I heard the dreaded bunny scream

[LizzieKnittyBun]

I was taking out the recycling, and I left an almost-finished mitten that I was knitting on the couch.  Usually in the evenings, Momo jumps on the couch to play with me, and when I came back inside she was on the couch. 

When she jumped off, she somehow got a piece of yarn wound around her foot, and when she realized it she panicked and started running around the room trying to get away from it.  She was trailing the yarn, the mitten, the needles…

As she ran around the room, the yarn got wound around everything, including the coffee table.  It finally got stuck and it pulled her back hard as she was running.  She started screaming.  It was one of the most horrible sounds I’ve ever heard.  By some divine intervention some scissors were on the coffee table and I grabbed them and snipped off the yarn behind her so she could get away.  

She went to hide under another table, and once I saw that she was safe I had an absolutely full-on panic attack, complete with sobs, hyperventilating, shaking, the works.  Stan ran and got me a xanax and picked up the yarn around the room.  Then he helped me get the little bit of yarn left off of Momo’s leg.  We inspected her and she’s fine: no injuries and, it seems, no pain.  She thumped a few times and is now acting normally, hopping around the room as usual.  Remy is nowhere to be found.  He’s probably hiding under the couch.

Anyway, the bunny scream is every bit as horrible as you might imagine.  Hearing it coming from my baby girl put me into racking sobs.  I’m just trying to calm down now and breathe normally.

[Monkeybun]

OMG I’m glad she is okay! I hope to never hear the bunny scream… I’m sure I’d ahev the same reaction as you

Hugs from me and S&M&M. Go snuggle with your babies!

[LizzieKnittyBun]

They’re both out now, hopping around the room like normal. Momo even licked my nose.

What a horrible experience. I hope none of you ever have to hear that.

[Lintini]

OH wow I am glad she’s okay and you too! I hope I don’t ever hear it either I would also have the same reaction I’m sure.

[bunnymum16]

ive heard my first bunny scream before.it was heartbreaking.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Just the thought of her being so terrified was too much for me. She wasn’t hurt, which is a profound relief, but the fact that she had so much fear is horrifying to me.

Of course now she’s acting like nothing happened, and even got back on the couch and started nibbling on me again O_o

[Monkeybun]

She’s saying “It’s OK Mum. I is fine.”

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Meanwhile, I’m still trying to keep my heart rate at a reasonable level…

[Sarita]

Oh, I’m glad Momo is okay. I’m sure she was panicked.

[babybunsmum]

oh nooo!!! how horrible

knowing that she’s okay, i think i feel more sorry for you than momo! deep breaths. your heart rate will eventually return to normal.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Phew!

Well, my heart rate is back to normal, even though I only got about 5 hours of sleep. Momo is totally fine, of course. I went to sleep insanely late after making sure she was zooming around and eating like a little piglet (normal behavior).

The infamous mitten is finished! Momo even tried to reach up and grab the yarn ends. I was like, “Don’t we know better than that, Doofus Brains?”

It’s insane how much I love them.

[peepi&warri]

I heard Peepi scream recently… I responded pretty much the same way you did

[mrmac]

That scream is awful isn’t it?! Just awful. I have heard Dexter scream before, when Delilah pounced on him when he was a baby. I felt sooo terrible that that was his first interaction with another rabbit was being pinned down and screaming! Hugs to you, just breathe! of course Momo is totally fine!

[Deleted User]

There is another sound that is so unnerving: the squeal. Neigey squeals and also squeaks. He must be part piglet.

[bunnytowne]

I have heard that scream a few times.   Heartbreaking.   I felt so terrible        I can understand why you were so upset.   Phew.   Glad thats over and Momo is fine now.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

I’ve been trying not to remember it, although it’s a little difficult. Makes me shiver even to think about it…

Sometimes Remy does soft little grunts when he’s grooming himself, lol

[Elrohwen]

I’m so glad she’s ok! I can’t even imagine how horrible that must have been 🙁

[MirBear]

oh how i know that feeling, i dont have a fence seperating my yard from my neihbor’s yard, and their dog isnt trained very well so he doesnt come when called, and if i have the bunnies out and he’s out he likes to chase them.. the first time i had the bunns on leashes tied up in the back yard and he came over, both bunnies walked up and sniffed him, and he pounced on them and made them both scream. my girls were not afraid of dogs untill now. my neihbors cant controll their dog, and if the bunnies are out and tied up he chases them, hersheys broken most of my leashes (itty bitty bunneh, breaks big strong dog leashes by pulling to hard.) So now when ever their out, they are never tied up, they free roam in the backyard with the doors to the garage and their x-pens open. the dog is to slow to catch them enven when their on leashes.. and being outside is the only excersize they get. it is a very Stupid dog, i hate hurting and animal, but when he’s chasing the bunnies i can always count on grabbing the skin on the back of his neck to stop him. back to the topic.. if seeing him pounce on them didnt scare me that bad, both of my babies screaming at once sure would of. its the worst sound ever, and i’m truly sorry that you had to go through that.

[MirBear]

(for those newer members, my rabbits are not allowed inside my house, they live in x-pens in a fully enclosed and insulated garage, they are also calm on leashes, leashes and harnesses are NOT recomended for ANY rabbit as rabbits easily freak out and it wouldnt take much for them to break their backs while on a leash. please do NOT use harnesses or leashes, and if you do, PLEASE try get your rabbits used to the harness and leashes INSIDE your home.)

[mocha200]

Oh how awful! I herd mocha do it once :'( When he used to live outside, I was carrying him from his play pen to his cage and he got scared when he was in my arms and squealed ( i don’t think it was a scream though) and jump out of my arms. poor boy! I am glade you are safe in the house!

[bunnytowne]

I hear you I would want to strangle that dumb dog too.  

[Michelle&Lolli]

Oh! Poor Momo and you! I would’ve freaked too and then burst into tears. Heck, I almost start crying when they just get freaked out and start thumping sometimes. lol

I have never heard “the scream” and am terrified of hearing it. Just the thought of it makes me want to cry. Glad that everything seems calm now! They recover so much faster than us. lol

[LizzieKnittyBun]

bunbuns1, lol, they really do… minutes later she was eating treats and vegetables and I was still a complete wreck!

[Monkeybun]

MirBear, I would keep the bunnies in their xpens in the garage when the dog is out. You never know what could happen if it DOES catch a bun one day. Better safe than sorry.

[jerseygirl]

Oh Lizzie! (((Hugs))) to you *feel-better-rubs-on-back*  edit: Thank goodness for Stan too hey!
Nose rubs for Momo. Nose rubs for Remy too because he’s so darn cute!

Do you know, I’m grateful that neither of your rabbits did this when you had the accident. *shivers*

Animals seem to live in the moment. I need to learn how to do that!
 

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Y’know Jersey, I was just thinking that yesterday… I’m surprised they didn’t, but I’m insanely grateful they didn’t. That would have just added to the trauma of the experience.

Thankfully, I started driving on my own about two months ago, and I’m doing it more and more : D

It sounds a little silly, but I’ve been so proud of myself, especially whenever I go somewhere new, even if it’s close to us.

[jerseygirl]

It is significant, getting past a fear block like that. Good for you!

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Thank you! Stan’s really proud of me. Plus, now he doesn’t have to do all the grocery shopping, lol

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Oh, on that note, I gotta say that I’m insanely lucky. Stan did everything for me while I couldn’t drive. He never pressured me, pushed me, or complained when I wasn’t able to, and he gave me as much time as I needed. I know most people aren’t that fortunate when they go through PTSD like that.

So yay!

<3

[Monkeybun]

Speaking of… you ever gonna change your location that is under your name there?

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Oh… good call.

lol

[LizzieKnittyBun]

At the risk of sounding like a doofus… where do I do this? I was under “edit profile” and didn’t see anything!

Dur…

[RabbitPam]

Aside to Mirbear: While I appreciate your second reply regarding the hazards of leashes and harnesses, I am pretty astonished at your description of your bunnies’ living situation outside in relation to dogs in the neighborhood.

It is not a stupid dog who chooses to attack or just chase rabbits. It is dogs doing what they do best, deeply ingrained genetically. And even if you catch him every time and are careful, with an escape hatch for your bunnies to get safe, it still gives the bunnies an existence filled with fear of being attacked by a predator at any moment. And baffling frustration and punishment for the dog as well. I cannot tell you how to arrange your situation any better for your bunnies, but I can ask that other members reconsider a set up where a dog, or any other potential predator, is around to threaten or frighten your pet bunny. We are a House Rabbit website because we advocate that the best possible arrangement for a full and happy life for your bunny, and for you with them, is indoors or in a fully protected habitat. I’m sorry if I hurt you, Mirbear, but I just cannot condone the circumstance you describe without this caution to others.

[jerseygirl]

Lizzie, that is under “My Forum Settings”. btw, there was a member who has recently moved to your neck of the woods who posted looking for a rabbit vet. Did you happen to see that?

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Oh! I didn’t! I’ll go look for it. There is a *wonderful* vet here.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Actually, is there any way to link the thread to me?

: D

[jerseygirl]

Umm….mmm…. I don’t know if that would be possible.  Sounds very complicated. 

 Oh wait….wait.  LOOK DOWN THERE!  

https://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/a…fault.aspx

apologies…it’s late over here.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

LOL

You’re adorable.

[jerseygirl]

I’m bored more likely. I have a tendancy to play with the smilies then.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

You’re both = D

[Sarita]

Mirbear are you saying you tie your rabbits up when they are on leashes? I understand your situation with the rabbits having to be outside but tying them up on the leash is asking for a broken back…don’t do that!

[MirBear]

RP: thank you, i didn’t even think to post a warning against dogs. I figure people would have sense enough not to leave rabbits with loose dogs.

Monkey: I’m always out before them, nobody even warns me that their letting the dog out.. :\

Sarita: they are normally on leashes and the leashes are on stakes in the ground, they’ve both been on leashes for almost 2 years now.

[Sarita]

Mirbear, it’s still very risky – rabbits aren’t dogs and are not meant to be leashed on stakes in the ground (not that dogs are either) – they could easily break their back. You’ve just been extremely lucky but it’s a very bad practice.

[RabbitPam]

Sarita’s right. It’s not easy setting up a lifestyle with rabbits. Dogs and cats are such common pets that it’s as if they are on opposite ends of the spectrum, with dogs leashed and requiring outdoor relief and activity, and cats being totally loose indoor and out and requiring very little, and bunnies just land somewhere in between. Takes a lot of learning and getting used to the differences.

[Sarita]

Also having your rabbits on leashes and tied to a stake means there is no way for them to get away from a predator…they won’t have any chance at all.

[MirBear]

stake is the only way to describe these in one word, its a long thin rod in the ground with a hook on it, the hooks are shallow enough that it holds the leash, but the bunnies can pull the leashes off the hooks by giving a little tug, but they arnt ever on their leashes anymore so leashes are no longer a concern, when their outside they are free-range

[skibunny8503]

I can’t put 2 of mine on leashes because it’s just so hard to get them on, so I got an x-pen to put them in. My other one (Sandy) can go in a leash but one time she heard a school bus screech and she ran like a bat out of you know what and I could have easily lost them. So now I know not to let her out when school lets out.

[BinkyBunny]

I’m sorry, I am coming to this a bit late and I may have missed something through my catching up –
Lizzieknittybun – So glad everything turned out fine. The scream is frightening. I’m glad you are BOTH okay now. Hugs to you

Mirbear, are you saying that the set-up you have for bunny exercise time is that they are free range when they are outside, and though the neighbors dog may still chase them, the only reason he doesn’t catch them is because he is too slow and you can catch the dog? IF I am understanding that right, I do hope you are able to find a safer solution.

I wouldn’t rely too heavily on what is working currently due to how risky it is. It’s like someone saying, I haven’t worn a seatbelt in my car for a couple of years; I am just a careful driver and have never been hurt. I would hate for something horrible to happen as I know you would be heartbroken. If you don’t have a fence, then that means other animals could come into the yard too (stray dog or ??), not sure if you have birds of prey around — but hawks are dangerous too. But even without any of that–having to watch the dog, then catch the dog even if he’s slow is just an accident waiting to happen. I mean, if they bunnies run up to him, and he runs to them… that’s a pretty quick meeting.

Isn’t there any other way? Is anyone handy in your family that can create some sort of barrier?

[MirBear]

theres only a little pathway that they can go through the rest is fenced. however, our garage is only about a foot from their property, so my neihbor wants to just run a fence up from the garage.. my mom wont let him do that. she thinks that they deliberatly let the dog run so my mom will give in.. i dont think so. my mom absolutly refuses to give anymore space to the bunnies so a barrier is out of the question. and it was the first time they met, since hershey LOVES dogs ( or did..) and twix follows hershey’s lead, they went up to the dog, he sniffed then the pounced on them in play, since that both bunnies hide or run when they see him.. usually by the time he notices their out i’ve grabbed at least one of them if not both, only 3 times has he caught me off guard.

[Monkeybun]

3 times is too many.

[LizzieKnittyBun]

Is your garage big enough that your buns can play in there instead, away from the dog and any other flying or running predators in the area? Feral cats could be a danger to your buns, as well as hawks and other birds.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Poor Momo! And you! That is on my list of things I hope I never experience in my lifetime, especially by my own bunnies. My bf works with a bunch of hillbilly hunters and one of them brought an animal call thing to work and Ricky listened to the “rabbit scream” and he said it made him feel really bad because he loves our bunnies so much. I keep trying to get him to wear one of my “Animal Rights” shirts to work but he won’t. His boss hunts deer and bear and then brings them to work to show everyone. Sick. My man is the odd guy at work because he doesn’t kill things on weekends. A bit off topic, sorry

[MirBear]

LKB, theres too much stuff in the garage for them to play in there, and even if there wasnt, my mom doesnt want them out in the garage.

[alexa]

I heard my first bunny scream while my first rabbit was seizing. He died in my arms screaming like that. It was the worst thing I have ever experienced.

[Author]

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