Bunny Boys Bonded

This is how I found the boys snuggling in the morning.

They are bonded!

For a while I was wondering why I had ever thought about getting Tansy a buddy, but now when I see Tansy and Kiwi together I know it was a good idea.
They are double trouble, but their sweet little faces are worth it!

Bonding Tansy and Kiwi - First Steps

Ok I couldn't wait any longer.

So far this is what has happened:
I set up a space for them in one of my spare bed rooms. Tansy had never been allowed into this room, so it is neutral. 2 of everything - litter box, water, pile of fresh veggies, hay, phone book, stuffed toy, diggy towels, cardboard boxes.

Then I put both buns in a cardboard box with a cover. I shook them up, went outside, went inside, went into the garage, jogged in place, ect.
Then I dumped (gently) them both into the new room.
They sniffed each other. Hopped around a bit. Then they fought. Lost some fur. I didn't stop them. Then they hopped around. Then they fought. Tansy hid in a box. Kiwi hid on the other side of the room. Then they fought. Lost some more fur. Then they went to different sides of the room and lay down. They took a 2 hour break where they didn't do anything.
Kiwi got up and ate some hay and used the litter box.
Tansy hid in a box.
Kiwi ate.
Tansy ate.
Kiwi came over to sniff Tansy. Tansy thumped at Kiwi. Kiwi went away.
Kiwi came back - Tansy thumped. Repeat 50 times.
Kiwi chased Tansy - Tansy hid in a box and thumped.
Kiwi ate. Tansy ate.
Kiwi chased Tansy. Tansy thumped and hid in a box.
Then they chased/thumped/ate and are still doing that combination.

I checked them over once for injuries, but other than that I haven't touched them. So far it seems to be going pretty well.

This is a photo time line of their interactions.

Introducing: Kiwi

A new bunny was added to the family on Tuesday.

It's a funny story.

On Sunday I was talking to one of my friends, that used to work at the local animal shelter, about a bunny I had noticed advertised on Petfinder. She said it was probably already gone, but offered to check on Monday for me. I said, "That's Ok I would call them myself on Monday".

So Monday: I was very busy at work, but I finally found a minute to call them - at 2pm. The people at the shelter said he was still available and I could come and look at him at 4pm when I got off of work. So I went to the shelter at 4pm and they said, "Oops! Sorry he was adopted just after you called."

So I went home all bummed out that I didn't even get to see the rabbit.

I called my friend and told her about the whole adventure. She says, "Oh yeah, I called around 2:40pm and it was adopted."

She and I made plans to hang out the next day, Tuesday, and she said she had a present for me.

I thought it was a fire pit, because she had hinted before that she was going to buy one for me.

Finally, Tuesday we go out for lunch and she still doesn't say anything about what the present is.

I'm still talking about the rabbit and how surprised I was that it would get adopted in only 2 hours.

My friend is very quiet and acting kind of weird.

Her sister, who is with us too, finally says, "Just tell her already!"

I think you can guess the rest of the story!

~

She adopted Kiwi for me!

I was totally surprised.

He is a big boy. He weighs about 7lbs and is about twice the size of Tansy (my other bunny).

He was neutered on July 13th, so I plan on waiting a few more weeks, to let his hormones calm down, before I attempt to bond Tansy and Kiwi together.

He was found in some one's backyard and the shelter thought he was 2 years old, but I think he is a little younger.

The shelter was only feeding him pellets and he is overweight, so now he is on a hay and fresh veggie diet.

He is doing very well with his litter box training.

He had no trouble figuring out where to pee, but he pooed outside of the box twice.

I just put all the poos into the litter box and now he knows where to go.

So far we haven't had any more accidents.

Now a few pics of Tansy.


As you can see he is the king of this castle, so bonding/introducing Kiwi might be a little difficult.

Isn't he cute?!?

Catty and Tansy planning their next vacation.

Best friends!

Catty weighs about 7 pounds, but looks much smaller than Kiwi.

Tansy weighs about 4 pounds.

I can't wait for them to all be bonded and friends!

Catty and Tansy

My cat Catty loves to "play" with Tansy. She watches Tansy and sometimes puts her paw through the bars of the x-pen. I don't know how they will eventually get along (once Tansy is spayed), but I'm glad there is a cage between them!

Although, Tansy doesn't really seem to be too bothered by Catty.