Will he ever like me?

Sorry if this is a bit long and ranting.

Slight back story. About 2 years ago, I think, I got a second rabbit, Ggio. He was a 5yr old intact male, and I got him from a rescue that said they would neuter him for me, only they never did. I was in no financial situation to neuter him myself, so he's still intact. This caused some mild friction with my other rabbit, Xenos, also an intact male, who couldn't be neutered due to existing medical issues. Risk of complications with the anesthesia was too high. But we managed. I'd take them out individually, and it was a bit more time consuming (I'd really hoped that they could be playmates, since Xenos had done fine with other males, even though he was intact, but Ggio was too aggressive), but otherwise, no big deal. Anyways, Xenos was a totally cuddle bug, and every time I let him out he would follow me around, sit in my lap. We were bonded, I guess. I loved that little guy. Ggio, on the other hand, couldn't care less about me. He actively avoids me, and as much as he loves his out of cage free time, he doesn't want me to be a part of it. And honestly, I was ok with that. For the past 2 years I basically would grab a book, go sit in the bunny room, and watch Ggio hop around and get his exercise. Then I would put Ggio away, grab Xenos, and go cuddle on the couch with him or something. I wished Ggio would interact with me more, but I guess since I had Xenos, it didn't bother me too much.

But, in case you missed all the past tense there, my Xenos died on Saturday. Part of me is still in shock, but he was 7, and like I said, he had preexisting medical issues. I don't want another rabbit. And honestly, being an only bunny might be good for Ggio. But, I don't know, I miss the cuddles. I miss my Xe boy. And I know that Ggio will never be Xe, and I know that after two years, he's probably not going to instantly bond with me. But it's like before when I didn't care that he didn't really like me... Well, I care more now I guess. I pull him out and I just want to hold him for a minute, and he immediately squirms away, and I don't want him to. And I know I can't change his personality, and I'm probably talking myself in circles at this point, but I just want to know if there's anything at this point that I can do just to get him to like me.

And mostly I just needed to say how much I miss my Xe, but I guess I couldn't make a rainbow bridge thread without completely loosing it... Which is what I'm doing now... :cry2:cry2:cry2

First off I'm so sorry to hear that your baby Xenos passed away. I know how it is to have a pet with a medical condition. My Buttons who died in 2010 had a blood disorder so I understand. I found some things of Buttons the other day in the laundry room and went on a crying jag...

So now that he's gone you want to do the same things with him that you did with Xenos... I don't know what to say. Possibly after spending more time with him he may start to be more interactive with you. I'm still working on this lop I got from a rescue that I love now to death but if the house was on fire and I had to pick her up to get her out I would be in deep crap. I've been working with her now 3 months and can get her to let me pet her and stroke her and give her bunny nose rubs now but that was after getting bit on the butt a good couple of times. Pick her up and hold her? Forget it. I would love to and she is cute and adorable but obviously something happened with her past owner and I have to work with her to get past that crap..

However enough of me... I think possibly if you work now with the bun you have and start to try to develop a relationship with him you could but it's going to take some time and I understand how you are saying before you just wanted to let him excercise because I do that sometimes with my guys.
I just let them out and run and play... instead of getting in the way...

But if you want to have something with this bun I say you would need to work on trying to be more active with him and see how it goes.. .and once again I'm sooo sorry to hear about your baby passing. I know it hurts...

Take care
Vanessa

I'm so sorry you lost your bun He sounded like a really sweet boy.

With some rabbits it can take quite some time for them to come around, even years. Things that might help are sitting with him in a smaller space, such as in an xpen or bathroom. The smaller area makes it so that he has to interact with you more. You basically just leave him alone at first, let him explore and do what he wants. You can have toys and stuff for him, and you read or whatever. Then as you see him becoming more comfortable with you and approaching you more, then you can try letting him smell your hand, and progress slowly from there, all at his speed and what he seems comfortable with. The problem with letting them out in a large area is that they can go off and explore, and not really have to interact with you at all.

Also give this a read as it has lots of helpful tips.
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f28/bonding-your-bunny-29064/

First off, let me give my condolences for your loss. My dog passed from a heart condition exactly two years ago this month, and it's so hard to lose a beloved family member so early like that.

I've had Sugar for over two years, and I know for a fact that he loves and trusts me--follows me around, licks my hand, binkies around, jumps onto my lap--yet the instant I try to pick him up, all bets are off. While he loves head rubs and petting on the floor, he HATES to be lifted off the ground or held in any way. He's friendly and insanely social, even with strangers...he just isn't cuddly, and I've learned to accept that.

Different rabbits have different personalities, just like people. Unfortunately, Ggio sounds like a naturally reserved bunny. Is there any way that you can take him out without carrying him? My bond with Sugar strengthened considerably once I switched from a traditional cage to an x-pen that I could open and let him freely go in and out at will, instead of picking him up and doing the Big Chase to put him back at night. I've also trained him to return to his pen with a bribe of his personal ambrosia, Craisins (he will do ANYTHING for a Craisin). Now he comes when called and there's no nightly struggle to catch and return him.

While I doubt Ggio will enjoy the prolonged snuggle sessions you had with your previous bunny (you can't really change an intrinsic personality trait), he can still learn to love and trust you. It just may take a little more effort with him than it did with Xenos.