Friday, April 3, 2015

Living with Easter Bunnies - Our annual post

Hoppy Friday! Well we know this is the big Easter weekend. We hope your day is sunny, warm and lots of fun.
 

The bunnies and I decided to repost our story, "Living with Easter Bunnies."  An important story is worth repeating.

Hellooooooooooooooo there! Hoppy Friday to you! Hannah here.

Seeing as Easter is Sunday, Harrington and I wanted to give you a very special peeky into our world and what it means to live with Easter bunnies. Yes, both of us are Easter bunnies. We'll share more on that a little later. First, let's get started with some facts about living with bunnies.


Undeniably, we are adorable, soft, fuzzy, gentle, fragile and loving. You simply can't help yourself. You must fall in love with us. We're bunnies. It happens.


Second, we are very quiet. We don't make much noise at all. We will stomp our back feet if we are upset. You know, just like Thumper in Bambi. Pretty much, we sleep during the day. We are most active at dusk and dawn. This is when we jump and play and run around like little maniacs as Mama always says.


Like cats, we can be litter box trained. Pretty much we will go there on our own. Just add some Carefresh litter to the bottom and a little Timothy Hay on top. We'll hop right in!

 Please don't use that icky pine shaving stuff. It makes our kidneys stop and causes major allergy issues. It's like you sitting in a bucket of Lysol. Yuck. Plus, if you are a gardener, carefresh litter is made from recycled paper. You can empty our litter box into your compost pile for the perfect, natural, fertilizer. Our neighbors across the street are very happy to have it for their gardens.


**Doot Disclaimer: Please note that every effort is made to keep "doots" inside the litter box. However; occassionally through no fault of our own, these "doots" hop out of the box onto the floor. They are easily scooped up with dust pan and broom and returned to their proper place in the litter box.


Speaking of hay, it is the most important part of our diet. Timothy hay is what adult bunnies need. We have hay in our litter boxes as well as a big, full basket.


We have to mention the wonderful folks at Small Pet Select. Mama now buys all our timothy hay and pellets from them. We like the second cutting the best. Everything is fresh and tasty and delivered right to our door. 







 We need the hay for our digestive systems.


Like Sabrina kitty, we hate to be dirty and we don't need to be bathed. We groom ourselves and each other all day long.



Unlike cats, we can't cough up a hairball. Bunnies can't vomit. So, in order to get the hair out of our system, we must have the fiber in the hay so we can poop out the hair.


We also need fresh greens. Our favorite is the 5 lettuce blend. We get a giant salad plate of this every morning. Not all greens are good for us though. Spinach in large quantities can be toxic. Also, some bunnies can't tolerate the greens. Like humans, everybunny is different.


We also get 1/4 cup of Timothy based pellets. These are quite yummy and we wish Mama would let us have more, but we know we'll be fat little bunnies if we do.










Like most humans, bunnies have a sweet tooth. We will eat tons and tons of bad things if you let us. Mama doesn't eat junk food and she doesn't let us have it either. The above Fiesta mix is naughty.
Eating any kind of pellets with seeds, nuts and other items is the same as a human eating fast food every single day. Don't do it. Stick to simple Timothy hay based pellets. Be healthy!


We are allowed to have one snack per day. Baby carrots are a good snack. We could each have one half of one. Some of our bunny friends like a dried cranberry. However, we looooooooooove banana chips! Love them!

We get one chip, not package, but one individual chip per day. All natural and healthy.
Outside of that, we have plenty of fresh water. We prefer to drink from a dish rather than a bottle.

Bunnies are natural chewers and diggers. Like children, we also get bored very easily and need things to change around. The boxes that our hay is shipped in can be turned into fun new condos.


We enjoy redecorating them and adding more windows and doors.

For a long time we were allowed to run free in the Bunnyville studio. That is until we started chewing everything that stood still.

I was particularly thrilled with the taste of baseboard moulding.

Harrington enjoyed the flavor of furniture.

Mama...well let's just say she had a major fit and decided we needed to go to the penitentiary. Now Mama isn't one to shove pets out in the yard and forget about them. She loves all God's creatures and believes if you're going to have anything in this world, you should take care of it properly. Plus, bunnies are very social animals and enjoy the company of each other and humans. Nobunny wants to be lonely.


That being said, she got us a playpen system. However; since we are also her employee's, we told her we wanted a large corner office in Bunnyville. Mama also believes in taking good care of her employees. She got us three playpens and a really nice rug so we wouldn't slip around. The rug is made from sisal, so it is ok if we chew it. Jute rugs are also good. Bunnies tend to eat regular carpets and those fibers won't pass through our digestive tracks. This causes blockage, which then causes death.

We come out daily to run around and play, but she's always keeping an eye on us so we don't chew things up.


Hannah, that's not a good hiding spot. I'm pretty sure Mama can still see you.

Unlike dogs and cats, we don't have to have yearly shots and checkups.   This is a good thing as regular vets cannot treat us. We are considered "exotic" pets. Mama drives 2 1/2 hours one way if we need a doctor. We have also been spayed and neutured by these special vets. It keeps us healthy and keeps lots of bunnies from appearing. ;) These special vets are very expensive. Mama has had lots of bunnies over the years. Her cheapest vet bill was $450. Her most expensive was $3,500.

**Note** Our bunny friend, Wendy, of  The Crafters Apprentice, in the UK informed us that bunnies in her country need shots 3 times per year to prevent various diseases that affect bunnies there. Please check with the vets in your country to see what is required. You can also hop over and visit Wendy for further information.

Also, I now have an incurable disease called Pasteurella. It's like I have a chronic sinus infection. Mama has had to give me antibiotics.  I hate it and Mama is sad giving it to me. It's also very expensive. It costs Mama almost $200.00 for each round of antibiotics. However, since I have been on them for almost 3 years, my body is resistant to them. Mama's not sure what to do next. She gives me echinacea and dandelion leaves and uses a vaporizer to add moisture to the air in the dry winter. She also says "Thank you God" a lot for watching over me.
 
Bunnies teeth grow like fingernails. Yep, they grow! Most of the time we wear the teeth down with chewing on hay and eating. But sometimes, they have to be shaved down by a bunny savy vet. Our cousin, Mickey has to have this done almost every month.


Glad we don't have to go to the vet. Getting our toenails trimmed by Mama is bad enough.

Unlike our "Wild Hare" friends, domestic bunnies can live up to 10 years. Some of our bunny friends have lived beyond that. Domestic bunnies like us cannot survive in the wild. We don't know what to do and our digestive systems are different. Likewise, while it might be possible, it is very rare for a wild bunny to survive as a house bunny.  If a bunny becomes very scared, it can give itself a heart attack.

So, there you have some basic facts about what it's like to live with Easter bunnies. Oh yes, now onto the Easter bunny part.


Harrington and I were both purchased from a pet store as Easter presents for children. While we were loved and got lots of attention when we were babies, for some reason, as we got older the children no longer wanted us and the parents were too tired from everything else in their lives to take care of us.

Maybe it was because I got to be a big bunny and I shed. (Mama say's I'm her official dust bunny.)

Maybe it was because Harrington has a wonky ear.

Luckily, we were given to a lady who runs a rabbit rescue. If we would have been turned loose into the wild, we would have died. Again, we are domestic bunnies and we don't know how to camp.


What's even more lucky for us is Mama. All the bunnies she has had came from rescues. She never knows what she's going to get or how long we will be around or what kind of health issue we may have. All she knows is she let's her heart guide her. Mama has loved bunnies since she was six years old. Mama has friends all over the country who rescue bunnies and work in rabbit rescues. One of her most wonderful friends is our Auntie Christina. Auntie Christina is really an angel in disguise.

Mama doesn't care that we are messy and have parties and throw hay and paper all over the place, or that she has to vacuum three times a week to get our fur up from the floor.


All she says every single day is that she is truly blessed to have us. We bring her joy, we bring her love, we bring her inspiration. We are precious little creatures that hopped into her life. The best part of her day is seeing our faces in the morning, watching us dance around for treats,

 seeing us flop on the floor in crazy positions and watching us sleep.

So, now that you know some facts about what it's like to live with Easter bunnies, we would like you to consider this.


When choosing the bunny for your basket this year, if you decide to make it a real bunny instead of a chocolate or toy bunny, would you please consider visiting a rescue and adopting a bunny from Easters past? There are lots and lots of us out there just waiting for you to find us and love us and share your life with us.


In return, we will melt your heart.

Thank you and we love you. Happy Easter.

xx,
Harrington and Hannah, the Easter Bunnies

22 comments:

Loris said...

These are the sweetest creatures. It is so wonderful you found each other. I love reading all the good info and knowing Bunnyville is such a good place for these love bugs to live and work! Pats and love to all of you ( and sweet Sabrina too ❤️)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

MaMa is a blessing and is blessed - a very Happy Easter to all in Bunnyville.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

It's Hannah-Banana, special correspondent, LIVE FROM......

I LOVE YOU GUYS. I think it wise to inform the peeps about your ways so that little bunnies are not give away so quickly as gifts. Living beings you are, so gentle, so deserving of full attention. Hannah and Harrington, you are so well-loved. Peace to all at Raspberry Rabbits! LOVE! Anita

Sandra said...

I just loved reading your story today. It was so informative. Also, it was so cute to see all the different pictures. It is good to know what you are taking on with the purchase of a bunny. I think it is great that you do all you do for the bunnies health. Thank you for sharing this information with us. Many blessings are wished for you and your bunny family.

Little Miss Titch said...

Rabbits in the UK are Vaccinated for Mxyomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease which is now a combined vaccination so we are now down to one shot a year,Speedy has it,his is due next month.Both diseases are very rare in the US which is why its not available,but I'm sure that will change if they become more wide spread,Just though you would like to know Michelle,xx Rachel

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

My daughter has 2 rescue rabbits. I just emailed her the link to your posting today because she will enjoy seeing your bunnies. She does all the things you have done with her bunnies too.

Lana said...

Michelle, had it not been for you and your buns...I have learned much about caring for my three littles and I am thankful to you! True...our last addition literally found us after just coming up in our yard...such a sweet baby and to think someone just put him out. He is our most loving snuggly little bun...in think he is just glad to have girlfriends (all fixed) and a forever home!!! We love them so very much! Thank you for posting this again!

paulette said...

This post went a long way to educating the public in the care and protection of bunnies!! Well done!
Such sweet, sweet pets!

Janet said...

Such an excellent post...Happy Easter to you all... From Janet M....a reader and fan from Ontario, Canada

Janet said...

Such an excellent post...Happy Easter to you all... From Janet M....a reader and fan from Ontario, Canada

sunny said...

THanks for a great post, Hannah and Harrington! You and your Mama are very blessed to have found each other.

Kris said...

Wonderful yearly reminder, kids!! Thank you and your Mom!! And a super happy Easter to all of you!! Lots of love!! ♥

Createology said...

This is such an important reminder. Happy Easter Blessings Dear to you and Bunnyville and Sabrina.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Michelle, for being a rescuer !! Such sweet members of your family. Thank you for sharing some of the not-so-fun things about living with pets: all the special care, medical expenses and worst of all - rejection from former owners. Fortunately for Hannah and Harrington, their former owners cared enough to surrender them to a rabbit rescue. I don't understand how people can just let them loose in the wild and expect them to survive. I pray that you have many more healthy, happy years together.

quiltingtaylormade said...

Hannah and Harrington, I think you have the BESTEST mommy in the world and it's so obvious that there's nothing she won't do for you. Bunnyville is truly a wonderful place for all who live and work there. Happy Easter !! (Oh did mama tell you that you're moving ??)

Beth said...

Thanks for sharing this, Michelle. Such good advice, to help families think about making lifetime decisions for the "Easter rabbits" they're considering.

I tweeted a link to your post: https://twitter.com/wordygirl11/status/584247003783106560

Elly D said...

Super post Michelle! beautiful buns! 💖🐰

Laura Bullinger said...

Hi Michelle, Question: Can they have wood in their playpen to replace the furniture they chew on? I know nothing about bunnies, and did not google, but would that help to keep the teeth filed? Just thought of that while reading your article...

Raewyn said...

A beautiful post Michelle. And a great way to remind us all about the committment needed when considering having a (any) pet:-) Happy hoppy Easter!

Lois Evensen said...

How cute. :) Happy Easter!

Quilt Rat said...

Àwhhh...such cute bunnies! Very interesting info...those pine shavings are not good for pet rats either....I used to go to a local flour mill and buy big bags of oat bran....it made great soft bedding and they could eat it too.

Unknown said...

What wonderful info and photos. I live in New South Wales in Australia and we're permitted to keep pet bunnies. I have two which are almost the same colours as Harrington and Hannah. My male is light grey and he's Mr. Bunson and my female is a charcoal Angora called Mrs.B. I just love them so much but I now know why they're getting a bit plump - too many banana chips!!!! I take mine for a walk everyday on a harness which they really enjoy. Of all the pets I've had over the years my bunnies are just the cutest and gentlest. May you have many happy, happy bunny days. With love from one bunny person to another!!

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