New Season Fashion with Mel

Yesterday, exactly 9 weeks after Mel and Sue were born, Mel decided she was going to be a lop bunny. Her right ear has since hardly gone up, and is lolling all around the place. She looks delightful with one ear up, one ear down.

Last night Sue decided to copy her sister, and also went for the one-up-one-down look.

They must have a very interesting genetic history. They encompass the traits of so many breeds now! Cuties!

Mel: Like my new style?

Blurred but cute nonetheless

Sue being a copy-bun

Mel: Is this Jack's bag?

Mel: Please take me to work with you!

 

Bunnies During Stressful Times

As some of you know I have recently finished winter exams. It was the first revision period I have had with the company of our little furry friends. I was a little apprehensive about having them during the exam season, not knowing if they would be a help or a hindrance. I am happy to say that they made it a wholly more enjoyable experience!

We are lucky in that we have been able to set out our flat so that we have a dedicated 'work zone'. Otherwise we may have had to go to the library to revise and would have seen much less of the bunnies.

It was nice just to say hi to the buns as we made our meals, or popped to the toilet. It is impossible not to smile when you see them!

During the 2/3 weeks we had two bunny deliveries. I admit that on those days it was a little hard to be motivated to work; who can resist new bunnies? But when we needed a break they were invaluable.

I don't think I felt truly stressed once. Occasionally I felt a bit panicked, but then I would go and sit with the buns for a bit and all of that would go away. And apparently this is proven: studies have shown that owning a pet can reduce stress levels.

So my advice if you are feeling the heat is to take some time out with a cute animal. Even looking at photos online could help! Of course, make sure you still plan your work effectively. I know I could easily have accidently spent hours with the bunnies and failed all of my exams!

Having a break with Billy

M&S Have Bunny Stuff!

Jack and I had a day out in Harrogate yesterday, and whilst having a browse around the kitchen section of Marks and Spencers we saw the most adorable mug I have ever seen!

It was so cute I just couldn't resist buying it; at £6 I didn't think it was tooooo expensive. The lady at the till also commented on the mug saying ''Awwwwwww, that's so cute!''
Whilst perusing the soft furnishings we saw a matching cushion! It's so cute, and you can see the whole bunny body. They have a whole range of cute things. I also particularly like the duckling and cat items.

Unfortunately I had to be wise and didn't buy it (student budget bleughhh, but only £12). But it's my birthday next weekend so I may have to treat myself. I can just imagine chilling on the sofa with a tassimo costa cappuccino in my bunny mug, the cushion keeping me comfy and maybe a little bunny on my lap, whilst reading a book...it sounds like the most perfect way to relax.

I might also have to expand my collection of bunny mugs when I have a job...maybe with all of our foster bunnies on. Actually, that's the best idea I've had in ages. Better find myself a reputable put-a-photo-on-a-mug company.

I've definitely used the word 'cute' too often in this post, oh well!

Robson and Jerome...

...are now going to be rehomed together!

They are currently living with their littermates Graeme and Aiden, so there is the possibility of rehoming them as a family.

Please check out the boys on the tabs above and on previous posts, and consider if you could give them a forever home.

Mel and Sue

Sorry it has taken so long for me to introduce our latest foster bunnies. I finished winter exams yesterday so now am free for a few days to dote on the little darlings and give more updates!

Mel and Sue came to us last Thursday when little Billy went (I miss that cheeky chappy).
They're tiny little babies still, at just about 8 weeks old. They were born on the 25th November 2013. Their dad is a Lionhead (though you cannot see it in these girls) and their mum was possibly a British cross.

I think I've already fallen completely head over heels in love with them. They have pretty much every trait you could want in a bunny between them.

Amazingly they were litter trained in about a day! Only one wee out of the litter box in almost a week and that was on the first day. And no more poops out of the box than we have experienced with any other of our bunnies. Really impressed.

The girls are also super chilled. None of our bunnies so far have really just slopped out on the ground with their legs stretched or belly out (except Jerome on just two occasions). These girls were all casual on the first day. And they groom each other too which is just too cute.

Because they are still so young they have access to unlimited baby pellets so we haven't really been able to teach them that they have to love us because we give them their food yet! But in a week or so we'll get rationing and they'll have to come up to us for their dinner and love us mwahhahahaha!

Sue seems to really love a good stroke on her head. Pretty sure she was tooth purring the other day, it made me so super happy. It's so sweet the way she nudges my hand to get me to keep doing it!

Mel and Sue feel really different. We don't think Sue has any Rex is her, but she has a really rexy look and feel, whereas Mel feels more sleek.

They're really inquisitive and were not scared to wander around our living room and get running about the first time we let them out. Amazing! They also love the carpeted hallway too. We've made a little bunny den out of some old boxes which they like to play around.

Here's what you've been waiting for...photos!

Sue playing with her keys

Sue looking funny whilst having a clean

Little Melly

Mel and Jack meet for the first time

Mel chilled with cuddly Sue

Mel, left, and Sue, right

Melly Belly

Sue looking cute and grumpy

Sue enjoying a head stroke

Mel being naughty in the washing basket...

Sue has her legs poking out of the pen...that chilled

Mel, master of the tunnel

Having an explore in the bunny play zone

Sue having a look around

Last Night with Billy

It's just over twelve hours until Billy is leaving us, and I feel a little bit guilty to have not spent more time with him today. Instead I've been revising organic chemistry like crazy. Luckily my RSI means that I have been able to have a long Billy break until the ibuprofen kicks in!

He's really lively in the evenings, and we have been having a great time with him this evening. He's such a lovely little thing. He's been licking our faces so much, it's impossible not to giggle ridiculously when his little whiskers flick about your face.

Here are some of the last photos of him in this house. You'll have to forgive our silly bunny onesies! I hope you enjoy, we certainly have.

Lovely little bunny bum

Having a clean

Heyaaaaa

Gizza kiss

 

Your eyelid looks tasty

Romantic moment

Billy wanted a selfie

New Baby Bunnies on Thursday! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I always get super excited before our next batch of foster bunnies. It sort of makes up for the heartbreak when they have to go back to Camp Nibble to get adopted.

This Thursday Billy is going to see a specialist vet, and two baby girls will be dropped off to take his place in our humble abode.

As they are babies we are going to get to name them. Naming bunnies is the best; we obviously like to give them sillyish names (eg. Robson and Jerome)!

The names we have decided on are..............

MEL and SUE

You heard it here first everyone!

Lets hope they give us as many smiles and giggles as the human Mel and Sue.

Mel and Sue are two of the non-fluffy buns...not sure which yet though!

Quick Robson and Jerome Update

Today I had an update from Hannah of Camp Nibble about Robson and Jerome. It's always nice to hear that they are doing well.


At the moment they are both living with two of their brothers, Graeme and Aiden, and are getting along nicely! This is great news after their previous separation. Having their bits chopped off may have done the trick with their raging male hormones!


A while back Robson suddenly lost a lot of weight, for a completely unknown reason! It is good to know that he recovered and is now plump and perfectly fine. Such a mystery and apparently not something that has been seen before. Has anyone else experienced this before?


These gorgeous bunnies still need homes! Please read more about Robson and Jerome from the tabs above and consider if you could be their new parents. As far as I know, Robson is still being rehomed with his mummy Pippa. It's such a shame that such lovely bunnies are still unwanted!
More evidence of them being lovely below!!!

Parrot bun?

So I look like a doof but you can tell I'm happy with little Jerome

Robson and Jerome being friendly 

What a Difference a Carpet Makes

Our latest foster bunny Billy has seemed a little down. It's understandable as he has had a stressful few days, with moving from one home to another. Plus we think he has been missing his old owner.

In his pen we had a 'bedroom' box, plus some toys etc. and his litter box. For the last few days he didn't even explore the other half of his cage; he just went from litter box to 'bedroom', and just sat the whole time.

So this evening we thought we would make him explore (and put him back away if he seemed scared). So first we sat with him on our laps and had a grooming session (he is very affectionate, and will give you a proper licking!) to calm him. Then we took him to our hallway, which is carpeted.

The difference in him was astonishing! Already, he seemed much more inquisitive, and he did some proper bunny hops for the first time, up and down the hallway. The funny thing was he was clearly perturbed by the laminate flooring, and wouldn't even try to leave the hallway (there isn't an adjoining door).

So now we have moved his pen area. The wax cloth is now on the carpet, and he seems much happier to walk around on it now, probably just because it's softer underfoot.

Our last bunny Jerome also seemed much happier to binky on the carpet than on the laminate flooring; though he had mastered skidding on the laminate just the right amount to get to his destination.

Maybe if you have a bunny who seems wary about hard flooring, try taking them to a carpet or get them a rug; it could make a big difference!

Here is a video of lovely Jerome having a whale of a time in the hallway. The good stuff starts about 40 seconds in.

Jerome and Robon & Pippa

Our last foster bunnies, Robson and Jerome, have now both been neutered and are available for adoption (Robson with his mummy Pippa).

Please check out their pages from the links above and consider if you could provide their forever homes - they're lovely, I promise!

Meet Billy!

Today our latest foster bunny was delivered to us! His name is Billy, and he is an 18 month old Netherland Dwarf.

Billy

Today he has just been settling in, so there is not much to report on what he is like. However, he did give me a big lick on the hand and it was adorable! And he seems to like a good stroke so fingers crossed he will be a nice cuddly companion during these exam weeks!

Our Bunny Setup

Hey, thought I should do a post about our bunny setup!

So, our setup is quite basic and it was actually really cheap too.

 

We have a basic playpen, the tallest we could order to prevent the bunnies from being able to jump out and hurt themselves. However, with boxes etc. in the cage escapes are possible! Hence we have now pegged a sheet over the top (not seen in picture). Some playpens are available to buy with proper covers, but I am not sure how they compare in height and area. The size of the playpen meets recommended requirements for housing size, but I must point out that this is only with extra running time out of the pen every day too. Our bunnies are allowed to roam in the house in the morning whilst we get ready for work, and then when we get home in the evenings for a few hours.

 

 

 

Another great thing about the play pen is that it can be made into a 'bunny prison' in emergencies. One night we were woken up by the bunnies fighting, and they needed to be separated for a while. Because of the flexible nature of the pen, we were able to fashion it into two squares quite quickly. If we hadn't had the pen, we would have been in a proper pickle! We are just lucky that we foster and that we didn't have to give up a bunny for real.

 

We purchased a wax cloth from Dunelm for under the pen. This is easy to clean and costs around £15, though is cheaper for other patterns - I wanted a pretty one to match the decor! It is important that it is pulled tight across the floor, otherwise the bunnies can chew on any folds/creases! We tape it to the laminate flooring.

 

Our setup is easily and quickly moved into our bedroom when we have guests, though on carpet we have to place heavy items along the wax cloth to prevent creases. When we have had nibble holes, taping them up has worked fine and the bunnies haven't tried to reopen the holes.

 

We have a litter tray with a hay rack just above. The hay falling out of the other side of the bars is probably the most annoying thing about our setup, but the bunnies do like having another hay feeding zone when they are outside the pen.

 

We like to give our bunnies water from a bowl, but the bars make it easy to attach a bottle if this is what your bunnies prefer.

 

The main living area has laminate flooring, which can be quite slippy for the bunnies. Ours were really happy once we rabbit proofed our carpeted hallway! Though I swear Jerome learnt how to skid just the right amount to get where he wanted to be.

 

Luckily we only have one area with electrical equipment, so we have just boxed it up with old cardboard and lots of tape; it's not attractive but gets the job done. When we aren't students and have jobs we will definitely invest in some more homely solutions! The few wires that are on show have plastic wire protector stuff on, which gives a bit of leeway if the bunnies get nibbling.

 

We have some other accessories such as a tunnel, and Jerome used to love his treat ball.

 

Think that's it...may have to update this later!

 

 

Good Press

Following on from yesterdays post, the article on the telegraph website has now been amended, and the previous version apologised for. It has nicely reiterated the importance of hopping space. This case just shows how important it is to do your research! Clearly little had been done before.

I am also quite pleased to see the swiftness with which the matter was resolved by the people at The Telegraph, and the lovely team effort from all the bunny lovers out there!

Bad Press

Just a small note on the stupidity of the press!

The Telegraph recently published an article online condoning the use of inadequate hutches to house rabbits. This is a major problem, and is one of the worst ways in which rabbits are maltreated. This article goes against everything that rabbit welfare organisations recommend.
Please read the article yourself so you can see just how wrong it is, and then sign the petition to get the editor of the newspaper to apologise and write a proper article that doesn't condone cruelty to rabbits!

Thank you!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/finance/top-tips/property/10450236/how-to-build-rabbit-hutch.html

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/tony-gallagher-editor-of-the-telegraph-newspaper-apologise-for-giving-misleading-animal-welfare-advice-that-could-lead-to-animal-cruelty-bunniesneedspace