Having a hard time deciding on bun!

[CarlieL]

 I’m having a really hard time lol…I took Rufus on a bunny date with a 3-4 month old male bunny at the humane society today. He is not neutered, but is mature enough to do so and if we decided to adopt him, they can have it done as soon as monday. Anyway, he’s a little lop mix (I’m not sure what kind), his (likely) dad was there as well and he’s at least 5 lbs…the baby’s close to 3 I’m guessing. He doesn’t have a name yet, so I guess I’ll just call him Baby. 

 

So we put them down in a neutral meeting room, and for the first few minutes they just ran around the room, sniffing everything and ignoring each other. Then they started checking each other out, and as far as I can tell, it was really positive. Rufus kept practically shoving his face under Baby’s face for him to groom, and then Baby would mount his head lol, Rufus would run under him then turn around and ask for groomings again. He never acted scared, mad, or anything! No flicking feet, thumping, ears back, growling, biting…from either of them.  The shelter lady said she’d never seen a meeting go so well. And Baby wasn’t completely overcome with hormones lol, he’d get distracted anytime he passed by our feet, or just checking the room out. They seemed to like each other. I held them both on my lap a little later and they just lay there.

 

We also tried Rufus with the dad, just to see what would happen…Rufus again put his head down, but when he was mounted by Dad he immediately flicked his feet at him, tail up, and ran away. Dad wasn’t neutered either and was a really in-your-face guy, so needless to say they were only together for a minute or so. 

 

Anyway, I’m really torn. Because to be honest, I wouldn’t pick a lop if it were me picking. No offense at all to the lops, they’re adorable and sweet and floppy…but I just never was drawn to them. I am incredibly drawn to a precious little lionhead mix female at a shelter a couple of states away, and had been talking to that shelter lady about a long distance adoption…she’s supposed to be very sweet, and is seriously cute. And there’s a boy/girl bunny duo a couple of hours away at a shelter who are also already spayed/neutered, they had been part of a trio and the third was adopted…they’re just as cute as the one a couple of states away, and I’d be able to introduce them beforehand…but not sure if an already bonded pair is the best idea to introduce? All three of these other buns are supposed to be really easy going and gentle.

 

I have a feeling Rufus would get along well with any easy going bun…but should I take the risk and wait a bit longer, or go for the lop? Also, do you guys think they’d have good odds of still getting along so well once Baby’s neutered and he’s had some time for the hormones to subside? Am I just being incredibly silly???

 

Sorry this is so long…but honestly, nobody else quite understands what I’m talking about, or cares that much lol.  Bring on the opinions!!! 

[LoveChaCha]

Well, I would go with what your bunny’s instincts are!!!! It seems like he likes Baby. He can choose his friend because he knows who he is drawn to.

If you were to do the long distance driving to see the Lionhead, your bunny may or may not like her. I don’t think temperment matters, I’ve seen some really demanding bunnies get along and bond with really laid back bunnies. Just depends on bunnies preference

I believe you are taking a chance either way, with route 1, 2, or 3! But we as rabbit parents have to be able to take such risks for the bunnies to get along.

There are plenty of dwarf mixes at my local shelter. All are so cute, female and male. I’m not ready to get a friend for my bunny yet.

I hope everything works out!

[CarlieL]

Thank you. I agree, a risk either way…I may end up driving down south tomorrow to meet the bonded pair with Rufus, just to satisfy my what-if wonderings. It is driving me a little crazy that we only have one suitable bun that I can find in our town…it’s not that small of a place, you’d think there’d be more at the shelter! But I guess that’s actually a good thing. There are a lot just across the border in Canada, but none have gotten back to me on if they’ll allow cross-border adoptions. Ah well. Here’s a pic of Baby btw…all tuckered out after meeting Rufus lol!

[anneNjoerule]

Personally, I think Baby is PRECIOUS. I would snatch him up in a heartbeat, particularly because he got on so great with your Rufus. Good Luck either way!

[jerseygirl]

He’s cute! Especially the tufts of fur on top of his head. Is he in with his Dad? It is really hard to tell what may happen as he starts to mature. Though, it could go smoothly if his neuter is imminent…

The lionhead you’re considering, is she already spayed? It would be tricky trying to arrange a meeting before adoption if she’s so far away.

I also think it is worth meeting the other pair to see if Rufus reacts differently. It’s a bit sad they separated a trio but if you’re willing to take the remaining pair, that would be a good outcome.

What a dilemma. Well, you have time really to meet candidates and see what feels right. No need to rush it.

 

[Beka27]

Is there any chance they’d neuter the baby and dad and then let you do another date in a couple weeks once those hormones have subsided? It’s really tough to judge a date when hormones are in the mix.

I’d be iffy about the bonded pair. Trio bonding is a much more involved process… unless you have them meet and it’s instant love… I guess it could happen.

[CarlieL]

The dad and Baby are in separate cages…I wish they’d go ahead and neuter and then let us see how it goes, but they don’t want to neuter either until they’re adopted.  Which doesn’t make much sense to me. The female a ways away is already spayed, and has been for at least a month…and no, we wouldn’t be able to meet her beforehand. So it would definitely be a risk, but then again so is any pair/trio it seems like. And I’m quite determined to make sure bonding happens if at all possible.  I think I’ll call the shelter with the long distance girl when they open up…get some more info hopefully…and maybe go see Baby again. I’m still looking into the pair…but getting weird vibes.  And I just can’t figure out a day that works for us to go down there…maybe that one’s not meant to be. Thanks for the thoughts so far. I’ll keep you all updated! 

[Beka27]

Do you know if they are a “no-kill” shelter? If not, that might be why they won’t neuter ahead of time. Let us know what you decide.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I want Baby!!!!! Adorable!

I’d make sure to let Rufus have the final say because trying to bond two bunnies that are not in love is a long and not very fun process.

[CarlieL]

Thank you guys. I’m waiting for a call from the shelter lady with the girl bun today…I really feel like I need to at least follow through and get details from her. Depending on how that talk goes, it looks like it’ll be decided one way or the other in the next day. Hopefully. I’m going to go visit Baby again tomorrow, as well. I’ll update you all once it’s decided!

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