dootsmom
Well-Known Member
To Bun or Not To Bun and/or Two Buns or Not Two Buns
I have read so many Posts asking either of these two questions. I felt I should add my thoughts and add a few questions of my own on both.
I see a newly purchased, rescued, or adopted Bun as a baby entering our lives. It depends upon us for good nutritional food, safe andcomfortable lodgings, toys to amuse them, love and attention. I feel that the responsibility of having one, or many, as being greater than that of having a dog or cat. They require our devotion, dedication and constant care. They can't tell us what they need, we have to know.
I think that having the "patience of Job" and a fantastic sense of humor is a definate must when thinking about getting a rabbit. One should also look around the house and realize Buns have been known todestroy our "worldy possessions". I don't think that a "material"person should ever own a Bun. It's not that easy to teach a rabbit not to "touch" our stuff! How important is that "stuff"? Can it be replaced?
Before we have our own babies we read books and find the best Pediatrician we can. We would never look for a Doctor that is located100 miles away! The same should hold true for our Bun or Buns when looking for a Vet. Buns should be spayed/neutered for their health bythe time they are 6 months old. Rabbits need a good Vet. They require regular check-ups. Can you afford their medical needs?
When we get them as Kits they are so cuddlely, so adorable, so cute!
A childs personality is developed by the time he/she is five years old.A rabbits by five months. If your child has a rotten disposition, you cannot return him/her to the Hospital or do a "trade-in". Are you prepared to spend the next 5 to 8 years (maybe more) with a grumpy rabbit? Keep it in mind that the more time it is left in it's cagewithout attention, the grumpier it will get! Hopefully, the cage (sansthe rabbit) will be stored away by the time the Bun is 6 months old.
Just like babies we have to feed them, clean up after them, potty train them, and make sure they don't play with the electrical wires. We have to keep them in a "play-pen" to keep them safe. Then they go through the "terrible two's" and the real fun begins! They don't draw on the walls but, they will eat the wallpaper (and the walls, woodwork, furniture,etc.!). Vinyl tiles, carpeting, rubber remote buttons, flexible plumbing hoses (water connections), curtains, shutters, plungers, and mail are also
tasty! Actually everything seems to be tasty, even Bitter Apple! If the vacuum stops running while you are using it, check the entire length of wire for bites! (I should buy Stock in electrical tape!) Can you keep asmile on your face as you are splicing your Mouse wire?
Did I mention spraying? This is another reason to spay/neuter. Both the Does and Bucks will do this. They'll mark you, the furniture, your clothes (they don't care if you are wearing them or not!), everything, and anything. They do it to say that you belong to them and they also do it when they are mad at you. A warm, wet leg isn't so bad unless you are "dressed to the nines" and have to leave the house NOW!!!
Only rabbits (like an only child) tend to be very neat. They'll fling their food if it's not to their liking and they will occassionally throw a fit (just like a child). They usually don't mark their territory by peeing because, there is noneed. Everything is theirs so they just "chin" everything! On the whole, they are delightful. They will dance for you (binkies) and amuse your guests. They will not amuse your guests if they are sprayed on!
"Only" rabbits, even if grumpy, will love you to death. They don't always need or want a Rabbit "Friend". They have their own way of showing their appreciation for you.
Okay.......... you've had your Bun for a while and you (not your Bun) want another Bun. Are you prepared for the possibility of them loathing each other? There are some Buns that never want another Bun around. Even if they do bond, are you prepared for the territorial peeing and pooping? (Shop-Vacs are great when having more than one Bun.) Just like humans they will squabble, fight, kiss, and make up! Are you ready for the messes?
A bonded pair will be joined "at the hip". The relationship you originally had with your first Bun will change. He/she will still love you but, you will become secondary. You will no longer be the "mate"that he/she was bonded to.......the other rabbit will now get the affection that was once bestowed upon you. Will you be jealous?
Hmmmm. Hope I haven't bored anyone with my thoughts! :?
Charlotte
I have read so many Posts asking either of these two questions. I felt I should add my thoughts and add a few questions of my own on both.
I see a newly purchased, rescued, or adopted Bun as a baby entering our lives. It depends upon us for good nutritional food, safe andcomfortable lodgings, toys to amuse them, love and attention. I feel that the responsibility of having one, or many, as being greater than that of having a dog or cat. They require our devotion, dedication and constant care. They can't tell us what they need, we have to know.
I think that having the "patience of Job" and a fantastic sense of humor is a definate must when thinking about getting a rabbit. One should also look around the house and realize Buns have been known todestroy our "worldy possessions". I don't think that a "material"person should ever own a Bun. It's not that easy to teach a rabbit not to "touch" our stuff! How important is that "stuff"? Can it be replaced?
Before we have our own babies we read books and find the best Pediatrician we can. We would never look for a Doctor that is located100 miles away! The same should hold true for our Bun or Buns when looking for a Vet. Buns should be spayed/neutered for their health bythe time they are 6 months old. Rabbits need a good Vet. They require regular check-ups. Can you afford their medical needs?
When we get them as Kits they are so cuddlely, so adorable, so cute!
A childs personality is developed by the time he/she is five years old.A rabbits by five months. If your child has a rotten disposition, you cannot return him/her to the Hospital or do a "trade-in". Are you prepared to spend the next 5 to 8 years (maybe more) with a grumpy rabbit? Keep it in mind that the more time it is left in it's cagewithout attention, the grumpier it will get! Hopefully, the cage (sansthe rabbit) will be stored away by the time the Bun is 6 months old.
Just like babies we have to feed them, clean up after them, potty train them, and make sure they don't play with the electrical wires. We have to keep them in a "play-pen" to keep them safe. Then they go through the "terrible two's" and the real fun begins! They don't draw on the walls but, they will eat the wallpaper (and the walls, woodwork, furniture,etc.!). Vinyl tiles, carpeting, rubber remote buttons, flexible plumbing hoses (water connections), curtains, shutters, plungers, and mail are also
tasty! Actually everything seems to be tasty, even Bitter Apple! If the vacuum stops running while you are using it, check the entire length of wire for bites! (I should buy Stock in electrical tape!) Can you keep asmile on your face as you are splicing your Mouse wire?
Did I mention spraying? This is another reason to spay/neuter. Both the Does and Bucks will do this. They'll mark you, the furniture, your clothes (they don't care if you are wearing them or not!), everything, and anything. They do it to say that you belong to them and they also do it when they are mad at you. A warm, wet leg isn't so bad unless you are "dressed to the nines" and have to leave the house NOW!!!
Only rabbits (like an only child) tend to be very neat. They'll fling their food if it's not to their liking and they will occassionally throw a fit (just like a child). They usually don't mark their territory by peeing because, there is noneed. Everything is theirs so they just "chin" everything! On the whole, they are delightful. They will dance for you (binkies) and amuse your guests. They will not amuse your guests if they are sprayed on!
"Only" rabbits, even if grumpy, will love you to death. They don't always need or want a Rabbit "Friend". They have their own way of showing their appreciation for you.
Okay.......... you've had your Bun for a while and you (not your Bun) want another Bun. Are you prepared for the possibility of them loathing each other? There are some Buns that never want another Bun around. Even if they do bond, are you prepared for the territorial peeing and pooping? (Shop-Vacs are great when having more than one Bun.) Just like humans they will squabble, fight, kiss, and make up! Are you ready for the messes?
A bonded pair will be joined "at the hip". The relationship you originally had with your first Bun will change. He/she will still love you but, you will become secondary. You will no longer be the "mate"that he/she was bonded to.......the other rabbit will now get the affection that was once bestowed upon you. Will you be jealous?
Hmmmm. Hope I haven't bored anyone with my thoughts! :?
Charlotte