My foster Dax has found a new home, bittersweet for me!

[Mimzy]

I have been fostering a Californian rabbit I named Daxton since June 2018. I took him to 1 adoption event a few months after having him & then I missed several other adoption events afterwards because I was getting attached & considering adopting him but was still unsure if he & my holland lop Runa were a good fit or not.

I thought it was only fair of me to take him to another adoption event in the meantime while I waited for Runa to be spayed so that he could have a chance at finding a different home that maybe suited him better (the clinic was booked like 2 months out).

 

Low & behold, shortly after dropping him off at the first adoption even he had attended in about 5 months, I see a post on facebook that another bunny was speed dating with him & it was pretty much love at first sight. I honestly did not expect that to happen so fast. The owners of the other rabbit (male bunny named Zig) decided to adopt him, & Dax went to his new home the following day. I have so many mixed feelings! I’m sad but I’m also happy if he’s happy, & still wondering if this was the right choice Telling myself this wouldn’t have happened if God didn’t intend for it to.

It was hard to tell if he & Runa would be a good fit because they were totally cool with each other when I took them out somewhere but they somewhat started fighting through the cages at home (territorial of course). I could tell that with Dax it was more of frustration wanting to be groomed & Runa just wouldn’t do it. She showed a few signs of hormonal behavior but I excused that since she’s not yet spayed. Otherwise, she was pretty happy go lucky & wanted to be by Dax but he would ask for grooms then get mad at her when she wouldn’t. It was confusing Also I did always wonder if it would be difficult to feed the 2 of them together as Dax had to be on a very strict diet probably forever, with little to no treats, & Runa wouldn’t have to. It was a lot to think about the different dynamics…so I’m just missing him right now & hoping I’ll still get to see him since this couple seems like they will be pretty active in the rescue group!

This is Dax with his new buddy, Zig

[DanaNM]

Awwww, how tough!

I remember when you brought Dax home and were thinking you would adopt him. That must be very bittersweet indeed. But he does look so happy with his new friend! And now you can be sure to find a bun that Runa likes.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Doodler]

That had to be so hard to do but it’s admirable that you had everyone’s best interests in mind when making such a difficult decision. You clearly put a lot of thought into what was the right thing to do.

If you do decide to bond your girl after she is spayed I wouldn’t be too concerned about some aggression at home until you are further into an actual bonding. That’s why it’s normally recommended to not even have them have any face to face time unless you are speed dating them or truly bonding.

Shortly before my buns bonded I thought I would try to decrease the barrier space between them in their room and just use overlapped NIC grids in between the pens. My buck boxed at the pen when my doe came near. They still bonded shortly after and when I let them in their room once bonded I’ve never had an issue.

I also hope you get to see him again!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Aww….that must be hard. But it looks like he’s happy. Already getting groomies.

[Mimzy]

So…Dax is back!! The couple that took him as a friend for their rabbit, said after 2 days, the boys weren’t moving forward with the bonding process like they had hoped. So I went to pick him back up a couple nights ago & he’s back home with me. They said they were biting each other, & oddly, a lot of the behavior they were explaining from Dax didn’t sound like the same rabbit I’ve been fostering xD He & Runa are able to smell each other through cage bars but I have it lined with galvanized wire so there’s no way of them biting each other, but they seem perfectly fine sitting side by side smelling each other without any issue. Dax & their rabbit I guess were trying to fight through bars as well.

I think they maybe needed to give more space between he & Dax & given him a couple days to settle in before trying to bond right away. Mimzy & Obi took like 2-3 months to bond & I just about gave up several times because Mimzy was just impossible with other animals lol, but I pushed through & made it happen! So I’m thinking maybe they weren’t ready for this & expected it to be a little easier than it was.

Anywho…for now he’s back home with me! Runa gets spayed on March 13th & after that, if Dax hasn’t been adopted again, I will see about officially bonding them

[Sleepy]

Idk, the fact he’s back with you might be a sign . It’s good he’s still in a good place, though, even if his new friend didn’t work out.

[Doodler]

It sounds like that family had unrealistic expectations. One downside of speed dating is it can make people think that it will be just as easy when they get home. I am not sure if there were other specific behaviors but if that was the main issue I kind of hope they don’t try it again.

The bright side is this gave you time to see how it felt without him. It sounds like you are still ok if he finds another home. I just hope this time it’s for good!! If he ends up being bonded to your girl of course that’s awesome too!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Agreed. They didn’t give the bonding much chance. But I think he found his way back because he’s meant to be with you.

[DanaNM]

Wow, yeah they def had unrealistic expectations, but sounds like he is meant to be with you!

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Meg]

Awww, I’m glad he’s back with you.

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