This may be long and a little personal but if you read this and can offer any advice I will appreciate it so much!
In September I adopted my bunny, Ella, from the local SPCA. She is WONDERFUL and I love her so much. At first, she became a bit like a therapy bun to me. She helped me get out of the bed in the morning when I was going through a difficult time and made me happy and want to be productive again during the day.
About a month ago she went through GI Stasis. She recovered but I don’t think I did. I have always had a lot of anxiety and for the first five or so months with Ella she really helped calm me down. Unfortunately, she is becoming the one that is causing it.
I am constantly worried about her health. I think this worrying came from reading too much about sick bunnies and how quick they can go down hill. It takes all I have to not post everything she does on here and ask if it is normal. I know that to those who do not struggle with anxiety, this may sound crazy but it is just the way my mind works.
My heart breaks at the idea of putting her in her carrier, taking her to a shelter, and leaving her there. I know she would be afraid all the way there and I know she would be afraid and confused in the shelter. I know she would be in a much smaller cage than she has now. Right now she is in a 6ft x 6ft ex-pen and gets to run around 2-4 hours a day. I would never know if she went to a family that would love her, feed her well, and let her run. I am confident that I give her good care and I want her to always have the best.
My other option would be re homing. This way I would have some idea of where she ends up, right? Does anybody have any experience re homing their rabbit? How did you do it? Were you ok with your decision to do so?
I did a lot of research before getting a bunny. I knew the signs of illness, what they could and couldn’t eat, and all about GI stasis. I knew that it would be hard to take care of a rabbit. I have ALWAYS had the view that when you adopt a pet and bring it into your home that you have to love and care for it for its life. And I truly love Ella with all my heart. At some point though, I have to put myself first and I have to put my mental health first. I grew up with pets, but never a bunny so I did not anticipate such a wonderful thing being the cause of such intense worry.
I am not set on taking her to a shelter or re homing her. I am just trying to gather information so I can make the best decision for Ella and for me. Who knows, we may end up being together for 8 more years! How wonderful that would be!!
Any advice on anything I have written would be appreciated. Whether it’s about re homing, anxiety, rabbit care, or whatever, I will take it!