Funny Bunny Monday Meme*day

 LeeLoo mingling at the club. (I think the bunny on the left may need a cigarette after this.) In an attempt to bunny-proof, bottom shelves are empty. Did not stop LeeLoo from jumping onto the next shelf and vigorously chinning all the stuffed bunnies.

Funny Bunny Monday Meme*day

 

Funny Bunny Monday Meme*day

Un huh. Somebunny chewed our "new" carpet within 2 weeks of installation.
*sigh*
More bunstruction ... the "new" carpet

Funny Bunny Monday Meme*day

It has to be done regularly... but hide your charger cords.


Bunny care point -- Do not "trance" your bunnies. I don't think this bunny is tranced or I would not post it. Being on it's back is not automatically a trance. The concern is that a trance is "tonic immobility", a fear response by a prey animal. They are not relaxed -- it is a last ditch "terminal" defense mechanism; basically, they may be playing dead in an effort to throw off a predator.
Read about it here.

You can avoid coming close to this by having one person hold the bunny upright and another trimming the nails. Also, here's a video with another way to cut a bunny's nails (one person) here.

Here's a post about Bunya, Lucy & Ethel's Mani-Pedi Day at the bunny shelter (from last year, when Lucy was still with us).

Bunny Monday Meme*day

If you are not prepared to cater to a pet bunny for 10-12 years, including bunny-proofing your home, get a stuffed animal or chocolate for Easter. Pros and cons of bunnies as pets are here.

Bunny proofing - good luck

(Found this wonderful picture on the internet - not our bunnies)

Sure, you "bunny proofed" your home.
Experts know: there is no such thing - bunnies are smart and curious so they will always find a way to make mischief.
But you should still try your best, to protect your stuff and, most importantly, to provide them with a safe environment.

Links to a few of our "fails":
Bunny proof your books
More bunstruction ... the "new" carpet
When bunnies chew carpet
Bunny mischief?

Bunny proof your books

Long ago, before there was a Lucy & Ethel, Bunya was a lone wolf bunny bachelor. To pass the time, he took up reading in his personal library. We started out as many uneducated bunny owners. We were fortunate that the vet we chose was rabbit-savvy (an "exotics" vet) and that we found the House Rabbit Society.

But before we heard of "bunny-proofing"...

Bunya was a voracious "reader".

And soon, this is what "his" library looked like.

As a consequence, this is what our bookshelves look like now.

Lucy seems to like it just fine.

More bunstruction ... the "new" carpet

You may think you have bunny-proofed.

But bunnies are smart, curious, playful and persistent.

And looooove to chew.

*Sigh*

So when we cleared out the room for carpet, we found what they had done to the surge protector and are thankful we do not have any toasted bunnies. We thought it was safe.

The new surge protector wire is encased in protective tubing.

Keep your paws crossed.

Oh, yeah, and that "new" carpet ...

Well, that lasted about a week.

The bunnies range has been reduced by about 20%. 

Basically, they have a den and little kitchen now.

*Sigh*

They're still worth it all.

When bunnies chew carpet

It is not a good thing for your bunny.

Or your carpet, for that matter.
This can REALLY mess with your bunny's insides.
So if you see it, stop it somehow.
And watch their poops, to make sure they are going.
You may spot some strung together poops,
like a little necklace of poops.
Bad, bad, bad.
Watch your bunnies.
And their poop.
A great health status indicator.

Ethel is the first to explore the obstacle
now blocking access to the delectable corner of the rug.
Her decision - chin this obelisk and claim it as hers.

Lucy: Move this thing!
Now!
(Yes, we have a pretty good idea who the culprit is.)

Lucy: Blasted humans! I will figure out how to move this thing.
(We wouldn't bet against her.
She has found her way into some amazing places.)

Seriously though, even if you have bunny-proofed their environment (and we wish you sincere "Good luck" with that), check for what new mischief they may be making in hidden places.

Bunny mischief?

This just looks like somebunnies are up to no good ...

Said mischief is evidenced by the fact that about half the piping around the seat cushion has been nibbled away by person or persons (or bunnies) unknown.

Bundinis escape yet again

So, as I do every morning,  I am headed downstairs to the Bun-cave, turning on the lights as I go. On my way to the bunny pen, I say "Good morning, bunnies!" and I grab the jar of hay crumbles while still in stride. This usually sets them running around in excited circles ... well, at least two of them. Lucy or Ethel may decide they want a good stretch before they run to the breakfast bowl.

Not this morning! I stopped in mid-step and my mouth fell open.
Riddle: When is a door a jar?
Answer: When the bunnies have somehow opened it just a little bit so they can escape ("ajar").

It took me some time to regain a little composure
and grab the camera.

Lucy was already in the pen.
Bunya and Ethel were frolicking around the room.

Although Ethel initially froze when I entered,
they ran to the pen.
I think for breakfast, more than any
sense of wrongdoing or remorse.

Partially eaten hay cubes littered their room
like a frat house's empty crushed beer cans.
They must have had a grand old time.

Since the last time they pulled this stunt, I have been vigilant about making sure I shut the gate latch quite deliberately. At that time, when I noticed the open gate, I noted the little chew mat that is their door mat was under the gate. No clue if their chewing or tugging on it somehow lifts the gate but this morning I made sure I backed it away from the pen.

So, now I am at the office, checking the buncam a little more often than usual, focusing on the gate and making sure it is shut. A watched bunny never escapes.

This holiday weekend, I will have to ponder how to better secure their gate.
While they ponder how to escape and make mischief.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Thank you to the members of the armed forces, past and present,

for your sacrifices and our freedoms.

Bunny proofing

Or NOT.

Have we mentioned, some bunnies don't like corners?

Door jamb...
more like "toast and jam" to a bunny

How many of us bunny slaves will be repainting or losing our damage deposits when it's time to move?
Yeah ... thought so.

Next time, getting those clear plastic pieces for corners.
Although they'd probably love those too ... like making a sandwich from leftovers.

Survey on Rabbit Health

A VERY detailed questionnaire has been developed about YOUR pet rabbit's health.

Go HERE for the intro and link to the survey: Be a part of an important effort to collect information about pet rabbit health. Volunteers are needed to fill out a survey that was designed with input from veterinarians, shelter/rescue workers, pet rabbit owners, and others involved with rabbit caretaking. It is our hope that the information collected will provide valuable data on rabbit health.


If you are so inclined, you can complete a survey for each of your rabbits (past and present).
[Reminds me of a joke: Past, Present and Future walked into a bar. It was tense. (Insert rim shot here)]

A Bunny PSA (Public Service Announcement)

This is your mouse.

 This is your mouse on bunny.

Any questions?

Bunny care - Bunny Proofing

As I have previously invoked the HopperHome blog's Ten New Years Resolutions for 2012 from a Long Time Rabbit Fanatic, I must do so again: 
I will not take for granted my home is “bunny proofed”

Or that I will always remember to put things away IMMEDIATELY...

"Another one bites the dust" *
(and not in a good way)

(* A Queen song reference, just FYI. Somehow, seemed appropriate for a vacuum cleaner.)

The bunny pen was clean, but the vacuum is headed to the repair shop.
Again.
For another new cord.

*sigh*
The theory of bunativity:
Electric cords + Bunnies = Repair bills