*GASP*

[BunnyLiz]

Today after school there was an all call for anyone that had rabbits to come to the office. I thought maybe i had dropped my pictures of hammer or something like that, i was WRONG. They wanted me to walk across the grounds to the grade school, and go to there office. By then i kinda knew they probably wanted to borrow  Hammer for something and was not extermely happy about the idea. I went in and they toke my name and told me to drop him off next Thursday before school with a cage and pick him up after school. They would handle setting up his cage and food and water etc. then she turned back to her desk and computer.. i was like, no way.. why do you need Hammer? Turns out its there walk-a-thon next thursday and each class is racing a rabbit!  The rabbits would be put into long canals on the gym floor and urged to cross the finish line first with praise and treats. Perfectly safe they assured me lol. She turned back again to work and i was racking my brains to think of a polite way to say h*** no you are not borrowing my Hammer baby lol. I just told them i was not comfortable with that and the rabbits wouldnt be either. She was totally a know-it-all saying they would be fine and would warm up to the teachers and kids in no time. LOL WARM UP?! I told her rabbits will not warm up to anyone that quickly, they are simply scared and tolerate it. She still didnt except my almost polite no. So i explained, in not very friendly terms in afraid, that Hammer was not livestock, I love him and is more important to me then most people understand. She looked angry but what could i do? I just told her Hammer would be very frightened and it wouldnt be a healthy experience and she threw my name away.. said that they could just a few some elsewhere and it was no big deal. I rushed right home to play and cuddle with Hammer, who is now happily binkieing around my room. I wasnt sure exactly what to tell them or how to react. I wanted to cry and be angry all at the same time lol. Its almost like giving your kid up for a day to be put at risk and to be in a gym full of screaming kids all cheering. Not to mention the million of hands in his cage before the chaos! Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[Sage Cat]

Did they really tell you to bring you pet in with out telling you why?
And think that you would just do it?
That is just crazy!

Would they ever ask that of someone with a cat or dog?

[BunnyLiz]

Yep they really just thought id bring him in no questions asked! I guess maybe she was having a bad day or something and didnt feel like explaining idk. Im sure they think of rabbits as just cute livestock instead of pets. It was so wierd because she was working there when i went there, so it was kinda like smarting off to my teacher. Its been 7 years since ive seen her and im sure she didnt remember me but it was just.. awkward..

Plus i dont look even close to my age, so i get a lot of.. pushed to the side comments and reactions that people do when your 12, But im 17 and im not intimidated by offices anymore. Not that ive been in there for anything bad lol. But you know how some people are? they think since im around 13 or so (even though im 17) that i wouldnt ask questions or correct them. Or they always ask if im allowed to do this or that.. always carded at the movies and accused of a false id… Stop me after curfew that doesnt apply to me anymore.. Ask if i have any money if i go out to eat or shopping in a higher class store.. its annoying! and im sure thats part of the reason why she dismissed me so quickly. Sorry i kinda just ranted there lol but i get it all the time, my friends dont get any of that treatment junk

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

OK< Wait…It's not a class pet? (which is bad enough to expect that…) But to think you'd bring your PET in to a school and subject them to unknown anything while you aren't even there??

You should give us contact info so we can all write them and complain!!! UGH!!!

[Beka27]

that is crazy! thank goodness you stood up for yourself and Hammer!

[MarkBun]

Many people believe that rabbits are little more than other ‘non-standard’ pets, like turtles, frogs, or fish. I’m not saying these guys also don’t have a personality but not to the level of rabbits (IMO). So they don’t think it’s a big deal. All we can do when confronted with it is to try and educate them.

[wendyzski]

Yay for sticking to your guns and looking out for Hammer!

[Balefulregards]

You are perfectly right to say No – Would anyone ask to borrow someones baby and race them as strangers screamed at them? I think not.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

“Hi there, can you drop your kid off at my house and pick him up this evening’….”why oh, I’m going to be chasing him around and terrorizing him for mine and others enjoyment, why the H would you care what I do??””

UN BELIEVABLE I have to say I’m a little worked up about this!!

[MarkBun]

Heh, my issue is that I probably would have brought Maryann there. I’d use her to educate them and also kick their arses in the race.

[BunnyLiz]

I was a bit worked up too, my mom still thinks i was wrong to be so mean and blunt with my answers, she thinks i should have let them or said he was going to be at the vet that day or something.

I see Hammer as way more then a toy and cute animal so i was kinda crushed when i thought about him in a small cage all day with kids staring and poking and screaming. If the class he went to was older they might have even played a trick on him or something. I have to admit when i got home i was near tears just at the thought of my baby being so scared and without comfort and understanding.

I could really use advice for confronting people in this sort of situation and for my mom. She still refers to him as just a rabbit. I tried to talk to her and tell her how i fell but nothing came of it. Ive tried several times. I dont really need her support because I AM the sole care giver physically and financially but having her support in emergencies would be terrific.
Examples-I moved my room around to maximize Hammers run time and fun- my mom wouldnt help, nor would she say anything positive about it, thought i was obbessing over “just a rabbit”
– I got a big order from BB- my mom saw it but left it on the porch on purpose, admitting it
-I have taken out a desk and love seat thing from my room to make room- she wouldnt help me get them downstairs
– when i told her about this whole ordeal- she said i was overreacting, “he isnt a person, you are not his mother, he is just a RABBIT Elizabeth!..

None of that is a huge deal but it would really be easier. Any suggestions or ideas?

[MarkBun]

I ask them to tell me what makes a cat more of a pet than a rabbit. It is amazing how very little people know about them:

They can be litter trained
They’re very affectionate/social
Each has an individual personality
They require the same type of upkeep/maintenance
etc.

The two sticking points they try to hit you with is the smell (which, after altering, is no worse than a cat’s) and the leaving of BB’s around (and a cat urinates to mark it’s territory. I’d prefer picking up the hard bb’s than soaking up the pee).

[BunnyLiz]

Markus- it crossed my mind very briefly but they are K-8 graders so i dont think they would learn anything. Plus i wouldnt be there. I would really be turning him over for the day to someone i dont know and wouldnt meet.. I couldnt check on him or get him settled in. If something happened i couldnt come, or even know till i picked him up. I was mostly concerned with the screamin kids in the gym. Hammer is not to fond of my dogs barking even lol

 

Edit- Markus we posted at the same time! sorry its fun lol, ive never done that lol

[Beka27]

you did the right thing. don’t doubt yourself. what would happen if someone picked him up, he got scared, jumped (or was dropped) and broke his leg? the surgery to fix that would be well-over a thousand dollars. would the school be able to reimburse you for that? would your mom be able to help you with the cost? i highly doubt it.

she doesn’t need to understand the bunny, and chances are she won’t. i’m an adult and my parents don’t really consider them real pets. as long as she is open-minded towards your care of him i wouldn’t worry about her.

[Lightchick]

Well, I think you answered in a much more collected manner than I would have! You sound VERY mature and rational, and it doesn’t sound like you over-reacted at all! If someone had asked a similar thing of me, my response would have involved colorful language, questioning of the person’s sanity/sobriety, and a general challenging of their worth to humanity!

Seriously!

(Although, you do know how to freak someone out with your post-titles! Was cruising BB from my dinky cell phone while doing bunny laundry at the laundromat, and all the screen showed was *Gasp* and I thought somebody had died!)

[Beka27]

i agree Lightchick! another young person might have felt intimidated, like they’d get in trouble for refusing, or they might not have been knowledgable in the needs of rabbits in the first place and thought it sounded like a fine idea.

[bunnytowne]

What ???!!!  are those people insane or really that stupid.  That is sooo low.  To think someone would bring their pet in to be traumatized and stress and frightened for a day.  I am nearly speechless.  If I was in your shoes I would have done the same thing or worse. Gosh peoples ignorance is downright pathetic.

Why do people still continue to surprise me with their ignorance I just dont’ know.

[bunnytowne]

my ears are smoking steam coming out.

[BunnyLiz]

Well thanks for the maturity comment guys! I do kinda feel more mature then my friends.. not to get a big head or anything but i dont do teenage things on the weekend or anything like most, you know what i mean. I think ive lost friends that way but i just think its dumb. And i never really even thought about my age vs. hers and getting in trouble until i was home cuddling Hammer. The only thing that was going through my head was how to keep myself from yelling and still getting my point across. My friends joke im a home body who would rather hang out with Hammer and sit on the floor with a book then be a “normal teenager” which is true somewhat. I wonder if most bunny people are kinda like this? I think we are kind of the same type of people lol. As for my mom im not all that concerned because i know Hammers quality of life is not affected by her indifferent reaction to him. I just bothers me that she doesnt care about what i care about (we almost never see eye to eye). Although i guess that goes both ways, im not interested in her interest either. Im just so glad that i can get bun support here! No body else cares or wants to listen to my raving about Hammer lol

[Beka27]

you make an important point. this is a huge reason why i personally (and i know many others) don’t recommend bunnies for minor children. you might be a teenager who can handle the day-to-day care and cleaning, but it does take a special type of person to put their pet first. you could be going out doing “teenager things” every night, but instead you’re spending time with your bunny which i think is great. of course, you do need a social life, and friends will come and go… but neglecting an animal you chose to take into your home is not the way to exhibit maturity. this happens all the time. teenager gets cute baby bunny, and then months later they’re no longer so cute and little, and the interest fades. i wonder why your mom cannot appreciate this? would she rather you be doing the “teenager things” (and face it, probably getting into trouble)? if i had a teenage daughter and she was choosing to be reading or studying in her room, i’d be tickled pink. i love quiet, i love spending time at home. i prefer relaxing with a book over super loud movies or tv. many of us probably have a lot in common. i think this is also why we can talk on a more social level and not *just* about our fur-family.

[MimzMum]

Kudos to you for not just ‘towing the party line!’ I have a word for that ‘woman’ and it’s not for polite conversation. My first instinct would be to have a call in to the local Humane Society and tell them you think this is an unacceptable situation and something should be done. Let ’em race snails or frogs or something else. Hell, let’s put the little kiddies in the canals and run ’em with ‘praise and treats’! Then let the general populace poke and prod them and laugh when they don’t like it!

That is OUTRAGEOUS! Bish! I don’t leave ANYBODY alone with my rabbits, or my cats or dogs or anyone/thing else I treasure! I have a hard enough time leaving any of my pets even at the vet for procedures necessitating, much less some stupid school full of people I don’t know and who don’t know me.

Seriously, I’d make a stink. This is bordering on animal cruelty and to say it’s for a charity is doubly heinous! Let ’em do pumpkin bowling or something!

[RabbitPam]

I read your post yesterday and thought you handled yourself extremely well. Been thinking about it, as well as reading the additional replies, and have a few comments as well.
First, you’d be amazed at how many teenagers are very much like you, in that they like being home, enjoy reading more than partying, are responsible for the things they love. In short, are not Extroverts. I was always at home, still prefer it, and that’s where I did artwork, wrote, read, and generally relaxed with friends there. Teens mature at different rates and in different ways. And are quite different in intelligence, interests, and world views. Just like adults. It’s harder for introverts or just home-bodies to find each other to be friends with for obvious reasons. The internet has been a wonderful means of all of us who like being at home to connect with like-minded people. So it’s very natural that you’d be writing to us here. You are a great young person (and not a kid anymore.)

Several have suggested contacting your local Humane Society or shelter to complain about this activity at the school, but I’d like to see you contact them for the educational opportunity it provides, much as Markus suggested.  It can be an activity where a rep from the shelter could bring in brochures or just xeroxed handouts on the care of bunnies. A one hour lecture is often available from animal rights representatives to educate the public – especially children – on much of the info. that is provided on websites like this one. I’ve seen great people with all kinds of animals appear at museums on Saturday mornings who were booked to lecture. The education departments around town in institutions are always scheduling those.

Who is in charge of this “event” with racing pets? Better yet, who is the principal at that school? You might be very brave and ask to sit down with him/her to let them know that you know a lot about rabbits and are very, very concerned with this. That it might be better for the education of the students to have a guest speaker who can tell them the real skinny about bunnies. Maybe if they are willing to do that, you would be willing to bring in Hammer for a lecture – only – to illustrate points about proper handling, habitat, food, play, etc. I think it would hinge on what shelter is available locally to do this. But you get my point. If it’s not possible, just remember that you might have helped one woman, and your mother, understand a bit more. Your mother has a baby too, (you) and she might hear what upsets her baby even when she’s arguing with a now-almost-grown-teenager.

[BunnyLiz]

Hi guys there arent any rabbit shelters or groups around here sadly. There is one about 2.5/3 hours away so i dont think that will work out, although thats where im going to get hammers friend in the future. I will not ever see my past principle again, now there is a story lol.. lots of secret meetings and back stabbing went on between my mom and her. I was SO tiny so my mom always had to carry my backpack up to my class before school. My principal said she couldnt do that so i had to basically drag it lol. Then she forced me to eat ALL my lunch… i didnt eat much since i was so small and the portions of food was way to much. I had to sit while everyone else was in class and eat, finally my teacher came and saved lol, i would have been there all day. But i didnt go back after that and transferred. So as you can imagine i really wouldnt feel comfortable talking to her, im positive she remembers me.

I am an introvert lol! i toke a personality test and i am an extreme introvert. ISFJ to be exact.

Beka- im really not sure why my mom is the way she is with me. I think she does want me to go out and to more teenage things. When she hears about a weekend or party she knows my friends were at but not me she ask why i didnt go. She is conservative so i just think she is in the dark to what goes on at these parties and weekend things. She thinks i spend to much time myself, with Hammer, on BB. She actually gets mad sometimes when i refer to one of you lol. Im making her sound bad i know but i really dont think she knows much about what goes on these days or much about my generation. I know there was bad stuff then to but not as bad as some things now. Its strange she doesnt like Hammer, but she grew up with bunnies that were.. outside and fattened up.. so that probably has something to do with it

[Veronica Vigilant]

I can definately appreciate having a school principal you aren’t willing to meet again- I was actually sexually harassed by my high school principal- talk about bad! I would definately have some nasty things to say if I ever talked to him again…

Maybe you could write a letter to the school or school board though explaining why you think it’s wrong – kinda like what Rabbitpam said to educate them just do it written so that maybe they don’t try again next year?

I can’t believe they didn’t even tell you what it was for at first… that’s just insane!

[Beka27]

you might have hit the nail on the head. if she considers him “livestock” as many people do, she probably just doesn’t understand the “house rabbit phenomenom”. rabbits are the perfect pet for the right person, and an awful pet for the wrong type.

[MimzMum]

I am torn in agreement with Pam, whom I think is brilliant in her response, (Markus too, haven’t forgotten you!), that it would be a great opportunity to educate and at the same time, I think some people are too thick to teach. The more I hear about the principal, the more I believe these people are in the latter group. Unfortunate.
I was VERY introverted, to the point of being the class target. I had kids from other schools who would visit mine gang up on me, the “in crowd” was able to turn them that quickly. I was just the kid to push around. I hated being at school. I poured myself into my studies, but oh how I would’ve loved to have been home schooled like my kids were!
I preferred being with my animals. I mentioned my Siamese cat in another thread who would wait for me every day at three-thirty at the end of our road. (My dad would have to let her out of the house and that’s how he knew it was time for me to be home, he never watched the clock.) She would follow behind me as I would walk home, about five paces behind and then come in the house with me, we’d get a snack together and then she’d come into my room with me and sit on my bed until I’d start crying for whatever horrendous day I had and she would come up and lick the tears from my cheeks and sit on my chest and purr. I knew I had at least ONE creature on earth who loved me. Things would be alright again.

I think a lot of us who lead this kind of life perhaps do have some inner oracle that guides us to a different path and maybe other people hone in on that and yet see it more as some kind of self-absorption. And perhaps it is in a way. But I see you, Liz, as a young lady VERY mature and capable and, even though your mom seems to be at odds with you, well…let’s face it. I’m a mom myself and I don’t always see eye to eye with my kids…I think that’s just part of the human condition.
Anyway, I still think you’re doing the right thing.

[bunnytowne]

Oh I would have loved my son to be like  you.  Not out getting into trouble. That is so wonderful.  Yes keep up on your studies and college too. You can get somewhere in life.  You have the right attitude.

Me and my Mom dissagree on almost everything. It can be very difficult at times.  She is still my Mom and I love her dearly regardless.

[BunnyLiz]

Aww. Mimz thats so heartbreaking with your school and all. And that cat sounds amazing! i wish i had an animal like that, but who knows maybe hammer will be like that

[MimzMum]

I find it odd, I’ve been a cat person all my life…(don’t get me wrong, dogs are great too!)…love my cats more than I love to breathe. And yet, I have bonded quicker, and more solidly I think, with my bunnies! They seem to know me better than I know myself and, while they can’t hop down the road to meet me coming home, they certainly know how to turn my frowns upside down.
I can already see Hammer’s personality showing itself and the two of you seem to be very close and headed for wonderful adventures in life!

[Deleted User]

bunnyliz-hammer might surprise you someday. one rough night i came home crying and laid down on the floor. just cried while Boston licked the tears away. she kept licking till i got up. i think she would’ve stayed there all night.

as for your decsion—-aweseome, i’m really proud of you!!! man, i can hardly stand leaving boston w/ my boyfriend all day (whom i know does an awesome job w/ her) let alone a bunch of screaming strangers. i totally understand why you went home and snuggled hammer!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Awww Mimz I’m sorry about that! What a touching story and what a sweet cat! I’m sorry you had to go through that *HUGS*

When I was upset my dog would come and put her arm around my shoulders and then when she sensed I was feeling a bit better, she’d look at me and grin, then run off to get a toy and give it to me (the only time she’d voluntarily hand over a toy!). I was heartbroken to move out and away from her. I took her to my apartment for several visits so she’d understand, if not why, at least where I was. When I had moved out, the very next day, she walked into my bedroom, looked around at the empty room, laid down and whimpered-It was absolutely heartbreaking to move away from her companionship -we had a real special bond. She’s deaf now and I don’t live at home, so it’s definitely changed a bit. But I think she still loves me

[MimzMum]

Oh K&K, we sure do have some sad stories, don’t we? ;_; I can just imagine you and this dog. I had a beautiful Irish Setter cross that I had to leave at home when I moved away. Not long after, he became rather debilitated and had to be put down. My dad had to do it and left me a message on my machine. It was really sad.
So I enjoy my moments with my furbabies now. I’m of the age I have to think of these being the last ones. It will be strange not to have furry companions in my life, but maybe I can finally do some traveling without guilt then.

[Author]

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