Any ideas?

[bunnygirl]

Ok, I can’t keep this short, so I’m sorry for the long paragraph you are about to read. Basically, I am getting a bunny in the near future, (7 weeks to be exact! Eeeek I’m so excited!) and as usual I’m going over the top doing all my research. It’s good to be prepared! I was searching up rescues in my area, and found NONE in close proximity. Next best thing, a breeder. I’m never going to a pet shop, I know all about mills and it makes me feel sick when I think about it. I actually found a breeder, she was on my paper round route (earning money for a bunny of course!) and I go up to her regularly and help her feed and water and clean out all of her rabbits. She cares for them really well, and I was really surprised when she said she’d happily give me my own rabbit in return for all the work I’ve done for her. She’s making sure I totally prepared and everything, and so there I am sitting in the middle of the floor in her front garden, all these baby bunnies around me. Then I see one, a little harlequin lop, a boy. He was beautiful, we connected instantly, it was magical. Then, when he turned 3 weeks old (just a few days ago) she discovered he has the cashmere gene, and he will have that long hair that they have. Uh oh! My best friend is allergic to long animal hair, and we are in Australia and it gets SOOO hot in summer, and I’d have animal hair everywhere (all over my room, for thats where he would live, with me) and I’m not sure he’d enjoy being lugged outside to the bench for a good groom on a startlingly hot day. So, as much as I adore him, would I be better getting one of the other bunnies in the other litters, one with shorter hair?

Thanks in advance all!

p.s ill try to post a pic in the comments! x

[bunnygirl]

    

     

[Roberta]

OK Bunny Girl, I am in OZ as is jersey girl. My Piglet is a french angora (talk about a nightmare to groom but we are getting there) the trick is to start a grooming regime immediately, I made the mistake of waiting and paid for it. I have had Piglet and Pepper since May 2011 and was a complete novice and they were rescues and only 3 weeks old. You have to go with your gut instinct but if you have tie grooming is not insurmountable and many buns enjoy it. Piglet actually liked his grooming session this week for the first time ever and I did not come out of it with bites and scratches. Depending on where you are I know a very good bunny groomer in Perth who comes to your house for a very VERY reasonable fee to do nails and fur. (300% cheaper than the vet/she breeds and shows angoras) let me know where you are and I will try to link you to the local resources.

[RabbitPam]

Roberta gives good advice to you in the Pro taking him column. I’m going to add my thoughts in the Con – take a different baby column.

You are going to have this bunny for a decade or more. You want to have your friends and family enjoy him/her with you, and possibly live with you as well in the future. It requires daily grooming, and your life may change in your routine enough that it makes it hard to keep up for years.

Right now, you just like what you see, but a baby’s personality is not yet formed, so you can’t know what he will be like anyway. I understand about being drawn to a certain bunny, we all were, but I think if you selected a different one of the litter that you are sure will not be long haired, and held it and got to know it, you may find it’s easy to change your mind and bring home a different baby. You want to optimize your way of life for everyone in your life, and this little baby will be just as lucky to have you as the first. And, if the first one is that pretty, he will find a loving home easily as well.

[Roberta]

Did I mention that when Piglet was younger he had a victory dance for when he managed to escape being brushed ? He would dive into the bungalow, upend the litter tray then take the empty tray in his teeth and slam it against the side of the hutch. Very Nice… Not that he was gloating over his victory or anything.
But seriously, RP is right Pro’s and Con’s. Do you have time to groom, are you willing to keep it up on a regular basis for up to 12 years (I’ve got long haired cats too so I have sort of developed the habit) are you going to have to rely on someone later to provide long term care and maintenance for your bun if you decide to study later on ? Also, breed is no guarantee of a long coat. Pipi, Blossom and Nermal all had floof as babies, now Nermal has a short coat, Pipi just a bit plush but still short and Blossom has full short hair with a Mowhawk and Dennis the Menace Fringe. Ideally a short haired breed is easier to care for (and my beautiful Queen Pepper who is a Sliver Marten has a gorgeous glossy black coat with tan and fawn trim) and just as lovely as the floofy varieties. If you really feel that this is your bun, get the tools, study the grooming tecniques and be prepared to devote the time several days a week if you are not willing to make that committment then ask if their is a bun with a shorter coat available.

[Hazel]

If your boyfriend is allergic to rabbits, the long hair wouldn’t be any different than short hair, concerning allergies. Long haired rabbits actually SEEM to shed less because the loose hair gets stuck to them easier than short hair, so you won’t have as much hair flying around in your house. Either way, in the end they shed the same and a good regular brushing should work well to keep stray hair in your house to a minimum.

[bunnygirl]

Roberta!! Haha! I’m really surprised your so close! Thank you, and thank you to RP too. I’m going to head up to her as soon as I can, and give myself enough time to play with ALL the babies. I think I jumped very quickly and sort of eliminated all the other buns without giving them all a chance, and that’s not really fair of me. They all deserve loving homes. So ill head up and then after playing with them all and comparing things, ill make up my mind. I don’t mind putting in the extra effort now, but in…say…3-4 years I might be studying hard and really knuckling down and might not have the time for grooming sessions every week.

Thank you you’ve helped me so much! I’m glad I’m a member on here now! Ill keep you updated x

[tanlover14]

I’m glad you decided to give other baby buns the chance to get to know you and you them! You’re obviously being very responsible about the choice you make — it’s always amazing when you see new bunny owners on BB taking the time to do what is right in the long run for these furry little creatures! Let us know what you decide and PICS! WE ALL WANT PICS OF THE FELLA (LADY) YOU DECIDE ON!

[bunnygirl]

Thank you Tanlover I take things to do with animals VERY seriously. I’m all finally ready now and very excited! It’s so fab to get back into the world of buns! x

[LittlePuffyTail]

First of all, I want to say how wonderful and responsible of you to 1) Do proper research before getting a bun (Soooo many people adopt unprepared) 2) That you are earning money for your bunny. They can be more expensive than most people think and 3) That you looked into rescues first.

As for this specific bunny, I will start by saying I am very partial to Harlequins myself. My first bunny, who passed away recently sadly, was a Harlequin. They are very beautiful. On the other hand, I think, as this is your first bunny, you might want to go with a lower maintenance bunny as far as the grooming is concerned. You have to make sure you will have the time to groom because that hair can be a digestive danger if a long-haired bun is not groomed enough.

I definitely think it’s a good idea to spend time with the buns and pick the one you click with most.

[bunnygirl]

Thank you LPT. I’d like to say firstly, I’m sorry for your loss, I’ve been following (I didn’t have an account then) and checking back all the to see how you are doing. I know how you feel. This bunny will not actually be my first, my second actually. But we recently moved out here to Australia from England (where my first bunny was an outdoor bunny, though spent a lot of her time inside!) and I am checking out the costs since prices are very different! My bun in England was called Snowbell, and she lived to 5. She passed just before we left, she was my baby and i missed her sorely. I suspect it was uterine cancer, since my parents and I did not know exactly much about spaying then so she was not fixed. But I’m prepared now, and I have enough money to get my new little boy neutered when the time comes, have done proper research now, and am ready to open my heart to a new pet!

The lady says my favourite might not have the cashmere gene, it could just be his extra frizzy baby coat, and he’s a little different than the rest of his litter. I sure hope so! She will know for sure in a week! I have two other baby boys that I like if he is truly a cashmere, and ill just have to decide between them! Ooh it’s exciting!

[zoologist]

I can’t wait to see what rabbit you choose. For someone young enough to have a paper route you seem very mature for your age I wish you the best of luck in your bunny adventures and I’m very jealous you get to spend your days with adorable baby bunnies!!!

PS- I’m reading all of your posts in an English/Australian accent now and it’s making them even more enjoyable

[tanlover14]

I’m excited to see which one you choose also!!!!

[bunnygirl]

Guys guys! More news! The siblings in the litter of my first favourite were all so adorable, so I chose one of those. Then, she lady told me that she thinks they are all going to be cashmeres. So, I had to pick another one! This little boy I feel a bit different about. It’s a different kind of feeling that makes me like him. All baby buns are cute, heck all buns full stop are cute. But not only is he cute, I’m in love with his nature. He’s very gentle, and sits perfectly still for a while till he is comfortable. He’s very curious, but has to be sure you aren’t going to bite his head off before he will move! The breeder told me to look around and find another baby, and I think I’ve found him. I’m going to walk up tomorrow and see her (she wasn’t in today…) and explain, and then ask if I could have him. I know it’s a bit fast, but any name ideas? I like Charlie or Tigger! Ill attach a photo! x

[bunnygirl]

   

   

Terribly sorry it’s upside down. The ipad is playing up. Maybe you can do a headstand? (Jokes, please don’t hurt yourselves!)

[Roberta]

How about a new bunny name thread…. Want me to flip the pic and start one ?

[Roberta]

What about “Apollo” Greek god of sun and light.

[bunnygirl]

Aww! I love Apollo! Yes please Roberta! Thank you!

[Roberta]

OK, Will post a “Name that Bun” thread in the lounge…..

[bunnygirl]

Haha yay! Ok thank you Roberta!

[Roberta]

Done https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/122133/Default.aspx

[bunnygirl]

Thank you! I’m looking forward to seeing what people come up with!

[RabbitPam]

bunnygirl, I’m sorry but I think I’m a bit confused. Is this the first boy that you fell in love with after all, because all of the babies were going to need the same amount of grooming so you went back to your first pick?

You pix is adorable, and whether he’s that one or a different one he is very cute.
(And you could call him Rainbow because he’s gray. )

[Author]

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