A Bunny Tale (long story)

[Sam&Rex]

I apologize for the length, but I feel like this story needs to be told. 

(hopefully the pictures turn out ok!)

I suppose I should start from the beginning:

About 6 weeks ago I got a call from an old friend. She told me that one of her roommates rabbits wasn’t walking and she was concerned that her toddler (who was playing with it the night before) had possibly injured it and wanted to know what to do.  Since the rabbit had seemed fine when they went to bed the night before it could have been anything, so I suggested that she take it to see a vet. She seemed unsure about the idea so I immediately offered to take the rabbit in to see my bunnys vet and pay for the visit myself. When I found out that her room mate had 2 I offered to take both in case it was a contagious disease and that the other one might be sick too. Her room mate agreed and I set up an appointment for the following day.

That night I went over to her place (she was there alone, the owner was at work) and it was bad. Really bad.  Both cages were filthy, their “poop” was small and grey, no food, no hay, and both rabbits (one black and one white) had incredibly long nails. The healthier of the two (the black one) was dull eyed and emaciated, and I could see its spine sticking up.  The other rabbit (white) was worse. It was laying on its side, eyes half open, barley breathing. It didn’t react to me at all, I didn’t think it would survive the night.  The rabbit was literally laying in its own urine, nobody had moved it, washed it, or tried to make it comfortable in any way. All they did was move the water bottle lower (but still not within easy reach). So I cleaned both cages, gave them both fresh water along with some pellets and romaine lettuce that I had brought from home (I didn’t bring any hay sadly).

After a “butt bath” to clean off the urine… (taken at night, sorry for the bad quality)

The next day I was happy to hear that the white rabbit was still alive  and when I went in to pick them up for the vet apt. both looked 10X better! (The owner was working again and was unable to attend ) I loaded them up and off we went. The vet (who I’ve known for years and has seen all my exotics including my bunny) examined both rabbits and said that it was the worst case of animal emaciation he had seen in his entire career  (almost 15 years) and that technically he was supposed to report it and remove the rabbits from our care. BUT he knew me very well and was confident that I would oversee their care and recovery and so decided to let it slide and hope for the best. He explained that the reason the white rabbit wasn’t able to walk was because its spinal cord had deteriorated from malnutrition. It was completely preventable . We were happy to hear that it could also make a full recovery! All it needed was food and water!  Both rabbits were prescribed unlimited hay, pellets, and water, along with daily veggies. We were also sent home with some meticam(?) for the white rabbit and a warning to watch out for liver/kidney/digestive problems that could come from the shock of food. I promised the vet that he could expect a follow up visit in about a month to see their progress.

On the way home I picked up a giant bale of timothy hay, some oxbow pellets, romaine lettuce, and a water crock for the white rabbit (easier to reach than the bottle).

Because of the laws in our area I had to give the rabbits back to the owner, no matter how much I hated to. 

I met the owner for the first time that night, and calmly explained all that the vet had said, explained proper diet and nutrition, and left a sheet of paper with my phone number, the vets number, and the name of this website along with a few others. I found out that both rabbits were siblings (I thought they were but wasn’t sure) and were spayed and neutered. They were about 1yr 10months old and lived apart because they fought with each other. He had originally gotten them from a coworker. Both of them had vulgar(bad) names that I will not post on this site . I suggested that it might be best to bring the rabbits to the local shelter where they could be fostered until they were healthy and could be adopted out, but he didn’t think he could give them up. Before I left I clipped the nails of both rabbits and showed the owner how to feed and take care of the white rabbit since she couldn’t walk.

For about the next week I came over every day to check up on the rabbits and they seemed to be doing ok.  They would have food, water, and hay, the cages wern’t the cleanest, but it could have been a lot worse. Despite me thinking that he wouldn’t take care of them properly, he did. After about a week the white female was up and walking, not steadily, but still way better than I expected and she continued to make progress over the next few days . About a week and a half into all of this I had a sudden death in the family and was unable to visit for about 5 days. On the night that I returned home my sister and I decided to make a surprise visit to see the bunnies.

We arrived at his apartment.

No food. No hay. No water. No veggies (not even in the fridge). Filthy cages. The owner was on the couch playing video-games (yes, he is a competent adult). I wanted to scream. Or cry. Or both.  I (calmly) asked him why there was no food or water. He explained that the rabbits had ran out of food the day before, but his drivers licence had been revoked a week ago and so he couldn’t go get food for them. I pointed out that he could have called me, or one of his room mates, or simply walked to the grocery store 4 blocks away and picked some up. My sister and I walked back out to the car so that I could calm down and we could discuss the situation. We ended up giving him 2 options:

1. He/We would take them to the local shelter
2. We would let the local animal control know about what had been going on and he could work it out with them.

We hung around for about a hour to let him decide on what he wanted to do, and we ended up coming to an agreement: I would take the rabbits and keep them as my own pets. This way he can visit his rabbits whenever he wants, but they are still well cared for.

So my sister and I brought them back to my apartment and got them food, water, and hay. I called my landlord and approved it with him then left my sister and one of her friends to watch the rabbits while I went to get supplies. While I was out, they made a SHOCKING discovery. Both rabbits get along just fine . When I got home they were laying together under a chair and grooming each other. Obviously a bonded pair. So instead of building 2 habitats, I built 1 big one (2 floors, 25sq ft about). We put down some cheap carpet and placed 2 litter boxes, TONS of toys, hay, and all the other basic bunny necessities. 

A few days later we decided that it needed to be taller (both rabbits liked to be on the 2nd floor). So we built a 4 floor 36sq ft monster bunny condo with all the amenities.  (still a work in progress)

My sister and I decided on names: The white sister (who had been sick) was named “Ruby” and her black brother was named “Jasper”.

We started introducing them to different veggies (and a few fruits) and both of them eat like champs! My rabbit, Rex, disapproves of the new bunnies, but has been getting better, right now they are separated by a baby gate, Rex gets my room and the new buns get the living room. I hope to bond them someday, but it might take a while . My roommate has a blind dog, Ruby is still a little scared of her, but Jasper loves to play with her!

When I had first met both rabbits they were easy to handle and seemed tame and well socialized. After getting a few good meals into them I have now learned that that is NOT true. Jasper does NOT like to have any sort of contact with humans. He isn’t scared, but he just doesn’t like people. Ruby is terrified of anything and everything. She would do anything she can to stay as far away from humans as possible. But she had also been the toddlers favorite in her previous home, so it’s understandable.

Everyone has been working at it and with lots of treats, quiet words, and a gentle touch both of them are making a lot of progress! 

I did take both of them to the vet about a week ago. Jasper went form 2.8lbs to 5.7lbs. Ruby (who was the sicker of the two) went from 3.2 lbs to 5.9lbs! In 5 weeks they almost doubled in weight! Both of them were pretty close to their target weight and though still a little thin, were deemed healthy bunnies! The vet was very impressed and was quick to tell everyone at the clinic about their great success! 

I had always thought that Rex would be my last bun (he is almost 5 now, so not super old) but I guess I have 2 new ones that have Binkied their way into my life!

(sorry again about the length)

THANKS FOR READING!!!

Sam, Rex, Jasper, & Ruby

[Roberta]

Jasper and Ruby are so lucky you rescued them and brought them home… Hopefully the person who had them will not get more pets…
They are such beautiful bunnies, I am sure once it has sunk in that they are safe Forever they will come to love company.

[Deleted User]

Your a hero!

When I was half way through your story – I was in! An abduction plan forming in my head…. (Lol!)

Jasper and Ruby – how precious!!!!!!! Wishing you all, Rex, Jasper, & Ruby and most importantly you ‘BraveBunny’ (Sam?) lots of happiness and love.

(And no – your story wasn’t too long, Ruby and Jasper’s time of neglect was!). Good on you BraveBunny!

PS – Your pictures are perfect! Just beautiful…..

[HECA]

Those bunnies are lucky to have you, and they will realize that in time.
I hope this person never has kids!

[Deleted User]

Yes, he should be limited to his ‘game console’ and that’s it!

[LBJ10]

Aww what little sweeties they are! =D

How could anyone not love them?

[Tessie]

What a wonderful story! So glad it has a happy ending!
Good for you for saving their lives.

Does the previous owner visit them?

Welcome to the forum

[Cupcakesmom]

Your story made me cry! Its people like you that make this world a wonderful place. These bunnies are so lucky to have found you….this is amazing! I wish more people in this world would be as loving and caring.

[Bam]

What a heart-warming story!

Lucky Ruby and Jasper!

[kcomstoc]

OMG how could they even be put through that poor bunnies. I’m glad you got them out of that horrible situation and got them into a well deserved home. I’m not surprised they bonded together to get through that ordeal Good job bravebunny

[Hazel]

Wow, what a story. Thank you so much for getting them out of that situation. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for him to visit, he obviously doesn’t care about them. It always stuns me how some people totally neglect their animals, but at the same time refuse to give them up because they “love them so much”.

Looks like they will have a great life with you, they deserve it.

[Sam&Rex]

Thanks for the support everyone! 

Sadly (or maybe no so sad?) the previous owner hasn’t even tried to contact me about a visit or even just to ask how they are doing. But I am keeping an eye out to make sure that he doesn’t get any more pets. When we took in Ruby and Jasper we left everything behind, the cages, litter, and dishes (the cages were tiny, I use feline pine not shavings, and the water bottles and food dishes were a cheap plastic) without thinking that he might be tempted to get a new pet. My sister and I just wanted to get the bunnies out before he changed his mind, we didn’t even think about it until a few days later 

Thanks everybody!

[Author]

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