Heart Broken

[Deleted User]

I know that this is so irrational.  I am sorry but I have to tell someone who cares about bunnies like I do about how today is not terrible for the multiple assignments and tests that I have no time to finish are but because I cannot give this bunny a forever home.  I should be typing papers but I called to check to see if a beautiful female brown Holland Lop bun was at this place and they sold it as an Easter gift!  I cannot believe it! I had even had a name for her, Palatine.  Could clean your palette with how intelligent and charming she was, lol.  I called my fiancé to tell him because I can only hope that they know what they got into, that bun deserved so much, please just let it be okay.  I know I did not even have a chance yet but I decided that I was going to get it even if I had to spend the rest of the semester with someone else, I have even been buying the necessary supplies like crazy.  I finally got what she needed and then I find out they sold her!  The women was so…unemotional.  She does not even give them enough timothy hay!  I know they are in the business of buying and selling but I really loved this bun and she would have been worth it, all of the changes.  I have been searching for a really long while and I just fell in love the first time I got to see this bun.  The bun decided after a few minutes to just do a bunny flop in my arms, it really scared me, I thought she was falling.  But she was so trusting after she decided I was not going to harm her.  She snuggled close to me and then she proceeded to groom me for the next 7 minutes as I pet her.  Who could just not fall in love with her personality, so sweet and curious!  I really hope that she was not just a cute bunny or a pet, just there because they decided to get an experience of responsibility for their children.  Worst of all was that after work, my fiancé had decided he was going to come get her with his friend for my birthday.  So close it hurts.  I know that there are other bunnies but I really want to feel like I know them before I get one and the weird thing was I only went there to see if they had the right food for a bunny!  I never considered before getting a bunny that day.  I should have and never questioned it, never said I should wait and decide.  I had already decided I was getting a bunny so why not just finish shopping and then get it.  I could have bought everything between the pet stores and walmart even though I do not like any of the owners or the establishments.  Why did I not do that?  I just feel like I failed her and i feel equally as bad because I feel like I failed to find an equally responding rabbit in a shelter because they all deserve to have homes, it is the people who do the above worries that abandon or give away their pets and other horrible things.  I guess all things considered, I am still going to get a rabbit eventually but I just have to wait till I find another one whose personality works well with mine.  Please let the family be more than adequate in the needs of bunnies.  Thank you for reading if anyone did and I cannot fault anyone who has not because it is a horrible thing to think about, kind of like a rabbit scream.  I guess if I just knew the family was okay I would not hurt as much, I just want to know she is living a life of luxury, unfortunately, I know if the family bought her with the cage and food that were part of the sale then it is not quite as luxurious.  Sorry.

[Beka27]

I’m really sorry. I know she wasn’t your bunny yet, but when you feel that bond form, it can be incredibly difficult to get over the pain from losing them.

Unfortunately, pet stores are there to sell pets, they don’t want to hold an animal for someone because they lose money everyday that bunny is in their care.

I would encourage you to look at rescues because they are typically more willing to work with people and may even allow you to go see the bunny a couple different times so you know for sure it is the right one!

[Sarita]

That’s unfortunate! It’s true that pet stores are just there to sell pets and don’t really screen people – hopefully she does end up in a good home though.

I agree about looking at rescues – they may scrutinize more and make you feel out an application before you adopt and don’t let that put you off. They carefully screen because they have the a responsibility to find their rabbits good forever homes.

Hugs to you and I know there is another rabbit out there for you.

[peppypoo]

I’m so sorry that you had to say goodbye to a bunny that you you felt such a connecion to, and even worse for the fact that they were sold as an “Easter bunny”. It already makes me so sad to see Easter bunnies in general…it must be terrible that you lost one who was special to you.

I know you said you’ve been to shelters and just didn’t find a bun you connected with in the same way, but I would encourage you to look again. The baby bunny at the store had a special personality for sure, but just because the bunnies at the shelter didn’t approach you in the same way doesn’t mean they are any different. A lot of the shelter bunnies have been through neglect and abuse, so they are much more wary of people and are just waiting for somebody to open up to. Both my Peppy and Milo were adopted…Peppy is such a sweet little love bunny, slathering everybody in bun kisses all the time; however, it took her a few months to come out of her shell after I adopted her from a family that had lost interest after Easter. Milo on the other hand is still working on it (we adopted him 1.5 months ago).  The first couple of weeks he spent most of his time hiding away in the cage and would only come out for food and would often flinch when we reached for him, but recently he’s even starting jumping up onto the bed when I’m there, looking for cuddles and flopping when I pet him.

[Deleted User]

I know, I recently signed up (well, went to get to know them and their bunnies) to volunteer with hrs this summer because I feel really strongly about helping bunnies in shelters. This is the first year I would have more time becaue I am not a counselor at camps or doing three summer courses. Plus, I finally got my parents to agree, really I just told them I was doing it and that was that, I guess they decided that they were not going to argue. Really, I never had even thought about buying a bunny from a pet store, I want to still find a bunny at the shelter and the only reason I am slightly put off is because every bunny I have felt a bond start to growing with, I keep finding out that they are not great with kids! I do not have any but in five or so years, maybe we might want some because we will be set up and ready. Part of the reason I did not buy Palatine straight out was because she was in a pet store. I am not okay with breeders or pet stores generally but I only just found out this past weekend that I could pick up huge boxes of hay from hrs in my hometown as well as many other supplies. I am still going to go to shelters, this was just one of those almost instantaneous connections which seem rare. I just probably have not worked enough on finding one.

[Sarita]

That’s great you are volunteering with HRS. I think once you are around some of those rabbits you didn’t instantly connect with you may feel different. Don’t let the not great with kids put you off too. I think it’s the child that has to learn to be with a rabbit anyway, not the other way around. And really as far as that goes, you wouldn’t have been able to know how Palatine was with children either…

[Deleted User]

Good point… I never thought of that but I have to say I am not sure I really would want to allow children around a bunny unless I knew that they could act in the right manner so as not to scare, harm, or provoke a bunny. Would not trust any of my cousins except one because of how they act with my parents dog (a toy poodle). We rarely let him out of the laundry room when family is over because of how they treat him. I am honestly surprised with how laid-back he is. The bunnies in the shelter seemed to react okay towards me but I try to be really careful when I first meet one because they have unfamiliar people around all day. Also, I do not want to spoil my chances with them! A volunteer moved this one bunny to a cage in the middle of the row and now he absolutly hates both the volunteer and his fiancee! I have to admit that this does give me more hope. I still just wish I could know if the family were planning or just on a whim. I do not know what good it would do me or her because it is not like there is anything I can do now. I guess if I think about it this way, I can go back and look at the same bunnies because there were a few that if given more time might start to respond to me, like Tyler, if able to trust any humans again, might be nice. He was afraid of not only me but of everyone, they found him in a terrible place. Thank you. Does anyone have a youtube account on how to take care of bunnies yet? I had been tossing that thought around and I just think that more needs to be said for them, I really dislike the easter gift image. Sorry, I am trying to convince myself I should just take this as one more reason to do something and I was going to use my bun as a way of teaching others what I have come to figure out over the period of researching and asking questions and to dispell the non-truths. I do not know if this makes sense becasue I am still really upset, I had just gotten so used to the idea of life with her. Thank you again. Your input really does help to correct my thinking.

[Elrohwen]

I’m so sorry she went home with another family. I do understand how you can form a bond and have an expectation and how much it hurts when the rug is pulled out from under you.

I agree with the others that you will definitely find the right bunny for you! A quick story – I got Otto from a breeder and asked for a male from her litter right after they were born. She told me I would have first pick. Well, the three boys grew up and I looked at all of their pictures and had an order for which ones I wanted (not that it mattered really, since I hadn’t met them, but I still thought about it a lot). When the time came, she kept one, and let someone else pick before me. I ended up with my last choice – the one with the lopsided nose marking who didn’t look as cute in the pictures. You know what? The second I held him and he came home with us, I was head over heels in love. He’s not the friendliest little guy, but he’s so cute and tries hard to please and he’s the bunny love of my life. With my second bun, I thought I’d made a huge mistake and wanted to return her just a day after bringing her home – I didn’t think she was the right bunny for us. Now I love her dearly and she’s such a sweetheart, in addition to being spunky and so funny to watch. I really can’t imagine having any other bunnies than the ones I have, even though it wasn’t necessarily love at first sight.

I guess my point is – no matter which bunny you choose in the end, it will be the right bunny for you and you’ll develop such a bond with it! Good luck.

[Huckleberry]

My heart broke as I read your post. I am truly sorry that you lost that chance.
Hopefully that little baby went to a wonderful home that will care for him//her very very well and he will fill his human’s heart with much needed joy and love! Not all Easter bunnies are mistreated. Mine was basically an Easter bun and I treat her as if she were my child and she has made my life so happy! I hope that thinking of it in those terms might help ease the pain.
Volunteering is a wonderful idea! You will fall in love again, I am sure! and it will be the bunny for you!!!
As for kids and bunnies, I agree that it is the kid that needs to be good with the bunny. Consider this, your bunny will be a little older by the time you have kids and it will be happily bonded to you and your fiance’. It will trust you and love you. You probably wont leave a newborn baby or toddler unattended with a rabbit, since both the baby and rabbit can easily get hurt. You will be able to teach your children from birth how to treat a rabbit carefully.
<<<>>> and prayers go out for you the little one you love.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I just want to say that I bought an “easter” bunny, and bought a store cage, but then I went to another store and bought an xpen, Samson lives in the life of luxury But I could be viewed as you view the person who bought the bunny, since I did similar. Just because it’s an “easter” bunny doesn’t mean there wasn’t any forethought into it, or that someone is a worse bunny owner for it. Just wanted to put that in
I also have 2 toddlers, and I teach them both how to be around the bunny. They aren’t left unattended, and for being 2 and 3, they do really well. They are allowed to pet if he comes up to them, which he does more often than me, actually, and pet with 2 fingers on his back. Anyway, not all kids are living terrors

[Deleted User]

It is good to actually hear from people who got Easter bunnies and care. I know there are people who get Easter bunnies and are knowlegeable beforehand out there but my vision is colored right now because of a bunny I met about four days ago. He is really sweet but he does not trust humans again yet. He was given as an Easter gift to a child and the parents put him in the child’s room. She got bored and put him in her closet. He stayed there for days and the parents were not the ones to question, another child came over to play and found the bunny in the closet without food or water and close to being dead. I was so sad when I heard the story and it just really made an impression. I had never seriously thought people would do that. I do not know why, I take hits like this all the time in my anthropology courses and it takes a couple weeks before I can stop repeatedly thinking about those few people. Just like there is a group who live in an oil spill the size of bp every day. That much oil above ground, spilling every day and the group cannot move, health problems, cannot wear shoes because they do nothing, can hardly scratch a living and no one hears about that but everyone gets all hot and bothered about the bp oil spill. All because the government does not want to pay for the repairs of the pipes or reparations to the people who are forced to live in oil sludge. Sorry, depressing, I just keep wanting for people to stop these types of actions. Lives are lives. So, I am just hyper sensitive right now and I apologize if I offended anyone. My brain cannot always win over my heart, especially not with bunnies because I have loved them since I was a baby. They were what my first stuff animals were and how my room was decorated and I can appreciate how they react to things.

[LoveChaCha]

I have rabbit stuff in my room as well.

It annoys me, and makes me angry as well how rabbits are treated as disposable pets. But here, it is a sanctuary for house rabbit owners

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Kelling go you have any photos of your bunny?

[peppypoo]

Posted By OneTwoThree on 04/29/2011 02:39 PM

I just want to say that I bought an “easter” bunny, and bought a store cage, but then I went to another store and bought an xpen, Samson lives in the life of luxury But I could be viewed as you view the person who bought the bunny, since I did similar. Just because it’s an “easter” bunny doesn’t mean there wasn’t any forethought into it, or that someone is a worse bunny owner for it. Just wanted to put that in
I also have 2 toddlers, and I teach them both how to be around the bunny. They aren’t left unattended, and for being 2 and 3, they do really well. They are allowed to pet if he comes up to them, which he does more often than me, actually, and pet with 2 fingers on his back. Anyway, not all kids are living terrors

I guess we just kind of tend to think in terms of the worst-case scenario…there are undoubtedly responsible Easter bunny owners out there like you, but the sad truth is that far too many bunnies have sadder stories.  A lot of us have experiences with shelters and the inevitable post-Easter dumping, so “Easter bunny” is an automatic negative connotation in our minds.  Thanks for reminding me that there are rational people out there too .
 

[Deleted User]

Posted By LoveChaCha on 04/29/2011 08:13 PM
I have rabbit stuff in my room as well. 

But here, it is a sanctuary for house rabbit owners

I love here, I said somewhere that I am happy I do not have to hear about livestock bunnies or having a pet and keeping the rest for other things… I guess I should not talk about it though since it is banned…so sorry.  I have one picture and only one, it is on my phone as the wallpaper.  I was going to download it when I got home for the summer even though maybe I should not.  I never actually owned the bunny, I had just gotten so used to the idea and have pretty much everything except food because I figured that would be better if I got it at the same time as the bunny.

 

[Deleted User]

Also, I am really happy that two Easter bunny owners reminded me to think more optimistically.  And that I get to talk to others who love buns.  I hope that last message was not too stressful. I feel like I should keep apologizing for sharing something most people probably do not care to hear.

[Huckleberry]

Oh, I just want to hug you right now…
First, you did not offend me in any way, and I am sure you didnt offend OneTwoThree either, for your comments about Easter Buns. I also have a very negative feeling about it and often feel like I should kick myself for getting her the way that I did. Then I think, perhaps I rescued her from a potentially bad home.
Second, no need to apologize. We all know how quickly you fall head over heels madly in love with rabbits because we all did too (am I right everyone?) I know I did! There is something about them that hits your heart and brings that instant love out, especially if you bond with them in any way at all.
So, relax! We are here for you and can’t wait for you to finally meet the bunny you will get to bring home for his/her forever home!!!!!

[Deleted User]

  When I go back to town I am going to try to get to know three bunnies at the shelter a bit better.  When I was there last, they intrigued me and were sweet and shy, though one was just being aloof and not shy…though I kind of thought that was cute too.  I have a month to see if their personalities mesh with mine for two of them because they are an un-sprayed pair of bonded sisters and my name is already on all of their cages as a prospective adopter.  I think they might be okay with me as their owner but I cannot tell.  So I am going to spend a lot of time there, to volunteer as well because until I find a summer job, I want to help as much as possible.  Joy Gioia, who runs the Chesterfield, MO HRS (I think…at least everyone else there says she is in charge) is going to run over all material or help direct me to important topics I am going to post in videos on you-tube for house bunny companions.  I am also thinking that I could do videos for each rabbit and then go back when they are adopted and put on the video that note, the red boxes.  I am hoping that this combats other videos out there that are harmful whether for what information they say is correct or for what they depict.  Like the one video I saw the other day when looking for bunnies doing binkies and had Kung Fu in the title, I already reported it because it was endangering their bunnies!  Three of them too.  I really thought it was going to be about binkies…   So I have hope about finding a bunny companion but I do not think that moving quickly with any of them would be a great idea, they seem a little too shy.  Either way I getting to know them to look forward to.  Also, I just want to think that my almost bunny is in an amazing home now with a four level condo and lots of room to play with yummy hay and tons of things to shred and chew on like balls with bells in them and cardboard boxes to explore and whatever else her bunny heart desires!

[BinkyBunny]

I’m so sorry — your story does make me sad for you. I would feel the same way.  You’ve made me even think about that bunny myself now — I just send off thoughts and hopes that it will be okay and that its new family will love it as much as you do   And that is absolutely possible. You are a good example of that. 

I’m excited for you that you will be going to the House Rabbit Society. My very first bunny I got was from a breeder, and ironically it was the breeder that turned me on to the House Rabbit Society. (even though she thought they were a litttle fanatical at the time, but she said their website was a great resource).  She was very helpful.  Then I started volunteering and realized how many bunnies need homes.

 Many people think that bunnies in shelters must be difficult or have a problem or they want the cuteness of a baby (but shelters have babies too).  And it’s true, shelter bunnies do have problems: their previous owners.   (Now I know, from working and volunteering in shelters that there are life situations — displacement, illness, death of owners etc)  But really, the majority of the shelter bunnies are wonderful little spirts that have just been given up due to the owner not preparing or learning enough and giving the bunny up because it became an inconvenience.  And it’s true that the few months after Easter is when a flood of bunnies come in.  So, for those of us that have spent time in shelters, Easter can be sad.    

Also, when I did Foster, I was amazed how much a bunny could change after just a month or so.  Due to a particular bunny’s past, it may take them a bit more time to warm up.  I know Vivian was much more stand offish (I knew this though when I adopted her) but she really is a gem.  She now will run up to me and ask for pets many times.  She loves affection.  And you certainly wouldn’t know that when you first met her. Some amazing transitions can happen when love and patience are given to them,(something they may have never experienced).  And some bunnies are just like that –part of their personality regardless.  So it’s wonderful that you will give the bunnies at the shelter some time.  That’s the only way to really tell.  

I think with much more awareness, the word is being spread so more people can be educated prior to getting a bunny (whereever they get it) , but it’s still a work in progress

However, with that said, I do not want anyone to feel shamed about where they got their bunny or where they will get their bunny. The important thing here is that people care for their bunnies (or any animal) once they get them.. So though I encourage adoption, I am much  more of a “Care for the Animal You Have” Activist. I know it doesn’t help at the “origin” of some of the animal welfare issues, (and thank goodness for all of the hardworking people that focus there!)  but little bit by little bit, and with alot of patience and empathy, if we can help each other to solve problems and deal with challenges, that otherwise might make someone rethink their choice, then we all can play an important role in animal welfare.

 

[Deleted User]

Posted By BB on 04/30/2011 10:23 PM

I think with much more awareness, the word is being spread so more people can be educated prior to getting a bunny (wherever they get it) , but it’s still a work in progress

However, with that said, I do not want anyone to feel ashamed about where they got their bunny or where they will get their bunny. The important thing here is that people care for their bunnies (or any animal) once they get them.. So though I encourage adoption, I am much  more of a “Care for the Animal You Have” Activist. I know it doesn’t help at the “origin” of some of the animal welfare issues, (and thank goodness for all of the hardworking people that focus there!)  but little bit by little bit, and with a lot of patience and empathy, if we can help each other to solve problems and deal with challenges, that otherwise might make someone rethink their choice, then we all can play an important role in animal welfare.

 

I absolutely agree!  Though I have to say that I am not okay with one if the pet shops here…not because of what happened but because the bunny they have right now has an eye infection of some sort most likely and the few times I have been there, there was no fecal matter anywhere, not in the litter box nor the cage.  Also, even though there are toys, the bunny does not play at all and it is not eating the hay it has.  I know they are treating it for a wound on the ear that goes all the way through (they said her mother bit her), I just worry.  I saw the same thing in a previous rabbit, which is why I do.  But I do want to help bunnies in shelters and homes.  Shelters because I know I can find them, I am new to this aspect of the bunny community.  When I learned about fostering and volunteering in shelters during high school, I was strictly not allowed.  My parents did not like that I drove for an hour for racquet ball matches and even if the shelter is maybe less than 13 minutes away, it would have been driving more. 

I just realized that the smiley face I was using as sad means angry… and there is no shrug.  Well I would put a shrug here, the past is what it is and all things continue to live even if they think life will stop or they freeze themselves due to a traumatic experience. 

So I really agree with more awareness being the key which is why I would like to be able to make the videos for the bunnies and the humans who own each other.  Then maybe the actions in the above mentioned video would not happen.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Isn’t it a good thing that there isn’t poop everywhere??
And from what I’ve seen so far, bunnies are like, 90 percent chill and then 10 percent play. They are also morning and evening animals, (forgot what its called) so general store hours would be like night time or nap time for bunnies. And at least they are treating the bun, it really could be worse.

[Deleted User]

I know it could be worse and I am not saying there should be poop every where. There just is not anything…I mean that the cage is a hundred percent clean…all of the time… and almost all of the toys have not been moved in days like the bun avoids them. The only one I have seen move is the stuffed pyramid that has been there for past bunnies and probably has their scent on it. There is no way that a person who spent all of the time in the store could keep up with every animal enough to keep one cage completly clean as well as not having to change the newspaper underneath, same newspaper too. I mean the guine pigs sometimes have waste in their cages and the birds do too and those are just the ones near the bunny. Either way, I stated I was just worried, I do not know the owners of the store and it could be that they are more inclined to help the bunny out. The worry is just based off past things I have noticed. Who knows, maybe they spend time with the animals when no one is in the store too. I just wish that the discharge from the eye would be taken care of because that worries me. I know I am most likely wrong that is most probable because I do not know everything. I just seem to be worrying.

[Tate]

Did you try talking to an employee/manager?

[Deleted User]

Yes, they do not think that it is an issue. The bunny has not had a health checkup or been spayed. They told me that the bunny is fine and just came in that way. Said it just needed for the ear to heal completly and then it would feel fine.

[Author]

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