Stupid Raccoons Tormenting My Poor Floppsy!!!!

[FloppsyLadySally54]

I heard what you guys said, and I went outsde and spent an hour buliding protection around his cage. I wish I had pics of it, but I put a big board on top of the cage and used a stape gun and duckt tape to tape it on, and around the sides, chicken wire. I went to the store and got a combination lock for the door. I hope this helps, and I really do not want to give him away. They have not come back for a while now. They are usually out in thw winter, and they know I am watching them, I look out there every night. They cannot beat me. If it's war they want, then that is what they will get.

[Karen]

Don't personify them. They do not "want war." They are wild animals looking for a meal. Hopefully your changes have made him less accessible. It IS possible for a rabbit to die of fright, so it is just as important that Floppsy feels secure and safe.

Of course they would be around more in winter - there is less of a fodd supply around then.

Why would money - "buying him from your Dad" - make any difference in whther he is indoors or outdoors?

[FloppsyLadySally54]

Ok, new plan!! I am planning to build a little play area for the bunny. It will have walls and a roof, and a door. I will make sure is big enough so I can move the cage in there, after a good scrubbing. Then he wil be protected, and oh, of course there will be large slits (with screens) to give him air!! I may also get a wooden floor in to stop some of the bugs. I discussed it with my parents, and they said that if I helped pay for some of it, and did most of it (except for the hard parts), they would approve. I am planning to start "Operation Floppsy" whenever my dad will take me to Home Depot. I know that if I work hard, I can help save his life, and he will be protected from almost everything. I will also keep the food in a contaijner inside the house near the dog food, that way it does not get any bugs in it or get soggy in the rain. I will do this, and I will not give up no matter hw hard it is because this rabbit is not going to die on me like the rest, Floppsy is special, and he should be treated like the rest of my pets are, in or out of the house. Wish me luck!!

[Daisylover]

I agree, the rabbit either needs a new home or to live inside permanently.

I don't doubt that it is only a matter of time before the raccoons WILL get to the rabbit, kill and eat it. Please don't keep putting Floopsey through this torment....think how you would feel if every night some big ugly thing came and banged on your bedroom window and kept scaring you to death!

Either try to find someone who will take the bunny and let him live inside or take hime to an animal shelter, it's the only way that rabbit is going to have a longer life since your dad won't let him in the house. In these corcumstances with such an unbending parent, you have to think of the animal and not yourself.

[Desert Arabian]

Ok...I'm sorry to say this FloppsyLadySally but it is extremely dumb that you are wasting your time building "protection" barriers against the racoons (which won't fool proof them for long), and spending all this money. When you could simply find a little spot in your house to put the cage. Then he wouldn't get tortured every single night and day, and wouldn't have to put up with fall and winter temps. I sure would not be happy if I were Floppsy! The raccons will stil get to him in the "play pen".

No offense or anything...that's just my opinion.

[Aspen and Misty]

I don't think we should be telling anyone to get ride of there pet if they don't do something. It is her choice. She obviously loves Floppsy. She is trying. Give her some credit instead of bashing her. I'm not saying I agree that she should keep her and I'm not saying she should get ride of her. I'm going to keep my statments to myself. I know I would not want someone telling me that I should get ride of my pet! Even if it is for his own good. Now I mean if I was trying to kill my pet then I could see you guys getting defensive. But you shoudl at least let her try to solve this problem and not tell her that her idea's are bad. I agree the racoons could kill floppsy but she is building hism a new cage. Maybe is will be racoon proof. What I'm just trying to say is give her the benifit of the doubt ok?

Ashley

PS: I know I spelled alot of things wrong.

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
Ok...I'm sorry to say this FloppsyLadySally but it is extremely dumb that you are wasting your time building "protection" barriers against the racoons (which won't fool proof them for long), and spending all this money. When you could simply find a little spot in your house to put the cage. Then he wouldn't get tortured every single night and day, and wouldn't have to put up with fall and winter temps. I sure would not be happy if I were Floppsy! The raccons will stil get to him in the "play pen".

No offense or anything...that's just my opinion.

i personally thought your post was very rude and you could of stated those things diffrent. You don't need to tell her she is dumb. If she wants to spend the money let her! At least she is trying! her dad won't let her keep her in the house!!!! that is why she wont' find a little spot in the house for her.

No offense...just my opion.

Ash

[FloppsyLadySally54]

My mean old dad! Thanks, Ash. My bunny does not need a new home. It's my dad's fault. I do not agree that he should get a new home somewhere else. He has a lot of nice things. How many of your rabbits have a huge three-room cage?? And also, Rabbits are actually wild animals and LIVE outside, no cage at all. His coat is built for the Winter, and I too think it is rude to tell me my rabbit has a horrible life and should be given away. I am not critisising you guys, just saying that my rabbit has a decent home, and I have never had a rabbit live two years inside, so we used the cage outside. Plus, it would still cost money to buy a cage, and my dad is so mean that he is making him live out there. I have mentioned several times that I hate being twelve and I really do not like to be reminded that I cannot do certain things without my parents' approval, or else Floppsy would have been happily sitting inside his warm house two years ago! And also, why did I nominate Floppsy for POTD? Because I love him, and not because I make him live outside and toture him. I have lied before, but I tell the truth when it comes to my pets, and that story was no lie. I know that SOMEONE on Pet Talk MUST keep their rabbits outside, and speak now if you do. I know you guys know a lot more about pets than me, but I have to disagree with that, it's just common sense. Sorry, had to get that off my chest. It was bothering me. Floppsy will be here for years, and you can count on it!! Anybody who still thinks he is better off somewhere else..post a reply now. I am looking for help, not critisism. Sorry, I do not mean to snap, but it just bothers me that I am twelve SERIOUSLY, and have been planning my glamorous future since I was seven. I do not see a psychiatrist, I am not crazy. I just want to be treated as a human being, and being a kid is no medicine. Every day goes so slow, I just want to speed it up. Life is not fair, I know, but to be seen in public walking with you mom, not allowed on some sites, sit in school all day, and share your house with four other people just sucks. I do not want a fight on Pet Talk, I just thought that everybody gets to post their opinion, and that goes for me as well. Everything OK, Pet Talk?
No offense, just my opinion.

[Logan]

One thing is for sure, when it comes to the care of animals and even humans, there are going to be differing opinions.

FloppsySallyLady, I have a daughter who is just about your age. She will be 12 in January. I don't let her on Pet Talk to post or read. Not yet, at least. I do show her items of interest and I show her pictures of my friend's pets quite often. But she and I are the only ones here, and I am so strict that I don't let her freely browse on the computer. You're complaining about your age, and the restrictions that go along with it, but I can tell you first hand that you have a lot more freedom than one girl your age!!

As for your bunny, I know you are going to do everything possible to keep him safe. And you just have to respect your father's wishes as long as you live under his roof. We have two cats, and both of them have their claws, and both of them go outdoors at will. They also come inside when they are ready to. Many cat lovers disagree with that decision, but it is my decision, and I know my cats (these two in particular) are happier that way. I wouldn't enjoy them nearly as much if they were inside all the time and constatly begging to go out. The same thing goes for my dogs. Many times, if I am gone out, I leave them in the fenced backyard, which is quite unpopular with many dog lovers. As pet owners, we do what we feel safe doing, and what works for us. And your dad is doing what works for him. I'm sorry he doesn't understand why you would feel better with Floppsy inside....I can completely understand!

I do hope that you will get everything worked out and your Floppsy will be safe from the bad raccoons.

Logan

[popcornbird]

I agree with Logan. You have far more freedom than many kids your age. I wasn't even allowed to use the Internet at your age except when I wanted to email my cousins..............and even that under supervision. It wasn't until I started high school that my dad realized I would need the Internet for research for reports and term papers. That's when I got permission to use the Internet. I personally believe its good to restrict your kids for their own good especially how many kids get themselves into trouble these days. I will do exactly the same when I am older. Good job on taking care of your girl Logan. I'm sure she'll be a great kid because of your care in raising her.

I'm sorry about your rabbit and I would only advise to tell your dad she needs to be inside, or at least ask your dad to make room for her in the garage if you have one. It will be much safer there that outside. If you can't provide her with safety and secureness, no matter how hard it might be, it would be the best interest of the rabbit to move to a good home. Maybe you can give her to a friend or neighbor where you can visit and play with her very often.

[Uabassoon]

My dad raises rabbits and they have always been kept outside. Except in the summer we keep all the bucks in the "buck house", a small air conditioned room to keep them from going sterile. I know we've never had to worry about our rabbits getting too cold, but it also doesn't get very cold in south texas. We've never had problems with raccoons getting to our rabbits, if we did he might not raise rabbits. We used to raise goats but because we had bobcats and coyotes getting in our pasture that were kiling our goats we decided things would be better if we got rid of the goats. When I said what I didn't I was not at all implying you don't take care of your rabbits. I see nothing wrong with keeping them outdoors because my family does. The fact that your rabbit is getting threated by a raccoon is not your fault, but that's what is happening. But from when I raised rabbits with my dad I learned that while they are ok outside they can get scared easily and go into shock and die. That happened when a stray dog came into our ranch, he didn't hurt any rabbits, but some were so scared that they died. I know you love Floppsy, and I am concered because I don't want something bad to happen to him because I know you will be hurt and you friends here on pet talk will be sad too. I hope your new cage works better and the raccoons leave him alone.

[Cookiebaker]

Originally posted by FloppsyLadySally54
My mean old dad!...It's my dad's fault....I have mentioned several times that I hate being twelve...I just want to be treated as a human being, and being a kid is no medicine...Life is not fair, I know, but to be seen in public walking with you mom, not allowed on some sites, sit in school all day, and share your house with four other people just sucks.

Floppsy, I'm not much older than a teenager and I remember exactly what you think you are going through. However, to bash your Dad is kinda counter-productive...if you want people to see you as mature, then you have to act mature. I found out (the hard way!) that when I wanted my Dad to respect me & my thoughts, I had to respect him and his thoughts. Try respecting your Dad, and try to see HIS point. In turn, he may just start to respect you.

LIFE IS FAIR! You don't know how good you have it, until it's taken away. Take a chill pill, and enjoy the fact that you still have a Mom and Dad, and that they love you (even though you may not think so sometimes). And just enjoy being a kid. It's the best time of your life!!

[Desert Arabian]

I just hope you can find a way to keep those raccoons away from Floppsy so that he is not bothered all the time. Just try to explain to your father that brining him in the house may be better for him. Its your bunny- so its up to you. Being twelve has nothing to do with Floppsy. Personally- I wish I were twelve or younger, being the age I am now kinda stinks. Ah well.

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by popcornbird
I'm sorry about your rabbit and I would only advise to tell your dad she needs to be inside, or at least ask your dad to make room for her in the garage if you have one. It will be much safer there that outside. If you can't provide her with safety and secureness, no matter how hard it might be, it would be the best interest of the rabbit to move to a good home. Maybe you can give her to a friend or neighbor where you can visit and play with her very often.

I LOVE absolitly LOVE the way you said that!

Ash

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
I just hope you can find a way to keep those raccoons away from Floppsy so that he is not bothered all the time. Just try to explain to your father that brining him in the house may be better for him. Its your bunny- so its up to you. Being twelve has nothing to do with Floppsy. Personally- I wish I were twelve or younger, being the age I am now kinda stinks. Ah well.

Thank you Yellowlablover. I like this post much better. I'm 14. I agree lets go back to being 12 ya with me?

Ash