Where to start

A few nights ago hubby and I went to take care of the Houseful buns. I'm driving up the hill and just before their driveway: "oh shit". Hubby: "what". Me: "cows!". 3 cows on the road, blocking the driveway. Obviously escaped from farm nearby. I slowly moved my car toward the house and they eventually took off. Good thing, I wouldn't have gotten out of the car if they stuck around. I always tell RG and BL I would be happy to trade my rotten neighbors for their stinky (cow) neighbors...

That night we took care of Houseful's 9 rabbits and our 13 rabbits. Took about 2 hours.

Yes, we now have 13. Despite the fact that I said we are full. When I got the call from the Humane Society asking if I would pick up a momma bun and 4 babies, of course I said yes. Geez. These poor rabbits were all crammed in a very small cage. The owner got the momma, Ruby, 2 months ago, not knowing that Ruby was pregnant! Babies were born a month ago. All are not healthy. Momma has not been fed properly, so her milk hasn't been the best for the babies. When I got them one baby had a huge amount of poop stuck to it's underside. I don't think it was able to pee or poop. Got that all cleaned up and baby is fine now. Another baby has another problem with that area down there. I thought it was getting better, but it's not. He/she will go to the vet Monday. Hopefully the Humane Society will pay for it...geez.

Today we took a trip to Value Village. Got lots of new towels for the buns and I found a great rug for Meadow. Meadow has successfully destroyed her nice sheets. I have even put large bricks in the corners; she can move the bricks. She is a destructive one, just like her son, JT.

The hotel is full

Foster #2 arrived tonight. Brought to the shelter this afternoon. Supposedly someone found her a few weeks ago and decided not to keep her.

Why don't I believe that.

She looks healthy. Needs her nails cut. Is a bit chubby. Cute. Not afraid like many of the buns that come here. I put her in the living room. The only room that has no bunny in it is our bedroom...

No more, we are full!

Foster #1 has been named Hazel. No reason except that is the name that just came to hubby. That is how the buns get their names. Name has to come to us.

Gerald is getting better

Two weeks ago I found out that Gerald was on the wrong medication for his abscess. Which is why the pus kept coming back. He needed to be on penicillin! (Remember that if your bun ever gets a facial abscess.) The abscess was lanced and drained many times, the last time he got stitches. Today Gerald had his stitches out. He has been on penicillin for 2 weeks and has 1 more to go. The pus is not coming back and he is healing nicely. The weather is crappy so the boys have stayed in the bathroom. They are fine there, they just don't have much room (at least compared to what they had). I would put them out in the garage, but we have a mouse (or mice).

Last week we got another foster. It's a girl and she is definitely not fixed. It took her a few days to warm up and now loves to run around the kitchen, always circling our feet trying to trip us. She is impossible to pet because she won't hold still. Surprisingly I don't have a name for her, usually a name will just come to me, this time it hasn't happened yet. Maybe you can help me out. She is freakin adorable.

Super cool JT has even paid her a visit. No aggression at all between them. But I'm sure since she is not fixed she doesn't mind having a boy around.

JT meets Santa!

I had made arrangements days earlier to be sure there were no dogs around, Santa's helper was very accommodating. JT did really well, only tried to escape a little. Everyone thought he was SO CUTE! Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Skagit Valley.

Time for an update

A few weeks ago I noticed Geralds left cheek was puffier than his right. I took him in and it was an abscess. Doc lanced and drained it. Once it started to scab another lump formed. Brought him in again to have it cleaned out. I did this 2 more times, and will do again on Monday. During this time Gerald was given an antibiotic. Since the pus kept coming back (a little less each time) the vet said he needs a stronger antibiotic. So, I am in the process of finding someone who will give Gerald a shot every day for a month. BL over at Houseful gave me a good recommendation of someone that may help.


During all of this Bambi stopped eating for 24 hours. She was also looking uncomfortable and laying in an odd way. I have seen her do this before, but it didn't last for more than a day. On the afternoon of her 2nd day I gave her a small amount of simethicone and Metacam. This did the trick because she was eating a few hours after that and has been fine since.


A wonderful blogging friend at tinroof sent me some apple tree twigs for the buns. I have almost run out of my regular supply, now using very sparingly. All the buns have enjoyed these fresh twigs! Thanks PP! Here are some of the gang enjoying their twigs:



Since Gerald was cut open a few weeks ago, I had to bring him inside because of fly's and to keep the wound clean. I brought Clint in because I didn't want them to become unbonded. I was originally planning on them being inside for a week and a half (and have one weekend were we wouldn't have to clean the rabbitat!). Then one week turned into 2, then 3. Amazingly the boys have adjusted well to the guest bathroom. They peed just about everywhere 40% of the time their first week. Now they only use the boxes! I have seen Clint flop, and there has been no thumping. The boys can go back out when Gerald is healed, but our cold fall/winter has started. When I brought them inside it was about 50-60 degrees outside, now it's 30-40 and we keep the house at 65. I can't put them out now, it's too cold. They may move to the garage for the winter, at least they will have more room out there than in the bathroom.

Happy Halloween

If this year is anything like last year we should have about 200 kids at our door. I'm sure Meadow, Cinnamon and Bambi will be thumping, as the door and front porch is right by their room.

Happy Halloween from me and JT:

Thanks all for your kind words about Buddy. I'm still pretty heart broken over his loss.

Ode To Our "Buddy"

On an early October day just over one year ago, we said "hello" and "welcome" to a Momma who would become known as "Meadow", and her three little, newly-sprung whippersnappers, including Laura's beloved JT, and twin "brothers at the water & food bowls" - Calvin and Buddy.

In the beginning, they were three identical, adorable boys - all of which would soon develop their own style, mannerisms, and peculiarities. Calvin would emerge the assertive one; Buddy became the little daredevil (prompting the alter-ego label of "Evel Knievel", and JT became the standout oh-so-friendly one, and our housemate for life!

Wonderful step-momma Laura and I knew we had to give these three the best shot we could, even if it meant to part ways. Calvin's departure to Rabbit Haven was a sad trip for us - they all are, as we always find out. He's doing better than ever from what we hear, as we get periodic updates on his progress - we've been lucky that Laura has managed to hook up with some great people who also have the best interests of the bunnies in mind.

Our little daredevil, "Buddy" got very lucky - he transitioned into home that must have seemed like a wonderland to him, once he got his bearings & got adjusted to his new family. Buddy turned out to be the cute critter you always see in e-mails that get forwarded to you - you know, the ones that show two animals of opposite species cohabitating together in apparent harmony?

He made a "Buddy" (excuse the bun - ha ha) in the family cat, and was the picture of happiness just a week or so ago......

Regretfully, they are the last images we'll have of Buddy.......

Laura found out early this afternoon that our little whippersnapper, our adventurous little "Evel", our Buddy, had died earlier, and without warning. We both have sunken hearts tonight, as I'm sure his new family does as well - not to mention those who have shared Buddy's journey with us via this blog. We're thankful our little boy got to enjoy one "Happy Birthday", and a few days more....

Laura came home from work tonight, after trying to get through the rest of the day, only to be greeted by 4 wild rabbits in our backyard! It was as if the tribes had gathered because they sensed something in the kingdom didn't feel quite right. And they were right.

Laura's taking the night off; I asked if I could personally do this, as I knew Buddy deserved a distinguished send-off, and he was my son, too, and I will miss him all over again.

- Dave