I would like to think that my experience with my two rabbits has given me a clear insight on proper care as well as handling, diet, all that stuff. Here is the story! On Friday, i decided to do a little spring cleaning of my apartment just for the heck of it. After hours of cleaning, i came outside to get a breath of fresh air and enjoy the sun. It was mid 80s at that time. I noticed one of my neighbors came into the building with a small bird cage in her hand and i couldn’t make out what was in it but was definately no bird. I came downstairs to get a better view and surprise surprise. It was a small bunny rabbit.
The sight of it could have brought most rabbit lovers to tears. The rabbit sat there on hard wire flooring in his own waste. His white paws were stained yellow from his urine. He just laid there looking sad and miserable. No food or water that i saw. I asked if i could hold the poor thing. She stuck her hand in through the bird cage and struggled to get him out of a small little bird door. I told her to hold on and opened the cage to get the rabbit out that way.
He didn’t struggle or fight me when i first picked him up. I held him in my arms and fell in love with the guy. You have to understand. I have a bonded couple of a male and female rabbit (both fixed), two guinea pigs, and a pet corn snake in my one bedroom apartment. I know i don’t have the room to get another pet but i certainly did not want to give him back to my neighbor so out of instinct, i asked if i could have it, even offered money. She refused and put the rabbit back in the cage. I explained to her the problem between rabbits and wire floors. She went into her apartment for a few minutes then came back out with a cardboard box and put him in there.
I explained to her that the rabbit will eventually chew through the cardboard box in no time but she threatened to put him back in the bird cage so i said nothing. I asked her what she was gonna feed him and she told me some carrots and lettuce (Iceberg). I again tried to explain that wasn’t a proper diet for a rabbit and suggested a few alternitives. She came me a dirty look before i got the idea and instead went into my apartment, filled a bowl full of timothy pellets and oat hay for the rabbit to nibble on. I again asked her if i could have him but again, she refused, this time taking the rabbit inside her apartment.
I went back into my own apartment and i was steaming angry. I was definately shaking from being so ferious. I asked questions like, “Why does people like that want a pet if they don’t intend on taking proper care of it?” And a few others i won’t go into. Needless to say, i know the type of owner she is because she previously had a rabbit and it died horribly when she left it in a bird cage outside. In over 100F degree tempature.
I raged and grumbled for hours. I went to my local rabbit rescue a couple of miles away from my apartment to try and calm down and feel better but my mind kept thinking about the poor guy. Came home, another hour passed. A knock at my front door. Wasn’t expecting anyone, especially with what came next. There was my neighbor with the cardboard box in her hand. Asked me if i still wanted it and i paid her for it. Brought him inside and set up a temporary pen for him to live in. Gave him all the proper escentials, even took a photo of him. The pen isn’t that big BUT it is big enough for his hidey home, a litterbox, food and waterbowl to fit in. As well as enough room for him to stretch out completely in various angles if he wanted.
I let him run around my room a few times a day. I also took him to the rabbit rescue place to get properly pampered and checked up upon. They did a nail trim, brushed his coat, cleaned his scent glands, and checked his teeth. All checked out fine. Bought him some alfalfa hay and pellets as well as a few play things and treats. I was told that sometime when he was with his previous owners, his back nails must’ve got too long and got ripped out of the nail bed. It will take a little time to grow back. I was also told he is somewhere between 3-6 months old. I don’t know his history prior to when i got him so i’m not sure what he ate with them.
I have been keeping a close watch on him as well as any changes. He loves his mixture of alfalfa, oat, and timothy hay i put in his litterbox lined with wood pellets which he has used without a problem. His poops and pee look normal. His testicles have desended but i want to wait until he has put on a little more weight before i take him in to get neutered. When i got him, he was too thin for my comfort. I also had a vet check him out and besides some low weight, he’s in perfect health. So. Ladys and gents, allow me to introduce Damian. My rescue bunny.
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/4271/cimg0739.jpg And http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/8104/cimg0738.jpg.
Any clue what breed he is? I have introduced my other two to him but they will try to bite or claw at him. He is also one affectionate little bun. Everytime i get my face close to his, he’ll give me licks. And he doesn’t squirm or fight me when i pick him up for cuddles. He’s definately a keeper. I just want to eventually bond all three into a trio.
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