Hi from the PacNW

[piperknitsRN]

Hi:

I just acquired my Holland lop (a broken chestnut tort, if I’m correct on the coloring) about a week and a half ago.  I named her Olive.  She’s eleven and a half weeks old, and goes for her first well-bunny exam next week.  Since she is still a baby bunny, she is quite sweet and so far (knock on wood) non-destructive (well, as non-destructive as bunnies can get, any way).  During the day , she enjoys lounging in her cardboard box in her X-pen set up in the kitchen, or in her large kitty pan litterbox (it’s huge, but she really likes it.  I feed her Oxbow timothy hay pellets and timothy hay.  I plan to have her spayed when the vet ok’s it for her.  She gets about 2-4 hours of free range time during the day, mostly around the living room and hallway, and it’s pure joy to watch her run her Bunny 500’s and binky around when she does, or stretch out lazily on the floor when she’s done.

I decided to get Olive because I live in a triplex in the PacNW, and walking a dog in the rain for 9 months out of the year isn’t so much fun.  Plus, I’m going back to school in the fall, and wanted a pet I could litter train (Oiive has been successful since day one) and not have to worry about rushing home to make sure she could get outside on time.  Those were the practical considerations.  I also wanted a quiet, charming friend.  I love bunnies because you have to meet them on their terms, not yours, but when you do, the joys of living with a houserabbit are exponential.

Olive is not my first houserabbit.  My first houserabbit was also a small Holland lop (pure white with silver around her face) named Flip-flop, so named because of her proclivity to flip over on her side, cross her front paws, and completely zonk-out, ‘dead bunny style.”  She was an absolute pip–somewhat on the destructive side (home re-decorating to the tune of baseboards, carpets, the underside of my bed, and the list goes on) but smarter than a whip and very cheeky.  I also had her spayed and never really went through the “troubled teens” with her–she liked a house project, but she was never aggressive.  I used to love how she’d come up to the door of her cage and beg for food and to let her out, and she used to like to boss my older dog around (and he was a Westie, a breed known for prey-drive–although I think he was missing that gene!)  It was hilarious to watch them. 

Olive seems somewhat more reserved, and I can’t tell if it’s because she’s still young, or if she just has a different personality than Flip-flop.  Charming as Flip-flop was, I wouldn’t mind getting a laid back rabbit who wasn’t interested in constatly reconfiguring my house and possessions to her exacting specifications. 

 

Best,

 

Jamie

 

 

[jerseygirl]

Welcome! 

I wondered as I began reading if Olive was not your first. You seemed to know bunnies along with that particluar brand of bunny busy-ness!

I hope Olive gives you as much joy but less worry as your Flip-Flop.

[piperknitsRN]

Hi;  Me too, although today Olive seems to have invoked the spirit of Flip-flop and started nipping/pulling at the carpet with her sharp bunny teeth.  I knew it was too good to last!  Bad bunneh then had to be removed to her X pen for some time out.  Quite honestly, she’s a bit of a funny bunny (aren’t they all?)   Even with the door open to her X pen, she doesn’t seem to like to venture out much on her own (I’ve only had her do this once).  I leave it open when I’m out to supervise, but she rarely goes near the open door.  I’d like her to have some more exercise, frankly, I guess it’s up to her.  Sometimes I just pick her litter pan up with her in it (the thing’s huge) and that’s how I get her out of the X pen.  She may also not like the slippery footing of the kitchen’s linoleum–I’ve got a blanket in her X pen so she doesn’t have to slide around.  Or, she just might be a homebody, who knows.

 

Best,

 

jamie in the PacNW

[LoveChaCha]

Hi there and welcome

I live in the Pacific NW also hehe

Your bunny sounds like a buncha love Yay

[Monkeybun]

Yay for another NWer! Welcome to BB!

[piperknitsRN]

Thanks!  Where in Washington state do you live?  I’m in Seattle!

[Monkeybun]

I’m in the Portland Area Oregon ftw!

[piperknitsRN]

Awesome, Monkeybun!

[LoveChaCha]

OMG, REALLY? I live in Federal Way!!!!!!!!! SO AWESOME

[piperknitsRN]

Yeah, seriously!  What vet do you use?  I’m using “Dr. Dan” from the Bird and Exotic Clinic in Seattle since it is so close to me, but I wish I could find a cheaper clinic. 

[Tate]

Here is a list of vets in Washington that are good with rabbits: http://www.rabbitmeadows.org/shelter/vets.asp?animal=1
I have seen 3 vets in WA: Dr. Van (who is listed on that website)… He is in Issaquah and works for a VCA which surprised me. He seemed like a good doctor and the appointment was $70 and the meds I got were $15 I think. Just make sure you ask for him specifically.
The other one that I seriously recommend for surgeries, although he is far, is Dr. O’Rourke from Animal Care Center. It’s in Mt. Vernon but he is SUCH a nice guy. His spays and neuters are really cheap too… $65 for a neuter and I think $75 for the spay.
I live in Pullman so I generally go to the WSU vet… Definitely not worth the trip.

[piperknitsRN]

Thanks Tate!

[Jend013]

Welcome! I read your comment about the linoleum. I have two bunnies – one will cross the linoleum in the kitchen to get to the other rooms, the other one won’t touch it!

[piperknitsRN]

Jend:  Finicky little buggers, aren’t they? 

[armynurse]

haha…hey you PAC northwesters. I’m in Tacoma. Welcome Jamie! Nice to have ya…and your little fuzz balls too! Btw, not sure how far you are willing to drive for a vet, but my vet here in tacoma, Dr. Jones at Jones Veterinary Clinic is absolutly AWESOME. He’s taken care of both my buns when they were deathly ill and they’re 100% better now.

[Author]

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