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Right after we got Pumpkin I was trying to convince the hubby that we should get another bun b/c Pumpkin really does love snuggles and pets and I think a buddy would make her so happy, especially since she spends 16 hours per day in that condo. And the condo is definitely big enough for two.
Well hubby said “NO”–it’s really the only time he’s told me no and meant it! So I let it go. Then we ran into a few health problems, so it really was out of the question. Well Pumpkin has finished up her last round of PenG injections (rabbit syphilis) and we take her back on the 11th for final blood work to ensure she’s completely healthy.
Well lately, hubby has been bringing up getting another bunny in round about ways. Asking lots of questions about the bonding process and random things like “Would we need to put two litter boxes in the condo?”, etc. Asking me what BB would say about this or that…
I feel like he’s warming up to it, but I’m not pushing it too hard. HOWEVER–my friend sent me a picture of the cutest little Oreo looking mini lop at the Humane Society last night. She looks like a more colorful version our bridge bun, Boston. I really would love to get a mini lop or a holland lop.
I had initially figured I’d go through the House Rabbit Society for a second bun. In fact, I filled out an application and have been in touch with their adoption coordinator for a few months, waiting for Pumpkin to get better. She had suggested we bring Pumpkin to Hoppy Hour and kind of let her choose her own buddy.
How did most of you choose your second buns? I would hate to just pick this adorable little lop just for it not to work out with her and Pumpkin. I really do not want to house two buns separately; there’s just no way I would be able to give them both the amount of attention they deserve. The Humane Society will let you bring the animal back within 30 days if it doesn’t work out, but I’m also not sure I’d have it in me to bring a bunny into my life just to toss back out to the Humane Society. Did most of you just pick a second bun? End up with him/her by chance? Let your first bunny choose?
I need to jump on hubby’s open-ness to this now before he changes his mind! And before we have kids and decide we don’t want to add another animal. I’ve been thinking about that too–I think Pumpkin would be happy to have a buddy once we have kids as well.
Sorry for the long rambling post!!!!!!! But I just really value all of your opinions and advice!
Sorry I’m no help, I’ve never had buns other than Moxie.
I just wanted to let you know I read your post, and…YAY, possibly more BUNNIES!!!
Awww, buns love friends for sure! Although, be prepared because the bonding process can be very very stressful! I have gone through it many a times. Other times, it’s a piece of cake. But you definitely have to be prepared that it can be a very long & very stressful process for some buns.
Honestly, the BEST way to ensure an easier bond is to take your bun “dating” like HRS suggested. But what about taking your bun to meet Oreo at the Humane Society? That won’t hurt anything & it will also give you a chance to meet Oreo as well. Just because he looks cute definitely does not mean that you’ll like his personality & after meeting him may realize that maybe he’s not the bun for your family (I could accept any bunny into my home but that does not mean they would all be the perfect “fit” for us). It can’t hurt to look and bring your Pumpkin along to try as well. You’re not going to hurt HRS feelings or anyone elses feelings by deciding to try Oreo first. I work with a lot of rescue people and the most important thing is to help ANY rabbit get adopted, even if it’s not from your facility. So don’t worry at all about hard feelings with choosing that option instead. I volunteer at our Humane Society & they are very open for “dates” although sometimes they’ll ask a more rabbit savvy person to be around for the “date” (this is how they do it at ours).
Since you asked, my 1st bunny was from a breeder. My 2nd bunny was also from the same breeder (we got a sibling from the same litter) as was the 3rd. Fast forward to my 4th bunny, we decided to get a “snuggle bunny”. So we searched around. We went into the decision w/ the knowing that if the bond didn’t work out, we would have to try another bunny. I did that bond through our local Rabbit Wranglers so they were okay (and encouraged) his arrangement. They let us foster him for awhile to see how the bond would go. Once he ended up bonding, we adopted him. My 5th was a pet store bunny that we fostered as well until she was healthy enough (she was sick) to get spayed. We ended up adopting her too when we couldn’t let her go. My 6th & 7th were both picks from the Humane Society & my 8th was a recent save from a breeder who split from her husband, her husband said he wouldn’t feed them, and she needed to rehome them. I took all and found the others homes but we decided to keep one (Zoe).
I used to have a group of 7 bonded buns. (All the ones besides Zoe were bonded). My 7th however became sick so we had to remove him from the group. They kind of “kicked” him out of the group. My boyfriend & I split not long after so I took 5 and he kept 2 from the group. Since we have gotten back together, our group has become a group of 2 quartets. We are still working on the bond for Zoe & Tucker into the 2 that he kept. I have a lot of bonding experience under my belt from all the additions! LOLOLOL.
Sorry for my long rambling response! HEHEHE.
Even though we were not successful at our first bonding attempt with Kieko and the M&Ms, I still believe that all bunnies can be bonded given enough time and patience. Its been almost a year and we haven’t yet tried again and I still have bunnies in two separate rooms, two separate play times, two separate areas to clean, etc. If you get another bunny, just realize that it can take alot of time, effort, patience, and stress. I also think bonding two is the easiest bond! I’m no help!
Tanlover I really like your idea of taking Pumpkin to meet the Oreo bun…not sure why I didn’t think of that option?! I know how time consuming and long the process will be…another reason to do it now before kids! It’s incredible how much bonding you’ve done…do you want to come over and help when the time comes?!?!
JR–did you get the M&M’s at the same time? Or separately and then decide to bond them?
Thanks for the support Moxie! lol…hubby saw my page left up and said “What? Playmate for Pumpkin??” then started talking to Pumpkin asking if she wants a playmate! lol
PS–her girly region is looking soooo sooo good! I’m so excited that she’s finally getting healthy for the first time since we got her!
Aww. Get another bunny!
I spooked my wife with stories about how difficult bonding can be (to prepare for the worst) now she’s worried about getting a second. She suggested it when he was embodying his alter ego, Stew Junior, and causing mayhem as a boredom blocker. But silly me described how it might be difficult to bond them in our current flat (which is true).
I’ve found a place where you can send your bunny to get bonded if you adopt from their shelter… but they require that you’re actually allowed to keep pets in your flat, which is entirely reasonable, but we’re not. So… maybe in a couple of years depending on whether I can stay here to do my masters.
Sometimes I regret not having bought a sibling pair because I feel he must be so lonely when we’re out, but we both prefer to adopt and his cage was a little way over from the baby bunnies. He was just so irresistible.
LLH— At leaste he’s not totally against another bun!
LLH – the M&Ms are half brother/sister born 3 days apart and we got them at the same time. We were able to maintain their bond throughout the hormone separation so no real bonding experience here other than what we did trying to bond them with Kieko. When you bond a pair, there’s no other bun to team up with so its learn to trust each other or be alone, why I think bonding two would be easiest. Definitely take Pumpkin to meet Oreo!
My only other opinion on dating is that unless they are relentless about trying to kill each other, I wouldn’t assume it wouldn’t work. You’ll be bringing a new bunny into *Pumpkin’s* house (yes its hers not yours!), so unless its love at first sight (rare), expect to put time and effort into bonding.
Sometimes the simplest idea is so right in front of us we don’t see it ourselves! I’ve been having trouble bonding with one of my rabbits & JR just suggested on that post that I take the question to AllExperts – that’s so obvious of an idea I’m also not sure how I didn’t think of it! HAHA. We all do that!
Paradigm, we are not supposed to have animals either. We have 8! LMAO. Of course, we own our place so it’s easier. It’s a condo association rule but unlike w/ renting, they can only come in w/out notifying you if it’s an absolute emergency. We have a separate lock to our bedroom (where all the pens are) that only we have so they don’t have access to where they live. It makes it much easier except when maintenance comes, then it’s a big hiatus to get everyone hid in the bathroom, LOL. Just to throw it out there though – bonding in small places is normally a MUST. So I wouldn’t worry about not having enough space to bond! I normally do a lot of bonding in boxes & laundry baskets to make it “neutral” territory!
BTW, my stress level and worrying did not help our attempts with Kieko one bit so prepare *yourself* for bonding.
TL was doing Skype bonding at one point, don’t know if she still is.
A little confession: One of the main reasons Moxie doesn’t have a friend yet is I’m scared of bonding, lol. I can’t imagine rabbits fighting, terrifying! And trying to seporate them,I’d be horrible at that. I’d be too stressed out.
I do but only with people I am close to. I had to start charging because it was taking up so much of my time. I actually haven’t done it in awhile but I’m definitely up for helping anyone on BB! I was getting over 20 requests a day for help, it’s just impossible for me to help them all!
Moxie, HAHA. The key is keeping control of the situation. It doesn’t get out of hand unless you’ve failed to keep control. If you keep control, the likelihood of anyone getting injured is pretty low unless it’s just a freak accident. Granted, when two bunnies begin scuffling I am not afraid to just reach in and grab the first one I grab w/out any care for getting bitten! HAHAHAAH. And believe me, this has definitely gotten me bit on more than one occasion.
tanlover— Ha ha, I’d definitely think your first bonding expierience would be the hardest. I think I’m slightly nervous because I wouldn’t know exactly what I’d be getting into, lol!
I’ve already decided I would try doing the bonding sessions in the spare bathroom…Pumpkin has never been in there and it’s a pretty small space. I don’t want to move forward until after her blood work on the 11th, and I’m guessing this adorable little Oreo will be long gone by then, which is ok there is always other buns but she really is so cute!
Just told hubby I already came up with names. We got Pumpkin right before Halloween, so told him if we get one in February, it will be Cupid or March it will be Shamrock!
Those are cute names!
I’m so excited for you guys!!
Definitely the hardest is the first time – mentally that is! You worry about EVERYTHING. It’s so hard to step back and just let them do their thing.
They have to give us 24 hours notice, which is cool. But they often give notice telling us they’ll be in sometime during the next week or if we’ve set a fire alarm off. Sometimes if they want to show a room to someone, we can be asked on short notice but we’re free to decline. We also have two hamsters. I feel so bad because the accommodation manager really likes us. In fact, I’ve been offered dibs on a job on site next year, lol.
Only problem is that right after we got him, they announced that by law they’re now required to do water checks in all kitchens and bathrooms every month! We live in an open plan studio, so the bathroom and under the bed are the only sizeable closed off areas.
Our bathroom and shower are perfectly sized for rabbit bonding, but we don’t really have room for a second cage which is the main problem. Plus, any adoption place except the one we got him from are likely to want a letter from the landlord. The one where we got him doesn’t allow for bunny dating.
Moxie — I was like that at first, afraid to reach in. Hubby thought he was too macho for gloves and gotten bitten hard by Moshi on day 1. We got heavy duty rubberized (?) welder’s gloves! (Bunny nails slice right through garden gloves just trying to pick up our bunnies!). I had no problem reaching in with my gloved on, my fear was of somebunny getting hurt. I was so afraid that Kieko would hurt little Marlee since Kieko was somewhat the instigator after we really got going. It turned out though that little Marlee is a scrapper and doesn’t take crap from anyone! Kieko is the humper. Moshi was perfectly happy having the attention of two women, and he actually “moshed out” and started closing his eyes when Kieko started humping him — silly bunny thought he was getting a massage! Kieko tried humping Marlee’s face and Marlee went nuts — fur was flying before I could get my hand in there and it took some effort to pull Marlee back. I think TL pointed out a while back that it’s usually the bottom bun in the pecking order who is the most difficult because that one is fighting to not be the bottom bun anymore and not let the new bun in the group come in above him/her. With Moshi being top bunny, I think Marlee was ok being number two to him but not ok being number three. Kieko’s problem was she wanted to be top bunny.
JR— I’m not so worried about myself getting hurt if Moxie and another bun started fighting and I had to step in, I’m more worried about one of the buns being hurt! And you know what’s silly? I haven’t really tried bonding Moxie to my dog (who’s about a pound lighter then her) because I’m scared my dog would get hurt! Moxie has a very sassy personality, who doesn’t mind teaching other animals a lesson! (And my dog doesn’t know what respect to other animals/personal space means) (I’m too much of a worry wart, because my dog and Moxie have been out together a couple times without problems.) Oh well… I think that I’ll actually start trying to “bond” my dog and Moxie together again…
Kieko has bonded to her fuzzy bed (she keeps it well groomed even though she never would groom the M&Ms) and to her stuffie. I haven’t had the time or the mental state to try bonding again, yet.
We have been having more and more “serious” conversations the last couple days about this! Hubby was even checking out Humane Society websites today I found another little guy–Milky Way, a tan and white holland lop who has really similar coloring to Pumpkin. Poor guy is 4 years old and was surrendered most recently after one year b/c the family didn’t have time for him (BUT they have cats and dogs and I doubt they surrendered them…). I have to wonder if he’s just been caged up and ignored for a year or what was his life like the first 3 years?! I might have hubby convinced to go meet him on Friday if he’s still there (Pumpkin’s final vet visit is next Wednesday for blood work).
Any thoughts on if age matters in the bonding process?
Age, size, breed, don’t matter as much as personality. It would be wonderful if you could give him a home. Can’t hurt to meet him!
*Waits excitedly to see the outcome of all of this*
And Milky Way is SUCH a cute name!
I know MM! I told Jared that if we ended up with him I would consider keeping the name. It’s hubby fave candy bar so that doesn’t hurt either. I asked if wanted to change Pumpkin to Mello Yello since thats his fave pop!! haha
How cute is that??? A friend for Pumpkin!! I decided that if I were to get a friend for Gus, since we aren’t really set up for a second, I’d get a rabbit I really want but go into it with the attitude and promises from the shelter to be able to return the bun if bonding is a total no-go. Would I be able to actually return said rabbit?? Probably not. I haven’t gotten the impression that, with most cases, bonding a second bun is as hard as if you try to bring in a third, which I’ve already decided I would never do, as I tried it once and it was as terrifying as Moxie has indicated, especially since they started beating up Gus and I wanted to beat THEM up. NOBODY messes with my Gus!
Can’t wait to hear what you decide and I cannot believe your husband is the one leaning toward another. Mine would NEVER encourage a pet of any kind, but mostly likes them once I have them.
LLH— IT’S DESTINY!!!
Hey everyone! Just wanted to give an update about our adding a second bun journey!
I talked about Milky Way in earlier posts; we were going to go meet him this past Friday but he got adopted on Thursday. I’m happy for him and his new family but both myself and hubby were pretty disappointed. I think he was pretty stuck on that cute little guy.
So I contacted the MN Companion Rabbit Society and found out they have a grey and white Holland/Lion Head mix as well as a black Holland/Lion Head mix. Both are waiting to be neutered. I got pics of the grey guy (current name is Mathias) and I am IN LOVE….again! haha it doesn’t take much in my world to fall in love w/ a bunny. He has those adorable helicopter ears! He gets neutered on Tuesday and I’m hoping they will let me and hubby meet him a few weeks after. They of course don’t want to do any bunny dates for at least a month to let the hormones out. I’m also waiting on pics of the black guy, but I’m pretty stuck on Mathias right now.
I will continue to keep you updated!!!
I wonder if the black one looks anything like my Zoe!! I can’t wait to see pics!
Can’t wait to see pictures! Maybe you’ll fall in love with the black one too and you’ll end up getting Pumpkin TWO new boyfriends?
Too funny MM–hubby was just going on about how I better not think that we are getting TWO more buns!! hahah
LLH— Ha ha that’s too funny!!
It’s going to be a very long month!
I know, I can hardly wait!
Here are some pictures of Mathias (aka hopefully new name Shamrock next month!!) who will be neutered on Tuesday. His foster mom says he’s really sweet. Look at those ears!!!! And that flop! Can you imagine two little white-bellied flopped out bunnies next to each other? Please cross all of your fingers and toes and other appendages for us!
ps–Pumpkin goes to the vet Wednesday for final blood work and overall health vet check!
Haha. Aww. Shame about MilkyWay but a trio would be nice too.
I like the name Mathias too, although I suppose you’ll change it?
It’s going to be a VERY long month JR!! Hubby made a joke the other day (always trying to talk me out of getting another one jokingly). He said you just had that BB member (LEL) make you an avitar and signature. We can’t get another bunny b/c they would have to make you a new one and that’s a lot of work. LOL
I know it will be a month before they can be introduced, but can they “hold” him for you?
LLH— I think you had a typo, I’m sure you meant THREE buns flopped out next to each other. he he he
HE’S ADORABLE!!!
I’m hoping so JR, although the adoption specialist didn’t come right out and say that. That’s why I’m hoping me and hubby can meet him ASAP after the neuter…kind of put “dibs” on him…
That would be great if they could hold him for you.
The only one of mine who had a huge hormonal riot after the spay/neuter was Tucker. He literally went insane for a week. Aaron wouldn’t even touch him because as soon as he saw you, he would charge at you biting and snapping. He was INSANE. Funny because now he’s the biggest cuddle bug ever!
Tanlover— Not our Manny!
Moxie — I think she must be mistaken too!
JR— Ha ha!
Hmmm. If you get to put dibs on him in February, does that mean his name would be Valentine or Cupid instead of Shamrock? Kinda liking nicknames Shammy or Rocky.
I think Pumpkin will love having a companion. I’m really hoping that she and Mathias will along because he is a cutie!!
JR if we were to get a bunny in Feb.we talked about Valentine, Valentino, and Cupid! Awwww Rocky…so cute!
Valentine would be the cutest name for a girl bun!
The Adoption specialist doesn’t want us to meet him until Pumpkin can go on a few dates with him. She doesn’t want us to fall in love with him if Pumpkin doesn’t love him too. Makes sense, but I’m sad. Neuter tomorrow!!
Been buttering the hubby up with Rocky references (thanks JR!). He loves Rocky so I’ve been telling him that Pumpkin can be Shamrock’s Adrian. Sent him a snapchat video of “Eye of the Tiger”…
Vibes . . . (((Pumpkin loves Rocky))) (((Rocky loves Pumpkin)))
(((Vibes))) for them to love each other!!!
Mathias is adorable! I hope it works out with him and Pumpkin! Although I better not tell Oscar about this, he would be jealous. I told him after he brought mites to their first date, that Pumpkin probably wouldn’t go for a second one, but he still thinks he has a chance. Silly boy.
Awww poor Oscar. Pumpkin has forgotten about the mites so we won’t bring it up over here haha I had forgotten that! Too funny!!
I showed hubby all your love vibes………..he thinks we’ve all lost it!
Oh my hubby knows we’re all weird. I wear that label with pride, though.
I can’t believe Pumpkin is getting a sibling.It really is going to be a long month!
It annoys me that people seem to want to judge the bonding possibility on a visit or two, since everyone knows it can take a long time to bond, and if you’re a great owner, you should be able to adopt Rocky regardless of their reaction to each other. And just because they get along there, doesn’t mean they’ll continue to. Tobyluv says their shelter actually has virtual adoptions. I guess they never fully relinquish the bunnies to owners and if they people ever change their minds or have to give them up, they can return them to the rabbit sanctuary. Some day I’m going to travel to her rabbit place and “window shop” though we all know how dangerous that can be!
I’m glad you’re planning to change the name. He has a great name with his foster family, but I’m a big believer in making them more your own by giving them a name YOU choose. Heck, I knew someone who adopted 7 kids, changed all their first names and kept their original names for the middle names. I’m not saying I approve of it for humans, but for animals, definitely
Any news?
And yes, we probably all have lost it! Like the times when you make a bunny reference/remark and get blank stares… LOL
Nothing new to report! Just sent an email to see how the neuter went yesterday. This lady is going to be sick of me
Hubby told me that I look at pictures of Mathias/Shamrock/Rocky way too much!
Pumpkin had a re-exam and blood draw today. Will know by tomorrow that she’s officially syphilis-free but the vet had no concerns. She looks good, no more little bumps on her nose, eyes look good. Just a little concern about one tooth so wants us to cut back on veggies and encourage more hay. It was the same vet that used to see our bridge bun, Boston and he remembered Boston which was really cool (especially since she passed in 2011!) I really like him and plan to take any new buns to see him (I’m going to speak up and request him!) We were sitting on the floor when he came in so the vet just plopped down next to us and did the exam down there!
That’s really cool LLH!!
Nothing better than anything rabbit. I am now working for a vendor for a Lowe’s store and they had out a rabbit statue that is absolutely precious, so I bought one…even hubby likes it! One of my co-workers said, “You haven’t even gotten your first paycheck yet.”
I said it didn’t matter. It’s a rabbit and that trumps all. I had hoped it would spark a conversation about my bun, but she didn’t seem interested
Now I want to see what that statue looks like!! *goes on Lowes website to try and find bunny statue*
Megabunny I wanna see!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok so I just HAVE to ask you guys’ opinion of this! I told the vet that we are looking at getting another bunny and said that rabbits in the wild will pee on each other to mark them as part of their community. (This explains the fact that Pumpkin has peed on each of us exactly once………) The vet said that once we bring a new bun home, we should take a clean cloth, rub it on Pumpkin’s girl parts, and then rub the cloth on the new bunny’s face……and vice versa; clean cloth on his boy parts, rub cloth on her face. Kind of make them think they are part of the same community!
I mean, I know I’ll do it cuz I’ll do anything I can to make this love affair work……..but it’s hilarious to think about!
Wow!! That vet really sounds like he’s on the ball, LLH!! I’m really very impressed with everything you say about him!
I’m trying to get the picture loaded as I can’t find it on line, but you know me and this technology!
HERE IT IS!!! I have crocuses already!! It was only $15, too! But it doesn’t look really cheap (to me, anyway! LOL)
OMG!!! Adorable!!!
And those little purple flowers are crocuses? I love them too! The bunny looks perfect with them!
That statue would look really good right between a couple of plants on a bookcase in my office . . .! The ladies in my area pick up bunny things for me too — I have a pair of wooden bunnies, a couple of tiny toy bunnies, and a silver bunny that’s actually a ring holder. I’d like a double Pandora bracelet with a bunny charm but hubby isn’t the swiftest at picking up on hints, but then again, I’m not big on jewelry so that might be an even harder one for him. Will have to hint a little harder … .
I wonder if rubbing the cloth on their “parts” is to pick up the smell from their scent glands. Definitely curious about this for when we get around to trying Kieko with the M&Ms again. Maybe you should rub the cloth all over the other bunny and vice versa to get a little extra insurance!
So in thinking about scents…I wonder about flip flopping litter boxes too? Like after one has used it for a day, switch them to the other bunny?
Thanks! I can see myself moving this little gal around as different flowers bloom.
JR if you want me to send you one let me know fast, because there weren’t that many left at our location, anyway. So weird to work in retail.
All the Lowes stores don’t carry them?
LLH — swapping litterboxes is a definite bonding tool. You can swap “houses” too, although I don’t know how Pumpkin will like giving up her mansion, even for a night! Where do you plan on putting him initially?
We’ll put him in our bedroom. Our room is actually two bedrooms in one due to an addition. So have kind of a “sitting area” the size of a bedroom. It’s where Pumpkin stayed during all the Thanksgiving Company. You’re probably right about her mansion! But flip flopping could work b/c that bedroom space is pretty big and shes used to our room.
That sounds like it would work great!
I would think other Lowe’s would have them JR. I just don’t know how all that works. I’m not sure I’ll ever figure out all this retail stuff…and it’s hard to take it so seriously. There are so many things in life to take seriously (like rabbits!) that people getting worked up about displays and such is a totally different world…though I have to say, when the right person sets up something a special way it is amazing how much more appealing it is. .l’m constantly wanting to buy something every day, but the rabbit is the first thing I broke down and bought.
That’s such a cute statue!
LLH— That sounds like it’ll work just fine!
I just have to say that I am very happy that Peter never felt the need to pee on us! lol
Let me know how the cloth thing works though, when you get to that point. I know down the road I’m bound to pick up another bunny, but it will probably be either very sudden (which I suspect) or after Zoey passes (which could be as long as 15 years!).
I also love the bunny statue! I’ve got several bunny things in my home, and told the hubby that when we set up a nursery that it is going to be farm/garden-themed with bunnies, ducks and such… so he’s given in a bit more. He’s already given in completely to the fact that I’m going to have a patio-garden when it warms up. For now I have a “window-sill garden” for Pete in my kitchen… but come spring it will be a patio garden with at least one or two little garden statues!
JR you should try this w/ Keiko and the M&Ms
Banana on the head: Rabbits love banana. Rabbits also love to be groomed. By rubbing banana on their heads you are combining the two. They will start licking each other without thinking about it, allowing them to build their trust of each other. This is also a sly way to get them to love on each other.
LLH – tried it, didn’t work. The M&Ms were happy to groom Kieko (well, until Kieko humped Marlee’s face and Marlee went nuts). The M&Ms groom each other constantly but we’ve never gotten a single intentional lick out of either one. Kieko will lick us to the point it gets annoying, but she will not groom another bunny. She goes crazy over strawberry so I tried putting strawberry mush on the M&Ms heads. She sniffed and put her head down demanding grooming from them. She’s just rude!
Aw seriously!? I thought for sure I had the answer! Dang it! I imagine that is what Pumpkin will be like…hopefully the new guy loves to give kisses!
JR— It’s hard to imagine buns can be difficult/rude/demanding because they are so adorable!
That’s why they get away with it!
JR— Lol, so true, so true!
JR – Odd suggestion… but it worked with one of our old cats that would groom the daylights out of certain people but not other cats:
If you have a certain soap or lotion that you use on your skin that gives you a certain scent or taste, you could try holding/lovingly-smothering one of the M&Ms where Kieko can’t see for a while to get your scent on them, and then introduce said “smelly bunny” to kieko. It usually didn’t result in much, but it did get a couple licks here and there… which over a couple months led to head-grooming.
My theories on her are that 1) she doesn’t believe she’s a rabbit, 2) she sees herself as above them but below us in the pecking order, or 3) she prefers to lick skin (who wants a mouth full of someone else’s fur?).
She acted somewhat afraid of the M&Ms until one of our last bonding attempts. She would always act guarded and stayed pretty compact until the night she decided she was going to assert herself and be top bunny. She humped Moshi and then Marlee (not the face this time though) and then flopped in the middle of the floor looking pretty smug with her head held high and feet all the way sprawled out. The next session she tried to pull the same stunt but humped Marlee’s face and fur started flying.
Any updates??
This month is going to feel so long!
Nothing new! The neuter went well though. Just waiiiiitttting….impatiently!
That’s great the neuter went well.
I’m so excited for you! “I” personally can’t wait for your “new addition”!
So glad the neuter went well. I had my heart set on a scruffy sweet Jersey Wooley at a shelter last year that was a stray so long he was a mess. But of course they had to neuter him first…and he died! So I’m a big believer in never assuming it will go well. Happy for you!
Aww that’s too bad MB.
Yes I can’t believe how disappointed I was but I had waited a long time to find a jersey woolly that needed a home and he seemed so calm. Maybe he was THAT sick. I had shown his picture all around school to the kids who were then sad for me when they heard what happened. It was very sweet of them
A co-worker of mine had a similar situation. She got a bunny for her teenage girls, the whole family fell in love and a few month later he passed during his neuter. They were devastated to the point where they can’t bring themselves to get another bun.
UPDATE!
Pumpkin has a blind date with Matthias on March 7th!!!
The only thing I’m worried about right now is that she hates the car and rides make her crabby and shy.
Besides asking for some time to adjust to the new environment pre-date and bringing her favorite treat, how else can we make her feel comfortable and safe?
Maybe bring her blankie and/or unicorn for the ride?
I found Pete travels better when he can’t see much in the car while it’s moving (if Zoeys not in with him). Maybe you could give her some treats and a privacy blanket over her carrier during the ride? Her unicorn may be a good idea. I would also hold a special treat for her for only after she is let out of her carrier at the date-location.
Great ideas! She does love her blankie and unicorn and pumpkin cookies!
I just got confirmation that they are holding Mathias/Shamrock/Rocky for us and won’t let anyone adopt him until after we decide!
Awesome!! How exciting!
I’ll send Pumpkin Gus’ bunny bungalow that I purchased on line as a burrow for him to hide in during our long move. I got the largest one, $20 and he doesn’t come CLOSE to fitting in it. But Pumpkin would! I really need to find someone to give it to.
That’s great LLH! I’m so excited for you!
MB— How big is Gus? I can’t find anything I think would be big enough for Moxie either. I make her cardboard Box hide houses because there is nothing else I can find. :^/
Moxie — the BB tunnel haven is pretty big, and it gets wider once its broken in and stretched out. The M&Ms sleep inside one, and Moshi can loaf in it even sideways. Also, Lowes carries 10 in cardboard concrete form tubes (we have an 8 inch one and the M&Ms can pass each other in it). I ended up cutting it in half to make two hidey tunnels.
MM Gus is 12 pounds. Small for his breed, actually
JR. I’ll have to check out those tunnel things. He does have a box he goes in to dig around a bit
JR— I’ll have to look into those tubes.
The thing is Moxie doesn’t like to be very confined, and when she squeezes into a tube all of her fluff is pressed against her. She likes to be very stretched out. She’s about 8.5 pounds.
I repeat. I LOOOOVE angoras, MM!!! She sounds like a big one, too!!!
She’s not huge, but she’s pretty big.
LLH — do you know yet how this place handles bunny dating? Do you know what they consider a doable match to ok adoption?
Thinking of #4 JR?? Hmmm??
Oh no! No chance of #4 until the three I have are bonded which is looking like never! I don’t know that I could ever trust Marlee with Kieko. Kieko is such a spaz and Marlee is moody and is a scrapper.
I was just wondering what the place requires when it comes to Mathias and Pumpkin since love at first sight is so rare (unless you are CooperLop who has had two perfect matches in a row)!
Confession: I was pretty close to #2 right before all of Moxie’s by deal4me” in_rurl=”http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6NjA1MDM6NDQzNTpoZWFsdGggaXNzdWVzOjM4ZGE0YjZhYTFjNTVkNDI4MGIwOTUzODg2OWM3NzU2OnotMTc1MC0xMzg3Mjk1MDp3d3cuYmlua3lidW5ueS5jb206MTg1NDA1OmEzYTc0MzQzYTcwNjVjNzMwMzhhNWZkN2RlMTQ4ODQ5OjdmNmE3MDQ4MTJiMTRkNDFiODcxODAzNTM4YjVjNjI5OjE6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Mjh4MTM2NjtkYXRhX2ZiLG5vOzo1MDQzMDY2&subid=g-13872950-7764964ba29241bc8ef822a28965d86c-&data_ss=728×1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=BODY” id=”_GPLITA_0″ href=”#”>health issues. $250 later, a $400 culture and trachea wash happening most likely in the next week if we decide to do it, and whatever else it takes to heal her and all of the stress for her and for me, I’m not sure I could handle another bun right now!
Maybe when Moxie is (hopefully) all better and healthy, I’ll start to consider it.
I hear ya MM I’ve hit probably $1500 on Gus’ ears…with no cure in sight…so I’m a one rabbit person! THough I’d LOOOOVE an angora!!!
Oh, and the vet says it’s typically lops that get the bad ear infections. Sure.
I’ve spent more on vet bills with my three bunnies in the year and a half that I’ve had bunnies than I did in the 12 1/2 years that we had our dog.
I KNOW!! I just don’t get that.
I’m not sure how they determine if it’s going to work out or not! I firmly believe that anything can work if I put the effort into it but that’s probably just wishful thinking from a naive bunny bonder!!!
I can’t see any reason why you wouldn’t be able to make it work. Two bunnies is the easiest bond, male-female is supposed to be the easiest.
Do you know Mathias’ history?
Yeah, do you know his history yet???
The only things I know are that he’s 4.8 pounds, about a year old, and came from someone in North Dakota. His foster mom says he’s really sweet, but I don’t know much else!
Here’s more!
ABOUT MATHIAS
Hi, My name is Mathias and I am a very loving bunny!
Yup, that picture of me sure is cute, with one ear up and one ear down!
I love attention, pets, face rubs, every bit of attention I can get.
In fact, I LOVE to be where you are! You will not have to look for me behind the
couch or under the bed. I will be right there in the center of your world!
But first I have to run around and chin everything before I come up for pets.
I will run circles around your feet, even when you are walking, so be very
careful not to accidentally step on top of me. I will follow you around the house!
I also like to jump up onto the couch to see all there is to see.
I don’t mind being picked up as long as you hold me snuggly. If I don’t feel tight in your arms I will
try to jump out, and I don’t want to land on my head, so please feel free to hold me and hug me
because I won’t struggle if I feel safe.
If I am not with you I am happiest when I can have some cardboard to chew on…paper towel tubes and small
boxes …I am a cardboard shredder, so make sure you have a steady supply. If I get board I might chew on
the wood trim but all you have to do is “eek” at me and I stop…then show me where my cardboard is.
My favorite place to sit and lay is on top of my cardboard box. That is where my carpet square is.
When I am content I will bunny flop…I will bunny flop so fast that sometimes I fall off my box!
I like the family dog my foster family has and I have even made friends with their cat.
Meeting the cat was scary for me at first but, we’re good now.
I am working on my litter box skills. I still need help getting my poops to land in the litter box, they just seem
to follow me everywhere, but I use the litter box to potty in all the time, no problem there!
I love my daily fresh veggies! I get a heaping serving of kale, cilantro, romaine, and curly parsley every day.
I can drink my water out of a bottle or a bowl.
I like craisins, bananas and carrots, too.
My foster mom says I will do well in a new bunny family. I am gentle, I don’t bite, and I will teach an
inexperienced family how much love and joy a rabbit can be!
If you think I sound interesting, please contact MCRS for more information. Even if you can’t adopt me, you can help support our care by clicking on the Sponsor me* button at the top of this page!
All MCRS rabbits are vet checked, sterilized and microchipped, and are adopted for $80 per rabbit. Learn more about the adoption process and get an adoption application kit online. Thank you for your interest in helping a homeless rabbit!
LLH — I want him! Pumpkin just has to love him!
Awww he sounds so sweet!
When I steal Pumpkin I’ll have to take him too.
Doesn’t he sound amazing! The lady told me he’s a lion head/holland lop, but the site says he’s a silver martin/holland lop which makes way more sense! getting anxious! next saturday!
I can see silver marten and lop in him, but no lionhead.
He is a cute bunny and I can see the silver marten. The rabbit called Nicodemus of the site is being called a lionhead lop mix. He is cute too.
I can definitely see silver marten in him.
Nico is actually on hold for us too I told the adoption lady I was pretty stuck on Mathias but if it doesn’t work out we’ll see how it goes with Nico!
Hubby is worried I might bring home two!
So we are creeping closer and closer to blind date day (Saturday!!) If it all works out and we bring Mathias home, do you think we should start the bonding process in the car on the way home?
Or do you think it would be better to start off by us humans creating a bond with Mathias first?
JMO, but I think a new bunny needs time to settle in and get to know his humans and give everyone a chance to swap scents.
And maybe he’ll eventually teach Pumpkin some manners. We were having a lazy day today and she slept the morning away in the spare bedroom. I went to find her and she was passed out surrounded by about 10 poops. So lazy she couldn’t be bothered to use one of her many litter boxes around the house! Hmph!
Moshi does that. I think with him though a couple just “fall out” while he’s sleeping!
Saturday is only the day after tomorrow, you must be so excited to meet Mathias/Shamrock/Rocky!
I can’t stop thinking about rubbing his giant ears!!!!
I think we’ve decided that if we bring a bunny home we’re going to wait to start the bonding process for a week or so. Let them get settled in and get to know us before stressing them out too much!
That’s a good idea LLH.
Just went out to buy a second carrier in case we bring home a bunny Saturday! Bought a nice big one that two bunnies could potentially fit in (even opens up on the top!) The cashier offered me free doggy treats and gave me a funny look when I said I didn’t have a dog…lol!
Hubby called and jokingly said we’re out of money (b/c he bought concert tickets) so we can’t get Mathias…told him it’s too late, I already bought a carrier and threw away the receipt! HA!
Also bought another big litter box. Fingers, toes, legs, arms, and eyes crossed that Pumpkin is ready to fall in love! Hopefully you see a new thread with new bunny pictures on Saturday!!!
Oh this is going to be so sweet to follow their progress. But you’ll have to change your siggie
LLH — I bought a small carrier for Kieko when we got her. Then bought a 2nd small carrier when the M&Ms got spayed/neutered on the same day. Then bought a larger carrier so the M&Ms could both fit since they could be together after they healed — anywhere one goes, the other goes too because car rides can be scary and its nice to have a buddy along. Can’t wait to hear how the date goes!
Dang I’ll be gone all day AND night Saturday! I’ll have to check first thing Sunday morning!
I’m so nervous and excited for you!!! Fingers crossed that the date goes well!
Well, we all have at least one thing to look forward to this weekend ha ha..Looking forward to hearing!
You have to post the second you know! You must be so excited — I know the suspense is killing me (I get way too into other people’s bunnies)!
LLH, I am so excited! Tomorrow can’t come fast enough!
And I would be more than happy to make you a new siggy. I have a few to work on tonight, somebody slap me for waiting so long!
Mathias is adorable! (((Vibes))) that Pumpkin loves him!
We have a bunny! !! But its not Matthias! Pumpkin is apparently pretty non threatening because while all her dates went well….Nico (new name Shamrock) immediately started grooming Pumpkin! Pictures later! !!
Yay! I am so excited for you-congrats! I can’t wait for piccies!
I’m so excited to you guys! I can’t wait to see pics, yay new bunny!!! Welcome shamrock
Isn’t that a hoot??? Well, it was the same w/ Pumpkin wasn’t it?? You didn’t think you were getting a lionhead, but there she was!! Awesome!!
I’m excited for you all and can’t wait to see pics!
Have to admit though that I thought Mathias was going to be “the one” and am feeling a little bad for him now.
Mathias’ foster mommy really loved and snuggled him. He’s going to find a great home with that floppy ear–who could resist! I tried to talk hubby into both of them!!
I started a new thread w/ pics of Shamrock here! (not sure how to make it clickable?)
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/136663/Default.aspx
It’s clickable to me and I’m going over there right now.