She went for a walk with a rabbit on a leash. She had found the rabbit, named “Purzel,” as a newborn in her garden. She then raised him on diluted milk, bananas, oranges, and whipped cream.
A Sense for Music and Whipped Cream
He also seemed to have a knack for music: when his owner played the violin, he would curiously come closer, but he showed no reaction when she played the piano. At first, he stayed in her apartment during the day and slept in a little nest at night. When it all became too much for the medical student, she decided to give him to the Zoological Institute at Friedrich-Alexander University. After several escape attempts, he had to be kept in a cage there. Only when his former owner visited him—as in the encounter described above—was he allowed out and even permitted to lick a little cream at Café Mengin.
“Purzel” with the research assistants from the Zoological Institute and his owner at Café Mengin.
Photo: City Archives / Rudi Stümpel
See also
City archive
The Erlangen City Archive is the official memory of Erlangen. The main tasks of the city archive include the permanent storage and cataloging of collections.
Short Stories from the City
Erlangen has a long and interesting history. There's a lot to tell. A look back.
City archive
The Erlangen City Archive is the official memory of Erlangen. The main tasks of the city archive include the permanent storage and cataloging of collections.
Short Stories from the City
Erlangen has a long and interesting history. There's a lot to tell. A look back.