Smudge meets Jake: the first bunny date! Opinions?

[Princess*Smudge]

Okay so here is a little history of my past week. I went to the pet store to pick up a few things and there I met Jake, Jake is a domestic short hair cross (not sure what with but his fur is softer than anything i’ve ever felt). He is 6 months old, the darkest black with just a little peppering of white on his back. Jake was the product of an accidental pregnancy at the store, apparently an employee put a female and male rabbit together and thought that they could only get pregnant if they liked each other… enough said.  Because of this Jake can’t be sold as the “pure bred” rabbits that are purchased from breeders are. Also because he is already 6 months old he is considered “low quality” by the store. Basically according to the only helpful person I founf that worked there, Jake is already past his “cute and little” bunny stage and so when people come in looking for a bun they are prefer the little 2 month old ones in the next pen over. I was so upset by this. At least they have done something good for poor Jake, they surrendered him to the rescue/shelter that works with the store to place animals there and has some animals there for adoption. Jake has been nuetered already but because that is the rescues policy.

So after meeting Jake and talking to this person I thought maybe I could give it a shot and have Smudge meet him. First I wanted to get to know him a little better just to see a little more of his personality. I spent an hour with him the next day after work, he is the most laid back bun I have ever met! He just flops down and laps up the attention, doesn’t mind being held and is really outgoing when allowed to explore on his own in the bonding room there. I was really impressed and slowly falling for this little guy.

Today I took Smudge to meet him, I had the same person who I had talked to early assist me in introducing them because this person had worked at the Humane Society and helped with bonding processes before.

So this is how the meeting went, let me know what you guys think, from everything I’ve read here and other places this seemed like a good match but please offer your opinions.

Intially they look at each other and decided to ignore one another, they moved around on opposite sides of the room and stared at each other from a distance. Body language was good. Jake’s ears were up and open towards Smudge he was even periscoping in her direction a couple times. Smudge seemed a little more nervous (she had just come from a car ride and entered a very strange loud place) but she was sitting facing Jake in the open.

Next they approached each other. They went nose to nose and then moved down to sniff each other around their bodies. All seemed well, until Smudge moved to sniff Jakes rear, he lunged (no nip or biting attempts) and Smudge ran to the other side of the room. The next approach went generally the same, they went nose to nose and then Smudge lowered her head and asked to be groomed, Jake didn’t like this so he half lunged half turned and ran. The next time the same thing happened they went nose to nose sniffed each other but then Smudge asked to be groomed Jake lunged more agressive and attempted a nip, this time he chased her a few steps as well.

At this point I got down on the floor with them I put them on either side of me and petting their heads heavily while they stared at each other, after doing this for a minute they would stay down and just look at each other. I continued to do this until Jake decided to approach Smudge, he sniffed her face and didn’t seem to be aggressive but Smudge ran off anyways.

So I sat them down again the same way only this time I would pet them for a minute and then switch my hands so that they could smell the other one on me. After doing this about 3 times they sat close to each other and groomed themselves.

After this they had another approach with no aggression, Smudge did move away from him after some sniffing, she seemed wary after all the lunging. The date ended with Jake FLOPPED out on his side less than a foot away from Smudge, ears up and open. Smudge was a little more timid, but her ears were not back and she was not “hunkered down” and scared just sitting near him and staring.

So I am considered that this was a good first meeting as after the intial “who’s boss” seemed settled the two of them seemed to tolerate each other and we had no out and out battles or biting.

So I am looking for opinions, if there’s questions about the meeting or something  missed PLEASE SHARE! I was very surprised by the outcome of the date, I thought for sure Smudge would want to be the dominant one and I was seriously worried about her attacking him. Anyways please share any thoughts or suggestions Thanks!

[Beka27]

i have not had bonding experience myself, but that sounds very promising. the fact that they were both somewhat relaxed is a great sign.

[Sarita]

Well, it sounds good initially in my opinion. It wouldn’t hurt if possible to try a few more meetings (if that is possible).

Has Smudge had a mate before? Have you bonded before?

[GrammyB]

This is excelant!!
With Smudge bowing like that you will do fine. Jake just needs time he will be OK.
They are well ahead of most bonds, I would say they are a good match.

With our two it was like a hump fest, Benny still had lots of hormones to work out, only 2 weeks after fix. The shelter worker said they were doing fine so we took Benny home. The only time there was bitting was when my girls were putting them in their cages the buns, by mistake, got together & Precious, our 1st bun didn’t want this stranger her space, which is understandable. Now this was BBB (before Binky Bunny), So I only had info from HRS & the shelter. It only took a week before they were together 24/7 very much in love.

I would make 2 xpens out of NIC shelving, with a common wall, if they bite build another wall separating them by 1-2 in.
Then put them together in a neutral place more each day.
Try swaping blankets & toys, so they get use to the others smell.

Do you have a place were Smudge hasn’t been that you can work with them each day?
What about the xpen & cage set up?

This site has so much good info, look in the links for HRS & other bonding info.
Keep us posted. Sending bonding prayers your way.

[Princess*Smudge]

Sarita – Yes Smudge lived with her sister for the first 6 months of her life, they were separated when the lady who owned them couldn’t bond with Smudge, they just didn’t get along but the lady and Smudge’s sister were getting along great. I wish then I knew what I do now about bonded buns, I’ve had alot of guilt recently about taking her away even though she adjusted with no problems. To answer your other question no I have never bonded rabbits before. I’ve done lots of research and reading over the past two months trying to learn anything I can.

Grammyb – Thanks for the advice! I will definately be using all of it if I take on this adventure. To answer your questions – The best place I think in the begining will be in my basement, Smudge has never been down there and it is pretty bunny proof as it is basically a wide open carpeted area. I also have my moms room/the bathroom in her room as I’ve see here that a bathtub is a good neutral place to start. Currently Smudge has a condo that is 3×2 she stays in during the day but she spends all her time while I am home in her xpen or running around my room.

I’m hoping for another visit tomorrow, I’m just not sure if it will be possible yet *fingers crossed*

[Beka27]

Posted By grammyb on 05/31/2008 6:27 PM
I would make 2 xpens out of NIC shelving, with a common wall, if they bite build another wall separating them by 1-2 in.
Then put them together in a neutral place more each day.
Try swaping blankets & toys, so they get use to the others smell.

this is precisely what i am going to do when (if) i get another bunny in the future.  i already have an empty room off of the living room that Mead does not have access to.  it is relatively neutral, not perfect, but it’s the best i can do with a small house.  let us know if you do another date or if you decide to take him home.

[Princess*Smudge]

I am going today to see Jake again, today will be the day I bring him home if I decide to. I am hoping that having a bunmate will be good for Smudge, she loves her playtime outside the cage but I feel that if she had a mate she would be more content during the times I am at school or work. For those of you who have gone from single bun to a pair – was it worth it or did you feel like your formerly single bun was much happier?

Also on kind of a side note – if i do decide to get Jake and bond him and Smudge do they use the same litter box when living together or would they prefer to have their own? Just curious because it’s not something I had thought of before.

[Gravehearted]

sounds like a good first meeting, for sure. some aggression is to be expected, it’s part of them figuring out who’s the boss. if you bring Jake home, you’ll need a whole separate living area while they’re bonding. my bonded pair does have two boxes – but mostly cause their house is big.

[GrammyB]

We wouldn’t have it any other way, our buns are so in love. They snuggle, play, eat, they do most everything together. The only thing I regret is not being bonded with Precious before getting Benny. I always knew we would get another, but I wanted to wait a few months, but when we took Precious to her 1st Bunny Spa Day (a free, or donation, program our shelter runs to clip nails, clean scent glands, massage,grooming, & physical assessment. We are even starting classes, this month is Caring For The Sick Rabbit & Making a Rabbit Emergency Kit. Cool huh, We volunteer, it’s so much fun.) Wow did I get side tracked! Anyway my daughter saw Benny & fell in love. So when we loved him & Precious liked him it was a match!

About the litter pans. At this time we have two side by side in the living room ( his & hers, he he, but they do swich around), their play area, & one very large in their condo (ours is 3×2 also & 3 high). You want to have pans big enough for both of them because yes they do that together to. he he

[GrammyB]

Also, no one can clean a bunnys face like their bunmate!

[Beka27]

HOW DID IT GO?!!? you never responded back, so i’m wondering if you did bring him home…

you could also get one of those large, flat, under-bed plastic storage containers as a combined litter. that way there’s room for them and some hay and some lounging.

[MarkBun]

IMO, the meeting went pretty well. The fact that they would groom themselves near one another shows a lack of fear, if you will. The flop also means that he could care less.

Now, when you get them home on Smudge’s turf, that could all turn around. Try to bond them in as neutral of a territory as possible.

[Princess*Smudge]

Hey everyone sorry for the delayed update. Jake is not here yet, this weekend has been INSANELY busy. I’ve had my boyfriend’s younger sister’s grad family dinner on friday my younger sister’s graduation dinner/dance on the saturday (they are in the same class) and then Sunday I went to visit Jake again, I ran into a little snag in the paperwork. The rescue wants to call our landlord to verify that we are allowed pets, which I completely understand, the problem is our landlord is almost impossible to get ahold of.. they are out of town very often and recently the husband suffered from a major health issue that is still not solved. We contact them and then usually have to wait a very long time to hear back (it’s frustrating but we love the house and the area and they are nice people). Anyways we have a letter saying that we are allowed to have a dog (we previously were not allowed so they wrote this letter to show the Humane Society as proof when we got our dog) but the letter does not specify rabbits on it, so I have to talk to the rescue and see if this letter is still good enough as proof that we are allowed pets even though it only says a dog. Or if I need to have a new letter written or try to get ahold of the landlord. ANYWAYS hahah today I had my sister’s convocation so I couldn’t do that today, and this week is my brothers Grade 9 grad. I also don’t want to bring Jake home and then not be able to spend any time with him and Smudge as we are so busy I’m spending this couple of weeks giving her as much time as I can! I will keep you updated this week to see what happens but I am still very hopefull.

[BinkyBunny]

I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you! Hope it works out!

[Beka27]

whew! i think you’re doing the right thing waiting until you have some time to breathe. isn’t it crazy how busy this time of year is? as far as your landlord, i feel your pain. our old landlord was like that. he had a cell phone and he’d never pick up, so we would leave messages. he’d wait like 8 hours to call back, and when he did we were usually gone (b/c you can only wait so long for a phone call.) he’d then leave us a huffy message like it was OUR fault we weren’t there. your landlord sounds nice at least…

[MarkBun]

The dog letter should be fine. It is sort of a ramp up system with landlords:

No pets – small pets – birds – cats – dogs

[Princess*Smudge]

Hey everyone, just a quick update. I’m still working on getting ahold of our landlord or finding the letter my mom has put it in that “this needs to go in a special place” that you tend to forget where it is when you really need it haha. But I am willing to be patient, I know from experience that adoptions can take a while and I believe that if something is meant to be it will happen. Jake is still doing fine at the store. He seems happy (or as happy as he can be living there) I am hoping that soon he will be coming home.

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