So, you may not know this, but I have Bi-Polar disorder and Igloo is actually a registered Emotional Support Animal. Part of the reason he was obtained from a breeder was because we were looking for a specific line, where the bunnies are bred just as much for temperament as for looks. I know this breeder well, because I used to breed and show Guinea Pigs and dogs for 4-H when I was younger.
Anyway, her line has proven to produce very calm rabbits. Igloo is startled by basically nothing. Part of it may be because I’m so clumsy and he lives in my room, so he quickly got used to the occassional loud thump from me running into something or knocking something over, and the tv being up moderately loud because I’m also hard of hearing. The biggest reaction I’ve ever gotten out of him, because of a loud noise or sudden move, is a lift of the head, a chatter of the teeth, and then he goes back to whatever he was doing before, which is usually sleeping during the day. I also hold/cuddle/carry and pet him CONSTANTLY. As a result, I can really do what ever I want with him, including put him on his back, and he’ll lay there without being held, wiggling his nose and purring while I scratch his tummy. He’ll come up when he sees his teeny spiked collar (only for pictures!), and lay there patiently while I fiddle to put it on him. He’ll even come up to strangers for pets, once they’ve been in his room for an hour or so and he sees that we’re all relaxed. He won’t let them pick him up without a fight, so I just tell people to leave him on the ground, or I’ll pick him up and put him in their lap, to which he’ll kick his hind legs out, lay down and stay there as long as I’m in the room. So, my rabbit is really more like a dog.
Anyway! Today I’m planning Igloo’s first real outing. He’s been in the car for a ride to the vet, and my mothers house, but never to a public place. He loves car rides, and gets really excited when I open up his carrier, hopping into it and nestling down. I probably wouldn’t even have to close it, if it weren’t for safety issues. My coworkers have been dying to meet him – he’s all I talk about lately. I work in a very small head shop (shop that sells vape stuff and MMJ paraphernalia), there are only five of us, plus management, who’s literally never there. I’m planning on only stopping by with him for MAX a half hour, and holding him/allowing him to retreat to his carrier, the whole time. Since it’s indoors, air conditioned, and generally quiet, I’m not worried about him getting too overwhelmed. The biggest thing I’m worried about is keeping him away from his pellets for that long, and germs since he’s a baby. The shop is always super clean, and I plan on telling anyone to sanitize their hands before touching him.
I’m wondering if anyone has tips for making him more comfortable. I want him to get used to occasional car rides, and I definitely want him to be used to different people coming to pet him, so he never becomes a biter. He’ll have his carrier, his hay stuffed cardboard toy, and of course a dish of water for when we get there. He’ll be in a controlled space as well. I’m thinking about bringing some pellets a long to give to people to give to him, so he learns that people are good, do you guys think this would be a good idea?
Afterwords, I’ll be dropping him off at home so he can have some alone time and decompress while I go to a doctors appointment. Does anyone else have an ESA bunny? Or take their bunny most places with them? I think, as bunnies go, Igloo is a great candidate for this type of “work” because, like I said, I can fall out of my car and he barely bats an eye haha!