Wanted: An older, single female rabbit for long grooming sessions, romantic dinners, and good conversation. Me - 7-ish-year-old chinchilla rabbit with sexy black eyelashes. My hobbies include eating, racing around, and showering my girl with affection. Recently widowed. A pair of younger ladies also would be interesting. Have my Mama wrapped around my little toe, so there are plenty of tasty treats to share. Are you the special girl for me?
Well, I've started the ball rolling on getting Calvin a new gal. The Indiana House Rabbit Society has some girls who might like to have a suitor, and there are also two pairs of bonded girls who might do well in a threesome. Keep your mind out of the gutter - this is a rated G blog ;-) I hope to get a girl closer to Calvin's age, but the choice is his to make.
Calvin is doing pretty well on his own. We've been having breakfast together in the morning, using the time that I usually spent giving Jessica her medicine and/or Critical Care. We've also been watching TV together at night, me sitting on the floor and Calvin stretched out not too far away. He watches me watching TV. Thrilling, I know. He hasn't withdrawn or cut down on eating, so he's adjusting well to bachelorhood. He and Jess had been together for almost 4 years. Hopefully he and his new girl(s) will have several good years together, too.
I'll keep you posted.
Mama
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Busy Weekend
This weekend was a busy one, rabbit-wise. Not only was I dealing with Jessica's illness (see below), but Nadia went to go live at the Merrillville Petco to await her forever home. (Photos and story below.)
And I drove down to Lafayette yesterday to pick up 2 new foster buns, Marja (pronounced Mar-ja, with the "j" pronounced like in French) and Lil' Miss. Both are Dutches, like Nadia, except that Marja is a blueish-gray and Lil' Miss an agouti (like a wild bunny). Both girls are a bit nervous yet, but they'll settle in fine. PJ is surrounded by both girls (one in a foster addition to his cage as an upstairs neighbor and the other on the floor in a Tommy cage, so he can make googoo eyes at her).
I made myself go down to Lafayette, basically dropping Calvin off back home before hitting the road, after what happened yesterday morning. I couldn't be the only girl here, and my empty nest feelings would have been twice as bad.
Calvin's doing pretty good, eating fine and liking the attention I give him. I'll spend most of the day downstairs with him, renewing our bond. It's so weird to be fixing salad for one again, not having to rip up the lettuce leaves (like I had to do for Jess after her incisors were removed), or to be able to pet Calvin without Her Majesty butting in and demanding all my attention. A new princess is out there somewhere, waiting for Prince Calvin Parsley to come and rescue her, but it's not time yet.
Mama
And I drove down to Lafayette yesterday to pick up 2 new foster buns, Marja (pronounced Mar-ja, with the "j" pronounced like in French) and Lil' Miss. Both are Dutches, like Nadia, except that Marja is a blueish-gray and Lil' Miss an agouti (like a wild bunny). Both girls are a bit nervous yet, but they'll settle in fine. PJ is surrounded by both girls (one in a foster addition to his cage as an upstairs neighbor and the other on the floor in a Tommy cage, so he can make googoo eyes at her).
I made myself go down to Lafayette, basically dropping Calvin off back home before hitting the road, after what happened yesterday morning. I couldn't be the only girl here, and my empty nest feelings would have been twice as bad.
Calvin's doing pretty good, eating fine and liking the attention I give him. I'll spend most of the day downstairs with him, renewing our bond. It's so weird to be fixing salad for one again, not having to rip up the lettuce leaves (like I had to do for Jess after her incisors were removed), or to be able to pet Calvin without Her Majesty butting in and demanding all my attention. A new princess is out there somewhere, waiting for Prince Calvin Parsley to come and rescue her, but it's not time yet.
Mama
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Jessica Donna, 4-17-2004 - 1-27-2008
This morning, I had to say goodbye to my bunny girl, Jessica.
Yesterday morning, Jess wasn't eating, was lethargic, and obviously wasn't feeling well. She went through this a few weeks ago, so I just loaded her into the carrier and took her to the vet, thinking that we'll just do antibiotics and she'll be okay again, even if we had to start tracking down what the underlying problem was. The vet felt a mass on her left side, and she suggested we get an ultrasound down at Purdue this coming week. She gave me some pain medication and antibiotics to give to Jess, and she told me that she had the pager this weekend if I needed anything.
This morning, Jess was even worse. She hadn't even licked off the Critical Care that had gotten stuck on her lips last night when I syringe fed her, and she was barely able to swallow the little bit of pain meds I gave her this morning. Most of the antibiotic came back out when I gave it to her. She also moaned a few times when I was petting her head. I called my vet and was told that she'd be in at the hospital in an hour. When I put Jess back into her house, she could barely hop out of my arms. I didn't think there'd be much we could do for Jess, and I put her and Calvin both into the carrier when it was time to go to the vet.
They took a few x-rays, and they showed that nothing was moving in her GI tract. The mass wasn't anything diagnosable from an x-ray (like a kidney stone or something). The vet said that she could start Jess on IV fluids and some pain meds, but there was a very good chance that it wouldn't do anything. She gave me some time to think, and I already knew what we'd have to do, but I stood and stroked my girl for a few minutes before being able to say it.
We sat Jessica on the floor on a nice quilt. Calvin was on the floor, too, and hovered near her, coming to me, the doc, and the two techs for support. The doc gave Jess the injection. We all sat on the floor, stroking Jess and reassuring Calvin. After about 20 mins, Jess still wasn't gone, and the doc gave her a little more of the drug. We all knew how much spirit she had, and I joked that Jess was probably negotiating with God (like for how much papaya and oatmeal she'd get every day) before transitioning. At around 11am, Jess was gone. It was very peaceful, and I'm very thankful for that. This was the first time I had an animal euthanized, and it was the last gift I could give my special girl - to relieve her pain.
Calvin sat beside her for a little while after she was gone. He's so brave, like Jess was. I picked out a small wooden box for Jess's ashes (it can hold a photo, and it'll be engraved with her name, adoption date, and today's date) and a small, heart-shaped pendant to wear that will also have a small part of her ashes. I also clipped two chunks of Jess's fur to keep as a memento.
I asked the doc to do a necropsy, and it turns out that Jessica had cirrhosis of the liver. The doc thought that something might have been up with Jess's liver, for Jess's skin was a little yellowish this morning. The doc said that it wasn't anything that I had done, and I understand. We all must die sometime, and life will go on.
Calvin is doing okay tonight. I sat on the floor with him when I was watching TV. I think he really understands that Jess is gone. He hasn't looked for her at all. Bonded partners can grieve deeply for their lost friend, but Calvin is eating and showing signs that he'll be okay. When he's ready, we'll talk about getting him a new partner.
Jess left a hole in my heart that will never be filled, and I know she'll be waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge when my time comes to go. She'll probably give me that look of hers and thump at me, because I won't have a treat for her. I'll have to remember to ask St. Peter for one so I don't go into our reunion empty handed. Or maybe I won't ask for one, so I can hear her thump at me just one more time.
Mama
Yesterday morning, Jess wasn't eating, was lethargic, and obviously wasn't feeling well. She went through this a few weeks ago, so I just loaded her into the carrier and took her to the vet, thinking that we'll just do antibiotics and she'll be okay again, even if we had to start tracking down what the underlying problem was. The vet felt a mass on her left side, and she suggested we get an ultrasound down at Purdue this coming week. She gave me some pain medication and antibiotics to give to Jess, and she told me that she had the pager this weekend if I needed anything.
This morning, Jess was even worse. She hadn't even licked off the Critical Care that had gotten stuck on her lips last night when I syringe fed her, and she was barely able to swallow the little bit of pain meds I gave her this morning. Most of the antibiotic came back out when I gave it to her. She also moaned a few times when I was petting her head. I called my vet and was told that she'd be in at the hospital in an hour. When I put Jess back into her house, she could barely hop out of my arms. I didn't think there'd be much we could do for Jess, and I put her and Calvin both into the carrier when it was time to go to the vet.
They took a few x-rays, and they showed that nothing was moving in her GI tract. The mass wasn't anything diagnosable from an x-ray (like a kidney stone or something). The vet said that she could start Jess on IV fluids and some pain meds, but there was a very good chance that it wouldn't do anything. She gave me some time to think, and I already knew what we'd have to do, but I stood and stroked my girl for a few minutes before being able to say it.
We sat Jessica on the floor on a nice quilt. Calvin was on the floor, too, and hovered near her, coming to me, the doc, and the two techs for support. The doc gave Jess the injection. We all sat on the floor, stroking Jess and reassuring Calvin. After about 20 mins, Jess still wasn't gone, and the doc gave her a little more of the drug. We all knew how much spirit she had, and I joked that Jess was probably negotiating with God (like for how much papaya and oatmeal she'd get every day) before transitioning. At around 11am, Jess was gone. It was very peaceful, and I'm very thankful for that. This was the first time I had an animal euthanized, and it was the last gift I could give my special girl - to relieve her pain.
Calvin sat beside her for a little while after she was gone. He's so brave, like Jess was. I picked out a small wooden box for Jess's ashes (it can hold a photo, and it'll be engraved with her name, adoption date, and today's date) and a small, heart-shaped pendant to wear that will also have a small part of her ashes. I also clipped two chunks of Jess's fur to keep as a memento.
I asked the doc to do a necropsy, and it turns out that Jessica had cirrhosis of the liver. The doc thought that something might have been up with Jess's liver, for Jess's skin was a little yellowish this morning. The doc said that it wasn't anything that I had done, and I understand. We all must die sometime, and life will go on.
Calvin is doing okay tonight. I sat on the floor with him when I was watching TV. I think he really understands that Jess is gone. He hasn't looked for her at all. Bonded partners can grieve deeply for their lost friend, but Calvin is eating and showing signs that he'll be okay. When he's ready, we'll talk about getting him a new partner.
Jess left a hole in my heart that will never be filled, and I know she'll be waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge when my time comes to go. She'll probably give me that look of hers and thump at me, because I won't have a treat for her. I'll have to remember to ask St. Peter for one so I don't go into our reunion empty handed. Or maybe I won't ask for one, so I can hear her thump at me just one more time.
Mama
Nadia - Now in the Merrillville Petco
Nadia is now in the Merrillville, IN, Petco, awaiting her forever home. Yesterday, the volunteer called me and said that Nadia did great. She didn't fight when she was taken out of the hexi cage, and she spent play time hopping all over the volunteer, demanding attention. That makes me feel so good, to have both foster buns I've had do so well. Nadia is a black Dutch - such a deep, gorgeous black, too, and a few white hairs on her blanket (ie, butt and hips) that make her not follow the breed standard.
Pics from my place:
Pics from Petco:
Even with her odd behavior, Nadia won me over. I would lie on the floor, propped up on my elbows reading, and she'd burrow her way under my underarm and lie there for a headrub with me leaning on her a little bit. It's like she wanted as much physical contact as possible. What a dear!
We're pulling for you, Nadia. I hope you get a great home, soon, though Kristie in Highland will hopefully find a home first.
Mama
Pics from my place:
Pics from Petco:
Even with her odd behavior, Nadia won me over. I would lie on the floor, propped up on my elbows reading, and she'd burrow her way under my underarm and lie there for a headrub with me leaning on her a little bit. It's like she wanted as much physical contact as possible. What a dear!
We're pulling for you, Nadia. I hope you get a great home, soon, though Kristie in Highland will hopefully find a home first.
Mama
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
PJ Pics
Since I've uploaded photos of Kristie and she's no longer living with me, I have to give some equal billing to PJ, my sweet mini-rex.
He's starting to shed again (so is Jessica) - what's up with shedding in January?! It's still cold out!!
Mama
He's starting to shed again (so is Jessica) - what's up with shedding in January?! It's still cold out!!
Mama
Kristie - Settling in Well at Petco
Kristie, my first foster bunny graduate, is settling in nicely at the Petco in Highland, IN.
Here are a few photos of Kristie during her last day as my foster:
And a few at Petco:
She used to just sit in her litterbox when she was out to play, but she's settled in nicely over the last few weeks. Now if she can just get a forever home!
Mama
Here are a few photos of Kristie during her last day as my foster:
And a few at Petco:
She used to just sit in her litterbox when she was out to play, but she's settled in nicely over the last few weeks. Now if she can just get a forever home!
Mama
Please Help Red Door Win Big $$
The Red Door Animal Shelter, where I adopted Calvin and Jessica, are in a national competition to win $50,000 from Parade Magazine.
Please take a few moments and sign-up to give $10. If you can't make a donation, please help spread the word! We're up to 97 donors right now.
Help Red Door Win!
Thanks.
Mama
Please take a few moments and sign-up to give $10. If you can't make a donation, please help spread the word! We're up to 97 donors right now.
Help Red Door Win!
Thanks.
Mama
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Nadia - In Need of Some Lithium
Well, Nadia has certainly made an impression on me. This little foster bun has had a very hard life in her 2 years or so - she was kept in a dismal basement and bred. Her Dutch markings aren't up to breed standards, but her former owner must not have cared.
Anyway, she boxes. A lot. Last night I entered her temporary pen (upstairs on my landing/hallway), and she was attacking my feet and legs. Needless to say, I wore shoes this morning when I entered to freshen her hay and water and give her salad. Of course since I was prepared, she didn't box.
She is a loveable rabbit, though, liking headrubs, though she's a bit pushy. We have to work on her manners and her tolerance for other buns. I've had to lock her up in her carrier and take her downstairs so PJ and Kristie could have some relaxing out time (though Kristie still pellet marks outside of Nadia's pen to show Nadia who has claim to that real estate).
I enjoy a challenge, and taming this Dutch beauty will certainly be one!
Mama
Anyway, she boxes. A lot. Last night I entered her temporary pen (upstairs on my landing/hallway), and she was attacking my feet and legs. Needless to say, I wore shoes this morning when I entered to freshen her hay and water and give her salad. Of course since I was prepared, she didn't box.
She is a loveable rabbit, though, liking headrubs, though she's a bit pushy. We have to work on her manners and her tolerance for other buns. I've had to lock her up in her carrier and take her downstairs so PJ and Kristie could have some relaxing out time (though Kristie still pellet marks outside of Nadia's pen to show Nadia who has claim to that real estate).
I enjoy a challenge, and taming this Dutch beauty will certainly be one!
Mama
Monday, December 10, 2007
New Foster Bun Afoot
Kristie, my lovely black and white foster bun, goes to Petco this week (likely this coming Sat.) to await a forever home. I drove down to Indianapolis yesterday to pick up a new foster bun for me and one for another foster mom. My new girl is Nadia, named after Nadia Comaneci (I disagree with the Romanization of her name on Wikipedia, where this spelling came from), the Russian gymnast, after her spectacular back flip into her litter box when she was first rescued. She's a black and white Dutch, though her markings aren't up to par for the show world. She has a few behaviorial problems that we'll be working through - she likes to box at you - so it'll be a while before she's ready to go to Petco to await a good home.
Thumbelina, a little gray/tan Netherland Dwarf, will go to Petco when Lane gets adopted. Kristie was going to fill Lane's spot, but a bun at a different Petco (Andie) is getting adopted first. I'll still get to see my Kristie-Doodle, as I call her, when I volunteer at the other Petco. I'll be taking pics of Kristie this week and will post them. I'll take some of Nadia, too, if she cooperates :-) And pics of PJ, since he's not on here yet, either.
Mama
Thumbelina, a little gray/tan Netherland Dwarf, will go to Petco when Lane gets adopted. Kristie was going to fill Lane's spot, but a bun at a different Petco (Andie) is getting adopted first. I'll still get to see my Kristie-Doodle, as I call her, when I volunteer at the other Petco. I'll be taking pics of Kristie this week and will post them. I'll take some of Nadia, too, if she cooperates :-) And pics of PJ, since he's not on here yet, either.
Mama
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Kristie - A Thankful Foster Bunny
I'm Kristie. I was rescued from the same shelter that PJ was, even on the same day. I'm so glad to be out of there!
I'm so thankful to the IHRS for rescuing me, and for getting me spayed. Now I can focus on what's around me and not my hormones.
I'm thankful for my foster Mama, even though she seems to get upset when I taste-test her books. Doesn't she know I'm a curious bun and see the world through my nibbling? I'm not yet 2 years old, so she needs to cut me some slack. She even keeps me from getting back into the really cool, dark closet I got into once. I've spent many nights trying to get back into it, but she keeps thwarting my efforts. (Wow, thwarting is such a big word. Must have been in some scrap of newspaper I ate.)
I'm thankful it's so quiet here at Mama's, and that I can rip newspaper and hide. I don't like it when she picks me up to take me out for playtime. She says that I'll have to put up with this when I go to Petco, whatever that means. I don't really want to leave here except to go to my forever home, so maybe someone will adopt me before I have to go there.
I'm thankful for my foster Grampy, who I got a crush on when we went to his house for a week. I'd tease him by sniffing his finger but then moving away when he tried to scratch my head. I did lick him, though, so the bunny kiss told him all he needed to know :-) I've given my foster Mama bunny kisses, too.
I'm thankful for yummy salad, long spaces to be able to race around, and for full-frontal headrubs. I'm thankful that I can dance and rip newspaper and hide and be a bunny.
I'm thankful that my foster Mama has told me that I'll always have a home here if anything ever happens to me after I get a forever home.
Kristie
I'm so thankful to the IHRS for rescuing me, and for getting me spayed. Now I can focus on what's around me and not my hormones.
I'm thankful for my foster Mama, even though she seems to get upset when I taste-test her books. Doesn't she know I'm a curious bun and see the world through my nibbling? I'm not yet 2 years old, so she needs to cut me some slack. She even keeps me from getting back into the really cool, dark closet I got into once. I've spent many nights trying to get back into it, but she keeps thwarting my efforts. (Wow, thwarting is such a big word. Must have been in some scrap of newspaper I ate.)
I'm thankful it's so quiet here at Mama's, and that I can rip newspaper and hide. I don't like it when she picks me up to take me out for playtime. She says that I'll have to put up with this when I go to Petco, whatever that means. I don't really want to leave here except to go to my forever home, so maybe someone will adopt me before I have to go there.
I'm thankful for my foster Grampy, who I got a crush on when we went to his house for a week. I'd tease him by sniffing his finger but then moving away when he tried to scratch my head. I did lick him, though, so the bunny kiss told him all he needed to know :-) I've given my foster Mama bunny kisses, too.
I'm thankful for yummy salad, long spaces to be able to race around, and for full-frontal headrubs. I'm thankful that I can dance and rip newspaper and hide and be a bunny.
I'm thankful that my foster Mama has told me that I'll always have a home here if anything ever happens to me after I get a forever home.
Kristie
PJ - "What I'm Thankful for"
Hi, I'm the new guy. I have so much to be thankful for!
I'm thankful that the Indiana House Rabbit Society rescued me from the local animal shelter. I had been there for at least 3 months, but it felt like forever! It was so loud there - dogs barking, cats meowing (us rabbits are kept in the same room as the cats, and there aren't any windows or anything between that room and where the dogs are), and all sorts of smells. I had been "Mr. Boo" because of my tatooed ear. It really reads MRBR0, which means Mini-Rex Brindle and the number zero. I had been at the shelter long enough to know not to overturn my pellet bowl, for that would mean I wouldn't have food until they cleaned my cage the next day. I had to sit on a pressed steel floor that was a lot like wire, and it was uncomfortable. I had a big lump under my chin, too.
I'm thankful that Mama adopted me. The IHRS got me neutered and the lump removed from under my chin. They thought that I might have cancer, but I didn't. Now I have a nice solid floor under me, water and pellets galore, plus salad and hay and, best of all, love and attention. For over 6 years, I was kept outside and even had tapeworms. I still have some in me, but they can't hurt anyone. I have problems with goopy stuff coming out of my butt, and I continue to have urine scald because of the goo. Mama loves me anyway, even though I sort of smell. She calls me "Goo Boy" sometimes, but I don't mind. I show her how much I love her by licking her hands and arms when she's scratching my back, neck and sides where I can't reach. I'm not very flexible (the bones in my back are joining together, so I can't reach around real well to scratch or groom), but Mama knows that and scratches my itches.
With my age and problems, I don't know how I escaped being euthanized. But I'm so glad I did. I'm getting a lot of lovin' and my Mama understands me and gives me what I've always wanted.
PJ
I'm thankful that the Indiana House Rabbit Society rescued me from the local animal shelter. I had been there for at least 3 months, but it felt like forever! It was so loud there - dogs barking, cats meowing (us rabbits are kept in the same room as the cats, and there aren't any windows or anything between that room and where the dogs are), and all sorts of smells. I had been "Mr. Boo" because of my tatooed ear. It really reads MRBR0, which means Mini-Rex Brindle and the number zero. I had been at the shelter long enough to know not to overturn my pellet bowl, for that would mean I wouldn't have food until they cleaned my cage the next day. I had to sit on a pressed steel floor that was a lot like wire, and it was uncomfortable. I had a big lump under my chin, too.
I'm thankful that Mama adopted me. The IHRS got me neutered and the lump removed from under my chin. They thought that I might have cancer, but I didn't. Now I have a nice solid floor under me, water and pellets galore, plus salad and hay and, best of all, love and attention. For over 6 years, I was kept outside and even had tapeworms. I still have some in me, but they can't hurt anyone. I have problems with goopy stuff coming out of my butt, and I continue to have urine scald because of the goo. Mama loves me anyway, even though I sort of smell. She calls me "Goo Boy" sometimes, but I don't mind. I show her how much I love her by licking her hands and arms when she's scratching my back, neck and sides where I can't reach. I'm not very flexible (the bones in my back are joining together, so I can't reach around real well to scratch or groom), but Mama knows that and scratches my itches.
With my age and problems, I don't know how I escaped being euthanized. But I'm so glad I did. I'm getting a lot of lovin' and my Mama understands me and gives me what I've always wanted.
PJ
Jessica - "What I'm Thankful for" 2007
I'm thankful that I'm feeling better. Even though I still devour Critical Care so I feel good, it's nice to not have my teeth hurting me anymore. I've heard Mama talk about getting my peg teeth out - the two little teeth on the top have grown back - but she's assured me that it won't be as bad as when I got all of my front teeth out. (Dr. Ladd, who I tolerate, will do it, so we don't have to go to Purdue, either.)
I'm thankful for papaya, both dried and regular. Mama got me some fresh papaya when we came home from my surgery. I didn't know what it was at first, but I soon figured it out.
I'm thankful that I've learned how to use my lips for stuff, like picking up oatmeal so I can eat it. I used my front teeth for so much, so I've had to adapt. Mama tells me that people have to adapt to stuff sometimes, too, so I don't feel bad about it.
I'm thankful that I got to meet my Great-Grammies when we went to Grampy's house. Mama told me that my middle name was Grammy's name, and I'm sad that I never got to meet her.
Jessica
I'm thankful for papaya, both dried and regular. Mama got me some fresh papaya when we came home from my surgery. I didn't know what it was at first, but I soon figured it out.
I'm thankful that I've learned how to use my lips for stuff, like picking up oatmeal so I can eat it. I used my front teeth for so much, so I've had to adapt. Mama tells me that people have to adapt to stuff sometimes, too, so I don't feel bad about it.
I'm thankful that I got to meet my Great-Grammies when we went to Grampy's house. Mama told me that my middle name was Grammy's name, and I'm sad that I never got to meet her.
Jessica
Calvin - "What I'm Thankful for" 2007
I'm thankful that I'm still with Mama, and that my girl, Jessica, is still here.
I'm glad that Jessica got her front teeth removed. Now when she beats me up, she can't rip my fur out. (Okay, I still rip her fur out, but I just love her so much that I can't help it.)
I'm thankful for the yummy treats Mama got when we were visiting Grampy - dried banana chips, dried cranberries (unsweetened), and huge dried papaya pieces. And of course, I still am thankful for oatmeal and raisins.
I'm thankful that Mama has been around more. I guess she left school, so that means she's home every evening and we get lots of play time.
Calvin
I'm glad that Jessica got her front teeth removed. Now when she beats me up, she can't rip my fur out. (Okay, I still rip her fur out, but I just love her so much that I can't help it.)
I'm thankful for the yummy treats Mama got when we were visiting Grampy - dried banana chips, dried cranberries (unsweetened), and huge dried papaya pieces. And of course, I still am thankful for oatmeal and raisins.
I'm thankful that Mama has been around more. I guess she left school, so that means she's home every evening and we get lots of play time.
Calvin
Mama - "What I'm Thankful for" 2007
I'm thankful that I've gotten involved with the Indiana House Rabbit Society, rescuing rabbits. I'm a "bunny buddy" to an IHRS rabbit at the local Petco, and I have a foster bun, Kristie, that will go to the Petco program when the current bun gets adopted. I also took an IHRS bun, Mimzy, down to Indianapolis for vet care. (She wasn't able to sit or hop - she'd fall over onto her right side. She was eating and moving around as best as she could. From what I understand, she's made a great recovery.)
I'm thankful that PJ came to live with me. I don't know how long he'll be around, with his age and health issues, but he's the sweetest little guy. I'm glad to give him the lovin' he never got before.
I'm thankful for the amazing new car that can fit 2 cages (1 completely and 1 semi-disassembled), 3 carriers, hay, salad, toys/bowls, pellets, and my stuff. It's come in handy when we went to Purdue to get Jess's front teeth removed and when we went back to PA after my Mom passed away. I couldn't have fit half of this stuff in my old car.
I'm thankful for my job, which keeps my buns in salad and hay. I like the job for much more than just for that, but this is a bunny blog, after all :-)
Mama
I'm thankful that PJ came to live with me. I don't know how long he'll be around, with his age and health issues, but he's the sweetest little guy. I'm glad to give him the lovin' he never got before.
I'm thankful for the amazing new car that can fit 2 cages (1 completely and 1 semi-disassembled), 3 carriers, hay, salad, toys/bowls, pellets, and my stuff. It's come in handy when we went to Purdue to get Jess's front teeth removed and when we went back to PA after my Mom passed away. I couldn't have fit half of this stuff in my old car.
I'm thankful for my job, which keeps my buns in salad and hay. I like the job for much more than just for that, but this is a bunny blog, after all :-)
Mama
Updates coming...
Sorry it's been so long since the buns' blog has been updated. I'll be adding new stuff over the next few days. So much to add: a new bun has joined our warren - PJ; a foster bun - Kristie - has been living with us, too; and the buns' Grammy passed away.
Photos of the new buns coming soon, too.
Mama
Photos of the new buns coming soon, too.
Mama
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Three years later....
Three years ago today, Calvin and I went to Red Door to get him a buddy. Jessica was the last bun we saw and, while it wasn't love at first sight (yes, buns do this, bonding instantly), Calvin's life got a lot brighter. Despite health problems, especially her teeth, Jess has been so sweet and sassy and adorable. For her special "gotcha" day, I bought some of her favorite treats - papaya - and a new treat, a mix of hay, tiny pine cones, and flower petals.
Jess will be getting her front teeth removed in a few weeks. Surprisingly, it isn't that expensive, and it's the best chance we have of getting her molars back the way they should be - nice and even. I'll drop Jess and Calvin off in the morning and pick them up in the evening. I've been brushing Jess every night since Sunday, since she'll not be able to groom the way she's used to once her teeth are removed. Since she won't be able to pluck chunks of hair from herself (or Calvin), I want to make sure she stays looking mah-velous.
Jess... 3 years later and still a bundle of personality :-)
Mama
Jess will be getting her front teeth removed in a few weeks. Surprisingly, it isn't that expensive, and it's the best chance we have of getting her molars back the way they should be - nice and even. I'll drop Jess and Calvin off in the morning and pick them up in the evening. I've been brushing Jess every night since Sunday, since she'll not be able to groom the way she's used to once her teeth are removed. Since she won't be able to pluck chunks of hair from herself (or Calvin), I want to make sure she stays looking mah-velous.
Jess... 3 years later and still a bundle of personality :-)
Mama
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Teeth, the Bread and Butter of a Bun
Jessica has had trouble with her teeth for quite a while. Her left front tooth is curving to the left, and her molars are "stairstepped" or uneven. I've heard from two vets that it might be best to have her front teeth removed in order to keep them from growing too much and making her molars not meet when her mouth is closed.
I don't know how much the surgery would be, but she'd likely have to stay overnight at the vet to make sure she's eating again. I'd have to chop up her carrots and probably make lettuce and things into smaller pieces, since she couldn't bite stuff off after her front teeth are removed. I really am agonizing over this, for I feel like it'd be mutilating Jess, even if it'd help her in the long run. Hopefully I'll get to talk to our vet here in Indiana and ask her if their removal would really fix the problem with her molars. Financially (and emotionally, for Jess), that would make it worthwhile, though I'd still feel like a horrible Mom.
Jess doesn't chew on things too much (Calvin has the corner on that market), but she does use her front teeth a lot when she grooms herself, pulling out loose tufts of fur and eating them. (She also pulls hunks of Cal's fur out, too, so she wouldn't be able to do that anymore, either.) That isn't good for her digestive system, eating that much hair, but since buns groom so much, I don't know if just using her lips and tongue will give her as much satisfaction. She'd still be able to inhale parsley and stuff (lips help feed in food, even if she can't rip stuff up using just her lips) since she doesn't use her front teeth for that, and I'm watching her to see what else she'd be unable to do if the teeth were removed.
My poor, sweet, sassy girl.
Mama
I don't know how much the surgery would be, but she'd likely have to stay overnight at the vet to make sure she's eating again. I'd have to chop up her carrots and probably make lettuce and things into smaller pieces, since she couldn't bite stuff off after her front teeth are removed. I really am agonizing over this, for I feel like it'd be mutilating Jess, even if it'd help her in the long run. Hopefully I'll get to talk to our vet here in Indiana and ask her if their removal would really fix the problem with her molars. Financially (and emotionally, for Jess), that would make it worthwhile, though I'd still feel like a horrible Mom.
Jess doesn't chew on things too much (Calvin has the corner on that market), but she does use her front teeth a lot when she grooms herself, pulling out loose tufts of fur and eating them. (She also pulls hunks of Cal's fur out, too, so she wouldn't be able to do that anymore, either.) That isn't good for her digestive system, eating that much hair, but since buns groom so much, I don't know if just using her lips and tongue will give her as much satisfaction. She'd still be able to inhale parsley and stuff (lips help feed in food, even if she can't rip stuff up using just her lips) since she doesn't use her front teeth for that, and I'm watching her to see what else she'd be unable to do if the teeth were removed.
My poor, sweet, sassy girl.
Mama
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Happy Tail
Ever since Jess had her teeth ground down and evened out a few weeks ago, she has been so active. She zips around a lot, more than she ever has since coming to live with us almost 3 years ago. What I most love is when she shakes her tail. Both Jess and Cal will shake all over, sometimes as a "half-binky" and sometimes just as a shudder. When Jess shakes just her tail, though, it tells me how happy she is. It's like when a duck shakes its tail when it settles onto water or is feeling pleased with itself. Between the tail and the bouncing ears when she hops along, I just can't help but smile at her Royal Cuteness :-)
Mama
Mama
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Hoppy Spring :-)
I took the buns out for a hop today, individually since Jess runs around while Calvin is fairly stationary. Calvin went first today, and he didn't eat as much of the Great Outdoor Buffet as he usually does. There were noisy cars and an occasional motorcycle which made him a bit frightened, and he chewed on his harness a bit, too. I'm sure he'll get used to being out again - hopefully I can take him out every weekend.
Jess, as usual, didn't let any noise or strange sights bother her at all. She ran all over the place, so I got a workout, too. I think she actually played with me at one point. She ran ahead three feet, then turned sideways to get me to catch up, then ran ahead again and turned, and did it once more. It was like she was playing Follow the Leader. She hadn't ever done that before, so I think she might have been having fun. She almost got out of her harness as I was grabbing her to bring her back inside. I love how her ears bounce up and down when she runs :-)
Mama
Jess, as usual, didn't let any noise or strange sights bother her at all. She ran all over the place, so I got a workout, too. I think she actually played with me at one point. She ran ahead three feet, then turned sideways to get me to catch up, then ran ahead again and turned, and did it once more. It was like she was playing Follow the Leader. She hadn't ever done that before, so I think she might have been having fun. She almost got out of her harness as I was grabbing her to bring her back inside. I love how her ears bounce up and down when she runs :-)
Mama
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Improvements :-)
I've finally updated the buns' blog to include subjects, so that old posts are indexed and easy to find. Have fun going back and reading your favorite stories of the fuzzy exploits of the Fuzzy Duo.
Mama
Mama
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)