Regular Member Black Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 As some of you probably know, I adopted a beautiful little bun from the RSPCA about 10 days ago. We already had 2 rescue rabbits and had no intention of getting a 3rd, until I saw how white red-eyed buns were having a hard time finding Forever homes. I felt sad and figured we could probably squeeze in one more and make another little life happy It's felt like a very looooong 10 days trying to bond the trio, and it has been especially difficult between the two females. Edie has been very protective of her territory, but with the lovely Tammy's help, I have been trying all kinds of tricks to get her to accept the new bun! Today there has been a huge step forward and I feel they are about 90% there! It's such a relief to know the hardest parts are over and that time will now do the rest to ensure 3 happy bunnies Pics time 1st challenge- finding a neutral space that none of the bunnies have been in before: The 'Forced Snuggles' trick! To supervise the bonding over night, we bought them up to the bedroom.... ... But the thumping was keeping everyone awake so had to relocate to the kitchen for 4 nights! Blurring territories by bringing the hutch inside: Supervised shared meal times: And many many tiring stages in between, such as: - Food on their heads such as banana, to encourage grooming - Stressful car rides to encourage cuddling - Confining them to all kinds of spaces (including outside) and over night - Throwing away or washing all their rugs and toys (x2) - Cleaning and spraying objects and surfaces with diluted white vinegar to disguise scent marking - Moving furniture around - Bonding them in pairs - Taking the girls to my cleaning jobs in their carrier, in order to supervise - Using the vacuum noise to break up fights, as we'll as gloves and dust pans! Tonight, we celebrated their progress by buying a new big green rug for them (it looks like grass ) and some apple fairy lights to welcome her into her new home All that's missing now is a new play tunnel Here are some pics of Ruby taken this evening: She is quite scared of people so that is our next challenge, but there isn't any rush for that. Hopefully the confidence of the other two around us will rub off on her Special thanks to Tammy for putting up with all my updates and complaining, and thank you for looking 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member 4prettyfish Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 Congratulations on your new bunny. Beautiful. That was fun a fun post to read and see all of your photo's. You've come a long way with the three of them bonding and what not. That was funny that you relocated in a different sleeping area because of the noise instead of your rabbits. (very cute ) I like their new bright green rug. If your bunnies get bored they can look up and watch Googles. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Flipper Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 Holy Jeez I didn't realize all the crap that's been going on at your house only funny from my point of view Love the pics! My favorite behavioral trick = putting banana on bunny head to encourage grooming 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Chai Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 (edited) Love the tricks you used!!! Awesome job to you and Tammy!! : I like the green rug and lights for their little area. Makes it so Spring-ish. Incoming suggestions of outdoorsy things might be on the horizon. This might be the horizon. Edited March 5, 2015 by Chai 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Flipper Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 OMG! Forced snuggling is also 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Mikey Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 So glad you go her!!! And named her Ruby :heart OMG the forced snuggles :wub: it'll be worth all the trouble in the beginning in the end 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member goldfishgirl82 Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 I had no idea bunnies were such complex creatures. Glad it's working out with them now. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member TikiLola Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 I really like their rug! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helper FishyMandy Posted March 5, 2015 Helper Share Posted March 5, 2015 So cute! She looks just like my old bunny, Buttons. I love rabbits but have developed a pretty bad allergy to them so no more for me 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member motherredcap Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 Wow! I'm glad all this work is paying off for you and the buns. This reads like a tutorial for bunny-addition. Good work to you and Tammy. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member yafashelli Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 I'm so glad that they're finally friends now! The pics are great, and now we'll need daily updates! I'm always happy to encourage people getting new bun buns. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Black Posted March 5, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 Congratulations on your new bunny. Beautiful. That was fun a fun post to read and see all of your photo's. You've come a long way with the three of them bonding and what not. That was funny that you relocated in a different sleeping area because of the noise instead of your rabbits. (very cute )I like their new bright green rug. If your bunnies get bored they can look up and watch Googles. Thank you Haha, it was some of the worst nights sleep ever.... I've been more comfortable (and warmer) camping! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Black Posted March 5, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 Holy Jeez I didn't realize all the crap that's been going on at your house only funny from my point of view Love the pics! My favorite behavioral trick = putting banana on bunny head to encourage grooming I know! It's been so stressful but worth it You might be able to see in the 'forced snuggles' pic that they have sticky banana heads after the banana pieces fell off. It didn't work by the way 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Black Posted March 5, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 Love the tricks you used!!! Awesome job to you and Tammy!! : I like the green rug and lights for their little area. Makes it so Spring-ish. Incoming suggestions of outdoorsy things might be on the horizon. This might be the horizon. Wow, what a beautiful bunny home! Thanks for sharing that Cat So glad you go her!!! And named her Ruby :heart OMG the forced snuggles :wub: it'll be worth all the trouble in the beginning in the end Thank you Mikey 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Black Posted March 5, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 I had no idea bunnies were such complex creatures. Glad it's working out with them now. Thank you They are much more complex and interesting than people realise. They just aren't given a chance to reveal their personalities and behaviour when kept in hutches I really like their rug! Thank you! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Black Posted March 5, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 So cute! She looks just like my old bunny, Buttons. I love rabbits but have developed a pretty bad allergy to them so no more for me I'm so sorry you've developed an allergy to them I know how it feels, I'm allergic to cats and most dogs and I love them both. Do you have any other pets? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helper FishyMandy Posted March 5, 2015 Helper Share Posted March 5, 2015 So cute! She looks just like my old bunny, Buttons. I love rabbits but have developed a pretty bad allergy to them so no more for me I'm so sorry you've developed an allergy to them I know how it feels, I'm allergic to cats and most dogs and I love them both. Do you have any other pets? I do I have 2 cats and 2 dogs as well as a rat...Im allergic to him too though 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Black Posted March 5, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 Wow! I'm glad all this work is paying off for you and the buns. This reads like a tutorial for bunny-addition. Good work to you and Tammy. Thank you I did kinda write so it could give people ideas if they are in a similar situation. You never know! So cute! She looks just like my old bunny, Buttons. I love rabbits but have developed a pretty bad allergy to them so no more for me I'm so sorry you've developed an allergy to them I know how it feels, I'm allergic to cats and most dogs and I love them both. Do you have any other pets? I do I have 2 cats and 2 dogs as well as a rat...Im allergic to him too though Are you ok with the kitty Kats and dogs? I'm so glad that they're finally friends now! The pics are great, and now we'll need daily updates! I'm always happy to encourage people getting new bun buns. ! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helper FishyMandy Posted March 5, 2015 Helper Share Posted March 5, 2015 I am mostly okay with the cats and dogs, sometimes in Spring they get to me. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Fish Of Gold Posted March 5, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 Awwww so cute! I like Ruby best because she looks like my Siamese cat! Is Ruby a Himalayan rabbit? I wasn't sure because she doesn't look like she has the dark legs/feet of Himalayan rabbits. Congrats on your new bun bun 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Black Posted March 5, 2015 Author Regular Member Share Posted March 5, 2015 Oh yea, she does! And very well observed, she's a mix of all sorts I think but mainly Himalayan and lion head 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Daniel Posted March 6, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 6, 2015 She's all sorts of cute, that's what she is, Charlie. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member fantailfan1 Posted March 6, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 6, 2015 You have done a wonderful job!! Such patience!! And Ruby is such a cutie!! Congrats on bun bun #3! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Niki Posted March 7, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 7, 2015 omgoodness they are adorable! Congrats on your new bunny, she is beautiful! I really enjoyed reading your post 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Flipper Posted March 7, 2015 Regular Member Share Posted March 7, 2015 Any new banana hat pics 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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