Oh whoops, I guess I’ll be waiting a month, not 2-3 weeks. But still. Preparedness!

Addy bit Remy’s nose during a scuffle and it bled for a minute or so.  I screamed, scooped Remy up, and cried and huggled him for approximately…eternity.  He’s over by my bedroom door all loungin’ and “whatevz.”  How badly will this affect future bonding?  And how long (like how many days) should I wait before the next session?

Also, when Remy humps stuffies and rabbits, he tends to bite multiple times in quick succession and this doesn’t make anyone happy.  What can I do about that?  Also, he’s very vocal (like a whiny noise “Mrrrreeeehhh”) and stomps a lot.  He makes his whiny noise anyway like just when he hops into a carrier even of his own accord.  Could all this noise be aggravating Addy?  Both Addy and Bella are relatively quiet rabbits, so I wonder if that much noise out of a new, strange rabbit could be making things worse.

I pet them a ton during their sessions and they are just fine during that even when I stop for a little bit.  Will too much interference make bonding efforts less effective?  Addy is an intense eye groomer and Remy hates this.  Bella apparently doesn’t mind, so Addy probably is like “Omgz WAT!” when Remy freaks out.  Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if they’re sneaking in naughty nips when they groom each other because both of them seem to get irritated during other random bits of grooming.  And that makes me all the more worried when there are bunny teeth near bunny eyes.  I tried peanut butter which I used in the brief bonding of Addy and Bella, but neither Addy nor Remy want anything to do with the stuff this time around.

Actually, I think the problem really comes down to me not cutting the sessions off soon enough.  I think I might have to set a timer for myself because I apparently can’t stand ending on a good note.  Also, doing this I will have something to actually show me that things are getting better/worse because I’ll be able to know how long my sessions are instead of playing it by ear.  I know it’s what I need to do and everything, but then I’m like, “But they’re doing so well!  I don’t wanna end here.”  And then, of course, something like this happens.  Which got me to thinking, “Would I rather have a few more minutes of high-tension-what’s-gonna-happen-next cuddling, or would I prefer them being able to cuddle without supervision for forever?  Obviously, it’ll always be worth stopping on a good note during bonding when I remember that.”

I think the tub bonding is actually worse for them than a pen in the kitchen.  So I probably won’t do anymore tub bonding.  They definitely were able to be together longer in the kitchen.  Actually, I only did a tub bond today because Mom’s home and she doesn’t like when I take over the kitchen .

I refuse to let this completely ruin my optimistic attitude toward this bond, but it certainly did upset me and no doubt the bunnies.  I need to discipline myself so these things won’t happen anymore.

Most definitely worth waiting for.  …(Even though I didn’t wait to get this picture…)

I’m just starting to seriously bond right now. I’ve done a few introductions here and there to gauge how they might do together, and of course I wanted to get a picture of them =P. This was the first official one month after Remy’s neuter day bond and it’s the first time I’ve ever see one of my rabbits bleed so I totally freaked out. Really, it’s like I’ve never bonded rabbits before because all I had to do for Addy and Bella was supervise and separate at night until Addy’s humping/spraying died down. Think I’ll retire the spray bottle, because I think it’s hurting the situation more than it helps. Remy goes crazy and jumps all over Addy and then Addy pulls out Remy’s fur. Just makes everything a big mess.

I’m doing paired sessions with Addy (the Californian) and Remy right now. Not doing trio sessions yet. The picture of all three is when they’re all petted and between my legs and can’t really move. Addy and Remy are doing awesome in a basket setting, but definitely need to show improvement in larger spaces. Remy really feels uncomfortable around Addy and stomps continuously while making that “mreeeeh” noise. In the basket though, Remy’s always laying down on Addy’s back because Addy tucks himself under him. They always flinch and pull away when one starts to groom the others’ face. I’m going to a longish drive today, so I was thinking I would bring them along. Maybe take them to the pet store too and cart them around.