First of all - I want to remind folks that this thread is NOT about Paul and his treatment of his rabbits. This thread is not here to condemn anyone...Paul or others (even Suki). This thread is to help Paul deal with the baby kits and keeping them alive while mama isn't ready to deal with them.
I can tell from the posts that many of you might not have had an aggressive doe that will not bond with humans. It can be frustrating beyond measure - and heartbreaking too. Add in having a doe like that when you're a "kid" (no offense meant Paul) hurts even worse because as an adult - I'm used to rejection from people - but getting rejected by a rabbit - hurt like the dickens. And some rabbits - does in particular - do not do well with humans. I guess what I'm trying to say is that not all rabbits make good pets.
For those who are criticizing Paul for calling Suki names - let me tell you - I've had does that I've called those exact names - time and time again. I've also used terms like "Doe from hell" or "she who is from Hades" and other such terms. An aggressive doe can fight and kick and bite and hurt like...the dickens.
So while you all might have opinions of Paul right now - I would like to remind everyone that our focus needs to be on the baby bunnies and keeping them alive.
Paul - as someone who has had does much like Suki - let me share a few things I've learned.
- I have found out that my does pick up on my emotions towards them and react to them. Therefore, I've had to sometimes walk away - yell at the wall - punch a pillow - and then come back to deal with them - oftentimes with the scars of their kicks and bites. The key thing was - getting myself calm - and reminding myself that they were acting out of instinct - and not that they were horrible or hated me. They simply didn't understand about being a pet. Two of those same does are now sweethearts....well ... maybe more than that when I count Miss Bea - who would box our hands when we opened her cage door. My point? An aggressive doe can change her behavior with lots of love over a period of time. It means accepting her as she is and letting her learn to trust you. You can do it - I believe in you.
- Secondly - your doe is probably very confused right now. I forget how old she is .... but I find first time mamas to be really skittish and I've had even experienced mamas hurt the babies - sometimes because the babies scare them when they cry. Please understand - she is confused. I wish I could find a word picture to give you of how she feels - the only thing I can think of is if someone was yelling at you in Russian and you didn't understand and you thought they were threatening you but they were trying to say "How are you doing?" You would be unable to understand them - and so you would act on what you feel your basic instincts are. So is the case with Suki.
Finally - I had a doe that killed a baby that was very very special to me - it wasn't even her baby - it was from the next cage over and it got into her cage when it was about 9 days old. It was a "Charly" something I very much wanted for my breeding program. It was the only charly I'd ever had - and I thought it was a boy which made it more valuable to me. It was hard to not take her and yell at her. But what I did - was to take her and put her in my lap and love on her. That's right - I forced myself to love on her - and I chose to forgive her for acting like a rabbit. As time went on - I really did feel forgiveness for her - even though I didn't feel it emotionally at the time.
You can do this - you can forgive Suki for acting like a very confused doe - and you can choose to love her anyway. It may take her time to get used to you - if you've ever read my stories about Tiny - you'll see how for months and over a year even - I was discouraged about him because he and I didn't have a connection. Yet - by the time he died - he would climb into my lap when I sat on the floor and cover me with kisses. This was from the rabbit who wanted NOTHING to do with me.
Be patient with Suki. Love her as she is - choose to make more time to spend with her - even if it is just sitting on the floor and reading a book and letting her explore the room and watch you from a distance. Who knows...she may wind up becoming a heart bunny if you will invest some time in her.
But I understand what you call her now....trust me - I've had several does that share that same name. Usually its said as I'm pulling my hand back from the latest kick, bite or nip.....oftentimes with blood flowing....
Good luck with the babies...
Paul, when/if you realise rabbits aren't your thing contact me and Sabine and we'll work something out, especially with Suki.
