Sunday, September 06, 2009

Monday Bunday


The Rabbits3 have big indoor picnic twice a day, the lettuces in the garden need eating, lucky rabbits!

The gate is down most of the day. Bun Bonding seems to have reached a sort of plateau, although the Spots mostly tolerate Amelia they are not particularly friendly with her. She is a little interested in sniffing their bums, but they are not reciprocating. There is still come chasing and aggressive behavior, but nothing very serious. Amelia seems to have ceased being the aggressor/protector. Although she may run away from them, it is not far and both parties seem to recover quickly, resuming other activities/projects. In all fairness it is important to add that chasing/aggression between the Spots themselves has increased, though this has not effected snuggle time in the least. It has apparently been made quite clear to Amelia that the Spots may come into her room, but she may not stray into the rest of the house; she stays in her room, venturing only a few feet into the kitchen.

The Spots have taken back their castle, here Tyler examines Amelia's innovative renovations.

They quite interested in her alfalfa pellets and hay which I put out of reach when they come in the room. One day during scheduled bunny nap time I was engrossed in other tasks and the Spots snuck onto Amelia's room and ate all her pellets. They got no pellets for dinner that night, Sydney has to watch her waist line. Even Amelia's regular timothy hay, the same as theirs, is considered desirable.

Queen of her castle keep, Sydney Black Nose.

There are a lot of territorial poops, the towels look like well endowed chocolate cookies. Sydney used to leave urine markings by her litter box, that has stopped and she leaves a puddle (on a towel over plastic) by Amelia's box. There is much marking at the door just outside Amelia's room. Despite the low level animosity none of the rabbits like having the gate up and there will be shaking of the blockage by either side when it is up. Amelia often plants herself next to it, or in sight of it.

Sydney is having a flag designed so she can claim this territory as her very own.

On another behavioral note is that all rabbits seem more affectionate with me. Tyler for the first time ever licked my foot. Amelia will often come and put her paws on my back if I am sitting on the floor and now Tyler is copying this move. Even Sydney has become somewhat more outgoing. Though she has yet to go outside, she loiters purposefully by the open door. I cleared some clothes off the chair thinking a better use of it would be for rabbits and Syd was the first and so far only bun up, what a girl!

Stretched, Amelia awaits.





20 comments:

Friend of the Animals said...

How wonderful everyone is getting along. Love the castle, I hope to get Bambi and Cinnamon one someday.

PJ said...

We've had our cats and dog all for nearly a dozen years, the cats even longer, and one of my great joys has been watching their relationships interweave and evolve. I think you and the bunns are off to a great start and maybe Amelia was just the kind of spice The Spots needed.

Andrewbun said...

Great pics, Love the bunny bum!

Anonymous said...

WOW glad it's going so well! I recall when I introduced a 3rd bun into Luther and Riena's territory they got snippy with each other. I wonder why... The eating others kibble cracks me up. I joke with my landlady that the food and water must be way better in my house than hers (even though we feed the same food) because the dogs will come in my place to eat and drink and then go back to her house straight away, even though there's plenty of the same in her kitchen! It's bizarre!

I'm glad that it's going well overall, what a blessing for you! And Amelia is one called out and blessed bun!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

It's so interesting to read about these bunny interactions. It sounds like they have a sort of truce, and I hope they'll all be good friends someday.

Crafty Green Poet said...

it's fascinating to read about their continued bonding. Lovely photos too.

Deb Cushman said...

Enjoyed the update on the bonding. Things seem to be progressing nicely. Bet they'll all be laying side by side, heads together, cooking up mischief before you know it!

Annette Tait said...

What a wonderful castle - and Queen in residence!

the lettuce looks delicious - and the party looks controlled - an even Y shape!

great to read about their progress Diana, thanks for wonderful pictures - love Sydney on her chair - (her second castle?)

Unknown said...

Well, I am so happy to see the trio together and no fur flying...tri-bonding seems to be going on quite good for now. Hey, I see you in the mirror *big grin* and that's so cool :P

RG said...

Slowly, ever so slowly, the threesome trains the help.

Junkstylediva said...

Fascinating...I didn't know bunnies mark their teritory too. One of my cats does this alot and we will have to replace part of the carpet before we move. Do you use any deodorizer to cover scent? Glad bunnies are getting along. :)
Inge

Christina said...

I LOVE the picture of Sydney in the chair. I want to tweak her little butt. The salad looks great.

d. moll, l.ac. said...

FOA-Yes, castle was a gift, they actually don't seem to be destroying it at a great rate. When they do I'll probably get another, they seem to enjoy it.
PJ-In this case I am hoping 3 isn't a crowd, it's a party!
ABun-Bun bum with furry feet, what's not to love?
MOC-animals seem to think if they eat someone else's food they are ahead of the starvation game....
BG-I have yet to find the written version of their agreement, but yes a truce of sorts.
CGP-thank you :~)
JSD-I have plastic under the marking areas, white vinegar is the bomb for cutting scent of rabbit pee. There are various other products on the market, some specifically for cats and dogs.
C-She is just the cutest, last night she started guarding me and I could hardly get her out of the room for bedtime.
MK-you spotted me! blurry and I look like I don't have nose, probably one of my best photos.
FAD-I could be in trouble, three against one....
AFT-They are coming along aren't they?
RG-the help is soooo sloooowwwww...

Mary-Laure said...

This castle is just genius. I love it. Did you make it yourself?

d. moll, l.ac. said...

ML- no, a friend of the rabbits gave it to them. Do you think Benji might like it?

d. moll, l.ac. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erin said...

That's so great! I'm so glad they are getting along so well!

Anonymous said...

Love the pic of Amelia stretched languidly on the towel. And the picnic was going well too! Lots of lettuce, what lucky bunnies!

Fez and the Gang said...

Goodness! How much we have missed! Now there are The Spots plus 1!

A trio just like us!

Belated Welcome to pretty Amelia!

d. moll, l.ac. said...

E- yes! they are really getting along pretty well, it could be so much worse!
S-they are lucky indeed, I try to remind them of that...
F & TG-We have tried to keep busy while you were gone, glad to have you back, hope all is well and mom brought you enough treats. Sometimes Amelia's right ear flops like Fez's so we think you bunnies often :~)