on, you’re like, “Oh my God,” people get hurt. They think you’re shoving it down their throats.
But do you know, when the covid pandemic happened, all these animals were coming out in nature. There were more fish in the stream, families of bears were crossing the road, because the traffic was not so heavy. It’s just like, “Look! It can always be like this.” We can live with animals and protect animals.
Benji Jones
What is your message to people who don’t feel connected to animals or the natural world?
Amy Sedaris
Having a relationship with an animal is one of the best things you can do.
It really makes you look at life in a whole other way. You can love something and it really opens your heart a lot. And when you lose an animal all you can do is get another. It will take me a while to get another one [rabbit]. I feel like I have to live my life little by little, but I know eventually I will, and it will make me feel better.
