Hehe, I know, he’s adorable! I gave Chubs a pep talk before their date…”you better be nice to this one because he’s the one I want!” And he must have listened I like Panda, I will have to mention it to Kc. Someone at work today suggested Slim or something because he is actually chubbier than Chubs and it might be funny.

I am doing their first date later today, since we’ve wanted to let him settle in. They have been trying to stick their heads through the bars to try and get to each other (not aggressively). And they were sleeping on the side of the pen closest to each other this morning, I think that’s good!

I’m a little concerned because I talked to the previous owner more about his diet- He’s 9 months old and has never had any veggies! She said they were too scared to introduce them…when I gave him a little bit of parsley this morning, and he seemed disinterested (unlike Chubs who can gobble a pile of veggies in half a second!). I tried a little romaine instead and again, no interest. Not cellery either. I’m hoping once they bond, Chubs can influence him a little…And he loves his hay so I guess that’s good and we can work on the veggie thing. Kinda made me sad though, Chubs loves loves loves his greens!

Post about their date tonight to follow…

So there is major hault in bonding and I’m actually really concerned for new bunny. We didn’t (and I feel stupid for not doing this) really examine him much last night because he was so afraid. We met for their date outside, and he had a nice shiny coat and looked pretty good I thought…Well today I gave him a good once over, teeth and everything. He had major…major poopy but, or at least did? It was completely dried on. I can’t tell if it was because he had runny poop once upon a time and nobody cleaned him…or if it was a litter box that NEVER got changed…or what. I couldn’t get it off at all with a towel and water so I gave him a butt bath with a rabbit safe shampoo.

He is not very happy with me but I was able to clean him up pretty well and get him all dried off and everything. Now he is just grooming away and getting all the human off. I’m very worried though because he smells. Now I blame my cold and Kc’s cold for not realizing right away yesterday but he smells very bad. Chubs has never smelled even a little bad- he always smells like cilantro and cellery. I don’t know what else to do for him myself. I did make an appointment with the vet (although my bunny vet isn’t in until Saturday- which I’m not happy about, but it will give me a chance to tell if it’s something wrong or if it was lack of care…)

This doesn’t change anything honestly because had I noticed yesterday I would have still brought him home. There is no way I could have left him in that kind of care! This was not something that happened over night and I’m sick over it. Do you guys think it’s okay to wait until Saturday for the vet? He is eating well- hay and pellets, and he is pooping fine. What is your advice? I’m worried! What do you think about the smell?

It was a little difficult to even get to them and after the bath, poor little guy. I just wanted to give him a rest, poor guy! I was focused tonight on the bigger issue but tomorrow, I plan to check them, as well as clip his nails. I think he’s okay- almost completely dry again and hopping around. I just couldn’t believe how dirty underneath because like you said…in the pictures he looks good! Oh and his ears were clean except for the very tips which is normal. Lop ears hang down and sometimes get a little dirty on the ends. I think he’s okay- my best guess is that he was just living in very dirty conditions. It makes me sad and also very glad that we have him now and he’ll always be nice and clean from now on. He does smell a little better after the bath too.

Well- first of all, I think how dirty “Pebbles” was, was a result of neglect. The previous owner basically said (after I emailed them about what I saw) she put her 10 year old daughter in charge and she didn’t do anything…but mom did follow through on her threat to find him a new home if she didn’t take care of him. THAT I’m thankful for. He is still stinky but much less so and I think it’s mostly the marking poos and couple of sprays. We are getting him neutered very, very soon!  Anyways, I will let the video and pictures do the bonding description for me tonight. It was pretty boring. LOTS of staring and sitting- which I think is a good thing. I just made the more interesting moments into a movie. (Oh and ignore the bath tub! We have well water and the orange stains do not come out!!) (Oh and notice Kc’s hand- an injury from seperating them today when Chubs was having run time and little black and white houdini  escaped and they had a little duel! Nobody was hurt but Kc…)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJQXyDSvc3o    (the end is the best part- notice chubs’s ears, hehe)

(and the music doesn’t fit very well but the sample thing wasn’t working for some reason and I just picked randomly…)

This is one of the many many staring contests…

I love this one…hehe, human made cuddle but still cute!

On another note, “pebbles” is coming out of his shell a little! I think he felt much better than he had for a while after his bath last night. He went exploring around the house instead of sitting quietly in a corner, and he even did a couple of binkies for us! Tonight he has been chinning everything in sight, including my feet, haha. He’s settling in! And, I would love to spend 3 straight days bonding them but that’s just not a possibility with our schedules right now…I am trying to do about 2 dates a day during the week, but this weekend I will try and do at least 4 or 5 when I’m off! Hopefully it will happen quickly, poop wars and spraying (only on tarp area thus far but still, ick) are already driving me bonkers!

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************

Well it’s taken so long for my video to upload and stuff for whatever reason…that I just did date 2. They layed next to each other for about 20 min and I would pet every once in a while but just lazy sleepy and next to each other! No-name did hump a little at the beginning but then they settled down…pretty much like the above picture without me making them lay next to each other. Hehe. Cute. Although every once in a while, Chubs would kind of bite at the other’s ear/head. I can’t tell if it’s agression or rough grooming…other bunny didnt seem to mind much but I don’t know. Hard to tell!

Well- first to answer some questions…..

Monkeybun- Thanks for the stain remover tip, I will have to give it a try! (and I live in MN)

Rachel- Neither bun is phased in the slightest by the squirt bottle, but yelling no seems to get their attention. The nipping isn’t horribly agressive on Chub’s part, it seems more like a reminder, “yeah I like you but this is still my house buster…” haha. He was doing that less today though.

MrMac- Yes the escape happened in the living room, which is Chub’s primary domain. He was out having run time and Houdini escaped and wa-la. It was all fur though- both are shedding so there was little tufts of fluffy fur but no injuries. And they don’t seem to be too phased by their little squabble either.

Now- For today’s update….

It was a humping Bonanza! No-name (who is not neutered yet so that may be part of it) just wanted to hump…and hump…and hump some more! And he kept biting on to Chub’s neck? I think he’s just grabbing fur but it kinda scared me a litle, don’t want him to accidently bite him! But I just put my hand in the way after a while so he couldn’t do that part. Chubs actually tolerated it every time and threw in a few humps of his own for good measure. But other than that, and the occasional nip still, they were cuddling like the whole time! They were in the tub for like 40 min and didn’t have to do much but monitor humping- making sure they didn’t backwards mount. Here’s a picture of how they pretty much sat the whole time.

Now in this video clip at the end, is that nipping or rough grooming? No-name doesn’t seem to care and I can’t tell…..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3adoINfKGlg

 I think it’s going well. I think that if no-name was neutered it would be going even better because the humping and the spraying (Ugh!!) are results of that I think. We want to do it soon, but what is the protocol for that? Do I wait to keep bonding until after? Do I keep going? If they bond before then, should Chubs go with him to the vet?  I guess that’s jumping the gun but…still, I don’t know.

Oh and one more thing, not sure if it’s good or bad? When one is having run time, they spend a lot of time laying next to the other’s cage. They also touch faces and sometimes nip, but mostly just rub their faces together. If no-name is the one locked in, this is when he sprays…It seems non-agressive but they are kind of obsessive about being by the one in lock-up. Not the entire time, because they still run around and explore and do binkies and what-not but a lot of the time.

Well, an update. No-name seems to be much better and I don’t think there’s any underlying issues to how dirty he was. I think it was purely neglect. He is grooming regularly, smelling much better, and has had no more yuckiness down there. Poor guy has had a pretty rude introduction to us because of all the necessary maintenance…bath, anal gland cleaning, nail clipping…sheesh. He’s still pretty skittish, but less so- haha he does this funny thing sometimes when he is running across the room. He’ll run 2 feet, freeze and look at you, run 2 feet, freeze and look at you and then dash the rest of the way. It’s hilarious, I will have to try and get it on video for you guys! He has also taken to veggies! He loves all of them I’ve let him try so far First day must have just been nerves cause now he gobbles them up!

As far as bonding…I’m a little undecided about what to do. Now that no-name seems to be less frightened…allllllll he wants to do is hump Chubs any time we put them together. Chubs is pretty good about tolerating it but after a while, he gets annoyed and starts nipping. When no-name isn’t humping, they are pretty okay together. They sit next to each other and kind of fall asleep even. But it’s been harder and harder to get to that point because of alll the humping. I know it’s hormone driven, because he isn’t neutered yet. My question is…do we stop doing bonding until after he is neutered? (probably next week sometime) Or do I keep doing the dates until then?

I also have some concerns about neutering! I have the information from house rabbit about the right questions to ask and everything, but as far as recovery..what do I look for that it’s going well? Is there anything I should do before surgery? Should I still let him have regular run time/diet/ etc while he is healing? How long does he need to heal before doing bonding sessions with Chubs again? I know Rachel, you just had sammy neutered, and anyone else who might have adivice about that. I didn;t have to go through it with Chubs and I’m a nervous bunny mom!

Thanks for the info! I’m pretty nervous (and it’s not tomorrow by the way, but we’re planning to get it done in the next 2 weeks sometime). Partially because it’s surgery and that’s scary by itself and partially because I don’t feel 100% confident about our vet. She is the only vet in our area that works with rabbits, and I have had a friend get her bunny successfully spayed there, but she isn’t on the house rabbit vets list and she wasn’t all that personable with me or Chubs when we did his check up. The closest vet that’s on the list is 90 miles away, and I know the surgery would probably go smoothly and if I ask all my questions and am not satisfied with her answers I won’t take him there for it, but still. It gets the nerves! Would you suggest waiting until post-neuter to try and keep bonding? It’ll be a little bit of a wait but I’m worried all the hormonal humping is hurting the bonding process, because it’s so constant now and Chubs gets so irritated….Should we just wait? They are still neighbors right now, and get interaction through the cage when they’re having run time, and I’m switching their cages every night, so should I stick with that and put bonding sessions on hold or…? I also thought about giving Noname a “stunt double” so he could maybe get some of his humpiness out on that…Whatcha think? (Oh and I know what you mean about feeling like a meanie! Chubs usually has 24/7 run time and with new bunny here has been having to be caged at night and off and on during the day and I feel like a horrible bunny mom…)

Oh wow they do look alike! What little cuties huh?? I live in MN, how about you?

Hehe matching pairs. That would be so funny!

Well we decided to put official bonding on hold until after no-name’s neuter. The constant humping is causing Chubs to get annoyed when they’re actually together and all the spraying is driving us crazy too! So we have a new arrangement. No-name is in the kitchen, where we have sectioned off the dining area side for him to have free run in. It’s much bigger than the pens and I think he already likes it. He was binkying tonight after I set it up. Chubs is back in the living room and was also happy to have more room again- he’s been pretty moody the last couple of days…But then we also have a rug and towel layed out on the tile so that Chubs can go into the kitchen and still get fairly near to no-name when he wants to. They can’t quite touch (as this was the cause of sprays and nips) but they can get close and lay near each other. I think we’ll keep it like this until we get no-name neutered and healed. Then we’ll start over with the actual bonding but to be honest, I don’t think it will take much once the hormones are out of the picture. No-name has shown no aggression whatsoever and Chubs only does towards him after he refuses to back off on the “romance”. ha.

On another note…names. We’re having a harder time agreeing on this guy! We like Nurgle, Scamp, Panda, Inky, and Smudge so far. Haha we’re so good at narrowing it down… Oh, and no-name came over to me for pets today! Yay! He’s been so afraid but he’s starting to bond with me a little I think! Here’s a couple new pictures of him!

…and this is mine!

He freezes when he hears my camera beep- I like to think he’s posing!

Lol, I like picking out names. It’s funny though because we decided on Chubs for Chubs righ away.

Well, bonding is still on hold but 2 exciting things!

Name choices are narrowed down to 3 names. Monarch, because it looks like he has little wings on his back in the white fur, and he has little spots. Comet because…we just like it. And Spook, because he is so darn jumpy! We can be sitting right next to him holding absolutely still and he will find some imaginary sound to make him freeze or dart away. Hehe.

Secondly, he’s really starting to relax with us (aside from the spookedness). He likes to mark us all over with his little chin, “mine, mine, mine, mine!” He loves to cuddle, which I love because Chubs can be cuddly but he’s also so independent. This guy is a lovebug.

Well….drum roll….his official name is Comet! Kc was rooting for that one and I really like it too, so yay. He’s a no-name, no longer!  Here’s a couple new pictures of the boys!

Chubsy in a full sprawl

Cutest little close up of Comet

So, I know I said we’re waiting to bond them and we still are really, because we havent been dating them regularly. The humping was creating issues of Chubs nipping, and I know the humping is very hormonal for Comet at this point. So those reasons still stand and we’re still officially waiting, but they were visiting each other so often today! And they were both being very affectionate tonight so we decided to do a little date. Now we did it in a corner of the dining room area- technically “Comet’s space” since he has the whole dining room right now BUT I have not seen even a hint of aggression from this little bunny and I just didn’t see him being territorial more than marking poos. And I was right, he wasn’t at all, even when Chubs used his litter box!

Comet did try to hump right away, as usual, but I really didn’t let him do much of that tonight, as I didn’t want Chubs to get cranky about it. We just pet them a lot and gently pushed Comet off when he tried. They groomed each other! It was the first mutual groom!!!!  Yay! Up until now, Chubs has been the only one to groom. We kept it short because Comet was pretty insistent over keeping on trying to hump and we wanted to end it on that wonderful note. I’m just so excited because I think after the neuter, this is going to be such an easy bond. These bunnies are as close to bunny love as I could have hoped for! I want to speed up this waiting time danget! Soon soon…..

Well, I took Comet into his pre-neuter exam today and all is well! He is officially scheduled to get the big snip on October 12th. Later than I wanted but with me leaving next weekend, I’m just too nervous to have it done this week and leave while he’s still healing. So yep, all is set to go…and I felt much better about my vet today. Maybe she just had a bad day last time I was there. She answered all my questions and was very friendly. She did say that she does the incision in the scrotum and not the abdomen which I know is good, and also that she leaves the scrotal sac? She said it would look funny for a little while but would shrink up eventually…and that it was better for the bunnies that way. I’m just curious as to what you guys know about this? I know it’s kind of a weird question, but I really would like to know…Thanks!

I can’t wait for them to look like that so I can get lots of snuggle pictures!! *Impatiently taps foot*

You guys, sweetest thing ever!! So I have the boys living seperately for now, until after the surgery. I have it so that they can visit one another, with about a foot of tile between the x-pen gate. Chubs won’t cross this so when I’m not supervising, I leave the tile uncovered. When I’m there, I usually make a towel bridge for Chubs to use and actually be able to touch faces with Comet. But tonight I walked into the kitchen and Chubs was (gasps in disbelief) sitting on the tile!!! so he could groom Comet through the gate. It was adorable and sweet and I couldn’t believe it! He crossed tile to show Comet affection ohhhh bonding time come sooner….

LOL it is for Chubs! Normally he won’t cross it for any reason…not veggies, not escape, not even craisins, And yet he crossed it to groom Comet… I’m still smiling about this today

So just a little happy update!

I still have buns separated (as the neuter is Monday) but…Chubs usually sleeps in his box house or under the futon in the living room, and Comet usually sleeps in his box house. Well when i got up this morning, I must have been pretty quiet because Chubs didn’t come running right away. When I came into the kicthen, which is where they can visit each other, Chubs was sleeping on the edge of the towel bridge (over the tile) right next to the gate and Comet was sleeping on the other side of the gate, on his blanket. It was the cutest thing

I’m so impatient for the hormones to go away so I can put them together!! I’m trying not to be overly optimistic but I honestly think I won’t have to do much on bonding at all…aside from supervising for a while and putting up with the poop wars. They are just so cute together lately. Grooming through the gate…sleeping basically side by side…

I dropped Comet off at the vet’s this morning for his neuter. Poor little guy! But I have to remember it’s actually better for him int he long run and hopefully he can be put with Chubs soon after! They have been so affectionate with each other through the gate lately, lots of mutual grooming! Still doing the poop wars thing but…I’m sure that will let up. I’m anxious to date them without the humping being such an issue!! Anyways, everyone send out healing vibs for Comet from his snip today!

GREAT NEWS! I put them together tonight! (Everyone told me to wait a week and it’s only been 5 days…BUT I just couldn’t stand it any more, them being so sweet to each other and sleeping side by side! I was incredibly alert to them and was always right behind them, ready to grab Chubs if anything were to occur that could compromise Comet’s healing.) Anyways, I couldn’t wait any more. I cleaned up the area we’ve had Comet in, took the litter box and any hidey holes out so I could easily access them at all times and then I brought Chubs in with me. I know it was brave of me, since it was Comet’s established space but I know my buns. Chubs does all the marking poos and pees on his side of the gate. Comet never does any. He is such a mellow little guy and I just knew he’d be okay with having Chubs in there with him. And he was!

I didn’t even expect it to go as well as it did! They were running around for a while, not really messing with each other. They were grooming themselves and munching hay. When they did come together, they had a groom war. Each of them kept putting their head under the other’s chin, “Groom me” “No YOU groom me.” “No…” etc. lol It was pretty entertaining. Then they sort of chilled touching and side by side for about two minutes. Then they started eating hay together out of Comet’s feeder! I wish I would have filmed it for you guys but I will next time, I thought this would just be a test but wow! I’m so excited right now.

I still wouldn’t trust them alone together, especially with Comet still healing. But I think this is going to be such an easy bond! Of course the real test will be whether Chubs is as hospitable about his space…which I do not foresee but…if they spend enough time together…perhaps?!?! Is this as exciting as it feels or still just a baby step??

*Note: Comet is healing perfectly and was acting like his usual self today! Even more active than usual perhaps, or I never would have done this tonight. I only did because he is doing so well and they just seem to WANT to be together!

Well I took some videos for you guys tonight! This was a very short bonding session, because I worked 12 hours today without a break and I’m soooo tired and my feet are killing me! Comet did try to mount a couple of times tonight (which I didn’t let him do since it’s been only 6 days since his neuter). Chubs tolerated it though when he tried, or he’d run away.

Video #1: taken before bonding tonight (ignore all the poop wars!) Notice the grooming! And Chubs has been sleeping on that towel every night and Comet has been sleeping on the blanket on the other side of the gate. Little cuties! (Also, notice Chubs is on the tile part way! I tried moving the towel closer so he wouldn’t have to be but Comet would pull it into the pen! Chubs was getting stranded on a little square of it. Hehe.)

Video #2: Mostly just following each other in this one, BUT note, this is in Comet’s established space! How tolerant he is of Chubs being there, I think is really good!?!

Video #3: This one is so cute! Chubs is just begging for grooms! It ends abruptly with Comet’s attempted mount but there was much more of the same from Chubs during the whole session.

What does everyone think? Any body language stuff I’m not picking up on? Is this progress? Should I keep doing sessions with them or wait until the hormones are totally out of Comet’s system?? Any advice is great!

(Comet somehow reached the towel and pull it into his pen again last night! When I got up this morning Chubs was laying on the tiny square (and had been for a while??) because he wouldn’t cross all that scary tile to reach the safety of the carpet…hahaha. Poor bun.

They are having a bonding session right now (going on a half an hour) and I feel comfy enough to sit in here and use the computer while they have it! I cleaned Comet’s area today and took out all but one blanket so that I could minimize the “together space” since Chubs won’t venture far off of it. I also cleaned the litter box, refreshed the hay and left the box in. They are currently both sitting in it munching hay!

Chubs has tried mounting a few times today but Comet’s quick and he runs on to the tile, where Chubs won’t follow, haha. Otherwise though, they seem fairly content with each other’s company. No real snuggling yet unless we’re petting them like crazy, but once we stop, they tend to move away from it. No aggression though either and who knows?? I’m willing to sit in here for quite a while tonight. (I’m not feeling too good and this seems as good a place to sit as any.)

Camera is charging, but I will try and get some pictures up here in a bit.

* Pictures *

“Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom” -Chubs stole a bite of this directly from Comet’s mouth at one point

“I’m not sure I like sharing these with you, bite stealer.”

“I disaprove.”

“This box used to be roomier.”

“Hmm…”

Almost a snuggle?

“Well if you’re going to be pushy, I’ll sit over here.” (Chubs is kind of the bully of the two!)

*Pictures*

“I can still eat MY hay on this side. So there.”

“I need a rest from you.”

“WHAT? You are on the tile? I thought I had a safe resting place!” “Well I missed you way over there, maybe this tile stuff

isn’t toooooooo scary.”

“I still like the nice safe towel better though.”

“I’m not even over there now…Mom Chubs is being a copy bun..” (Look how far out on the tile he is!! Talk about

changed behavior based on observation!)

“I got woken up from my nap for this, can’t we just be friends??”

“Why yes, I am the guardian of the litter box.”

Haha, that was fun doing their voices for those. What do you guys think?”

Yes, I think the mounting on Comet’s part is still hormonal. His neuter was so recent, I can’t see his hormones already being taken care of. Tonight though, it was Chubs who was mounting (which Comet would have none of- and he just ran away) and I think for him, it’s a dominance issue. I’ve also seen Chubs do the grooming though. He grooms Comet (which he purposefully never does when I have the camera out i think…) and then begs for Comet to groom him back (like he did in the 2nd video) and Comet rarely does. So yep, I think that still needs sorting out.

As far as time, I don’t have tons of it during the week. I am graduating in December and am doing a required 35 hour a week internship for school. Plus, I have class on Fridays and I usually work Saturdays at Applebees to try and make some money since my internship is unpaid! I have my nights free though (aside from homework) during the week, so I usually work with them then. I wish I had 3 days to just be constant like Rachel did when she bonded Samson and Ivy! Oh well, gotta work with what I got. Kc helps too but he’s less patient with watching them during bonding, and would rather just play with them. Haha.

I feel pretty good about how it’s going though. There isn’t aggression really and the main reason I don’t trust them is because of the mounting, and sometimes the backwards mounting, which always scares the heck out of me. Also, I worry that it stresses them out to be mounted or chased and attmepted to mount. I think that will get less and less as we go through this. I don’t think this will be too long of a road, and I’m putting as much time into it as I can! if only I could stay at home with the bunnies all day…! They are sorta my de-stressors at the moment!

Thanks for your feedback Jersey!

Thanks for all the input Rachel! I will try and keep them together as much as possible this week, which may be more possible then I originally thought since I am now sick and will be possibly staying home from work a day…

Oh I did have a couple questions…

1) So far Comet has been very un-territorial about his space and allowing Chubs into it. Chubs is more territorial though…and we have yet to test how he’ll handle Comet in HIS main space. My question is how do I neutralize it? He has the run of the living room which is all carpeted, and then the couches and stuff…all soft stuff that I can’t really use vinegar on, right? I can vacuum but, what else can I do to neutralize this space? I’m nervous about this, since that’s the one time Chubs showed agression to Comet- when Comet escaped and got into Chubs’s room.

2) Chubs has been in full poop wars mode, along the border of their separation and lately has also been peeing there. It’s tile, so so far I haven’t been too peeved about it. BUT the carpet would be a whole different story. Any advice on how to curb this little habbit?

Is my best option to keep them together as much as possible in Comet’s space, which neither of them seems too aggressive about? Should I try and cement their bond there and THEN move them to a space that’s harder to neautralize? If I should…should I put 2 litterboxes in there with them, or stick to one?

Well youtube is down for maintenance and I’m still not sure how to imbed the videos so those will have to wait. And danget, I actually caught grooming on film tonight! They try not to let me get anything good on camera but I was working on being sneaky and I can show you the good pictures!

Started off a little sassy…this was the moment after Chubs stole some hay right out of Comet’s mouth…Haha, love the look on Comet’s face, “WTF mate??”

Got a little better, Chubs allowed Comet to have the litter box for a few minutes before he chased him out, “See, I can share”

Hehe, first real snuggle picture!! “Yeah…you’s okay I spose”

They started to seperate and I extended the cuddling by shaking my jar of coins, Comet got scared and cuddled closer. Chubs seemed not to care at all, but a few seconds later he started grooming Comet for snuggling him

“Why is she making that horrible noise?!” “Eh, she’s a big softie. You’ll learn soon enough that she’s all talk.”

I will post the videos as soon as I can, probably tomorrow night. They seemed sad when I separated them tonight, but I just feel too crappy to sit in there all night…and I still need to make a “their space” because right now it’s still “Comet’s space” -this weekend will be all about bonding and homework though, I think I can do both at once now. The only thing I’m very worried about is the backwards mounting that they like to try…otherwise, I think we’re almost in the clear. I will just cement their bond pretty well before allowing them into “Chubs’s space”

Here’s the videos!

Video #1: Kinda dark because they were in the little cubby house thing, but there’s grooming!!

Video #2: Mirror Images…haha had to do this one because they are both doing the exact same thing! sillies! (oh and ignore the grey’s anatomy playing the background haha)

Video #3: More grooms! When will Comet groom back? (again ignore the greys…haha)

Oh and Litini, Hehe, I do love my lops! I think I will probably always have lops, Chubs’s fault. He made me an addict…

Sitting in here for almost 2 hours now with the boys.

-They have been pretty boring, which is good. I purposefully started when they were both sleepy heads so they’d be less likely to mount and chase. They have still done a little of both, and gosh danget if they don’t always mount the wrong way! They’re going to give me a heart attack that way…I have had to shake my coffee can of coins each time, which sends Comet shooting off to the furthest away corner when it’s him who’s mounting, but Chubs pretty much ignores me and I have to physically remove him. He doesn’t care if I spray him with water either. Little booger. Chubs has also done some grooming again, and he’s always the groomer…and he constantly begs to be groomed but so far, nada. Him begging for grooms is usually what leads Comet to face mount him. *Sigh*

I’m camped out here for a while so at least another couple hours or so, we’ll be here. (Right now they’re both snoozing and sprawled, both in hidey huts, on the far sides of the pen.

I’m glad you guys agree that they are doing well! They were together nearly 4 hours and there was only about 3 successful mounts (where the other didn’t just run)- all of which were the wrong way…but other than that there was some grooming (1 way again) and even some snuggling! I would probably even trust them alone if it weren’t for the backwards thing, it would be horrible if somebody accidentally got hurt! I would have kept them together longer but I had to lay down, I have a fever and the chills and feel all weak and icky. I’ve missed 2 days of my internship and probably 1 more tomorrow… worrying about making up my hours. (My internship is for school, and I need so many hours to graduate in December.) Anyways…hopefully I will be feeling better soon and then I can spend the weekend bonding and doing homework. For some reason I didn’t get scheduled this Saturday so that’s actually a good thing now!

Here’s a few pictures from today   (Oh and the little boxes you see them in, they have holes in the inside wall so they can go back and forth on the inside, that’s where all the snuggling took place today, and grooming.

Snuggles! Bunny butt to bunny face, hehe.

Love the ear in this one  ” Aww I can’t see!” “Sorries! These floppy ears get in the way sometimes, you know how it goes!”

Haha- the two tailed bunny!

Peek-a-boo buns

Comet groomed!!! (I feel like that Hallelujah music should have come on, hahaha) And now they are napping together! *Squeak* I would take a picture but I don’t want to disturb them, they look so comfy and cute! I’m leaving the room and trusting them to behave while they nap…I’m still in ear shot though, and they’re in the 2 sided box so I can hear if they start to wake up.

I left Chubs in Comet’s space last night and let Comet out into Chubs’s. Then this morning I put Comet back into his space, with Chubs. They ate breakfast together, pretty good sharers too surprisingly I half expected Chubs to get grumpy about his food but he didn’t. Haha, then after breakfast Comet kept flopping down for a nap, and Chubs kept bugging him and making him get up. Then Comet would move over and flop, and Chubs would follow and bug. Finally, Comet groomed Chubs for about 30 seconds, went into the box and that must have satisfied Chubs because he followed and now they’re sleeping! Hehehe. I’m so happy!

I have to go to the doctor in about 45 minutes though, and Kc isn’t home. I don’t completely trust them not to backwards mount while I’m gone for who knows how long getting medicine for my ears (which are infected from my wonderful cold). I will have to separate them for a little while, so I’m not in panic mode while I’m gone. Think that’s ok? They can be together most of the rest of the day when I get back…

yay for nearly bonded bunnies!

I got my medicine and have put th ebuns back together again, and am just hanging out with them. Comet is flopped and Chubs is just grooming away on him! It’s so dang cute! How do I know when they’re truly bonded?? I feel like we’re getting pretty darn close!!

Well, the boys were together pretty much the whole day today and still are right now. No aggression, mounting maybe once or twice (and actually correctly) but otherwise, lots of grooms and flops and cuddles!! Here’s some cute pictures! How do I know when they’re fully bonded?? I’m nervous to leave them alone (I KNOW they wouldn’t fight but if they were to mount the wrong way and it was an accident??) I feel mean when I keep separating them for short bits  of time, it’s clear they don’t want to be…so how do I know??

I love that last one!!

I feel very confident leaving them together during the day- as long as I am in ear shot. Night time is what makes me worry, only because even if I sleep on the couch, I’m too hard a sleeper to hear anything! I was reallllly undecdied last night, and finally didn’t, just because, well, I’m a worrier! I still haven’t decided about tonight either…

Oh and I have them in a smaller space, than will be their eventual space (which is completely free run). Rachel suggested keeping them in a smaller area to fore them to work out their issues, and cement their bond before moving to total freedom.

Haha I know I just need to let them do it. They’ve been together all of yesterday pretty much, and all of today with no issues. I think I may leave them together tonight. They’ve been cuddling together pretty much all day today and I’d feel mean if I separated them! I even fell asleep today for a little while (on the couch- I’m still recovering from being sick) and woke up in a panic, but when I checked on them, they were cuddling and sleeping and looked at me like “What?” Haha. Soooo I think I’ll do it tonight and if all goes well, I’ll be able to add *Bonded* to my thread!

I am so discouraged this morning  We took the plunge and we left them together last night. Kc slept on the couch, because he’s a mich lighter sleeper than me so keep an ear on them. Well they started fighting at one point, and he went to intervene. There was tufts of fur everywhere, and both of them have little ouches on one of their ears. I felt absolutely sure they wouldn’t fight! They’ve been together for pretty much 2 full days with no aggression at all. Just some mounting/chasing here and there but nothing that made me think they’d fight!

So I put them in together (with me) this morning for greens, hoping they would not hold this scuffle against one another. But they are They almost started fighting again this morning. I forced them to lay side by side while I pet them, and they did do their own thinsg some of the time. They groomed themselves and laid down not near each other. But I deffinitely don’t trust to leave them alone today. I feel like we’ve turned around and run backwards!! I am not even sure how to proceed from here, do I start all over with bathtub dates?? Keep trying them together with me present? I just don’t know and I’m so sad…I felt sure it would go great last night and I’d wake up and have my bonded bunnies. Overly confident I guess….Any advice??? 

Well I was gone most of today and Kc was too so they were separate, with just the visiting possibility as before…but I had another date with them tonight. Held them both together, lots of petting and making them lay side by side for it. Chubs just seems mean towards him now! Nipping at him whenever he comes near We’ll try stress bonding tomorrow but I feel so sad! They’re being more aggressive now then they have been ever! Chubs wasn’t even so cranky when we first brought Comet home! They also growled at each other tonight I feel like it’s my fault, like I trusted them too soon but they showed NO aggression the last few days when they’ve been together almost the whole day! Ugh…

I posted this the other night too and now I’m wondering if this could have been the trigger?? This wasn’t RIGHT before bed but it was fairly close. Could he have held a grudge long enough for it to cause a fight? Poor little guys…they were so darn cuddly before this happened. Now thye get near each other and it’s like they could fight at any second. They both have little ear cuts where they clearly bit each other, and Comet has a teeny little bald spot on his ear where Chubs got a tuft of fur! There was fur everywhere but that’s the only spot that seemed like it got yanked out. It seems okay in the after but my goodness, I just feel so discouraged. But you’re right, they will pick up on stuff from me so I will try and stay hopeful about stress bonding tonight…

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

Sadder still is that Comet is more confident with us, when Chubs is around. Being separated so much again today and yesterday has made him kind of retreat to hiding much of the day. I can lure him out with treats or give him head pets in his hidey space (he’ll nose bonk my hand if I stop) but he’s not flopping out in the open any more

We’re going to vaccum and do a car ride tonight. Hopefully stressing them a little will help a little bit! We’re also going to get another little wicker ball for them to devour. Maybe chasing treats and playing will distract them too! *Crosses fingers*

Well, we did some stress bonding last night (car ride) and we gave them lots of together pets after. Last night and tonight we’ve done the sessions in the bathroom, a neutral room. It’s really puzzling to see them together now…they are still comfortable around each other somewhat, like they were sitting about 6 inches apart and grooming themselves, but Chubs is just kind of mean…He is so nippy! He will run over to Comet and ask for a groom for all of 3 seconds and when Comet doesn’t comply, he nips at him. Then he chases him around and nips him on the butt if we allow it! lsjglajdfhljh;djf so frustrating considering that a few days ago, I was nearly ready to declare them bonded because they were so good together… Tonight, they had a few good minutes where…Comet sprayed Chubs and then proceeded to groom him for a few seconds (confusing huh?!). Then when he stopped grooming, the chasing/nipping ensued. A few minutes later, they tried to start fighting and separating them landed me an accidental chomp on the top of my hand from Chubs. After that we just wanted to end it on a good note so we gave them a minute with each of us holding one, to calm down before we squooshed them together side by side and petted vigourously for about 10 minutes. They seemed to enjoy that and allowed it with no nipping or anything. Then we separated them.

We’re planning to do some more stress bonding and then possibly…put some banana on Chubs’s head to encourage Comet to groom him. We’re thinking that if we can get him to do that, Chubs might feel more established as the “boss” and stop being so damn crabby…he’s been a little peach the last couple days even to us, let me tell ya! Little Diva boy…

I still don’t know what the trigger was for their fight during the overnight. Me and kc both spent a lot of time observing them before hand and there just wasn’t any aggression or possesiveness…we were both really shocked that what happened did! They weren’t possesive over the litter box, they were sitting in it grooming and munching hay together! It’s just ;akbf;d;hj;ah;i and But I know I’ve got to be careful not to share that with the bunnies…any other advice for reminding them that they like each other?!?

So I just read on another bonding thread, that a fight or bite, etc can create a long lasting grudge…it’s possible for Chubs and Comet to get past this right?! I’m just starting to worry about it, considering that they are acting so different than they were a few days ago…

I know you’re not supposed to adopt another rabbit unless you’re prepared for the possibility they won’t bond. However, this is the LAST thing that I want! It’s why we spent so much time bunny dating, to find the chosen somebun for Chubs so that they could be a bonded pair. If they don’t bond, I think I will feel like a failure Not only will Chubs be without a friend, which I so badly wanted for him, but Comet will also be without a friend (which I think he’s meant to have) and neither one will have total free range, or get the attention we want to give them.

I’m not trying to jump the gun and go all negativity, I just want some honest opinions about whether or not they can get past this. I know we’ve still got options and for all I know, the stress bonding we want to do this weekend and the establishing of a totally new and neutral space (which is a plan in the works) may go really well. *crosses fingers* I’m just stressing about this a lot and hoping I didn’t get in over my head!

Thanks you guys!! I needed some encouragement today. We let them have yesterday off, and just gave them both quite a bit of individual attention. I am concerned about the jealousy thing, which didn’t seem to be present until the other night but now seems to be quite apparent! Chubs follows me any time I go to see Comet and watches me with him, and if I try to pet him after, he is mad at me and usually runs away. I’m trying to be very careful about this by giving Chubs lots of attention (and probably a few too many treats to be honest) after an before I give Comet attention. Interesting little development though…I think we will probably take tonight off too. I’ve had a pretty draining day at work, and kind of just want to enjoy them tonight and not worry about the bonding stuff. Then we can start fresh tomorrow, with a new space, some stress bonding and hopefully, hopefully, some good results!

Well, just a quick update. During stress bonding the boys are cuddling and being nice. During a regular bonding session, they are still being kind of mean (well Chubs is being mean and Comet only puts up with it for so long). We are doing a lot of forced cuddle pets (for about half hour at a time). I did see some sweetness from Chubs this morning through the barrier, so perhaps we are making some progess…about to go do a session now and that will be the test. BUT we got our first Binkybunny order today! The grass ball and the mini maze haven so I’m hoping they can bond over new toys (I just finished putting the maze together.) Also, the special gift maybe a tasty treat for them to enjoy together too! *Cross fingers* I will try and get some pictures tonight, but lately it’s just been too much of a priority to make sure they don’t fight, for me to try and mess with the camera! I will re-post after the session.

Update: It’s been pretty slow going lately, mostly because I have been soooooo busy! I graduate in exactly 30 days! So I’ve been working at my internship 4 days a week, going to class on Fridays, working weekends at Applebees, and trying to finish all these big projects we have going. I’ve also been applying for jobs and *crosses fingers* I have a job interview on Monday! It’s for a child protection position out in Oregon, which is where I’m from and where I really want to move back to!! Wish me luck! (totally off topic sorry, haha)

Anywho, not very much time to focus on bonding lately but we’ve started feeding them their veggies together every day so they associate something they love with each other. We’re also switching litter boxes every night. I deffinitely do not trust them to be alone even in the next room yet- still get awfully close to fighting sometimes…but it’s not enter attack mode the second we put them together so thats good…we’re going to try banana goo on Chub’s head again to encourage grooming…I think if Comet would just groom him…it would go more quickly! Also, I’m 99% sure that it was jealousy that caused their original fight and I’m just kicking myself for notbeing mroe careful about that. Chubs growled and stomped tonight when I pet Comet on the head and then proceeded to climb into my lap and nudge his face into my chest. So…trying to be very careful about making sure I pet them both if I am touching Comet. I’m not sure how to address that issue really…any ideas?

Breakthrough! We re-tried banana on the head tonight and!!! Tons of grooming back and forth! Saw some attempted mounting too which I haven’t seen in a while because they have been so edgy! So yay!

Oh and I am hoping to have them bonded before I have to move (for easier traveling arrangements…) however, I have also thought about a totally neutral space being a good thing! Plus a super long bonding car ride can’t hurt! I want this job, I want it, I want it, I want it! Move away from freezing cold MN to temperate OR with my bunnies

IT’S REALLY WORKING!! You guys, day after the banana technique. I was hopeful they’d remeber the good session from yesterday and….They did some mutual grooming almost right away, laid near each other, munched some hay together. Then we put a little more banana on their heads to reinforce and they just went to town “grooming” hehehe. I’m loving this trick! They’re acting similar to how they were BEFORE their fight!

I really just want them to bond already! Not even for me, but for Comet. Chubs could have been a happy single bunny. He likes ruling the roost and we know he’d enjoy company, but he also would have been just fine. We wanted a 2nd bunny for us too. But Comet, is meant to have a companion bunny. He has so much more confidence when Chubs is around and he soaks up any attention he gets from Chubs so happily. He is such a sweet, skittish little bun, he was meant to have a friend! I can tell he is ready to be best friends too, hehe. Chubs is my instigator!

That’s a good point Jersey, I’m not sure if it was related or not. Chubs can be mischievious anyway…haha that was just a particularly naughty week! He did seem very annoyed when I seperated them last night (gnawing at the gate to get back in with him) but it only lasted about a minute and then he went and flopped in his normal location. They were together for several hours yesterday (with me supervising and working on homework) with no real problems. As a test then, I brought them both out into the space that is “Chubs’s” just to gage his reaction. He got very testy and back into the pen they went. I think they’re getting there and moving here shortly (hopefully) will probably provide the best opportunity for them! Chubs is so territorial over his space and of his humans…a new space might just be the key.

They did well though yesterday, and I’m continuing to smear them with a little banana to re-inforce the grooming. They both seem so calm after that!

Well it’s been about forever since I posted on here…My life has been crazy lately! I graduate next Saturday and have been applying for jobs and doing final projects/paper and wrapping things up at my internship. Plus I may have a job that is going to move me out to OR, yay! But that means I’ve been trying to make arrangements for that too! Crazy crazy.

However, Chubs and Comet are doing well. The banana on the heads trick I have been using fairly regularly when they’re together to things stay really positive. They are getting along fine too but not quite so well that I trust them completely enough to do overnights again…better safe then sorry again. But I have this lovely break next week before everyone gets here for graduation and when I’m technically done with school/internship/work that I plan to spend a good deal of with the bunnies and bonding! So cross your fingers for us. It’d be so much easier if I could bond them before moving!   Then we could just use the new space to strengthen the bond!

Thanks Monkey! I actually accepted a full time child protection position in Astoria! Not that I won’t still venture in around Portland every so often but Astoria is where I will be moving to. I’m gonna turn Chubs and Comet into beach bunnies  Hehe. I’m so excited! I graduate next Saturday and start my new job in January! Time to get packin!

That’s what I’m thinking too Rachel! I am a little worried about how much the move will stress them out! It’s going to be a very long car ride and a lot of changes…BUT this may also help them bond…

We are trying a new approach today- and it’s called the “wear the bunnies down until they like each other approach” lol. We’ve used our NIC cubes to build a smaller pen that is set smack dab in the middle of the living room. I’ve put the giant and freshly cleaned litter box in there, along with some hay and water. Me and Kc have a stock pile of movies and are prepared to sit here all day with these two. I found an article that suggested a small area in which they cannot get out until they’re friendly…to wear them down. So we’re trying it. I will let ya know how it goes, gotta go anger the buns by picking them up and plopping them in!

Oh we are deffinitely watching them! it’s going really well I think- been about 6 hours now. For the most part, they are just chilling. Chubs is annoyed he’s locked up and has been thumping every so often (at us). Chubs has done lots of grooming towards Comet, and Comet has returned a little bit of it. Chubs has done some mounting and chasing but only in the past 45 minutes or so. We did have to intervene twice- once when Chubs did a face mount, and once when it looked like a scuffle was coming. Other then that, Comet has gotten annoyed some and has thumped in Chubs’ direction more than once. But there’s also been lots of flops near or next to each other and for the most part, general peace. I don’t trust them alone yet, not after doing it too quickly last time but…we’re going to repeat this again tomorrow and the next day…I have taken some pictures, but I will post them later tonight after we separate them.

Here’s some pictures…Well it’s day 2 and so far so good again. Chubs wants grooms and Comet does not supply them…Chubs chases Comet around. Eventually they do their own thing and either groom themselves, lay down or munch some hay. Also they are marking all over.

This is their little home for “wear the bunnies down bonding” We’re sitting on the couch right near it and watching movies…so far Elf, Love Actually, The Departed…lol

Num nums

This was a groom from Chubs- he seems happy to give and really wants some back, but Comet doesn’t give many…

Chubs went over and flopped right in front of Comet

They are! Chubs is grooming Comet like crazy today! Tons and tons or grooming! He just requested a groom too, so much so that he literally pushed Comet an inch or two with his lowered head, lol. I wish I had gotten it on film! Comet did not comply…

Cutest picture! Tuckered out buns!

Thanks for the encouragement! They are doing so well but I don’t quite trust them yet…not sure when I will know when I can considering last time!

Well, I’ve added bonded to the thread name!!  They had their first over night last night, and have been out together in “Chub’s area” all day today! Not to mention, they were together the last 5 days non-stop (aside from over night) in the bonding pen I set up. All cleaned items, and smaller than the normal space. They are cuddling and grooming and freaking adorable! I’m so excited! This is going to make moving so much easier! Also I should add that I graduated college yesterday too! Hehe, Good week! I will post some new pictures soon (just been a crazy weekend with all of my family visiting for graduation and such). Yay and thanks for the support everyone!

Hehe- so Chubs is soooo in love now! Well they both are, but Chubs seems particularly smitten! They follow each other everywhere, and Chubs runs circles around Comet and still occasionally tries to half-heartedly mount him. Comet is relaxing around us more, now that he and Chubs are friends and he let me pet him today- out in the open! Chubs seems to be showing less attention to us… but I’m hoping this is just new love and that he’ll get back to being his old affectionate self (towards us). However, I’m just enjoying seeing them together Can’t believe it FINALLY happened and with such good timing! It will make moving easier and staying at my parent’s easier, over Christmas. My step-dad is suuuuper allergic and they have a dog so there is limited space they can be safe and comfy there, it will be better they can be together- even if it is just for a few days. Then off to Astoria with my mom to find an apartment and move in! I will post pictrues soon, I promise!

PICTURES! Always snuggling or right at each other’s heels!

Chubs smooshed his head down under Comet’s chest

Now Comet smooshed his head under Chubs’s chin- “groom me please!” (Chubs is still doing the majority of the grooming)

Nap time…

Dinner time!

Playing with the closed craisin bag and hoping…

Haha, just Comet but SUCH a cute picture! Look at his little ears! hehe

Another favorite cuddle haunt…under the futon

Cushy bed snuggles

Help! They have been together 24/7 for over 2 weeks now and I woke u to a fight this morning. There was no serious damage, nick to Chubs’s ear…but they were fighting none the less. I have them separated in side by side pens right now…do I treat this like a fight in the beginning? switch their boxes every night and have dates again or what?? They have been so good together before this, each other’s little shadows….Chubs has been mountinga lot though and Comet usually just ignores it and runs a few steps away. But that may have been the reason for this. I may have a Jack on my hands…any tips?!?!

KSAHVGLDHSDK;HZCXVLJBPSDIURTK WR;T GAHHHHHHHHHH

I have no choice but to keep them separate. They are side by side and can still touch faces but I cannot leave them together. They are lunging, growling, nipping, etc. I’m sitting in there with them and they are ready to start fighting. I just got bit in the process of preventing the fight!! I tried this for about half an hour and gave up because they were being so mean I tried to end it on a good note with both of them in my lap getting serious pets.

I’m still at my parents and have very few options on where to put them/space because of the dog and my step-dad’s allergies. They are in and NIC pen with just a divider of them down the middle. I’m so frustrated! It’s like the last 2 weeks of them cuddling, grooming and being each other’s shadows never happened. I just put some banana on their heads and still…maybe Comet has decided he wants to be dominant?? he has been majorly coming out of his shell but I don’t know. Should I keep them this way and try what I did today again over the next week or what?? We have to travel 11 more hours next week, and then be at a hotel and then my new place…maybe the stress will help but at this point, I don’t even trust them to be in the cage in the car together! lsdjv;adkfhjfks’lj’fkj;’fkgj;ksf;jn;jmbnlandkvhasdl

ANY ideas are VERY appreciated….

Visual barrier too?? Should I switch them every night? Their pens/boxes??

They don’t seem to be aggressive to each other through the pen…just when they’re together in the same one…and the problem with any of this is that like I said, my space for them in incredibly limited while I’m here. My step-dad is allergic and they have a puppy…all I have is my room and it’s rather small. There is a space enough for a small nic pen with a divider but that’s the best I can do for the next week. And the car ride is when I move. It’s 11 hours and since I’m moving…space in there is limited too. I can put up a visual divider but not a whole lot I can do about scent sharing… any other suggestions anyone??? (Thanks for any input!)

I’m trying…it was just such a relief that they bonded before this move and now I feel like we’re back pedaling again and the stress won’t be done for another week to 2 weeks…I know it’s hard on them and I liked knowing they had a comforter… Now I am more worried about them than I already was and really discouraged!

Well, I’ve had to make some revisions to the situation because the room is so small and they were both sooo unhappy with such small pens. (I have really spoiled them space wise.) You should have heard the foot thumping that was going on! So I turned the 2 pens into one bigger one and I’m rotating who’s in it and who’s out of it in the rest of the room every day. It seems to be okay. Comet is also a little Houdini and he somehow got into the pen today with Chubs and they weren’t fighting! They did get a little aggressive after about 20 min so I separated them again but I feel a little better about it…I think it is just all the stress of the move and hopefully, once we get settled and they have full roam of the house again, they’ll quit spatting! Anyways just wanted to update… thanks for all the advice all!