About mid-day, got up to leave and, as is the "return the bunnies to their pen" ritual, grabbed a small handful of their crumbles and added a few treats (Exact). This usually starts their pen bedlam ritual, where they get so excited that they chase each other around their pen like a Three Stooges short. (You can see a video of one version here ... of the Three Bunnies, not the Three Stooges.)
Except this time, only Bunya and Ethel participated. Instant bunny owner worries - if a bunny does not respond to favorite treats (and treat rituals), this is a huge indicator that said bunny may be sick and needs to see a vet ASAP. I was looking in boxes, opening said boxes, looking in their pen, upsetting tunnels, checking under the desk (her favorite "you can't reach me here and the desk is too heavy to move" place to retreat when she does not want to be touched).
During this process, I realized we have a LOT of bunny boxes, both wood and cardboard. Still no Lucy. I was getting scared then that she was really sick.
I called her name and whistled for her, both of which she responds to - she knows her name. And when there might be a treat in the offing.
Stopped to ponder ... and recalled that someone (not a family member) went into a usually closed room earlier that morning. Could she, would she???
Yes, she could, she would and she did. When I first opened the door to the room, no Lucy. But when I left it and left the door open, she eventually peeked out. Ahh, at least she was okay!
Then started the game of trying to lure her out. With a container of papaya. I wasn't even trying to pick her up, just get her out of the room. It took some time. She was happy on strange turf with so many things to explore, a bed to hide under, so many wires to chew...
Eventually, the papaya proved too strong a temptation to resist and she joined her penmates.
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| Lucy, the culprit in question |
Life with bunnies, full of challenges, adventure and amusement.
