Obviously I am new to the board. I live in Utah and I am a animal control officer for my city. On occasion we get rabbits in the shelter. Thankfully we have people wanting to adopt them. Sometimes we have some with us for months, hence how my family and I got Betty. We have had Betty Bunners for a year now. Never had a rabbit before, and am wondering why it took me so long to get one.

She was caught as a stray in someone’s back yard garden. I have no clue how old she is, I am assuming she is an adult due to the dewlap, I could be wrong. I read it’s hard to age rabbits. She has had no fear of my dogs or cat from the beginning which makes me think someone had to of owned her, but no one ever called the shelter looking for her. Their lose my gain.

Here are some things I am wondering about. She does not like to be picked up, and honestly I don’t mind that. There are times I need to get her in her cage and she will let me scruff her (of course supporting her back and hind end/feet) she is fine with this. Does no kick, wiggle, she isn’t even scared. It makes me wonder if that’s how she was handled by her previous people. Is it wrong for me not to work with her on being picked up? She gets in our laps sometimes, she gets plenty of pets, scratches, brushing, treats, play time, so I’d think she is ok with not being held??

Another thing I find strange is she does not chew on things she should. She seems to know what she can and can’t nibble on. I was thinking all the baseboards were going to be gnawed off, wires etc. The only thing she will get a hold of and nibble is the broom if I don’t put it away or out of her reach in time.

I don’t own horses (yet) but ride every week, and I never noticed it till owning a rabbit but I see a lot of similarities in behaviors, actions in the two. Am I crazy??

She lives outside, but in a confined 8X12 casita, yes it was a little apartment. She has a sliding glass door, a window, power, if she wants I could even hook up the phone line and the cable for her too. Here cage is in there with the door open, so she can go in and out of it,  she pottys only in there too. I will have to post a picture of her home. I do leave the slider open but made a gate so she can’t get out. I know hard to picture so I will get a photo soon.

Needless to say we enjoy her, only one of my dogs enjoys her, and I hope she enjoys us too. I am new here so I will try to post a picture of her, I have no clue what breed she is. She is about 7 lbs or so, and a blue/gray color. Tried to post another picture, didn’t work, will get it on later….got to get ready  for work.