Earlier this week I took Toshi and Paige to a local assisted living facility for people suffering from dementia. Unfortunately Toshi was rather nervous about the new environment and hid behind a chair for most of the time. Paige however was thrilled at all the attention, petting, and cooing.
Both of them made everyone so happy and it was a joy to see their faces light up as they petted Paige. As we left one of the men said to me,"You make sure your pets never change." and one of the women urged me to bring my rabbits back soon.
I think that if your rabbit is gentle enough, then you should consider looking into doing community service with them. It can be great for everyone involved: the rabbits get more attention and can become less afraid of car rides, you can do a good deed, and the people on the receiving end will be delighted.
However before you start taking your rabbit/s places, you should consider some important details.
1. Does your rabbit like to be held?
If your rabbit doesn't like to be held I wouldn't recommend then for service.
2. Has your rabbit ever bit anyone? Under what circumstances?
Well this is not a major breaking point, it is something to think about. My rabbits have all nipped me, but do it so infrequently (and only under circumstances not present in a nursing home) that it isn't a problem.
3. How does your rabbit react to sudden noises or movement?
If your rabbit leaps out of your arms, kicks, or bites when scared I'd ask the people at your potential place of service about how noisy it is there.
4. Is your rabbit litter-box trained?
You don't have to bring a litter box, but if your rabbit marks his/her territory with pee when they don't have a litter box I'd recommend bringing one. My rabbits often don't go the bathroom in places they don't know so I don't worry about this as much.
4a. If yes, does your rabbit dig its litter?
The last thing you want is your rabbit digging feces and litter all over a nice clean room. If your rabbit is a digger, they sell covered litter boxes to prevent that.
5. How big is your bunny?
Well all sizes of rabbits are wonderful, you have to consider sone important factors. If you have the rabbit loose in the room, then you don't want it to be so tiny you loose track of it. But if you have a large rabbit loose in the room you don't want it to accidentally break something or hurt someone by jumping on things.
6. Does your rabbit wear a harness?
If your rabbit will wear a harness, then it makes service much easier. You can stop the rabbit from running under things and have better control. However if you opt to use a harness, I'd practice with your rabbit inside your own house to see how the rabbit will react. Toshi has managed to worm his way out of harnesses and some rabbits freak out when you try to put it on them.
Best of luck!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Bonding
The first time I tried to bond Toshi and Paige it didn't go so well. Though in Toshi's defense at the time he already had a bond-mate and didn't really want another one. Unfortunately Snowy passed on and Toshi was alone. I had thought about bonding him and Paige, but I didn't really have time because of school. Once summer began I decided I was going to make another attempt; this time using the 24 hour method.
The 24 hour method involves keeping the bunnies involved together for 24 hours. The theory behind this, is that after the first couple hours of fighting they'll realize that they're stuck together.
In order to give them an inclosed, neutral space I set Joshua's x-pen up in my living room and put them in it. In the beginning I was nervous, the last time we had them together it did not end well. Thankfully this time began better with minimal fighting.
For the first couple hours I'd put one of them in a carrier in the pen if the fighting was escalating. Then at 5 pm (I started 2 pm) I stopped using the carrier and instead broke up the fights with a spray bottle. I slept three hours that night and by the morning they seemed to be doing fine. I continued to keep them together and broke up any fights.
And now they're happily bonded! Toshi even grooms Paige every once in a while :)
The 24 hour method involves keeping the bunnies involved together for 24 hours. The theory behind this, is that after the first couple hours of fighting they'll realize that they're stuck together.
In order to give them an inclosed, neutral space I set Joshua's x-pen up in my living room and put them in it. In the beginning I was nervous, the last time we had them together it did not end well. Thankfully this time began better with minimal fighting.
For the first couple hours I'd put one of them in a carrier in the pen if the fighting was escalating. Then at 5 pm (I started 2 pm) I stopped using the carrier and instead broke up the fights with a spray bottle. I slept three hours that night and by the morning they seemed to be doing fine. I continued to keep them together and broke up any fights.
And now they're happily bonded! Toshi even grooms Paige every once in a while :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)