Marathoning

[theshrew24]

I have finally taken the plunge to do a marathon bonding weekend – yay! It is MLK weekend, so even though bonding did not begin until Saturday afternoon, we have the next 50+ hours to be together.

As we have already done several hours-long sessions in my room with no issues, I have picked up a lot of the clutter and set up some bunny toys that I did not trust them with before (namely, a box I have turned into a hidey-hole that puts them in close proximity to each other but difficult for me to reach them). Albus is taking out all the nibbling/digging paper (*sigh*) and Wally is getting up to his normal mischief (no, you may not get into my underwear drawer!).

Both seem really happy with the current situation, and I have to say, I am very happy and relieved with it as well. I felt so guilty and frustrated trying to schedule feedings, bonding, and individual playtime in between work and school; it is so nice being able to just let both out at the same time. I am no longer worrying about markings of territory (though I think Wally’s potty training was lacking, so I am reinforcing the idea of ALL goings happen in the indicated boxes, not just in any old corner).

There are still times where I cannot be sure if Wally is bullying Albus or just trying to have fun. I think it is a mix of both; not being able to play leads to frustration, which he turns into bullying. A little while ago, I thought Wally was chasing Albus, and I was going to calm things down until I saw Albus do this gigantic binky, followed by a crash into their hidey box. Close behind was Wally, who did a ginormous binky, followed by crashing into Albus in their hidey box. I had to smile at that. Knowing that two months ago they would have viciously fought in this amount of space and seeing them playing with each other now – it’s just a wonderful, liberating feeling.

I have decided to leave their individual cages up for now. I am going to make the shared condo so that we can do intervals tonight of individual cages and shared condo to minimize shock/surprise – namely, change.

Albus just flopped! Wally went to go lie out right next to Albus, who got up, turned around, and flopped. I am still seeing some humping attempts from  Wally, which Albus tolerates from time to time, but while it definitely looks assertive, it does not look aggressive. Of course, I am catching a lot more of this cute “let’s cuddle” business.

[theshrew24]

As we move into hour 6, I feel it is time for an update. I have let them romp around my room as they please but have left their cages as is. I do not think they are ready for one shared, closed space.

There have been no fights, but there is still quite a bit of bullying on the part of Wally. I think he also is developing a bad case of jealousy, because every time Albus asks for pets, Wally comes bounding over. I think he also wants to bond with me, which up until recently we have not really had a chance to do. It is really interesting, and I am trying to come up with different ways to have a few moment with both of them and then each one individually.

They spend 3-6min lying peacefully side by side before someone moves and everything gets disrupted. Wally buzzes and chases Albus. They lie down separately. Calm. Wally gets up and shoves Albus, who promptly moves, usually tailed closely by Wally. Repeat process.

It’s a strange dynamic. I feel like we are at the part where I really just need to push forward and get through this final step. I am hoping and crossing all my fingers that I am reading this right, that we are not going to go backwards from here.

A the moment, they are both in Albus’ cage, side by side, munching on hay.

[LBJ10]

From what you have described, I really don’t see any reason to worry. They will probably spend some time working the kinks out of their relationship. Hopefully Wally will realize at some point that Albus isn’t as enthusiastic about playing and chasing.

[LBJ10]

At some point you will just need to take the plunge and have them together overnight.

[theshrew24]

I think you are right.

So we reached hour 10. At the moment, Wally is…I would say desperate, in his wanting to get close to Albus. Minimal bullying now, it’s just a lot of, “I want to lie down next to you!”

By this point, they have spent close to a week being out in this previously-not-neutral space for long hours together, and the last time I had to break up a fight was…maybe a week and a half ago? Definitely more than a week ago. Either way, it is so nice to be able to do work, laundry, go to the bathroom, even cook while these guys are out.

Albus still will not groom Wally, which is a little disheartening, considering how much Wally seems to desire affection. I do think we are almost there, though. Tomorrow night will be the big test!

[theshrew24]

So, as luck would have it, life happened and I was not able to do a full session of evening playtime, going to be together, and then breakfast and morning playtime together. I am still seeing a bit of bullying from Wally, so I am not comfortable leaving them alone together unsupervised, but we will be spending tonight together. I have fixed the shared enclosure into a more suitable shape, so we are going to be giving this a try.

Poor Wally loved playing, lounging, and kissing Albus, who refuses to groom him back. There was one occasion where Albus did seek Wally out to lounge because Wally was [surprisingly] very calm. Most of the time, though, Wally is a ball of energy, and Albus is not about that.

We are not fully bonded, but we are very very close.

[LBJ10]

You can sleep near them while you have them together overnight. That way you can intervene if necessary.

[theshrew24]

UPDATE: My boys are pretty much bonded. I still see a fair amount of mounting (usually because Wally gets frustrated that Albus is not an energetic playmate nor affectionate), so I do not leave them alone together during the day, but we are almost there. I just wanted to share a difference in behaviour between these two. It is very cute and I would not trade it for the world, even though it means more trouble for me.

My boys used to tattle on each other when the other one was getting himself into trouble. One would hop over to me, give me nose shoves, binky, and otherwise bring attention to himself if the other was doing one of several things they are not allowed to do (like hopping on my bed or sneaking into my bathroom or weaseling into my sock/undergarment drawers).

NOW, one of them will try to be cute. I get little nose bumps, licks, etc., and when I look around to check on the other one, he has gotten himself into mischief! The last time I reprimanded Wally, Albus nipped me, and the last time I reprimanded Albus, Wally started stomping and grunting at me. And they *always* snuggle after I catch one of them being “bad”. They have also mastered the “I have absolutely no idea what happened, Mom, but it wasn’t me” look – both of them.

Double trouble.

I do sigh in exasperation at times, but this has to mean that they are taking well to each other and enjoy each other’s company. Brothers at long last!

[LBJ10]

Yes, it certainly sounds like they are accepting each other and even looking out for each other.

[theshrew24]

Brilliant!

Also, I reorganized their shared enclosure. They were never calm during the night so we have yet to spend an entire night together. So far, so good. Both of them have checked out their new cage, have eaten and drunken some water and are now just lounging. Everyone just seems very, very relaxed, something that was lacking the last time I tried doing this.

Here is to getting through the night and me getting a full night’s sleep!

[theshrew24]

So, we spent the night together. The problem is, I must have been worrying about it subconsciously, because after 3 hours of just lying on my bed, I still was not getting any Z’s. I figured I might as well get work done, but at that point everyone wanted to be let out (“Lights are on? Mom is up? Yay, it must be playtime!”). So technically there has been no separation for hours, but they had full run of the room for most of those hours.
I guess we will try again tonight.

[theshrew24]

We are going to try again tonight. I think everyone is settling in now. Right now, they are lying out underneath the shelf i made for them. Wally loves cuddling with Albus. How do I make Albus like cuddling more? It makes my heart break sometimes. Overall, though, they are doing splendidly. Usually they are romping all over my room but now they seem quite content to relax in their enclosure, even though I have it open so they have full access to my room. I think it gets the bunny stamp of approval.

[LBJ10]

LOL, sounds like you set yourself up for that one.

Hmm, I don’t think you can really force a bunny to want to cuddle. I’m sure they will work out the cuddling (or not cuddling) part later as their relationship develops more.

[theshrew24]

Aaaaand, we’re back to the humping.

[LBJ10]

Humping is okay, just as long as it doesn’t lead to fighting.

[theshrew24]

I think at this point we are past the fighting, but we did have a skirmish a few days ago.

Also, they have taken to dumping the contents of the litter boxes out and flipping over their water bowls. -___- Wally started it, and now Albus is like, “ah, yes, good idea, brother, this fun!” Albus was so clean before, as an only-rabbit. Now, it looks like a bomb hit this place.

[LBJ10]

Hehe, the pleasures of a bonded pair. The “good” one always picks up the bad habits of their new friend.

[theshrew24]

OMG, stop what you are doing!!

Albus just licked Wally.
Repeat, Albus just licked Wally!!

I almost interrupted them in my shock!

Now they are cuddling under the shelf I made them…*heavy breathing*

Please excuse my enthusiasm, this has been 3 months+ in the making.

[LBJ10]

Yipee!

[theshrew24]

I am still seeing a lot of humping from Wally, especially when he is trying to release energy. On a really positive note, Albus just finished a 7min grooming of Wally’s head x)

[LBJ10]

Sounds good. Like I said, humping is okay as long as it isn’t causing a fight. And yes, grooming is good. I’m glad Albus finally decided it wasn’t such a bad idea.

[Author]

Messages