Introducing…. Dirty Harry!

[Morgan Bun]

So, this guy has been on my “waiting list” to come here for a couple weeks…. I was approached by his owner to take him because her daughter was getting out of 4H, and this guy was a leftover baby from last season. I said I’d take him but one of my guys had to get adopted first. Since Morgan went to his new home last week, I told them I had room for him, and he was delivered here on Sunday.

He was nervous at first but curious. He’s definitely eating/drinking/pooping ok. He has a litterbox but of course doesn’t know what to do with it yet. Going from outdoor hutch rabbit to indoor bun, I don’t expect miracles.

But this morning, he went crazyrabbit on me when I attempted to clean his cage and food/water him. He was lunging, growling, stomping, and biting. He made contact with me once, but luckily it was through my sweatshirt, so it only pinched a little.

I’m hoping he’ll settle down and not be so aggressive with time, cuz nobody wants a crazy bitey rabbit. He’s scheduled to be neutered next weekend.

Here’s Dirty Harry….

[Sarita]

Awww…he’s beautiful.

[RabbitPam]

Glad you’ve gotten another bunny already.
He’s lovely. Of course, you invaded his turf, which is why most of us do the cleaning while our bunnies are out playing, but it’s not possible in your case.

Going to recommend gloves, and maybe a treat, like an apple slice, to give him as you first go into his cage to do the chores. He will growl and snarl and lunge (even Sammy still does at times) so really you want to stop the biting first. Give a loud, high pitched squeal every time he makes contact with his teeth. That tells him in bunny language that he’s hurt you. He should back down. Also, try to pet him and talk low and soothingly to him as you work. It’s all new and scary, even you, but he may learn you’re the good guy very soon. Especially if he has a nice house and good food every time you’re done in there!

[LoveChaCha]

He reminds me of a Former Forum Leaders bunny, Lint. I expect more pictures of this Harry

[Morgan Bun]

Sarita…. I love black bunnies. Especially rexes.

RabbitPam…. I’m going to try getting him out to clean his cage tomorrow. The room is “somewhat” rabbit proof…. I wouldn’t leave him unsupervised, but a quick room exploration while I clean out the cage should be fine for him. And treats! I like the idea of giving him treats too. And trust me, he bites me….I squeal. lol

LoveChaCha…. I love the name Lint! And trust me…..there WILL be pictures….. 😀

[Pandorachik]

Aw my Lord…*clears throat* Excuse me…-goes to the bathroom- *Everyone hears screaming of joy*…Ahem…(Says “formally”) He’s beautiful.

LOL, anyway, I absolutely LOVE rexes! He looks to have such plush fur! *Tries to reach thru screen, but gives up cause I can’t reach it.*
Eerrgg!!! So beautiful… have…to…touch!!!! Grr…

[bunnyfriend]

Awhhh he is handsome!

He is lucky to be in your care! I’m sure you’ll turn him into a well mannered, friendly bun

[Michelle&Lolli]

OMG! It’s a BOY Lolli! LOL He’s so handsome!

[LittlePuffyTail]

He’s so beautiful. He looks exactly like a rabbit I fell in love with at the shelter where I used to volunteer.

[Beka27]

He’s beautiful. I adore rexes.

[FlemishBlueBunny]

Such a handsome boy!!

[Morgan Bun]

Dirty Harry didn’t want to come out this morning so I had to risk my limbs to feed/water him…. lol. He was pretty good, came over calmly to smell me, so I dared a headpat, and he karate chopped me and grunted. o.O He didn’t bite, but I don’t know if that’s cuz he didn’t try or because I was faster. lol

But this evening, I went in to clean cages and scoop litterboxes…. he came bouncing out of the cage, and was pal-ing around with my dog, checking out the surroundings. I left him out til he decided he was done, (an hour or so) then he put himself back in his cage, and I closed up the cage and gave him his pellets. 🙂 While he was out, he seemed rather personable….. let me pet him, and hopped around my legs a few times. I think his rabid personality on morning #1 was mostly fear. 🙂

[bellemarie]

He’s very cute and looks to soft! I’m sure he’ll get more friendly – he’s probably just nervous!

[Morgan Bun]

Dirty Harry showed me who’s boss today. Just wanted to refresh his water…..All I wanted to do.

He bit me pretty good on the arm. It’s a really pretty purpley-bluey color, with red teeth marks at both ends.

Bad bunny. Bad, bad Dirty Harry. 🙂

[bunnyfriend]

Posted By Morgan Bun on 03/13/2012 03:14 PM
Dirty Harry didn’t want to come out this morning so I had to risk my limbs to feed/water him…. lol. He was pretty good, came over calmly to smell me, so I dared a headpat, and he karate chopped me and grunted. o.O He didn’t bite, but I don’t know if that’s cuz he didn’t try or because I was faster. lol

Bahahhah this made me laugh  

[LittlePuffyTail]

I think he needs a more beautiful name.

[Morgan Bun]

Aw LittlePuffyTail, but Dirty Harry fits him so well!

He started out as just Harry. But I added the Dirty after getting to know him a little better. I have a few other names for him, though, that aren’t “forum-appropriate” when he bites me. 😉

Silly rabbit.

[Ciel]

Dirty Harry’s fur and eyes are beautiful! <3

[Rei]

What a gorgeous rabbit!! I love black bunnies they are so beautiful!!

[Morgan Bun]

Dirty Harry has less than 24 hours to say his goodbyes to his cottonballs. Neuter day is Sunday. Teach him to bite me. 😉

I’ve warned the vet staff that he can/does bite, was a little concerned they wouldn’t be willing to do him, but they seem ok with it. Hope he doesn’t give them too much of a fight….. I might not be welcome back. lol.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Dirty Harry has less than 24 hours to say his goodbyes to his cottonballs

OMG, that made me laugh! Cottonballs! Tee hee!

You behave yourself, Harry! It’s for your own good!

[Morgan Bun]

I ran into DirtyHarry’s previous owner (the dad half) today at Walmart (gotta love small town living) and in conversation he let it slip that ol’Dirty has been a biter for some time.  That the daughter (the one that was breeding for 4H) had a difficult time with daily care because he was charging her and biting.  Of course, they failed to mention this to me when they were asking me to take him.

Had I known it, I’d probably still have taken him, but it should have been my decision and not intentionally left out when discussing him. This is why so many animals get tossed from home to home…. their owners aren’t honest about their personalities/quirks when they get rid of them. Had they sold this rabbit as a pet for a child, I doubt he’d have lasted more than a day or two in his new home before he was being shipped off to another unsuspecting family.

Anyway, today my son’s friend came over, his Mom wanted to meet the rabbit, she has one and is looking for another. I don’t see this situation working out, but I took her to see him anyway. Warned her that he’s a little unpredictable, and I reached in expecting a bite, and instead he let me pet him, picked him up, brought him out of the cage, and she petted him.  I don’t know whats goin on in that little brain of his sometimes. lol But I guess I should be happy.

 

[LittlePuffyTail]

I think a lot of rabbits will eventually calm down the aggression once they are in a home they trust. When I got Olivia she was an adult bunny from a pet store, kept in a tiny glass tank where she could barely move and had been bought and then brought back. She was extremely territorial and always biting my hands when I was in her space. She got the nickname “the Honker” because she was always standing up, honking, with her little hands out, ready to pummel the snot out of anyone in her territory. It took almost a year but she started to calm down and now, 3 years or so later, she’s a very lovey, sometimes even cuddly bunny.

Maybe Harry will be won over with trust and kindess too. Just be patient with him and make sure the next home he goes to is aware they will have to earn his trust and love and it will take time. Maybe a year or more.

[BootsMum]

Aww what a beautiful bunny!!!

[Morgan Bun]

Dirty Harry is neutered and home! He’s doin’ really well, eating/drinking, biting the dog, growling and lunging at me….. he’s back to his normal self, it seems. The vet recommended an e-collar for him, which surprises me cuz I’ve had 5 other buns done in the past couple years by them and they’ve never recommended one for any other rabbit. He doesn’t seem to be bothering his incision so I’m opting not to use an e-collar unless he does start to bother it.

Giving his metacam to him (which I typically only use for the first day or two, if at all, depending on the rabbit) was an experience and a half. What a nightmare! He’s gotta be a fight with everything, it seems. Bad Dirty Harry. 🙂

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