Getting A Rabbit...

[Desert Arabian]

I am most likely coming home Thursday with a bunny. I know people are probably wondering "what the heck, why so soon after Chloe's death!?", the bunny isn't replacing my little Chloe- the bunny isn't replacing any of my ratties. My ratties are extra special, they are my children, the bunny will be my companion. I wanted to wait until after I had no more ratties, but I have fallen in love with Peanut (the rabbit I want). Peanut has been at the shelter since February 2003- there are so many rabbits in the shelters in my area, some are stuck there for a LOOONG time. Too many people around here get pet store rabbits instead of shelter rabbits, so they are there forever. :( They say she is litter-trained, and loves cats and dogs- her previous house included cats and dogs. Her favorite treats are celery tops and romaine lettuce! :D We are going to look at her on Thursday (the only day my mom and I both have off of work).

I always been interested in rabbits, since 3rd grade, when I took care of our class room rabbit. The class rabbit, Bullseye, and I bonded quite well since I took care of him a lot- I loved it! I have been researching about rabbit ownership, health, etc- in case someday I ever got one. When I would get bored, I would browse the local shelter websites or Petfinder just to see what rabbits were out there, for fun. I stumbled upon Peanut and fell in love instantly after seeing her picture and reading about her- there is just something about her that lures me to her and away from other rabbits. I just hope that she is in good condition and has no behavioral or health problems.

I am so exicted, even if I end up not adopting her, and least I got to meet the beautiful girl! If I do not get Peanut, I will eventually be getting a rabbit sometime in the future- I have been planning that for a while, since I am burnt out in the rattie ownership area- I just can't handle it anymore. :( I have to take a break. :(

Here is a picture of little Peanut:
http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/1Peanut.jpg

[Aspen and Misty]

OMG! Yay! There is no better person to own a rabbit then you! I know this rabbit will be SOOO spoiled!

Peanut is ADORABLE. Wow, how breath taking!!

I'm glad you did your research, rabbits are a big comitment. :) I'm so exited! Another bun bun on PT! YAY!!

Rats are hard to own, I know how you feel. I'm watching two of mine right now get up in age, slow down and I know there time is coming after just 2 short years with them :( its so unfare.

Ashley

[Desert Arabian]

I'm sorry to hear Ash! I am so worried too, because little Suzie is getting her tumor removed! I am worried and excited at the same time, I wish Chloe's was able to get removed too. :( :)

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
I'm sorry to hear Ash! I am so worried too, because little Suzie is getting her tumor removed! I am worried and excited at the same time, I wish Chloe's was able to get removed too. :( :)

I'll be keeping Suzie in my thoughts, poor gal. I hope all goes well for her, and you. I'm so sorry about Chloe :( it's so sad they don't live longer.

Ashley

[manda_moo87]

*Gasp* :eek: :D Peanut a BEAUTIFUL girl, chinchilla...one of my favorite colors! I sure hope you can get her, rabbits make such wonderful pets! Good luck!

[Aspen and Misty]

O, just so you know, cause these are things I wish someone would have told me when I got rabbits...they make these bowls that attach onto the side of the cage. I would recomend them, they can't spill them, sit in them and you can keep the water away from the food and litter pan to make it so that nothing spills into it. Some people like to use water bottles for there rabbits. I personally don't, while they say they are more sanitary, I think it would be frustrating trying to drink from one of those :o (

Also, the larger the litter pan the better, we used a small litter pan for Jaxom and he would pee ALL over his cage,. Finally we got him a bigger one and Tadah! He is littler trained!!

I hope you don't take these things the wrong way (like I'm trying to give you facts or anything) I didn't find them on websites when I was looking into getting rabbits. It took me so long, and alot of frustraion and cleaning till I found these things out.

Ashley :D

[manda_moo87]

Originally posted by Aspen and Misty
...they make these bowls that attach onto the side of the cage. I would recomend them, they can't spill them

So true! Those bowls are great! I only use those now...:p

[Cookiebaker]

Wheeek! A Bunny!?!

Peanut is ADORABLE!! I am really excited for you, and I know you are going to be a great bunny mom!

I can't wait for pictures!! :) :)

[wabbitwuver]

YaY!!!!!!!!!!Congrats!!!!!!She will be a great companion and sounds like a dream rabbit!I wonder who would want to get rid of her! Anyways good luck with the new bun!

[wabbitwuver]

You know who has some great rabbits? Missouri House Rabbit Society.....I really love the 2 white Mini Rex they have and a really cute white mixed breed! If you need some info go to my website:D http://www.piczo.com/rabbits!

[Desert Arabian]

Thanks for those tips, Ash! I was thinking about getting a cage-attachable dish too, because Bullseye always tipped over his food dish- so do my ratties now and then. :p

What I am curious about, is what breed is she!? They have her listed as "Lagomorph Rabbit"- well, hello, "lagomorph" is just a fancy word for rabbit- so they are saying she is a "Rabbit Rabbit". Ha, ha- I don't think that is correct, but I could be wrong!! :p :D

[Aspen and Misty]

I would say a Rex mix.

http://www.paintedbrookrabbitry.com/rexdoe.html

Ashley

[Desert Arabian]

Huh, maybe!? :confused:

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
Huh, maybe!? :confused:

Rex is a breed of rabbit. She seems to be a Rex, but without the fur type. So I would say she is some type of mix.

Ashley

[wabbitwuver]

[i]What I am curious about, is what breed is she!? They have her listed as "Lagomorph Rabbit"- well, hello, "lagomorph" is just a fancy word for rabbit- so they are saying she is a "Rabbit Rabbit". Ha, ha- I don't think that is correct, but I could be wrong!! :p :D [/B]

First of all a lagomorph is the group a rabbit is in....like guinea pigs are rodents so are rats,ect.,dogs are canines so are wolves. I rabbit is in the same group as Pikas & Hares. I don't know about a Rex depends on the weight. She looks like she has chinchilla in her.

[Uabassoon]

What I am curious about, is what breed is she!? They have her listed as "Lagomorph Rabbit"- well, hello, "lagomorph" is just a fancy word for rabbit- so they are saying she is a "Rabbit Rabbit".

I'm guessing she's a bunny rabbit :) Honestly, to me she just looks like a very beautiful mixed breed bunny. I hope you get to bring her home on Tues. Good Luck!

[Desert Arabian]

I really don't care what breed she is, doesn't really matter to me, she is just as adorable. It would just be nice to know in case anyone asked me what breed she was, I will just have to say she's an "adorable" breed, he he he. :p


I got her cage all set up today, and I went out to buy some bunny toys, food dish, timothy hay, and some litter for her litter box. Her cage is fairly large it is 36" long, 36" wide, and 30" high. She has a corner fitting super pet litter box with aspen pellets in it. For toys I bought a (super pet) plastic carrot shaped rattle, a (super pet) carrot rope throw/toss toy, a plastic jingle ball, and a salad ball hanger thingy. I will wait until I get her to get food pellets, more toys, and a hide house (since I don't know exactly how big she is. I forgot to get a hay rack too, duh, got to get one of those.

Of course, Sammy was such a good helper while I was trying to get Peanut's cage put together and set-up. :rolleyes: Ha, ha, ha- PAIN IN THE BUTT! :p :p

I know I am kinda putting the cart in front of the horse so to speak, but even if I don't come home with Peanut for some reason, I will have all the supplies ready for a bunny- I will just keep looking for "the perfect bun". :)

I am so glad I have a job now, so I can provide for my animals myself. :D :D :D That's why I got a job- so I can spend it all on my critters and maybe $10 on myself, ha, ha, ha. :p :p

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by wabbitwuver
First of all a lagomorph is the group a rabbit is in....like guinea pigs are rodents so are rats,ect.,dogs are canines so are wolves. .

Acctually, Guine Pigs are Cavies, not rodents. :)


YLL- Sounds like you got this ALL planned out :D Your going to make a WONDERFUL bunny mom!!!


I can't wait for more pics of the new adition!!

Ashley

[Desert Arabian]

I thought I would take some pictures of the cages- rats and rabbit.

Here is Peanut's cage:
http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/buncage.JPG
http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/buncage1.JPG

Here is the ratties new cage. I got them a new cage, because they needed something smaller, and easier for clean. I also needed the space for the rabbit cage, so that is why they are on the dresser. I love this cage, they seem to like it too. According to the cage calculator it can house 4 ratties.

http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/acage.JPG
http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/acage1.JPG
http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/acage2.JPG
http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/acage3.JPG

I apologize for the slightly blurry ones!

[Aspen and Misty]

The cage looks great! :D What is his house made of?

My ratties have a cage kinda like that one. They love it to, and it's easy for me to clean :)


Ashley

[Desert Arabian]

It's plastic, but I just placed it in there to get an idea of how much room would be taken up by a nice-sized hide house. Not exactly sure how large Peanut is or what size hide house to get.

Do you use hide houses for your buns!? What do you use/what do they like!? :confused:

[Aspen and Misty]

No, I don't. They have a shelf that hangs over there litter pan though and I consider that there house.

I do think my buns would like one though, and I'm thinking about getting one now :) make suer it's safe for them to eat though, cause I'm sure they will!

Ashley

[shais_mom]

That's awesome Laura!
I certainly don't think a bunny is trying to replace anything. You know when your ready to add to your family.
Can't wait to hear an update. :-)

[zippy-kat]

YLL, what type of shavings are you using? I'm sure you've already researched it, but I want to call attention to these articles:

Litterboxes and Liver Disease (http://www.rabbit.org/journal/1/liver-disease.html)

The Dangers of Softwood Shavings (http://www.rabbit.org/care/shavings.html)

(Sorry, :o shavings in general make me very nervous!)

Congrats on the new bunnerbutt!

[Desert Arabian]

The litter box has aspen pellets, the shavings are kiln dried aspen. Yep, know all about the dangers of pine and cedar, can't use it with rats either. Pine or cedar will never be found in my house.

http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/bedding.JPG
LOL, PICTURE EVIDENCE. :p

[zippy-kat]

:) Just checking!

(I'm leary of anything like that b/c Miz Sophie liked to eat it -- it can cause GI stasis/tummy problems if they ingest too much. Sorry! Just completely anal about some things. ;) )

[Aspen and Misty]

Hey Zip, what do you use for Piper's litter? I've been useing Kay Cobble and am happy with it, but haveh eard it can be VERY Harmefull if eaten.

Ashley

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by Aspen and Misty
Hey Zip, what do you use for Piper's litter? I've been useing Kay Cobble and am happy with it, but haveh eard it can be VERY Harmefull if eaten.

Ashley

Carefresh. It's the best stuff I've found so far.

[chrissycat21]

Congrats on the hopeful new addition! I know you'll make a great bunny mom!

I was thinking about getting a bunny before, but I think Snowy would end up killing it!:eek: :mad: She tries to kill too many wild ones....

The cage looks great! Nice and big!

How old is Peanut? (Sorry if you already posted that....Bad memory!)

Good luck with getting her!

[Desert Arabian]

They have on there that she is approx. 1-2 years old, not sure if that is correct or they just guessed. She is already spayed too, I don't think the other does up for adoption are.

[wabbitwuver]

Oh! I love the cage! GREAT set-up! I dunno about the shavings though they make SUCH a mess! Maybe put newspaper on the bottom and a towel(don't drape it off anything that's what strangeled my Cadbury:(:(:(:() And those corner litterbox's are no good, I wasted my money on two and my rabbits butts don't even fit in them anymore! Try wal-mart with plastic cat litterbox's,dirt cheap and work very well! I'm not trying to nag you or anything just a few tips which make cleaning up after rabbits(8 for me!) easier!

[Desert Arabian]

That corner one is a temperary one, I have a regular shaped super pet one that I will place in there. I have no clue how big she is so I just stuck the smaller one in there for time being. I have guards on the side of the cage to catch some of the shavings. I want her to be on shavings for a while, since she has been in a metal cold box for a year :( Gives her something nicer to rest on. I will probably use something else the next time I clean her cage. I will not use newspaper though.

[Aspen and Misty]

I think the newspaper would give her ink poinsioning, my teachers dog died from that.

Good luck, is it thrusday yet?!?!?!

Ashley

[wabbitwuver]

Depends on what kind of newspaper it is. Around here we have some kind of strange stuff that ink won't come off of. My rabbits have never died or got sick. My rabbits always eat newspaper and they aren't at risk. The dog probably died for another reason. Well it's your decision whether or not for newspaper(I've had Spice for 2 years and newspaper never effected her).

[Desert Arabian]

She is offically mine!! :D

We went to the humane society to visit her for the first time and to finally fill out the adoption papers. Let me tell you, that picture of her does no justice for her size. SHE IS HUGE! I mean HUGE! So...I decided that her cage was too small for her so I went to Fleet Farm and bought another cage- the exact same kind and smooshed them together and cable tied them together. The cage is now 6 feet long!! More than big enough! I also went out and bought a Midwest puppy pen for her.

She is the sweetest "little" bun on the planet! Such a cutie pie! When the lady went to get her out, Peanut nipped her, but once I started to pet her she calmed right down and laid in my lap. I petted her for a good 7 minutes or so and we put her back, and right away she went potty in her litter box. She sat in the far back corner and muched on some hay. I made a kiss noise and called her name and she hopped right over to the front of the cage and I pushed my hand against the cage- and she gave me some kisses. I would have taken her home tonight, but tomorrow we are getting new windows installed- that would stress her out beyond belief, so we are going to pick her up Thursday after school.

She has to weigh a good 9 or 10 pounds a little less and maybe even a little more. She is as large as Sammy bodywise. Once she has settled into her new home, I am going to make an appointment with Dr. Bennets a rabbit specialist (who is doing the surgery on Suzie) to do a general health check-up on her just to make sure she is 100% healthy. :)

I cannot wait until Thursday, I am ecstatic!!!! And my first two paychecks are all gone :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :o . Ah well!

Here is her new 6 foot long cage:
http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/peacage.JPG
http://members.aol.com/DesertArabian87/peacage1.JPG

I can't wait to post pictures of Peanut- the most spoiled rabbit in Wisconsin! :D :D

This is what her puppy pen looks like (I didn't pay $125, I paid $67)- it's the exact same one:
http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf%5Fid=MW%2D555%2D36&dept%5Fid=315&brand%5Fid=109&Page=

[Kater]

Congratulations Laura!!! I'm so excited for you! And a bit jealous... ;)
Peanut's renovated ;) palace looks lovely! I cracked up when I read about your *big* surprise! Petfinder needs a warning saying...Bunnies on Petfinder are larger than they appear! :p
I hope you'll have lots of pictures to share on Thursday!
Welcome to your Furrr-ever home, Miss Peanut!!! :D :D :D

[manda_moo87]

That's a BEAUTIFUL home you've got her. I'm sure she'll be very happy! Can't wait for her to get there, be sure to take lots of pics for us! :D

[wolfie]

Yay, how exciting! She'll be so happy in her new home! :D

[Aspen and Misty]

YAY FOR FOR YOU AND YOUR NEW SWEETY!!!!!!!!!!!

This is SO exiting!!! CONGRATS! Ahh, I can't WAIT for pics!

That cage setup is awesome! She is already spoiled!!



wabbitwuver - No, the dog died from ink posioning, it's up to you what you use, but I was letting YLL know of the risk.

Ashley

[wabbitwuver]

AWW!YaY! She sure sounds like a sweetie. She'll be SOOOOO glad with all tha room you gave her and she sure knows you rescued her and will repay with many years of love!Good Luck!:D

[wabbitwuver]

Originally posted by Aspen and Misty
YAY FOR FOR YOU AND YOUR NEW SWEETY!!!!!!!!!!!

This is SO exiting!!! CONGRATS! Ahh, I can't WAIT for pics!

That cage setup is awesome! She is already spoiled!!



wabbitwuver - No, the dog died from ink posioning, it's up to you what you use, but I was letting YLL know of the risk.

Ashley

Poor doggy....must not have been as strong as my wabbits who have never encountered this problem, I actually never heard of any rabbits encontering this problem,remember they have stronger disgestive systems than dogs....Wild rabbits can eat fox glove.....Domestic CANNOT though but still it proves..

[Uabassoon]

Laura I'm so happy for you! I bet Peanut is going to be so happy living with you and I know that you will give her better care that she has ever known. She is well on her way to being the most spoiled bunny ever!

Just to clarify on the newpaper ink, it really depends on the paper. Now most papers are made with soy ink which is 100% safe. A few years ago soy ink wasn't used which was not safe and toxic to pets. A few papers still use the old kind of ink, but not very many. When in doubt call your local paper and ask if they are using soy ink. This was a concern with my ratties after someone told me it could kill them. I looked and called and found out it's 100% safe for them.

[wabbitwuver]

Yes! Thats the ink in my newspapers! They just got it new around here well...about 2 years ago. If you use newspaper check with someone to make sure it is the soy ink.

[aly]

Congrats on your new bunny Laura! How WONDERFUL of you to rescue such a special girl who has spent WAY too long in the shelter. I am sure she will shower you with years and years of love and gratitude.

(I'm sorry about all the heartbreak you've gone through with your ratties. I can't even imagine how horrible it must be. I keep you and your babies in my prayers all the time).

[chrissycat21]

YAY! Congrats! Peanut is going to be so spoiled!

9 or 10 pounds? Thats just about how much Snowy weighs! lol

I think we will all need pictures of your bun bun once Thursday comes!:D