We made a decision about Hailey

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 15sd replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 11 months ago by RabbitPam.

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- 04/01/2009 at 2:46 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  We waited until Bailey healed, got her stitches out and for our own stress about the situation to cool down.
  
  Both cages had been on the livingroom floor, about 6 inches away from each other. Everything had been fine. They alternated free roam time, and when ever the free one went up to the other’s cage, they didn’t mind and carried on with their own business. I thought this arrangement could work for a while to figure out a better solution.
  
  But then last night, Hailey was out. She ran up to Bailey’s cage, got up on her hind legs and started growling, buzzing or whatever you call that sound they make. I sprayed her with the water bottle and she ran off. She went to play and everything carried on like normal. It was the first time she had ever done that to Bailey’s cage. 10 minutes later had passed and she did it again and kept doing it until I got her back into her own cage.
  
  As soon as I shut the cage, I turned around to look at my boyfriend and we both knew. That’s the last straw. We can’t have that stress between those two in such close quarters. We’ll be bringing Hailey back to the SPCA this Saturday. Luckily I found out it’s a no-kill shelter, so I feel better about it, somewhat. So I know she’ll eventually find a new home, I just will always worried if it’s a good home or not.
- 04/01/2009 at 2:50 PM
  Sage Cat
  Participant
  1883 posts
  That is so sad – but it does not always work out.
  Y’all have to go with what is right for you.
- 04/01/2009 at 2:57 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Yes, the SPCA went no-kill in 2007.
  
  I know it was a hard decision but they will find her a good home. You have to do what is right for you. Maybe you can give the SPCA some information on Hayley’s good points to help them find her a new home – I know she loved to be petted and loved to play. And she is soft and pretty too.
- 04/01/2009 at 3:40 PM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  I am so sorry that you have had to make such a tough decision- but you really have to do what is best for you, your boyfriend and Bailey.
  
  (((Hugs)))
- 04/01/2009 at 3:43 PM
  Lily
  Participant
  340 posts
  *Sniffles* But Hailey…..
  
  Thats really to bad it didnt work out. What made you choise to keep bailey?
- 04/01/2009 at 4:34 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Posted By tiger.lily.27 on 04/01/2009 03:43 PM
  
  *Sniffles* But Hailey…..
  
  Thats really to bad it didnt work out. What made you choise to keep bailey?
  
  We love both of them. But Bailey is the one that has been attacked twice by Hailey. She’s been to the emergency vet both of those times and I’ve paid many $$$ in medical bills for just her. She’s been through a lot of healing and the bonding has been stronger between us because I’ve had to nurse her, give her meds, just take much more care of her.
  
  And on top of that, her belly is shaved and she has big scars from her injuries. So if she went back to the shelter, any potential new parents might not like a beat-up looking bunny and go for a rabbit that looks healthier.
  
  My boyfriend has had more troubles over the choice of “who goes, who stays” because he thinks Hailey is better behaved to us (like using the litter box and doesn’t chew on the basebords) and more entertaining for him to watch. So we have kind of battled it out a little. But he understands why.
- 04/01/2009 at 5:22 PM
  KytKattin
  Participant
  1195 posts
  I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure that Hailey will find a good home if she has such a person loving personality like you say she does. Are you going to try to bond Bailey to another rabbit or just keep her by herself?
- 04/01/2009 at 7:04 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Posted By lostbutnotforgot on 04/01/2009 05:22 PM
  I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure that Hailey will find a good home if she has such a person loving personality like you say she does. Are you going to try to bond Bailey to another rabbit or just keep her by herself?
  
  When I originally adopted the rabbits, I was only wanting one to take care of. But the shelter kept telling me that they were bonded and it would be best if I adopted both. So I thought it’s still one cage taking up space and one to clean up and one litter box, etc…so why not. I adopted both. So since it was my first intentions of having one rabbit, I’ll just stick with Bailey. They get tons of attention all day long and now she will get double the attention. So I’m sure she won’t be lonely.
  
  Who knows if in the future, if I’m ready to add another rabbit to the family, I might get another. Maybe a chilled out neutered boy. I’m not sure. I’m kind of scared of bonding rabbits now. It just hasn’t been a pleasant experience for us or Bailey.
- 04/01/2009 at 7:32 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  This is sad and must be very difficult for you both. You certainly got more than you bargained for when you went to adopt ‘just 1 rabbit’! In all though, you have socialised Hailey and learnt more specifics about her that will help rehome her in an ideal situation in the future. I’m sure the SPCA will appreciate the feedback.
  
  Ok, now one last attempt… It seems having them separated was working ok but for this recent incident. Was it definately aggression you observed? I was wondering if you had their cages configured so that Bailey’s was above Haileys, then H wouldn’t be able to see her while she was out. Sorry, I just wanted to see if there was any further possibility and I don’t mean to make situ any more difficult. I understand you would like to keep both girls if you could but have had to assess things as they stand. If Hailey has to go, I just hope she finds a home as caring and understanding as yours!
- 04/01/2009 at 7:37 PM
  babybunsmum
  Participant
  3896 posts
  i like what sarita said… pick out some of hailey`s good points to tell the shelter. you definitely have to do whats best for every one/bun involved. that must have been a tough decision (((find a good single-bun home for hailey)))
- 04/01/2009 at 8:56 PM
  KytKattin
  Participant
  1195 posts
  I’m certain that Bailey will be happy either way. If you do decide to get another bun in the future, I do suggest trying to find a shelter that allows some ‘bunny dating’ and a trial period in your own home to help the whole process go much more smoothly. I’m so sorry that this whole process was so difficult and unrewarding for you. At least you have one lovable bunny that hopefully will bring you many years of joy.
- 04/01/2009 at 10:40 PM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  I have to admit I am not surprised by your decision, I know you were leaning that way since this all happened. It is one thing to care for separate buns (two playtimes, two litterboxes, two cages) temporarily while they bond. It is a different thing altogether to be faced with that for the next ten years when that was not what you had signed up for initially.
  
  I hope Hailey will find a kind, loving home. She sounds like a wonderful bunny. Bailey is just not a good friend for her.
- 04/02/2009 at 12:52 PM
  Sage Cat
  Participant
  1883 posts
  I’m a bit confused – You may have mentioned this in another post – If Hailey & Bailey were bonded wouldn’t they have been together at the shelter – in the same cage? Why would you have to re-bond them in your home? It sounds like they were not actually bonded.
  Either way, I have no doubt it has been tough on y’all
- 04/04/2009 at 8:45 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  We brought Hailey back today. It was really really sad. Hailey was stressed during the car ride. But once we got there, she wanted out to play. I told them all the great things about Hailey. When they pulled up my adoption papers, I forgot she didn’t even have a name, she was a number. So we updated her file with her name and all the great things about her. Hailey LOVED one of her toys so much, she played with it for hours in her cage and in the play pen. So I couldn’t keep it. I wanted her to have it. So I was so glad when they told me they would hang it up in her cage for me. She got to keep her blankie too.
  
  It was a sad day. I came back home and we have been spending all day with Bailey. I’m probably over-cuddling her today. But it makes me feel better to have her with me and take my mind off of Hailey. I really hope she finds a great home. I do look forward to our future with Bailey.
- 04/05/2009 at 4:51 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been! Well Hailey has all of us praying for the best for her – don’t you worry. I wish for your future with Bailey to be joyus too!
- 04/05/2009 at 5:29 AM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  Hailey may be happiest as a solitary bun, and so cute that a new Mommy will come along quite soon. It will probably work out best in the long run for both Hailey and a lonesome human who will love Hailey to pieces. At least you know she’ll be where they understand how to take care of bunnies and its no kill so she will be in good hands until she gets in her new home. I think you made a wise choice in taking Hailey instead of Bailey based on her adoptability.
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