Please do NOT "trance" your bunnies

Live and learn.

The concern is that this 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.

We do not do it anymore. They are other ways to love and snuggle with your bunny.

Bunnyfest 2012 - The services of ...

There were lots of bunny services at the Bunnyfest.
You could get a wellness exam by Windward Animal Hospital.
The HRS volunteers were offering grooming services. If you missed Bunnyfest, catch up with them at the GHRS shelter for those same services and more; if you use the link provided here, just click on the "Services" tab at the top of the page.

But I think my favorite was the line for bunny massages.
This fuzzy bunny was whacked out like when my wife mesmerizes the bunnies ...

Fuzzy bunny: That's it dear ...
please get all four paws.
So, tell me, where did you study?

Well, Dr. Phillips can tell you
all about that if you contact her ...
and are able to stay awake.
Fuzzy bunny was getting sleepy ... sleepy ...

Companion bunny was waiting on the table, not understanding ...
Why didn't the human slaves book the "his and her" double massage package
so we could both relax at the same time???

Lucy in a daze

After her most recent mani-pedi, Lucy's spa visit was completed with the bunny mesmerizing massage (courtesy of my wife).

Once set back down at ground level, Lucy just kind of wavered there for a few moments, with a dazed look ... in a mini-stupor.
Since it wasn't her usual paranoid disapproving look, I took a picture.

Lucy in her Zen trance

Finally remembered to video Lucy in one of her trances. This is from a Sunday morning after we cleaned out their pen. We then groom all the bunnies and give them the brief physical exam they taught (my wife) at GHRS Bunny 201. Lucy is usually last because she is so hard to catch.

Her eyes wide during and after the indignity of being caught, restrained, brushed and fondled (in a medical way), Lucy's level of trauma is probably second only to going for a car ride to the vet.

After all this, my wife figured she would flip Lucy over and mesmerize her.

And Lucy fell back like a brick - zonked.

I did not cut down this video - I added to it. The three "shorts" were so amazing to me that I used them all. Here are the three segments to it:
1. The trance, laying Lucy back and rubbing her forehead and ears.
2. Same thing, but with the other hand so you could see more of Lucy's head.
3. Looking down on Lucy - not even stroking her, but just letting her meditate, all four little feets sticking up in the air.

"And here we go..."

It really transformed Lucy. We put her down and gave her a little treat. Instead of hopping away from us, flicking us off (got to get a video of that bunny behavior), she wandered around in a little circle in front of us and then finally went back in her pen. Here she is immediately after her massage:

Wow ... thanks ... that was really great.
Um, is the tip included?
I think I'll go take a nap now.