kuniklos
Well-Known Member
This weekend at the PA state ARBA convention in Lebanon my fiance (Joe) and I became rabbit parents. The labor was hard and painful, but we finally found our bunny!
I grew up with dogs, birds and goats, and had a rabbit when I was a very small girl. Rabbits have always been my favorite animals, but I was not in the best position to bring a rabbit into my home until recently.
I just graduated with a degree in Anthropology (archaeology) and Art History. Out of school and with a disposable income (as well as all my previous pets passing from old age over my college years) I found myself with a furry friend to smother with spoils.
My fiance and I had been attending rabbit conventions for a few years, and had spoken many time of getting a rabbit. He wanted a dwarf breed, and I wanted and English Lop with the biggest ears I could find. We had not really intended on picking out a rabbit this weekend, but if it happened, it was meant to happen!
Due to various reasons, we only made the last day of convention and only found two English Lops for sale. I had my heart on a male, and both were male! Sadly, upon further inspecting one was in poor health. The other has spots and my fiance was being a premadonna over desiring a solid colored rabbit.
There were two breeds we always considered our compromise breed. The Tan and Thrianta! We found a Thrianta breeder whom we really liked, but they weren't kindling again until the Spring. Then we found a small breeder with just four Tans for sale. Three were male, and one was female. One chocolate, one blue, and two blacks. One little boy, 8 months old, was very calm when it came to being handled. He was originally named Sommer.
Joe cuddled the rabbit in his arms, and it took well to it. He was a beautiful brown and was praised for having the best temperament. I asked Joe if he was ready to commit to this bunny because he was obviously very in love. And so we did!
We picked up a very large cage: 24"x38"x18" which was the largest at the convention (he was going to be spoiled, so we wanted him to have the biggest cage), and picked up a rabbit sling to carry him around.
Through a few scratches (but not bites!) we got him to the local pet shop, supplied him with goodies, and to the grocery store for more treats. We set him up in our computer room (which we bunny proofed the night before just in case we cracked) and let him loose. He's free range in the room for the most part, and once the rest of our place is rabbit proofed, he's going to get free rain. Lucky devil!
He's named General Bismark I, because all our pets will be given military status depending on the order the come into our home, and Bismark for Otto von Bismarck since I have always named my pets after historical figures, or similarly to. Joe wouldn't allow for me to name him General Boas, drats!
He is already doing very well with his litter training. He binkies often which pleases me greatly! He runs around and loves to knock down little obstacles I put up for him. He's eating well, although I worry that he's not interested in any fruits or veggies. There are a few games I have learned he likes to play, which is: Tickle Shaina's feet, and when she laughed, he runs around my chair. Try to sneak up on me, and when I notice he runs away and binkies in a corner. Also, a little game called, "This is obviously a place I have been blocked from going, so I am going to deactivate this trap and get through it at all costs!"
He tolerates petting, but doesn't care for being held. I hope he gets used to us more at some point. But he's very curious and engaging regardless. I'm hoping he gets more of a taste for fruits and veggies because he has a whole garden that's dedicated to him this summer, and I expect him to appreciate my hard work. :wink
He's currently doing obstacles around our computer desk. Who thought this L shaped desk and all it's bars would provide such ample entertainment?
I haven' taken many image of him yet, mostly on my fiance's phone, as he's constantly in motion. I can catch him in a flop now and then.
That's our new little prince who's going to walk all over us! :biggrin:
I grew up with dogs, birds and goats, and had a rabbit when I was a very small girl. Rabbits have always been my favorite animals, but I was not in the best position to bring a rabbit into my home until recently.
I just graduated with a degree in Anthropology (archaeology) and Art History. Out of school and with a disposable income (as well as all my previous pets passing from old age over my college years) I found myself with a furry friend to smother with spoils.
My fiance and I had been attending rabbit conventions for a few years, and had spoken many time of getting a rabbit. He wanted a dwarf breed, and I wanted and English Lop with the biggest ears I could find. We had not really intended on picking out a rabbit this weekend, but if it happened, it was meant to happen!
Due to various reasons, we only made the last day of convention and only found two English Lops for sale. I had my heart on a male, and both were male! Sadly, upon further inspecting one was in poor health. The other has spots and my fiance was being a premadonna over desiring a solid colored rabbit.
There were two breeds we always considered our compromise breed. The Tan and Thrianta! We found a Thrianta breeder whom we really liked, but they weren't kindling again until the Spring. Then we found a small breeder with just four Tans for sale. Three were male, and one was female. One chocolate, one blue, and two blacks. One little boy, 8 months old, was very calm when it came to being handled. He was originally named Sommer.
Joe cuddled the rabbit in his arms, and it took well to it. He was a beautiful brown and was praised for having the best temperament. I asked Joe if he was ready to commit to this bunny because he was obviously very in love. And so we did!
We picked up a very large cage: 24"x38"x18" which was the largest at the convention (he was going to be spoiled, so we wanted him to have the biggest cage), and picked up a rabbit sling to carry him around.
Through a few scratches (but not bites!) we got him to the local pet shop, supplied him with goodies, and to the grocery store for more treats. We set him up in our computer room (which we bunny proofed the night before just in case we cracked) and let him loose. He's free range in the room for the most part, and once the rest of our place is rabbit proofed, he's going to get free rain. Lucky devil!
He's named General Bismark I, because all our pets will be given military status depending on the order the come into our home, and Bismark for Otto von Bismarck since I have always named my pets after historical figures, or similarly to. Joe wouldn't allow for me to name him General Boas, drats!
He is already doing very well with his litter training. He binkies often which pleases me greatly! He runs around and loves to knock down little obstacles I put up for him. He's eating well, although I worry that he's not interested in any fruits or veggies. There are a few games I have learned he likes to play, which is: Tickle Shaina's feet, and when she laughed, he runs around my chair. Try to sneak up on me, and when I notice he runs away and binkies in a corner. Also, a little game called, "This is obviously a place I have been blocked from going, so I am going to deactivate this trap and get through it at all costs!"
He tolerates petting, but doesn't care for being held. I hope he gets used to us more at some point. But he's very curious and engaging regardless. I'm hoping he gets more of a taste for fruits and veggies because he has a whole garden that's dedicated to him this summer, and I expect him to appreciate my hard work. :wink
He's currently doing obstacles around our computer desk. Who thought this L shaped desk and all it's bars would provide such ample entertainment?
I haven' taken many image of him yet, mostly on my fiance's phone, as he's constantly in motion. I can catch him in a flop now and then.
That's our new little prince who's going to walk all over us! :biggrin:
