Bunny buddy? (And a request for happy stories)

[GhostHelwig]

Hello all! I have a question. See, my baby Bunnicula is a sweetheart to everyone most of the time (bunny hormones mean he is never nice to everyone all the time), and I adore him. He gives me kisses, lets everyone love on him, the only thing he doesn’t do is cuddle. But that’s okay. He’s still a baby, so maybe one day he’ll be comfortable enough for a hug. And if not, that’s okay too.

The thing is, as much as he is sweet to me, he just adores my older sister. My mother and I are his primary caretakers, but my sister is his favorite person. When she was having a panic attack one night, he comforted her, and it was so surprising and sweet that he actually managed to calm her down. He comes when she calls (I wish he would do that for me – it’s a rare thing when he listens to me that much), gets excited when she comes home from work, watches her and tries to follow her when she leaves, wants a part of everything she eats even though when I eat in front of him unless it’s something that smells really good to him (sweets or potatoes mostly) he couldn’t care less. I don’t mind this behavior much (although I’ll admit sometimes I’m totally jealous, because he loves her so much it’s obvious in everything he does around her), but I do find it interesting. He directs his mating behaviors toward me (circling, humping my poor innocent foot, lol), but his fatherly affection toward her.

My mother says he adopted her. I just say she’s his bunny buddy. It’s like he believes she’s just another bunny hanging out in his warren with him and these strange human creatures. Lol.

Has anyone heard of such a thing before? I’m not worried, I’m just curious why he treats her so differently. I think it’s really sweet. My sister is curious about it too, though, so I had to ask.

Which leads me to a request. My baby is getting neutered on Monday. :/ His vet is listed on the house bunny society page, I know he reads that site, and that he’s done a lot of these surgeries before, but I can’t stop worrying. I’m prone to anxiety so it’s less about the vet and more about me, but even knowing that, I can’t get my brain to shut up. So I’m here to request only your happy bunny neutering stories. I’ve read about nightmarish times when bunnies died, and as sorry as I feel for those people and their bunnies, I cannot handle reading about them right now. I’m already trying hard not to panic. So any stories where your bunny turned out happy and healthy, I’d love to read.

Although… Is it likely he’ll still be as sweet after the surgery? Please tell me the answer is yes. I love him and his wonderful, zany, often incredibly sweet personality, and I’m very afraid all of that will change once he’s been neutered, even though he’s been that way since he was small.

[Beka27]

He sounds like a very sweet bunny. My guess is that he will stay that way after neutering, although he may be a little “out of whack” for about a month after as the hormones clear out.

I’ve never neutered a male, but I have spayed my female and she came through with flying colors. Neutering is an easier procedure than spaying since the vet doesn’t have to really go “inside”. Just try to relax, I’m confident that he’ll do fine.

As far as your sister… I have no idea. That’s really interesting though! Maybe he just senses something with her that draws him to her (not saying that you and your mom are “bad people” Don’t take that the wrong way… Lol!)

I assume he is still young. Continue to give him great care and lots of love. He will be a great companion for you all!

[BunnyLady1989]

When I had my girl spayed I was such a worry wart! I refused to leave the vet because I was so worried about her, but she came through with flying colors. That night she wasn’t real happy with me and stayed under the bed all night.
Lulu loves it when my brother comes home to visit. He will barely give her the time of day but for some reason she just loves him. When he leaves she will sit in front of his doorway to his room. It really is precious I think your boy will be the same way even after the surgery, but just give him some time to adjust

[Deleted User]

My ‘happy’ neutering story? Henry stopped SPRAYING us! The end! ha ha ha ha….

And don’t feel bad your boy is snubbing you for your sister. How would you feel if your bun snubbed you for a DOG? Sigh….. (really sad face).

Hope that made you smile GhostHelwig! Good luck with Bunnicula’s neuter – I’m sure he will be fine. My Henry was back to being his usual ignorant self in no time. Dam wabbit! Cheers!

[GhostHelwig]

Thank you so much for all the stories and the very comforting support, everyone! I truly appreciate it. It helps to know there are bunnies out there of both genders who come through absolutely fine (especially since it is much harder for those poor girls). I know I shouldn’t worry, but who can keep from worrying about a very loved bunny?

And I knew you didn’t mean anything bad, Beka, because I’ve had that thought too! Lol. My sister has the flu right now so she’s avoiding the bunny – mostly so she won’t infect the whole family right before poor Icky gets neutered – and it’s making him crazy. Haha. I can tell he misses her. So sweet. He is still young, at most eight months, and who knew you could love a little one so much in so short a time? Heh.

Thank you for all the comfort about how he’ll be after, too. It’s nice to know a bit of what to expect. He’s already pretty hormonal, so a bit more moodiness for a while afterward I can handle. I like to think.

I asked the vet if I could stay for a while when we go to drop him off, and the receptionist was very understanding. Haha. If they would let me stay the whole time, BunnyLady, I would sleep on the floor to do it! Lol. Unfortunately, I doubt they’ll accommodate that. But I am taking in the Vicks vaporizer that keeps his allergies (and mine) at bay, because he needs it more than I do…

And it’s so strange and cute about your brother. I wonder why some bunnies do that? My sister actually spends tons of time with Bunnicula, so it’s not wanting what they can’t have. Heh. That’s really interesting, though. Thank you for sharing!

And OMG thank God I haven’t been sprayed yet! Lol. Not in a while, anyway. Not since before he starting mating behaviors. I don’t envy you dealing with that, AndHenry! Bunny pee gets absolutely everywhere…

And you’re right, I’d like it less if it was a dog I was being snubbed for! Lol. That did make me smile. Thank you.

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