Rabbit grieving even though not bonded

[skibunny8503]

I had posted in the R.B. Forum that Archie had passed away earlier in the week   I know I haven’t been on the boards for a long time and for the people that don’t know me here’s some background on Archie & Sandy…  We had tried to bond Sandy with Archie and his mate Gracie but she never got along with Gracie so we decided to leave Sandy in a separate cage.  She pretty much preferred to be alone.  Gracie passed away and we tried to bond them again but we were in a rut and decided to stop.  Sandy was pretty territorial of her cage.  We would let her out and she could go right by Archie’s cage no problem but if Archie was out and we didn’t have a gate around Sandy’s cage and he got close to her’s, she would lunge at him.  She would visit his cage sometimes to sniff around but that was about it.  Archie passed away in his sleep earlier this week.  Afterwards my husband said maybe we out to have opened his cage and let Sandy go in and see him.  I had never thought of this, you just assume you do this with bonded rabbits.  But after his passing she seemed a little somber.  She’s still eating very well but just isn’t binkying around like she used to.  We did also change her cage (It killed me going pass his empty cage so we took his down and redid hers the next day).  It’s nice and big and she can run around whenever.  I guess we just have to give her lots of attention and time will heal.  I did order a few things yesterday….a new cottage since the one in her cage has Archie’s scent, some toys and a stuffed lop bunny.  I never tried it but maybe it’ll help and she’ll like the “company”.  She doesn’t come out of her room much but then again she never liked going out when my son was up (I think he scares her but he is completely harmless and actually keeps his distance)….heck sometimes I don’t like going out of my room when my 2 1/2 year old is up lol! I feel like even though she wasn’t bonded with him, he was in his cage next to her and there was always somebunny making noise or right there and now she’s alone in the room.    We’re selling our house in the spring and we were going to put both of them in the basement to make their room an actual bedroom but since he’s gone I can’t imagine putting her down there.  

I’m not sure if I have an actual question or not; maybe am I doing everything right?  I just didn’t expect her to grieve since she wasn’t bonded.  She just looks a little sad.

[JackRabbit]

Since their cages were near each other and she was used to his scent, she may vary well be missing him. I think you’re right about giving her extra attention and not putting her in the basement by herself. Especially now that its just her, I think she’ll be much happier being upstairs with the family.

[jerseygirl]

TimTim grieved a bit when Jelly was put to sleep. They shared the room with pen panels separating them. TimTim would sometimes stir Jelly up and try nip through the bars. But many times I’d see them settled near one another (barrier between). I was surprised Tim was affected some after Jelly passed. I came to realize they provided companionship when I wasn’t home. He was like you describe Sandy – just a bit somber.
(((Sandy)))

[Sarita]

Oh, that’s sad. I imagine their was some kind of bond even though they didn’t have a physical bond. She may be confused too as why he is not there.

I agree too that I probably wouldn’t put her in the basement – it will probably make her more lonely and isolated. Hugs to you and Sandy.

[skibunny8503]

I think you’re right Jersey, as they probably liked the company of each other. When we weren’t home or at night they weren’t in their room alone, they had someone else there. And now that he’s gone, there’s no other noises in the room and she’s just alone. I still hear her doing something in their and wonder which one is it but then realize that it’s just her now. She did come out on her own; just into the hall; and she popped straight up in the air! I haven’t seen her do that in awhile. I also spent time with her last night and she licked my nose. I think partly why she hasn’t come out of the room was because the day after Archie passed, we put her out in the living room and blocked her from going back in her room so my husband could clean everything up and redo her cage. She looked terrified because that’s her safe spot that she can go back to. She’s warming up to my son slowly but she’s still unsure about him lol!
Yeah at this point I really don’t want to put her in the basement. Maybe we could make her cage smaller to fit a closet and bed in the room. Or maybe do something where the cage can easily be removed if we have to show the house and we can take her with us. I know not everyone would be happy to see a rabbit cage in a future bedroom. But for now she stays up here.

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