Hey all,

I was just contacted by the foster mom who fostered Dono in Santa Cruz.  Here is what she wrote after I told her that they aren't bonded yet and there are still nipping issues:

"donny had a girlfriend, veronica, who died right before the haven took him back in.  i know for certain that he wants a girlfriend...do you still think maryann wants a boyfriend?  maybe she's one of those special bunz who wants to be an only bun.  she has you doting on her, so i'm not worried about her getting lonely or depressed.  whaddya think?  i don't want either of them to be stressed and what with all that donny's been through, i am concerned that his personality will change for the worse"

Truth be told, despite reassuances from the HRS, I often wonder this myself.  I have purposely not allowed myself to get too attached to Dono for just this reason - in case he had to go back home.  I think my only hope is to some intensive bonding during this weekend (no matter what my back feels like) and see if I can get any sort of a change out of Maryann.  I have also noted that whereas Dono used to just run from Maryann, he's become a bit more aggressive in response to her attacks and would hate to turn him into a mean bunbun (although I don't think this will happen).

What do you all think?

What a dilemma. I say stick at it if it's possible. I was SO exhasperated with Sweaty Bettie in the initial stages of bonding with Brian that for a few days i really wish we'd never got her. There seemed no end to her bullying Brian. I felt quite sick at what i seemed to have been putting Brian through. BUT THEN, Brian decided he wasn't standing for any of it, fought back (thankfully not in the fur flying, ripping each other to shreds kinda way) and now the 2 of them are totally inseperable and it was the best thing i ever did, personally. GOOD LUCK MR!!!..whatever the decision is. :-)  And don't feel guilty if they don't bond and you feel you can't keep Dono.  You can't force these things. 

Thats really something only you can decide.

I had a similar issue and I could tell that my little beeotch-bunny was pretty much traumatizing the poor little guy.  He spent most of the weekend hiding in his litterbox, so I brought him back to the shelter.  He now has a forever home, and an animal communicator confirmed that my girl really DOESN'T want a companion.

But if he seems to regard her nipping as a challenge, or doesn't seem too bothered by it, then maybe you should keep trying.  I know a lot of people on here went thourgh bonding hell but ended up with the most wonderful loving snugglebunnies!

wow, that's a dilemma.  i want to say 'hang in there' since i'm the eternal optimist and would love to read that you've made some progress.  i remember you mentioning before that you're open to the possibility that maryann wants to be an only bun.  but then, as with others' bonding experiences, a truce may be just around the corner.  you've had some varied feedback here already... what is your gut telling you when you read through them?  some times it helps me make a decision to hear other peoples advice.  for some reason i find what i don't want to do, or what's not right stands out to me most when i do this.  whatever you decide you can rest assured that you did not come to the conclusion lightly and that you had everybun's best interests in mind.

Well I think it's time to find Dono another home.  Here's the latest bonding session. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgBm0wZqWR0

BTW, the placing Dono on top of Maryann when she bites him was Heather's idea.  Didn't seem to do much...

i'm surprised maryann didnt object more emphatically to having dono on top of her.  is that to fake dominance from dono?  i still cant believe maryann mastered the bunny version of a jolly-jumper... what a girl! 

Markus... you really tried.  i think giving Dono to another home where he can have a bond with a lady who wants a boyfriend is a good idea.  also, now the rescue is going to know what kind of girl DOES NOT work with Dono... so they can hopefully find a nice submissive lady for him.  i wish him the best of luck!