Bunday News at SaveABunny

[MarkBun]

Marcy wanted me to start writing a daily log of what is happening at the shelter.  We’re still working out where to post it but I thoughot I could at least share the first few entries here:

 

Bunday News for Jan 15, 2012

 Today was a very busy day at SaveABunny.  We had adoptions for three special ladies – Golda, Greta and Santana.  Golda had come to us in 2009 in terrible condition.  After many operations, vet visits and medications, she has been a happy bunny, even if her tail is missing.  A family came to see her and she instantly bonded with their daughter.  I had never seen Golda so friendly towards someone.

 Santana is a very timid bunny.  She’s cage aggressive but once you are holding her, she whimpers.  Well we put her in with a young lady looking for a single bunny and there wasn’t a peep from her.  In fact, she was crawling into the lady’s lap and demanding pets!  Once again, we were lucky to have the bun find someone of whom they approved.

 Of course, being the rescue that we are, as rabbits leave, they also come in.  We had a bonded pair returned to us, Violet and Shadoe, as for some reason their bond broke once they got to their new home.  We haven’t been able to put them together again so they’re now sitting in separate areas, obviously lonely but not caring for one another’s company.   We’ve also received a new, lovely white angora girl by the name of Juliet.  After a thorough brushing, she seems to be settling in just fine.

 Unfortunately, we had an emergency today as well.  One of our previously adopted rabbits, Cricket, came back and shortly after returning he developed a respiratory illness.  It reached its pinnacle today to the point that he was holding his head tilted upwards and breathing through his mouth.  We flushed his sinuses, wrapped him in warm blankets, applied a nebulizer as well as other medications. 

 

Bunday News for Jan 17^, 2012.

 Two days later, Cricket is doing better.  He is no longer tilting his head up or breathing through his mouth, but he’s not out of the woods yet.  constant care and observation will hopefully bring this spirited boy back to health.

 We have been slowly improving our condos here.  They’re all years old and have been falling into disrepair.  With very minimal supplies, we’ve been fixing them slowly and giving our rabbits better places to live.

 Currently, we have three rabbits out hopping about in large exercise enclosures.  Paladin is having fun standing up on top of her mini castle, surveying her lands while Charlie has found the pleasure that comes with tearing up a telephone book.  He’s second only to Satchmo in the destruction of directories.  Meanwhile Piccolo is showing us that a hay rack is a good place to sit inside of while dining on the hay.

 

Bunday News for Jan 19^th, 2012

 Cricket is still improving.  He’s not out of the woods yet but he’s on a path towards it.  Now, every time a bunny sneezes, we double check him/her to make sure it’s not an illness.  Charlie enjoys sending us a series of sneezes after he buries his head into the hay.  But we still check because bunnies don’t cry wolf.

 Although it’s been over a month now, I finally picked up Tippy’s ashes.  It’s amazing how small of a box his remains fit into.  With Marcy’s permission, I’m burying them between the two blackberry bushes he loved so much.

 And Jelly Bean isn’t too keen on his new wardrobe.  We’re trying some T-touch wrapping techniques with him to try and get him out of his funk.  He looks like an albino version of hay stuffed into a tissue tube.  I’ll see if I can get a picture of him up here.

 We have yet another new arrival.  A cute white with tan spots dwarf rabbit.  We haven’t thought of a name for him yet but he’s what I call a “Kali-mal” which means that if you leave him alone on your lap and don’t pet him, he digs at your shirt as if trying to pull out your heart like the second Indiana Jones movie. 

 Oh, and today someone dropped off two big bins of greens so right now everyone is munching down on some lovely snacks – all except Nyssa – she doesn’t like greens… silly girl.  But she’s currently out in an exercise pen, binkying away so I figure she’s not unhappy.

 

 

 

 

 

[Sarita]

Thanks for the update MarkBun. I love hearing about the rabbits at Save A Bunny.

Vibes to Cricket.

I’m still sad about Tippy….it’s hard when you pick up the ashes – makes you sad all over again.

[emkvet]

I love hearing about Save A Bunny! I really want to visit someday…luck me that my boyfriend lives in the Bay Area! =) I’ll definitely be dragging him there. Maybe I’ll come back with a husbun for Hazel! Keep up the updates, MarkBun!

[jerseygirl]

I like hearing of Save A Bunny too. I’d be a happy subscriber to The Bunday News.

How is Nadia? Was she adopted after all?

This new “Kali-mal” rabbit (lol) sounds like Dono the 2nd!

[MarkBun]

Nadia is at a home with a new boyfriend so she’s doing very well. The Kali mah bun is now named matza ball.

Bunday news for 1/30/12

This weekend we had no adoption appointments but one family brought in an old friend, Vito now named Dot, to find a girlfriend. However, Marcy quickly realized that there was something amiss with him. A low temp and rigid belly had us send the family to Adobe Animal Hospital where he’s still recovering. Dr. Isn’t sure about the blockage so x rays are next but he’s in excellent hands.

We received three rabbits today. Two from Oakland shelter (now named Benton and percimmion) and another from the south nay who just had surgery to amputate a badly mauled tail (named Sunshine) . All are well behaved and settling in.

Currently Marlow has decided to destroy one of the Maze tunnels by flattening it and peeing all over it. Meanwhile Charlie is binking all over the place. I’m now off to repair three more condos and to clean some Windows so that the buns can get more sunshine.

[Monkeybun]

Mark, Monkey would like to know when you can clean her window for her. Moose likes to lick the windows, and Smudge sneezes on them. She’s rather dismayed at it.

[MarkBun]

Heh, sorry but only windows here.  But I guess we could make monkey a mini squeegee if she’d like it.

 

Bunday News for 1/31/12

Today I had to get to the shelter at 7am to perform one of the hardest tasks – taking four male rabbits to the vet to get neutered.  I know it’s only in my mind, but why do I feel they look at me with such betrayl in their eyes? Also, being here this early I got to see the state of the exercise pens after a night of frolicking.  I don’t envy the cleaning crew who usually gets here before me.  I actually got back from the vets early enough so that I could give them a surprise and clean up all of the poop and pee myself.  It basically cuts an hour out of their work day.

Also, I’ve been shown how to give Scooter some energy work to help with his head tilt.  I don’t know much about it but he does seem to perk up a bit afterwards so I guess I”m doing it right.  Now if only Emmet would perk up while I was cleaning out the puss in his ears.  Yup, it’s a glamourous job here.

And we had one of those ‘surprises’ today.  A new arrival of a small, black girl bunny who has some neurological issues.  She can’t seem to keep her balance and is often falling over.  We are taking her to Dr. Harvey on Friday to get x-rays and other tests – of course that costs a couple of hundred dollars.  She’s so young that she’s still trying to nurse.   Here’s a picture of her nestled up against a stuffed doll for support:

No name yet but we can tell even now that she’s going to be full of personality when she grows up. 

[Sarita]

Thanks for the update. She’s a darling bunny, please let us know what the fantastic Dr. Harvey says.

[RabbitPam]

She’s adorable.

LOL @ neuter sympathy. I think you have a barbershop quartet that are now all tenors.
Now they can frolic among the girls, like this cutie, without fear of fatherhood. It’s good news.

How about calling her Shadow, since with head tilt she can see her own shadow?

[MarkBun]

Bunday News 2/2/12

We already have a Shado and had a Shadow. I came in and her name tag reads Ivy Blue Carter. Apparently it is a pop reference but I don’t understand it. What I do understand is that when I put my hand in there to give her more food, she stood up, did a perfect bunny stretch and yawn, then walked over, sat in my hand and ate. Afterwards, she was all tooth purrs while I petted her. There’s rumor that someone will be fostering her. She’s off to see Dr. Harvey tomorrow afternoon.

I had cleaned the windows of an antechamber so that the rabbits could get better sunlight and now I have to clean ALL the windows. I now know why people “don’t do” them.

Oh, and we had a little scare yesterday. Apparently Cello’s incision opened up. We noted some blood stains but luckily it wasn’t bleeding a lot. We took some surgical glue (aka expensive crazy glue) and glued the incision closed. A little note for anyone planning on performing such things – the rabbit’s scrotum is in front of the penis so you have to be VERY careful what/where you glue. I was already on top of it (being a guy and sympathetic) so there was no issues. The quartet are on their three day cycle of pain killers so they’re a little bit happier.

I went to an “energy worker” who works with Scooter and learned some techniques from her. I’m a little bit of a skeptic however when I applied the techniques, he really responded with more movement and even choosing me over his bunny girlfriends when I put him out to exercise. Guess I should have more faith in faith.

Right now there are 10 bunnies out for play. Mel is intent on destroying one of our two remaining maze tunnels while the two couples, Phoenix & Poodilia and Buddah & Surya, are out on the patio enjoying the fresh air and sunshine – or what sun shines through the sheet topped x-pens – there have been hawks in the area before.

I have to leave now as there’s a bunch of mailings that need to go to the post office and some more inventory to finish up. Oh, and Capone is snoring away – too cute for such a gangster.

[MarkBun]

Bunday News for February 3, 2012

 

We had an interesting visitor here today.  A gentleman with terminal cancer wanted to stop over and just pet some bunnies.  He and his friend were incredible people and he got to spend time with Tiny Von Gouda, Mona Lisa, Emmet and the new little girl Ivy Blue Carter.  He was fascinated with all of the details about rabbit life and had a wonderful time.  It turns out his friend spins angora wool so we told him if he ever needs a fresh supply, we have plenty.

They were surprised how well I knew all the rabbits names and I have to admit that for someone who can’t even remember his girlfriend of 7 year’s name half the time, I’m amazed too.  I guess rabbits have an important, special place even beyond love.  SaveABunny is not only a sanctuary for rabbits but also for people too – to come to a quiet, positive energy place.

Today Ivy Blue Carter goes to see Dr. Harvey.  In addition, Sunbeam is coming along to get some staples taken out (due to her spay and tail amputation). 

[MimzMum]

Mark I always enjoy reading these updates. With so many sad things that happen in the world of bunnies, it’s so good to see there’s an oasis of peace for them on this planet.
The story of the gentleman with cancer touches my heart. Being a survivor, I know just how important the touch of an animal is to someone who may find human compassion and contact surprisingly lacking due to one’s disease. And how wonderful for the bunnies to have such a special visitor.
Bless you and all you do. ((((((((((Hugs))))))))))

[RabbitPam]

Moving update, Mark. I wonder if a volunteer could start bunny visitations to a local cancer institution? I’ve seen these in videos on occasion, to nursing homes or cancer institutions where the patients who weren’t mobile found comfort from holding and petting bunnies. It’s nice that the man found you, too.

Put a rabbit ears headband on your girlfriend. You’ll remember her better that way. (And no remarks about bunny tail, guys. This site is rated G.)

[MarkBun]

Bunday News for February 6, 2012

I spent a good part of the day cleaning ears.  With lops, their folded over ears tend to get a bit dirtier than straight ear buns.  They have some trouble getting into them and cleaning them out.  We have a weekly rabbit ear cleaning for all lops at the shelter but there are a few special cases that require more maintenance.  Phoenix does as he has no ears, just canals, so he can’t get the dirt out of them too well.  Luckily his girlfriend Poodilla does lend a helping tongue.  Chi-Ana, who has really mellowed out, has dry ears so we have to clean and condition them every other day.  She lets it happen without complaining and, in fact, standing up on her hind legs while I work.

The worst though is Emmet.  He has some sort of ear infection in his left ear that we’re treating.  It doesn’t seem to bother him and his health is well but his ear does fill up with puss.  So every day, it is clean, wash, clean again and medicate.  And although he does flip his head about while working on his ear, he’s such a trooper and never complains.

Someone who is complaining though is Shado.  He is one of the rabbits that were rescued from Oakland that was being raised for meat.  He was bonded and was being fostered at a house when suddenly the bond broke and the girl was always attacking him so they were returned.  This past weekend, someone brought in a girl to bond with him on Saturday and they were hitting it off great.  But when the owners came back on Sunday, they decided against a second rabbit and left Shado out in the cold again.

Although I love all the rabbits here, some stand out more than others.  Whether it’s the cute factor of Olaf and Nyssa or the energetic and loving Piccalo and Cello or the ruff and tuff Omelet and Shakti, they have a little quirk that sets them apart.  Shado is a friendly but nervous black bunny who blends into the background and yet there’s always been something about him – something that I can’t put my finger on – that has always had him in the forefront of my mind.  Hopefully, someday soon, he’ll find a girlfriend and a forever home.

[Sarita]

Thanks for the update. I just looked on-line at the bunnies for adoption and so many cuties…Jelly Bean looks like a cat to me!

[MarkBun]

Jelly Bean is a shy ball of fluff that once you have a hold of him you just want to stick him in your pocket and walk out.

Quick Update – I just interrupted a secret romance between Apricot and Rebel.  Apparently the cloroplast that we put between the condos to stop buns from fighting had slipped and both buns have been going nose to nose for the past couple of days.  I wondered why she was always facing the back corner.

I feel like a Montague.

[Monkeybun]

Awww a secret shelter romance How cute!

[jerseygirl]

I feel like a Montague.

Lol

Very pleased to hear Nadia is in a new home after all this time! Thanks for the update on her.
 

 

[MarkBun]

Bunday News Feb 8th, 2012

Things have been hectic for the past couple of days. I decided to get SaveABunny a little more into the 21st century and updated the main computer to Windows 7 (there’s another downstairs and a laptop for shows and such). Well needless to say that many of the existing programs had to be reinstalled, data transferred over, etc. Although somewhat competent, I”m always a little worried that I might forget something but so far, things are going well. About once a day, Marcy asks me why a program isn’t working and I just reinstall it and it’s fine. The biggest issue was losing all of the iTunes we let the rabbits listen to (I didn’t know how they were stored) but after an hour, everything was back to rockin’ the oldies.

A member’s house was flooded and we had to board her five bunnies while taking back a couple of other fosters so right now we’re packed to the gills. Doesn’t stop Chi-Ana and Sneakers from hopping around the exercise pen though and leaving behind a huge cecal on the floor. They’re currently playing “Queen of the Tunnel” and Chi-Ana always seems to win.

Both Emmet and Cricket are doing better, each putting on a couple of ounces over the last week. Oh, and Orbit has decided to fight losing his manly bits by spraying anyone who puts a hand into his cage. we’re hoping this will disappear in the next couple of days but for the meantime, it’s rain slickers for feeding time.

Today’s main objective for me is to de-mat/de-tangle Poodilia. Being a guy, my first instinct is to just shave her bald but I have a feeling Phoenix won’t like his girlfriend au-natural. Luckily an angora expert is suppose to be coming by to volunteer some time so I’m giving her the pleasure instead of me.

[RabbitPam]

Mark, I’m curious: what music do the bunnies there seem to like the most? Relaxing vs. stimulating, etc.
I haven’t played much for Sammy, but she seems to take no notice when I do. I’ve read here that others have strong preferences for different genres.
Would love more specific songs to try out on Herself.

Any natural hair conditioners that are safe for babies/bunnies that you could use on the angora to comb out tangles?

[MarkBun]

Bunday News Feb 12, 2011

We don’t want to wet the bunnies in any fashion unless necessary. I tried my hand at it yesterday and it wasn’t a big deal – just time consuming. Of course ours get regular maintenance so it’s never worse that ‘a little’. A fully matted one I can’t even imagine.

Usually we don’t play music as it is all work, no play but every once in a while we’ll do something soft – be it new age or soft songs. Trouble is that for every bun that likes it, there’s one that doesn’t so its better just to not play it at all.

Today, for some reason Mimosa was being a little brat. She didn’t want to come out to play and even nipped me. That’ll teach me to think cute is harmless. So I did something cruel back to her – I trimmed her nails! So I feel we’re even.

A foster person has offered to redo the garden that we have here (she’s a landscaper) and of course we’ll take any type of donation. But I came in and noticed that they had cut down the blackberry bushes. I was told that they were just ‘cut back’ so they can regrow but there’s nothing but stumps. And that is where Tippy’s buried. I quickly marked his spot with a brick but that was just so wrong so today I spent some time carving his name into a piece of marble and put it there instead. This is why I prefer not to have my rabbit’s remains – too much worry over them.

We had a couple of our regulars here get sick. Monique has a reduced appetite and low temp but she’s getting the extra TLC and seems to be doing better. Olaf had lost 20% (8 ounces) of his body weight without showing it! And his natural look is sort of ‘spaced out’ so it took us a little time to see something was wrong. But with a diet of unlimited pellets, he’s already gained back 3 ounces in three days. And he decided that when we went to change his bedding, he’d dart out of the cage, run down the line of them and under one at the far end. Guess he’s not THAT bad off afterall.

And for all of those who are watching their weight out there, we have a little girl on a diet and exercise program right now. Persimmon is a little bit pudgy – even got stuck in a cardboard box hole that other buns were having no issues with. So it’s limited pellets and extra exercise for her. Right now she’s just sitting in the x-pen grooming. Something tells me she’d get a better workout if I threw in a ferret.  Alas, no weasels here…

Nor any otters!  That’s right Otter was adopted this weekend by an incredible pair of loving people.  He showed off what a great bunny he was by climbing on people, sitting still for as many pets as they could give him and always used his potty box.  He’s going to have a great life with them.

[Sarita]

Mark, I love your updates! I understand what you mean about getting remains back of our deceased rabbits – I have so many boxes that I’m worried about what to do with them in a respectful manner….

It is nice that you are getting a new garden too. Make sure there are plenty of herbs for the buns :~)

[FrankieFlash]

I love reading these. Makes me wish all shelters were so focused on the bun care. I’m going to start volunteering too! You’ve inspired me

But I gotta say- the thing that inspired this comment was that I giggled a lot when you talked about weight-troubled Persimmon getting stuck in a cardboard box hole. Sounds too cute!

[Otters mom]

Markbun, I cannot thank you and Marcy enough for letting us meet and adopt Otter. He has such a big personality and we just adore him! Yesterday he grabbed the bowl his pellets were in (after he ate them of course) and ran around with it in his mouth! He runs up to me to beg for pettings when he sees me approach and he eats his greens with such gusto! He is just the best bunny ever!

[Sarita]

Otter sounds like he has tons of personality – what a fun bun!

[MarkBun]

Bunday News Feb 15th, 2012

Today we had numerous children here to help with the rabbits so everything got done well ahead of time. I missed it all because I was in San Francisco doing a special outreach program at a corporate office at 75 Hawthorne. We set up in the lobby with Tiny Von Gouda and Cello. As it turns out, Cello isn’t the outreach type and actually vaulted out of the 24″ high x-pen and made a break for it. Luckily he was a little confused so we caught him immediately and put him back into a 36″ pen. At which time he just sat in his litter box and sulked.

Tiny was his usual impressive self, letting anyone touch and pet him and purring up a storm loving all of the attention. Not sure how many minds we changed or if anyone will adopt from us but it is important to put out the word and even if we change one person’s mind about rabbits and have them see them as valued pets instead of livestock, we did our job.

I was doubly lucky not being here as apparently the shelter’s dog tangled with a skunk last night and the place is very aromatic at the moment. Trying a quick fix with the wireless network here and then I’m out.

[emkvet]

Hahaha, bunnies never do what we expect them to (or WANT them to, for that matter). It sounds like your outreach even was successful though, and I hope you get more adopters!

I love hearing about SaveABunny, and I hope to visit one day (hopefully sooner rather than later, since my bf lives only an hour away from SF). You guys do amazing things for your rabbits, and are truly pioneers in rabbit rescue, rehabilitation, and care. Thanks for all you do! And keep the updates coming =)

[MarkBun]

Bunday News Feb 16, 2012

Only a couple things out of the ordinary** today. First off, we received 5 large boxes of various rabbit toys, tunnels, chewables, etc. And what are they enjoying just as much as the items? No, not the boxes but the long pieces of brown paper that are used to pad the items in the boxes. Buster is currently running around with one in his mouth, looking a little like a superhero.

Next I spent time with our new grumpy bunny, Benton. He’s a large chincilla colored rabbit who is very cage aggressive. However, if you talk to him first, he calms down. After being outside for exercise we spent half an hour with him dozing in my arms while I petted him on my lap. I just love the ‘vicious’ rabbits.

Gotta go now. There’s been two earthquakes in the last 24 hours and Maryann is not happy!

**An ordinary day consists of taking out over a dozen bunnies to exercise in X pens, feeding all of the rabbits, grooming another half dozen, doing computer support work, special energy work with Scooter and giving out medications to another dozen rabbits. And helping with hay, litter boxes, water bottles and cleaning cages of so many buns it’s hard to keep count.

[MarkBun]

Bunday News Feb 17, 2012

Well I got a call that is always hard to hear. A group called “Friends of Ferals” were out catching some cats that had been released in some wilderness area and they saw a white rabbit out there as well. They’re setting traps in hopes of catching it and then it will be off to the shelter and then we’ll follow up from there. My first thought is about the stupidity of mankind but the second is that it is another white rabbit. Don’t get me wrong, we love them all, but about a third of our rescues are white rabbits and they’re next to impossible to adopt out.

I also found a new arrival here when I walked in. Apparently it was an emergency rescue. She’s doing fine but the poor thing is scared stiff – literally. I spent half an hour with her and she seemed to loosen up a bit. I also just put in a large wooden ‘house’ for her to hide in and she’s sitting on top of it non-stop. Guess she likes the view.

I’m starting to get the hang of things around here finally so that I am feeling comfortable making calls on such things as when to stop meds, when to start them, take appointments and so on. In fact, I have to go now and set up a pen for Luther Vandross. He’s coming back but only as a boarder. Unfortunately, the one I set up for him last night went to the emergency rescue so here we go, more rabbits than we have space for – at the moment. There’s a set of borders that should be leaving this weekend so we’ll be back to full capacity instead of over capacity.

A quick addendum:

It seems Suzette has worked out a way to get more pellets out of me.  I usually take a handful and give a third to each level of the condo inhabitants.  Well Suzette, being on top, wanted them all for herself.  So she perched herself on top of her hay rack and when I put my hand in to put in the pellets, she hit me with her full 4.5 pounds of body – not a bite, not a scratch but hit me sideways – causing me to drop all of my pellets into her cage.  I got some back but she was greedily guarding most of them.

[MarkBun]

Bunday News Feb 19, 2012

I dared to take a day off yesterday and when I came back, it was utter chaos! Well not really but it is amazing how many rabbits get swapped around in just 24 hours. Old borders coming back, new ones leaving, swaps with other shelters and new rescues.

The Friends of Ferals caught the bunny that was let loose and it’s currently at Marin Humane Society. We’ll be picking it up in a few days – after it is altered. Marin wants to get it out ASAP as it doesn’t like REWs for the same reason most don’t – adoptability. But what can you do?

Also, Omelet got adopted! That cranky old (well young) man found a home with some experienced rabbit owners who know about doing stuff on the rabbit’s terms. Well except for one thing. The girl is a ‘swaddler’. That is to say, she likes to carry bunnies like you do babies – on their backs with the head in the crook of your arm. We told her about trancing and how rabbits don’t really like it but I get the feeling she’s going to try anyway. Oh well, Omelet will set her straight.

Also, Cricket almost got my ear today. I was cleaning a nearby cage and forgot how close his condo was. I felt these bunny lips on my earlobe and I jumped. Was just a whisker out of his reach. But did get his gram of flesh when I had the nerve to put food in his food bowl and NOT pet him either before or after. He’s militant about being loved.

One of the sad things though is that over the holiday, we received calls from shelters in San Jose, Oakland, SF, Marin, Rohnert Park, Sonoma and Monterey all informing us that they had bunnies that had to be picked up. We’re at capacity and it actually came to me to tell Marcy that we just couldn’t take anymore. We’re hoping for more adoptions & fosters to free up some space.

[MarkBun]

Bunday News for Feb 21, 2012

Well an early start for me. Got here at 7am to get two new rabbits, Velma and Jackpot, off to the vet to get fixed. It turns out that Velma decided to escape her transport box and I was greeted in person by her at the door. At which point, she thumped and ran away. It was a short chase however as she spied Nyssa exercising and had to stop to say hello.

So a 90 min round trip drive to Petaluma and I’m back installing a shelf to free up some more storage room as we’ve collected quite a bit of supplies for these buns. The good news is that I found out we found a foster parent for Mrs. Dewlap. We usually don’t foster rabbits who are so well mannered and cute but we believe that the foster really wants to adopt her and just wants to make sure she can handle things beforehand. So I’m off to do that shortly.

There was also a visitor who wanted to see some of the rabbits and I showed her around. They were all on their best behaviors – even Cricket and Geronimo let me pet them without trying to bleed me dry. I kid about their ‘thirst for blood’ but really they just need an experienced bunny person to know how to handle them and put them before themselves (as a proper bunny slave should).

Well I”m off. Hope everyone is having a good time.

[MarkBun]

Bunday News – Feb 26, 2012

Had another busy weekend. Lots of people coming in to look but so far no adoption. I have 3 more condos to repair now that Marcy found out that working wheels = being able to clean behind the cages regularly. We have four new arrivals. Jackpot and Velma both returned from their neuter/spay on Saturday. Jackpot was making non-stop love to his toys but he’s calmed down now. Velma is still her usual grumpiness. Two others have arrived from shelters. Paul Bunyan and a girl whose very cranky but unnamed as of now.

One cute highlight of the weekend -Citrine was tired of waiting for me to get to him for his pellets so he leaped over his x-pen. Of course, once on the outside, he realized that it didn’t get him his pellets any quicker. Only the ‘pellet guy’ chasing him around the floor.

[MarkBun]

Bunday News – March 1, 2012

Today is my third day of running the shelter on my own – hence why no updates lately.  Marcy is at a conference back east and I get to take care of everything now.  I don’t want this job and I have no idea how she can do it.

The rabbits as a whole are doing well.  I did take an emergency drive up to a vet because I thought Velma had opened up her Spay incision.  Turns out it was just her trying to groom off some of the excess glue.  Olaf is still feeling under the weather and Beiber has picked up a sneeze too.  But on the good side, Cricket is healthy and learning to love people and even Geronimo is now purring at pets.  Other scardy cats such as Benton, Shakti and Sangria seem to be responding well to my attentions.

I’ve managed to get some work done other than just caring for the buns though.  I updated a few descriptions on our website (I especially love Olaf’s) and started to work on giving everyone a story.  I’ve also refurbished three of our condos.  And I developed a back ache from transporting the boxes from Binky Bunny that are laden with various Mazes and Tunnels. 

I’ve also been doing some work that I felt is necessary – one being installing a wireless doorbell so we can hear it down in the shelter.  I’m making a SaveABunny buzzer plaque to go around the outside doorbell button so visitors know which one to ring.

Orbit got adopted.  He was one of those quick turn arounds where we never got to get him up on the website before someone fell in love with him and whisked him away.  There are a couple more ‘possibles’ out there but don’t know if they’ll happen before Marcy returns. 

I wish I had more cute stories to tell but my mind is a little bit wobbly.  I got two calls back to back.  One from a person whose rabbit they adopted from us is now spraying everywhere and I have no idea why and another from another shelter wanting us to pick up a rabbit who is near death and the owner cannot care for it (due to them being mentally deficient).  Stuff like this makes me glad I’m not the boss here but also it reaffirms the work we’re doing here to make everybun’s and every person’s life better.

 

[Sarita]

Oh wow, you really are taking up alot of the slack for Marcy and I can imagine she is so appreciative of that. Best to wait for Marcy to help with the spray bunny – and those shelter calls…those are hard!

Keep us the good work Mark!

[emkvet]

Busy, busy, busy! You guys have so much going on! SaveaBunny does such amazing things for buns and their people, too. Yay you!

[MarkBun]

Yeah. Just got another call – a rabbit at a shelter is currently pooping a “clear, gelationous ooze” instead of normal poops. The rabbit is eating, drinking and acting normal. Like I said, I don’t envy Marcy her job at all! Walk a mile in her shoes? Heck, I wouldn’t put on her slippers just to go to the bathroom.

[MarkBun]

Bunday News for March 5, 2012

Well today was one of those days that isn’t a high point in a shelter’s life…

Monique didn’t want to eat today.  After tests earlier on in the week it is the ‘guess’ of one vet that she has some form of cancer.  We gave her fluids and critical care but her temp was at 95.6 degrees (about 6 degrees lower than normal).  She’s hanging in there but is still not really wanting to eat.   We’re going to take her to Dr. Harvey for a second opinion.

I also picked up a close friend of the shelter’s rabbit.  His mate was euthanized due to cancer as well so he’s now here to find a new friend.

On an upside, 7 of our bunnies went on a field trip on Sunday to Davis to help in a Vet information seminar.  We had everyone from the very cranky to the love sponges.  They all performed well and gave the students and teachers a lot of insight as to how to handle different temperment bunnies, as well as what to look for in the language of the lagomorphs.  And Emmett is getting a free checkup as he has some problem teeth.

Speaking of which, Cricket came back from the vet after having one of his teeth extracted.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I love these bunnies 110% but after all of the blood Cricket had drawn from me, seeing him after the operation had me thinking of some ‘payback’ thoughts – that’s after I calmed down seeing the blood from his mouth.  He’s fine though – already back to his grumpy little self.

Three buns got adopted over the weekend – Jean Claude, Cello and Leaf Longhopper.  Leaf was adopted by someone who said they didn’t want a white rabbit.  But once they met the guy, they fell in love.  We now have three more coming in from another shelter so have to get ready for them.  We are never not full.

 

[emkvet]

That’s so exciting that you had some buns get adopted! YAY! I was looking on the SaveABunny website and you guys have soooo many beautiful rabbits. I want to take them all home!

Sending healing vibes to Monique!!!!

[Nicolene]

I’m happy to hear so many got adopted over the weekend. We were just there on Sunday to try and bond our bun, but she wasn’t having it. She even sprayed Shaddo in the face. She was spayed today, so we are excited to see you guys again in a month! Did the tiny bunny (Tuxie) that came in on Sunday find a home yet?

[MimzMum]

Lol…I am envisioning this queen of the tunnel duel…do you suppose sometimes bunnies leave cecals just as a kind of ‘in your face’ thing?
The spraying reminds me of when Mimzy first arrived here with his two REW compatriots. You know those ‘spitting’ lawn sprinklers that turn in half circles and then jet back the other way? Those two would dance past one another like jousters and at the last minute kick out with their hind legs and splat each other with a fountain of wee, then bink off in opposite directions.
Funniest ballet I’ve ever seen.

[emkvet]

Hi Mark – Sending vibes to all at SaveABunny; I was very sorry to hear of Monique’s passing. At least she is no longer suffering; I think you and your veterinarian made the right decision for her. (((Binky Free, Monique)))

[MarkBun]

Bunday News March 8, 2012

I took Monique to see Dr. Harvey today and she was thinking that it might be time to let her go. While she went out to call Marcy about it I sat and talked to Monique who was telling me that she was tired and hurting and just wanted to go away. So when Dr. Harvey returned I was happy that Marcy told her to go ahead with the euthanasia otherwise I would have fought Marcy on it. I was surprised how sad I got – I’d say I was just as upset as I was when Tippy passed. It was my first time ever euthanizing another creature. The necropsy showed fibrous tissue growth with very little normal lung tissue and the growth was attaching to other organs as well. So, it was cancer and rather advanced too. We were amazed she held up so well for so long. It was definitely the right call.

Of course, after the short grieving, it was time to head to San Francisco Animal Care and Control and pick up another rabbit. Now named Tori, she is a little girl that has had a bad case of poopy butt at the shelter. When she got here, I gave her a bath, cleaned her up and so far she’s had nothing but normal droppings. She’s a love and I”m pretty sure she’ll be adopted soon. As will both Jack Daniels and Cookie Dough who arrived on the 6th. Hopefully the photographer will come by soon. Still having some trouble naming the white bunny from the wild. Most of the names I’ve come up with have already been used or sound too much like something else.

I’m also working on Marcy’s glass work molds. They were in need of some major repair and of course I used power tools which made them even worse. So after a few hours of hand sanding, they’re now ready to be used again. Although not ‘directly’ shelter work, a lot of what she makes she then sells and all the profits go straight to SaveABunny.

Oh, forgot to mention that we’re bonding Capone with another Dutch. Needless to say the first hour was quite an interesting time. They’re now tolerating each other, even eating from the same hay rack in the same litter box and we’ve caught Capone grooming the other rabbit a few times now. There’s still some issues here and there but no chasing and no real fighting. So seems he’s found a friend and a forever home.

BTW, if anyone has a line on a licensed contractor who’d be willing to do charity work for a tax write off, we desperately need one of the floors here resurfaced or completely replaced. I think it’s about 400 square feet and we would love a new concrete floor that’s level and maybe with a drain. Right now it is basically four old, uneven patio concrete slabs with a thin sheet of linoleum on top that needs to be replaced every 6 months as the rabbits tear it to pieces.

 

As for Tuxie (I’m assuming the little black bun with the balance issues) her name is now Blue Ivy Carter and she’s in a foster home right now and we’re doing what we can for her.  She’s still having issues and we’re trying to make sure she doesn’t splay due to it.

[MarkBun]

Bunday News March 12, 2012

I know that the time between entries is increasing. Half of it is due to being so busy, the other half is that things are beginning to get ‘routine’ for me so they don’t seem important to report. That’s one of the problems. When crises are the daily routine, only the extreme catastrophies get notice.

We had a few adoptions over the weekend. Cello was adopted and when his new slave arrived to pick him up, she also fell in love with Cookie Dough. Because she was well known to Marcy and a very good rabbit person, we gave her a two for one special and she took them both home with her. Also adopted was Leaf Longhopper and boy was he pissed! He’s normally a very friendly guy but when we put him into a cardboard carrier to go home, he chewed a 6 inch rip through the side of it in under 3 minutes. And when Marcy went to transfer him to a plastic carrier, he tried to bite her! My guess – he’s claustrophobic. His new name is Sir Longhopper.

Tuba came back from his adoptive family. I don’t know the reason but he’s turned into a bit of a surly rabbit now. He was so friendly before so we’re not sure what happened at the home. So now it’s time to rehabilitate him. Unfortunately, he’s a large bunny so we put him into an X-pen but apparently he’s also quite a strong rabbit and has been leaping the 30″ walls. We’ve topped it now so hopefully he won’t just blow through the sheet.

Blue Ivy Carter came for another visit and she seemed a bit worse. Since I had been working on cleaning ears, I figured I’d give her’s a once over since she can’t really reach them. That’s when I discovered something strange. It looked like her left ear didn’t have an ear canal. There was a black chunk of dirt at the bottom of it but it didn’t seem to go through to the skull. And when I tried to clean the dirt, she went into a seizure. She’s slotted to go to a doctor to see about it. This might explain a lot and who knows – it might make things a little easier to deal with.

I got to see what happens when I let Emmett’s ear go a day without cleaning as I took a holiday on Saturday and came back Sunday. Let’s just say that I didn’t have lunch that day. The guy is so sweet and patient though it’s hard not to love him.

Marcy now has me dressing ‘more appropriately’ as she wants me to take over more duties. Although I’m happy to do so, my problem is that my unemployment insurance is going to run out in two months and I really need to find a real job. I keep on asking her about being hired on full time but without a grant, that’s not possible. She does need another full time staffer but I can’t do it for free. Got bills and such and I don’t think PG&E will take cute bunny pictures as payment.

[MarkBun]

Bunday News March 18, 2012

Another busy weekend – in the rain.  We played “Hot Bunny” with a couple of local shelters – sending one rabbit out to them, bringing one back from them.  It is often done to help well known and visited shelters to have rabbits that are very adoptable while we take the cranky and sick and turn them into more likable ones.  It’s a thankless job (well actually many people DO thank us).  So most of my Saturday was in the car driving rabbits around Northern California.  Also had to pack and ship out a lot of things that were bought off of Etsy/eBay.  100% of the profits of course go to the rabbits.

We had Dr. Debra Sheester (I never get her last name right) come over on Sunday to bond a rabbit she got from us previously.  We wound up with Chi-anna going home with her.  Although Lops tend to move quicker, Chi-anna has a chronic ear issue that the Dr. can take care of.  During the bonding, we got some free Vet check-ups for a few of our sicker patients.

Right now, Olaf isn’t doing so well.  He’s still congested and we just started him on a new medication – which he didn’t like – so much so that I actually thought he was having a bad reaction to the medication.  But he’s his usual self now although I’m keeping an eye on him just in case.

I’ve just finished refurbishing the last condo in the outer room.  Now if I only knew how to pour concrete, I could fix the floor too.  That just leaves the inner room although I have fixed a couple here already (the ones that were in dire need of it).  All in all, things are going well for the buns.

As for myself, I realized that I’ve worked 27 of the last 30 days.  I’ve decided that I need more time off as I’m starting to make more and more mistakes.  You just want to help them all the time but when you reach a certain point, you just need a break.  

Oh, and there were three different volunteers this weekend who thought I was a vet.  I didn’t realize it until then that I do know a lot about bunnies and their health and short of any form of operation, I can do just about anything for them.  It’s weird when the vet asks ME as to what we should get for the rabbit.

[Monkeybun]

Gee, Mark. Sounds like you should go to vet school then

[emkvet]

Yeah Mark! Come on over to WSU; maybe they’ll let you join my class! Seriously though, it sounds like you’re exhausted. You all do so much; I couldn’t even imagine!

[MarkBun]

Sorry it’s been a while. I’ve recently found a new job (one that is actually paying the bills) and had to stop working all the time at SaveABunny. But it was definitely the most rewarding job I ever had in my 25 years of various jobs. I’m now taking two nights a week to make the hay holders that SaveABunny sells, The gentleman who did so before has recently passed on due to cancer but before he left us, he gave us a legacy by building a small shop on the site so we can continue to make them in his memory.

[RabbitPam]

Congrats on getting a new job, but I know your heart is with SaveABunny.
It’s great that you’re taking over for the kind gentleman who made the hay holders. It makes you his legacy there.
I will check out their website to take a look at the holders.

[Sarita]

Congratulations on your new job! I know they miss having you at SaveABunny everyday and I can imagine it was the most rewarding job you ever had…who wouldn’t love that!

[jerseygirl]

That was very forward thinking of that gentleman. What an amazing thing to do! And good on you for continuing to help where you can.

Congrats in the new job!!!

[Author]

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