Thumper is a 5-year-old Netherland Dwarf who has graced me with his presence for nearly a year.  He’s been such a social bun with any person he meets and craves attention.  Because I was getting busier, I thought it would be a great idea to get him a friend.  We went to an adoption event held by the local companion rabbit society and Thumper had dates with 5 rabbits (3 girls, 2 boys).  In every first date, he appeared nervous and disinterested.  If he got mounted, he ran away.  Otherwise he just sat there.  I kind of expected it because I’m pretty sure Thumper has a been a solitary bun for much of his life; he was also slow to warm to me but is now a total cuddlebun.  I had personally taken a shining to Nanette (now called Flower), but was warned that she’s a bossy girl.  She’d had a number of dates and all went very poorly but I thought we’d give it a shot.  In their first date that day, she did mount a couple times but was much friendlier with him than any other rabbit and Thumper seemed slightly more relaxed.  After the other dates went similarly, we did a second date with Thumper and Flower.  In this date, there was no mounting and Flower tried to cozy up to Thumper a little bit; he was not excited, but not freaked out either.  Considering Flower’s background, I took this to be a very good sign for her and figured Thumper would warm up to her so Flower came with us.  (Flower is a 2-year old Mini-Lop).

Dates 1-2 at home: Flower constantly tries to mount Thumper.  Thumper runs away and tries to climb me to get away.  When Flower is not mounting, Thumper is all hunched up and freaking out.

Date 3: Thumper figures out that if he backs into a corner, he doesn’t get mounted.  He spends most of the time there.  Flower comes over to say hi.  Thumper doesn’t move at all.

Dates 4-5: The stare-downs begin.  Each presents themselves to be groomed; both refuse to groom the other.  Occasionally they take breaks to ignore each other.

Date 6: Between staring contests, they each groom themselves or lie down.  During this date, Flower does a full flop.

Note: Flower seems to take relaxing very seriously.  If she’s not moving she is all stretched out and she does this often.  Thumper is pretty chill but only recently started kicking his legs out but not frequently.  After date 6, I caught Thumper try out a full flop.  I don’t think he enjoyed it that much but has still been much more relaxed since then.

Date 7: I feel pretty sure that they like each other, but don’t know how to show it since they’ve mostly been single buns.  I try putting banana on each of their heads.  (Thumper NEVER turns down sweets).  Occasionally each of them will be tempted by the banana then remember that they CAN NOT give in and now there’s an awkward and sticky staring contest.  I end up cleaning the bananas off both of them.

Date 8: Flower immediately lies down near Thumper.  Thumper keeps his butt in the corner but gradually relaxes until he’s lying out perpendicular to Flower.

Sounds great right?  Stay tuned….