Marcy wanted me to start writing a daily log of what is happening at the shelter.  We're still working out where to post it but I thoughot I could at least share the first few entries here:

Bunday News for Jan 15, 2012

 Today was a very busy day at SaveABunny.  We had adoptions for three special ladies – Golda, Greta and Santana.  Golda had come to us in 2009 in terrible condition.  After many operations, vet visits and medications, she has been a happy bunny, even if her tail is missing.  A family came to see her and she instantly bonded with their daughter.  I had never seen Golda so friendly towards someone.

 Santana is a very timid bunny.  She’s cage aggressive but once you are holding her, she whimpers.  Well we put her in with a young lady looking for a single bunny and there wasn’t a peep from her.  In fact, she was crawling into the lady’s lap and demanding pets!  Once again, we were lucky to have the bun find someone of whom they approved.

 Of course, being the rescue that we are, as rabbits leave, they also come in.  We had a bonded pair returned to us, Violet and Shadoe, as for some reason their bond broke once they got to their new home.  We haven’t been able to put them together again so they’re now sitting in separate areas, obviously lonely but not caring for one another’s company.   We’ve also received a new, lovely white angora girl by the name of Juliet.  After a thorough brushing, she seems to be settling in just fine.

 Unfortunately, we had an emergency today as well.  One of our previously adopted rabbits, Cricket, came back and shortly after returning he developed a respiratory illness.  It reached its pinnacle today to the point that he was holding his head tilted upwards and breathing through his mouth.  We flushed his sinuses, wrapped him in warm blankets, applied a nebulizer as well as other medications. 

Bunday News for Jan 17^, 2012.

 Two days later, Cricket is doing better.  He is no longer tilting his head up or breathing through his mouth, but he’s not out of the woods yet.  constant care and observation will hopefully bring this spirited boy back to health.

 We have been slowly improving our condos here.  They’re all years old and have been falling into disrepair.  With very minimal supplies, we’ve been fixing them slowly and giving our rabbits better places to live.

 Currently, we have three rabbits out hopping about in large exercise enclosures.  Paladin is having fun standing up on top of her mini castle, surveying her lands while Charlie has found the pleasure that comes with tearing up a telephone book.  He’s second only to Satchmo in the destruction of directories.  Meanwhile Piccolo is showing us that a hay rack is a good place to sit inside of while dining on the hay.

Bunday News for Jan 19^th, 2012

 Cricket is still improving.  He’s not out of the woods yet but he’s on a path towards it.  Now, every time a bunny sneezes, we double check him/her to make sure it’s not an illness.  Charlie enjoys sending us a series of sneezes after he buries his head into the hay.  But we still check because bunnies don’t cry wolf.

 Although it’s been over a month now, I finally picked up Tippy’s ashes.  It’s amazing how small of a box his remains fit into.  With Marcy’s permission, I’m burying them between the two blackberry bushes he loved so much.

 And Jelly Bean isn’t too keen on his new wardrobe.  We’re trying some T-touch wrapping techniques with him to try and get him out of his funk.  He looks like an albino version of hay stuffed into a tissue tube.  I’ll see if I can get a picture of him up here.

 We have yet another new arrival.  A cute white with tan spots dwarf rabbit.  We haven’t thought of a name for him yet but he’s what I call a “Kali-mal” which means that if you leave him alone on your lap and don’t pet him, he digs at your shirt as if trying to pull out your heart like the second Indiana Jones movie. 

 Oh, and today someone dropped off two big bins of greens so right now everyone is munching down on some lovely snacks – all except Nyssa – she doesn’t like greens… silly girl.  But she's currently out in an exercise pen, binkying away so I figure she's not unhappy.

Heh, sorry but only windows here.  But I guess we could make monkey a mini squeegee if she'd like it.

Bunday News for 1/31/12

Today I had to get to the shelter at 7am to perform one of the hardest tasks - taking four male rabbits to the vet to get neutered.  I know it's only in my mind, but why do I feel they look at me with such betrayl in their eyes? Also, being here this early I got to see the state of the exercise pens after a night of frolicking.  I don't envy the cleaning crew who usually gets here before me.  I actually got back from the vets early enough so that I could give them a surprise and clean up all of the poop and pee myself.  It basically cuts an hour out of their work day.

Also, I've been shown how to give Scooter some energy work to help with his head tilt.  I don't know much about it but he does seem to perk up a bit afterwards so I guess I"m doing it right.  Now if only Emmet would perk up while I was cleaning out the puss in his ears.  Yup, it's a glamourous job here.

And we had one of those 'surprises' today.  A new arrival of a small, black girl bunny who has some neurological issues.  She can't seem to keep her balance and is often falling over.  We are taking her to Dr. Harvey on Friday to get x-rays and other tests - of course that costs a couple of hundred dollars.  She's so young that she's still trying to nurse.   Here's a picture of her nestled up against a stuffed doll for support:

No name yet but we can tell even now that she's going to be full of personality when she grows up. 

Bunday News 2/2/12

We already have a Shado and had a Shadow. I came in and her name tag reads Ivy Blue Carter. Apparently it is a pop reference but I don't understand it. What I do understand is that when I put my hand in there to give her more food, she stood up, did a perfect bunny stretch and yawn, then walked over, sat in my hand and ate. Afterwards, she was all tooth purrs while I petted her. There's rumor that someone will be fostering her. She's off to see Dr. Harvey tomorrow afternoon.

I had cleaned the windows of an antechamber so that the rabbits could get better sunlight and now I have to clean ALL the windows. I now know why people "don't do" them.

Oh, and we had a little scare yesterday. Apparently Cello's incision opened up. We noted some blood stains but luckily it wasn't bleeding a lot. We took some surgical glue (aka expensive crazy glue) and glued the incision closed. A little note for anyone planning on performing such things - the rabbit's scrotum is in front of the penis so you have to be VERY careful what/where you glue. I was already on top of it (being a guy and sympathetic) so there was no issues. The quartet are on their three day cycle of pain killers so they're a little bit happier.

I went to an "energy worker" who works with Scooter and learned some techniques from her. I'm a little bit of a skeptic however when I applied the techniques, he really responded with more movement and even choosing me over his bunny girlfriends when I put him out to exercise. Guess I should have more faith in faith.

Right now there are 10 bunnies out for play. Mel is intent on destroying one of our two remaining maze tunnels while the two couples, Phoenix & Poodilia and Buddah & Surya, are out on the patio enjoying the fresh air and sunshine - or what sun shines through the sheet topped x-pens - there have been hawks in the area before.

I have to leave now as there's a bunch of mailings that need to go to the post office and some more inventory to finish up. Oh, and Capone is snoring away - too cute for such a gangster.

Bunday News for February 3, 2012

We had an interesting visitor here today.  A gentleman with terminal cancer wanted to stop over and just pet some bunnies.  He and his friend were incredible people and he got to spend time with Tiny Von Gouda, Mona Lisa, Emmet and the new little girl Ivy Blue Carter.  He was fascinated with all of the details about rabbit life and had a wonderful time.  It turns out his friend spins angora wool so we told him if he ever needs a fresh supply, we have plenty.

They were surprised how well I knew all the rabbits names and I have to admit that for someone who can't even remember his girlfriend of 7 year's name half the time, I'm amazed too.  I guess rabbits have an important, special place even beyond love.  SaveABunny is not only a sanctuary for rabbits but also for people too - to come to a quiet, positive energy place.

Today Ivy Blue Carter goes to see Dr. Harvey.  In addition, Sunbeam is coming along to get some staples taken out (due to her spay and tail amputation). 

Bunday News for February 6, 2012

I spent a good part of the day cleaning ears.  With lops, their folded over ears tend to get a bit dirtier than straight ear buns.  They have some trouble getting into them and cleaning them out.  We have a weekly rabbit ear cleaning for all lops at the shelter but there are a few special cases that require more maintenance.  Phoenix does as he has no ears, just canals, so he can't get the dirt out of them too well.  Luckily his girlfriend Poodilla does lend a helping tongue.  Chi-Ana, who has really mellowed out, has dry ears so we have to clean and condition them every other day.  She lets it happen without complaining and, in fact, standing up on her hind legs while I work.

The worst though is Emmet.  He has some sort of ear infection in his left ear that we're treating.  It doesn't seem to bother him and his health is well but his ear does fill up with puss.  So every day, it is clean, wash, clean again and medicate.  And although he does flip his head about while working on his ear, he's such a trooper and never complains.

Someone who is complaining though is Shado.  He is one of the rabbits that were rescued from Oakland that was being raised for meat.  He was bonded and was being fostered at a house when suddenly the bond broke and the girl was always attacking him so they were returned.  This past weekend, someone brought in a girl to bond with him on Saturday and they were hitting it off great.  But when the owners came back on Sunday, they decided against a second rabbit and left Shado out in the cold again.

Although I love all the rabbits here, some stand out more than others.  Whether it's the cute factor of Olaf and Nyssa or the energetic and loving Piccalo and Cello or the ruff and tuff Omelet and Shakti, they have a little quirk that sets them apart.  Shado is a friendly but nervous black bunny who blends into the background and yet there's always been something about him - something that I can't put my finger on - that has always had him in the forefront of my mind.  Hopefully, someday soon, he'll find a girlfriend and a forever home.

Jelly Bean is a shy ball of fluff that once you have a hold of him you just want to stick him in your pocket and walk out.

Quick Update - I just interrupted a secret romance between Apricot and Rebel.  Apparently the cloroplast that we put between the condos to stop buns from fighting had slipped and both buns have been going nose to nose for the past couple of days.  I wondered why she was always facing the back corner.

I feel like a Montague.

I feel like a Montague.

Lol

Very pleased to hear Nadia is in a new home after all this time! Thanks for the update on her.
 

Bunday News Feb 8th, 2012

Things have been hectic for the past couple of days. I decided to get SaveABunny a little more into the 21st century and updated the main computer to Windows 7 (there's another downstairs and a laptop for shows and such). Well needless to say that many of the existing programs had to be reinstalled, data transferred over, etc. Although somewhat competent, I"m always a little worried that I might forget something but so far, things are going well. About once a day, Marcy asks me why a program isn't working and I just reinstall it and it's fine. The biggest issue was losing all of the iTunes we let the rabbits listen to (I didn't know how they were stored) but after an hour, everything was back to rockin' the oldies.

A member's house was flooded and we had to board her five bunnies while taking back a couple of other fosters so right now we're packed to the gills. Doesn't stop Chi-Ana and Sneakers from hopping around the exercise pen though and leaving behind a huge cecal on the floor. They're currently playing "Queen of the Tunnel" and Chi-Ana always seems to win.

Both Emmet and Cricket are doing better, each putting on a couple of ounces over the last week. Oh, and Orbit has decided to fight losing his manly bits by spraying anyone who puts a hand into his cage. we're hoping this will disappear in the next couple of days but for the meantime, it's rain slickers for feeding time.

Today's main objective for me is to de-mat/de-tangle Poodilia. Being a guy, my first instinct is to just shave her bald but I have a feeling Phoenix won't like his girlfriend au-natural. Luckily an angora expert is suppose to be coming by to volunteer some time so I'm giving her the pleasure instead of me.

Bunday News Feb 12, 2011

We don't want to wet the bunnies in any fashion unless necessary. I tried my hand at it yesterday and it wasn't a big deal - just time consuming. Of course ours get regular maintenance so it's never worse that 'a little'. A fully matted one I can't even imagine.

Usually we don't play music as it is all work, no play but every once in a while we'll do something soft - be it new age or soft songs. Trouble is that for every bun that likes it, there's one that doesn't so its better just to not play it at all.

Today, for some reason Mimosa was being a little brat. She didn't want to come out to play and even nipped me. That'll teach me to think cute is harmless. So I did something cruel back to her - I trimmed her nails! So I feel we're even.

A foster person has offered to redo the garden that we have here (she's a landscaper) and of course we'll take any type of donation. But I came in and noticed that they had cut down the blackberry bushes. I was told that they were just 'cut back' so they can regrow but there's nothing but stumps. And that is where Tippy's buried. I quickly marked his spot with a brick but that was just so wrong so today I spent some time carving his name into a piece of marble and put it there instead. This is why I prefer not to have my rabbit's remains - too much worry over them.

We had a couple of our regulars here get sick. Monique has a reduced appetite and low temp but she's getting the extra TLC and seems to be doing better. Olaf had lost 20% (8 ounces) of his body weight without showing it! And his natural look is sort of 'spaced out' so it took us a little time to see something was wrong. But with a diet of unlimited pellets, he's already gained back 3 ounces in three days. And he decided that when we went to change his bedding, he'd dart out of the cage, run down the line of them and under one at the far end. Guess he's not THAT bad off afterall.

And for all of those who are watching their weight out there, we have a little girl on a diet and exercise program right now. Persimmon is a little bit pudgy - even got stuck in a cardboard box hole that other buns were having no issues with. So it's limited pellets and extra exercise for her. Right now she's just sitting in the x-pen grooming. Something tells me she'd get a better workout if I threw in a ferret.  Alas, no weasels here...

Nor any otters!  That's right Otter was adopted this weekend by an incredible pair of loving people.  He showed off what a great bunny he was by climbing on people, sitting still for as many pets as they could give him and always used his potty box.  He's going to have a great life with them.

Markbun, I cannot thank you and Marcy enough for letting us meet and adopt Otter. He has such a big personality and we just adore him! Yesterday he grabbed the bowl his pellets were in (after he ate them of course) and ran around with it in his mouth! He runs up to me to beg for pettings when he sees me approach and he eats his greens with such gusto! He is just the best bunny ever!

Bunday News Feb 17, 2012

Well I got a call that is always hard to hear. A group called "Friends of Ferals" were out catching some cats that had been released in some wilderness area and they saw a white rabbit out there as well. They're setting traps in hopes of catching it and then it will be off to the shelter and then we'll follow up from there. My first thought is about the stupidity of mankind but the second is that it is another white rabbit. Don't get me wrong, we love them all, but about a third of our rescues are white rabbits and they're next to impossible to adopt out.

I also found a new arrival here when I walked in. Apparently it was an emergency rescue. She's doing fine but the poor thing is scared stiff - literally. I spent half an hour with her and she seemed to loosen up a bit. I also just put in a large wooden 'house' for her to hide in and she's sitting on top of it non-stop. Guess she likes the view.

I'm starting to get the hang of things around here finally so that I am feeling comfortable making calls on such things as when to stop meds, when to start them, take appointments and so on. In fact, I have to go now and set up a pen for Luther Vandross. He's coming back but only as a boarder. Unfortunately, the one I set up for him last night went to the emergency rescue so here we go, more rabbits than we have space for - at the moment. There's a set of borders that should be leaving this weekend so we'll be back to full capacity instead of over capacity.

A quick addendum:

It seems Suzette has worked out a way to get more pellets out of me.  I usually take a handful and give a third to each level of the condo inhabitants.  Well Suzette, being on top, wanted them all for herself.  So she perched herself on top of her hay rack and when I put my hand in to put in the pellets, she hit me with her full 4.5 pounds of body - not a bite, not a scratch but hit me sideways - causing me to drop all of my pellets into her cage.  I got some back but she was greedily guarding most of them.