I actually even love my rabbit more than some family members.

hehehe! That did make me giggle.
Well, Im guessing most of us here are going to say “No you’re not nuts!” because we’re the same. I think perhaps people say you’re nuts because they just don’t understand and have never lived with companion rabbits. We do understand and it’s not nuts. Nope.

I don’t think you’re nuts, but it is very important to have human relationships. So I wouldn’t neglect your friends and family just because you prefer spending time with your buns.

I don’t think it matters where you live. There always seems to be people that say stuff like that that was uninvited. Sometimes it makes me think they’re just not happy with their own life so just say snippy things to everyone else. I don’t know.

Anyway, rabbits can take up a lot of time when you want to give them a certain standard of life. But they do give something in return. I find it really therapeutic to spend time with them.

Nope – not nuts at all. I would rather spend the day at home with my pets than go out anytime. And I would much prefer to talk to my bird than 80% of my family but… I don’t really like most of my family lol and honestly every time I go out in this town I just get mad at someone, so I stick to my close circle for human contact.

I also would never leave my babies with a pet sitter, there isn’t anyone I trust to take care of them and they are all exotics, so a regular pet sitter would have no clue. No vacations for me.

I am the same, to an extent. I love every single one of my fur kids, but I also value my family as well. I think there needs to be a healthy balance between the two.

What I get aggrivated with is the jokes and snide remarks about my love for animals. I have fostered and volunteered for the guinea pig rescue and dog rescue. I have successfully adopted out every one of my fosters, except for 2 dogs. I now volunteer and will begin fostering for the rabbit rescue. The comments have already started. Things like “watch out she is becoming a hoarder” to “how do you live with so many animals?! don’t they drive you crazy?” I don’t understand why a love for something and doing good for those things has to result in negative comments. This is MY life, my house. I feel I have a managable balance, though at times I do regret having FIVE dogs. But, they are part of our family now and will be with us until they die. In my opinion hoarding is obviously an excessive amount, in addition to poor care because there are so many to care for and it becomes entirely unmanagable for one person. That is not happening (and will never) in my home. All my animals receive vet care, quality food and plenty of love and attention.

That all being said, most of these comments are from my family members and in turn has caused some hard feelings. I just don’t understand why they can’t see the positive of what I am doing?

Luvmyhunybunny: Since you have experience with animal rescue, you may already know what the legal limit of dogs/cats/other animals is in your state, or at what number animal services would become involved. If you don’t know, I’d recommend you look it up. That could be an important fact for you to have in the event your friends and family continue giving you a hard time. So next time they say, “I can’t believe you have 5 dogs!!! You’re an animal hoarder!” you can respond with, “Legally, I am NOT an animal hoarder, and as long as all of my animals are cared for and vetted, animal services have no case against me. The legal limit on dogs is x. Now that you know the law, I would appreciate if you would keep your opinions on this matter to yourself.”

My dad and I were at the library the other day. I read a random book in the psychology section called “how to grieve the loss of your pet” and found it very eye opening.

“The bond we develop with pets is as wonderful and rewarding as it is fascinating and practical. It is an active reaching out and dsharing of life with another living being, who happens not to be human. This relationship offers us a chance to share and express our pure selves, without needing to defend our actions or feelings. Companion animnals, as we have come to call them, give us our greatest opportunities to express love, without ever having t oworry about being judged or rejected. They give us back a devotion that is unmatched by any other relationshipm, a very private bond. Pets provide us with an oasis of unqualified love and acceptance  in an otherwise demanding and critical world. Their obedience and respect give us an increased sense of self worth that adds new meaning to our lives. In return, we assimilate them into positions of great value. Our bonds with them can be very profound and deep.

People can open up completely to pets, and receive an inner sense of joy and strength from them. It has often been noted that pets can be truer friends than others of our own species. They are never critical, and therefore allow us to blossom emotionally in ways that would not be possible with fellow humans, who tend to be competitive and judgmental. We make our companion animals our secret sharers, often with greater intimacy and trust than that which is often given to the people who are closest to us. Our bonds with beloved pets are in many ways stronger, purer, and far more intimate than with others of our own species. We feel loved and completely secure in sharing our secret souls with them. How often can this be safely done – even with a spouse?

The pleasures and benefits derived from keeping a companion animal are complex and many. Thet give us innocent dependance, companionship, and pure love – and are totally accepting and never judgemental. The unique emotinoal bonding between pet and pet owner strengthens for reach. The result is a wonderful coupling that gives us added stability, purpose, and a sense of personal enrichment that defies description. People who do not have companion animals have no idea what they are missing.”

I got Chacha at a time when my life was going through changes. I lost my mom, I was moving in with my dad. Thank goodness my dad said he was okay with me having a pet companion (he loves animals) because I would not be sane if I didn’t have her. I owe her my life. When her time comes, I want to spend a small fortune on a special burial/cremation of her. She has changed my life and has taught me many things.

It is a good thing to hang out with friends, but I do understand the part with family. I just don’t like dealing with my family.

So true! Great stuff Brittany, thanks for sharing it.

without ever having t oworry about being judged or rejected.

This made me laugh though. With rabbits, this is questionable.

Chacha rejects me on a daily basis. It breaks my heart.

Beka~
My dogs are registered with the city. The legal limit is 3, however you can apply for a multi pet permit (which I have done) or a fostering permit and as long as you providing a clean, safe enviroment you can house more than 3. Our back yard is kept clean (poop picked up at least every other day) and like I said we provide vet care, we vaccinate and feed good quality food (with ground up turkey + kibble, brats!). Same with the guinea pigs and bunnies … they only get the best hay and pellets. Vet care when necessary. Even with all I have researched and learned along the way they still make crappy comments. I *hate* having them over my house for any holidays because then the comments ensue.

Our pets are our family. I read an article on the loss of a pet as well. And it stated one reason why we grieve so hard. Unlike kids, where you we are raising to be independent and eventually, as time goes on, they are fully independent and then go to college/move out. That is a process so while it is sad when our kids leave, it is what is expected and part of being a ‘good’ parent. With animals, they always stay in a “child-like” state. For their entire lives they are dependent on us, so when they die, the loss is very profound. There is no process of slowly letting go.

When I lost my beloved Dachshund in 2007 I grieved for weeks on end, literally crying every day. I grieved harder for him than I did over the loss of my grandparents. A dear friend sent me an email and here is part of it. It really helped me at a very dark time —

Humans also tend to judge others, we tend to want to make our point, to pontificate, to find a ‘higher ground’ – on short, we want to be right.. and we are willing to fight for this….

But our furfriends are not driven by these motivations, they long to see us, they want to spend time with us, they are thrilled when we express happiness, they are happy to sit and just ‘be’ with us, to bask in the slightest attention we give.

They are sweet, non-judgmental, they don’t care if we age, get fat or have wrinkles… they don’t expect us to have to go out and achieve, they don’t take any secret pleasures at our disappointments, they do not hope that we do a little less better than they do, nor do they try to get advantage over us. They do not want to beat us when we play, they just want to play.

They adore us, they love us, they forgive us for being human, without ever having to distinguish or argue what being human is!

They are friends who don’t have a wristwatch, they don’t have to meet a deadline and countdown to when they have to leave… They know time as time spent with you and this is what matters……

They know the value of snuggling up, of a gentle caress, of deep long sigh of satisfaction at being in the company of a loved one…

These creatures are part of our homes, they are part of who we are, they are our kindest friends, our most loyal and giving of relationships, they will not snipe at a family function, they will not criticize a choice, they will never make you feel anything less than loved….

Yes, this is a special relationship, this is more than kinship, certainly no less, why do we think of them as our kids? Because they are! Why does it hurt so badly when they leave? Because our lives where always so much better when they were there!

Why do we grieve them so? Because in so many cases, they are CLOSER to us than some blood born relations, they are so much nicer, caring LOVING and trustworthy than so many humans have capacity to be……

They, our furkids, DESERVE our love, with every breath they take, they EARNT our respect, love and loyalty – in reality they also TAUGHT us those abilities.

Is there a love button? Where is one when we need it?

You’re certainly not crazy! Bunnies are very lovable, and it’s perfectly normal to have a strong bond with a pet. It’s also normal to sometimes love animals more than other humans, and as long as your relationships with family/friends aren’t suffering because of it, it’s nothing to worry about. Personally, I consider my bunnies to be one of the most important things in my life. I think of them as my furry children and my best friends, and there’s nothing wrong with that as far as I’m concerned.

Bunnies are great.

Jersey, I laughed at this quote:
“Their obedience and respect give us an increased sense of self worth that adds new meaning to our lives.”

Or not! Lol

Great post though, Britt. I agree that people who don’t have pets really don’t know what they’re missing. I don’t get people who don’t like animals in some way, but I have been obsessed with them since I was a little kid so I think I’m wired to love animals.

Hunybunny, that email from your friend is beautiful.

Beka~
My dogs are registered with the city. The legal limit is 3, however you can apply for a multi pet permit (which I have done) or a fostering permit and as long as you providing a clean, safe enviroment you can house more than 3.

Oh… well… then nevermind. Lol.

I think most people who don’t have rabbits say those kinds of dumb things-likely because they just don’t know about them. Likewise not pet owners show the same ignorance (often…) and saw terrible things to pet owners-any kind of pet.

But for those in ‘the know’…for those who own pets,…for those who have rabbits that allow them live in the house with them We know we’re not crazy

Hmm, I think if you still have friends to get upset with you, you’re not crazy :p

Your rabbits dont talk back? How did you get them to do that? LOL JK

I love my Hucklebun to death. I worry about her all day long. I cant stay mad at her… even when she eats the art project that I just spent three intense weeks finishing and had just finished (she did this three days ago, I was so angry)… My mom says she worries about what will happen if anything ever happens to my bun.
I talk about her more than anything else. I buy her veggies and will eat ramen noodles if I have to. She is my baby and I cant wait to get home to her every day. I dont think youre crazy…. at least no more than I am.

Posted By Huckleberry on 08/25/2011 08:15 PM
Your rabbits dont talk back? How did you get them to do that? LOL JK

Hahahahha (:

You’re definitely not nuts! Growing up it was just my mom and sister on a farm and over the years had lots of pets (of course not all at once) and they were all taken care of well. The rest of the family would laugh about us being “animal lovers”. Haha oh well, I love my family and friends but it’s really nice to have animal companions. Wilbur is always in my room following me around, keeping me company. I enjoy having a bunny, dog, cat, and horse because they all add something special in their own way ;P bahahha. I agree with jerseygirl though, there is something therapeutic about pets, especially bunnies (:

I wouldn’t think you’re nuts at all

All my friends think I’m crazy too; they’ve learned to accept my intense love for bunnies. And I’ve learned to not talk about them ALLLLLLL the time (Which is so easy for me)

I think what a lot of people really find crazy is the tattoo I got of a bunny. Everyone is always like “Wow, you must really like rabbits.”

Haha, understatement of the year

My friends have learned that that’s just who I am. When they’re ready to go out party, I never do (mainly because I don’t want to) but the bunnies need love/outside time and dinner!!

Life as a bunny parent will always be interesting

I don’t like getting off of work after 9. Chacha gets mad if I don’t get her her veggies by 9:30. The household turns into a terror!

And yet we bun-lovers keep coming back for more, day after day – we must be gluttons for punishment! 

I love all my pets more then my extended family. Even the cats. I got the short stick when it came to things like grandparents, cousins and the like. I love other peoples grandparents more than my one remaining grandma.

I guess I will add in, Momo hates me, but I still love her sooo much. One day she will accept me. I hope.