Monday Bunday

Tyler was complaining that he hasn't had adequate face time on the blog and that we finally had some light so couldn't I take some pictures of him? After he saw them he thought he ought to go get a job as a male model, apparently he has forgotten how devastatingly handsome he is.

Look me in the eye and deny me anything, I dare you!

One of his many soft sides.....

Which is my best side? That would be which ever one you are lucky enough to see.

On another front it was reported to me last week that there was a loose rabbit around the neighborhood. Although I looked here and there, I decided to let karma have her way in this situation. On Saturday morning this rabbit hopped down the driveway and into the backyard. I had a little chat with her, she let me pet and pick her up. It was raining, so she got a towel dry and has been living in a fenced in bathroom. She says her name is Harriet, she a dark agouti, very soft, very tame. The other rabbits have been pretty emotional since her arrival with a lot of chasing and such like. Interestingly there is less of an interest in her than there was in Amelia and there is not so much marking (not yet at any rate). I'm not sure if I'm up for having FOUR rabbits, but for the time being I think I can take it; one bun at a time.

She's a little darker than this photo shows and her fur is in really good condition, not patchy like it looks here. Guess a week of rainwater rinses does something....

Have a really interesting week.

Rabbits3 Report

Amelia has, for the time being completed her darkening project. Whether the result of the cooler weather or, as Mum of Critters suggested good nutrition. Or both. I am not sure. Her fur is much softer than when she arrived on that fateful day in July.......Funny thing, I must confess, I never really liked pink eyes until I met Amelia, now I think they are fantastic. Love does change all.

Sydney has decided I need guarding and this is often the my view from the laptop "station". I am very flattered by this attention.

Here are girl buns together in an extended snuggle. There is still chasing, but I'm beginning to think that that is good exercise and benefits the figure and inner organs. I did catch Sydney with a small mouthful of fur the other night, but within minutes they were eating hay side by side as if nothing untoward had occurred.

Tyler is very busy keeping his harem groomed and kissed. Unfortunately he often has to clean his own face, Amelia is all about receiving and not reciprocating. I try to make up for my gender in general by petting him as much as I can. When Amelia senses this she rushes over and muscles in for pets too..........

We send our best wishes and bunny hugs to Christina and her bunnies, Nemo is sorely missed by his family as he cavorts at the Rainbow Bridge.

Monday Bunday

Rabbits3 gives Potentially Crazy the coveted Three Bun Seal of Approval

First, on this Monday Bunday we would like to draw everybun's attention to the work of Alice, buntographer par excellence. In addition to visiting her blog, Potentially Nervous, you can now experience her work on a constant, rotational basis in the privacy of your own computer. What I am trying to say is that her work is now available as a screen saver, and for such an emminently reasonable price I can hardly believe it. Check out Potentially Crazy for fab bunny pics that could be yours.

Second, here is today's movie treat, Rabbits3 having a wheatgrass treat.

Have a perfectly reasonable week everybun.

Rabbits3 go to school

They were all lined up like this for ever so long. No, I did not place them like this or use Photoshop. I have no idea what they are learning from the stone tortoise. It has been in the family since 1960 or so and it was a favorite "pressing object" for Bandit......

Monday Bunday

Just to keep everybun up to date: Rabbits3 have been officially photographed in a close and relaxed configuration. See evidence below, no it is not Photoshopped, I am not capable.

Recently Rabbits3 have been the recipients of great generosity; first Rabbits Guy of The Houseful of Rabbits sent them some apple sticks in the mail; then Silver, of Buns of Silver fame, sent a servant with many, many of these tasty wood treats. All members of Rabbits3 are so grateful. Amelia made this little video to demonstrate how the enjoy an apple stick.

Have a great week and don't forget to take a nap.

Monday Bunday: food ball demos

After reading a post from The Rabbit House, Rabbits3 decided it was time to have more fun with food, plus they want to try out for the BunSoccer League. So, with the aid of my credit card, they purchased some food balls ( actually they are called Snacky Snack balls but we don't put snacks in them...) from HERE. You could think of food balls as a sort of rolling pez dispenser for pellets. The pellets are paced in the ball through a half circle door. At first I left this all the way open so they would get the idea that you have to roll the ball and the pellets drop out. Now that skills are being mastered I close it up to about half way so they have to work a little harder.

Tyler gives a short demo how to demo on how to "nose" the ball.

Why not just have the bowl of pellets? Having read the aforementioned post I did begin to think about this. Firstly, I am entirely guilty of making life easy for the Rabbits3 as far as food goes. Doubtless a habit leftover from my care giving years with Bandit, who required special food at regular intervals. Young healthy buns can take a challenge! Secondly, from a health standpoint it is better for the gut of the rabbit not to be inundated with pellets all at once. As we all know GI Stasis is the number health problem in the rabbit community. Certainly in the wild a rabbit's feeding habit is a here and there sort of affair. Of course we do not have wild rabbits, but their digestive system is basically the same. Plus pellets are not a natural food; nutrient dense they require really very little chewing compared to the amount of chewing required for the same nutrients obtained from grass or foliage, fresh or dried. Just as in humans, digestion starts in the mouth with mixing enzymatic rich saliva with the food to start the process of cellular breakdown (digestion). Are the pellets eaten en masse receiving their required dose of saliva for proper breakdown? This is just me thinking, there is no study on this as far as I know and I could be absolutely full of doots.

Sydney show her technique for extracting pellets from the ball. She calls it "delegation". Amelia calls it something else.

We got three extra balls as give-a-way! To be eligible you need to have a rabbit and you need to let me know in the comments that you want to be in the drawing. Winners will be announced next Bunday.

A Night at the Bunopera

Last night while Sydney was having first first crack the fresh Timothy hay, Tyler played the leading role as lovable, affectionate rogue. For 10 full minutes he groomed Amelia, I was concerned his tongue might wear out. Interesting to note is I had just spent a longish time petting him. The love you give will be passed on and on and on........Also of note this morning Tyler was quite uninterested in Amelia, in fact preferred to have his pellets in his room. However, I suspect, given the same set of conditions, tonight there will be an encore performance.

A Bunday At The Races

Rabbits3 were presented with equal lengths of Chicory. Amelia took her's under the chair, this did not seem to slow her progress, she was, doubtless eating while hopping. Tyler and Sydney proceeded at their usual rapid pace, if no more so because breakfast was at least half an hour late. Judges proclaimed a tie and all participants demanded an immediate, if not sooner, rematch.

Monday Bunday: Our Ears

Ears tell a lot about a rabbit. They convey emotions, intent, and state of health. The rigorous study of ears is much neglected field, but today, with the help of Rabbits3 it is the hope that the world will sit up and take notice. A simple "reading" of the ear markings can reveal much about a bun........

Here is Amelia's left ear, since she came to live here her ears have been constantly changing from dark to light and back again. For a few weeks now she has been sporting a chevron at the base of the her ear. This coupled with her grey ballet flats portrays of fashionable, but not over dressed bun; concerned with details, but not willing to take on any extraneously burdens. Her multiple ears positions, demonstrated here in the extreme, indicate flexibility and adaptability. Some good traits for a third bun.....

Comparing Sydney (left) and Tyler there is a distinct difference between these these siblings, in terms of color and markings.......

Sydney's black, black, black ears are softer than soft, if she'll let you near them. Dark all the way down to the base, this is a bun who lives life her way, she is the boss and chooses whom is allowed to be close. The line connecting her eye patches is quite straight, she has definite boundaries. Note though the white crevice between her ears, this indicates a vulnerability, a chink in her armor. She can be loving, but it's a careful path to her heart, like walking a tightrope......

Tyler's classy grey ear shade along with a more open design both between and on the ears are expressions of his personality. He is more open than Sydney and at the same time more vulnerable, this actually makes him friendlier because he is looking for protection (even though he thinks of himself as TOTALLY dominant). His eye patches are connected by a much more broken line than Sydney's, a sign that boundaries are flexible and subject to variance depending on circumstance.

Rabbits3 hope you have enjoyed this introduction to art of ear reading, remember trying this at home could lead to unexpected results........Have a good Bunday.

Monday Bunday Breakfast Club;video special postponed;random photos instead

Rabbits3 express a shared interest in willow twig formations and their unique structure.

Rabbits3 get pellets and salad twice a day, along with unlimited hay and fresh filtered water. Morning pellets are served between 6 and 7 a.m. and between 9 and 10 a.m. it's time for another breakfast; fresh salad. Today's salad featured garden fresh Chicory and basil stalks and from the Farmer's Market Romaine lettuce, dill, radicchio, and fennel. Each salad is sprinkled with a teaspoon of dried Nettles for extra nutrition and served in individual containers, a bunbento, if you will.

Tyler framed in furniture; a spotted bun in a square hole.

The fresh herbs vary and include Parsley, Cilantro, Mint, Lemon Balm, Borage, Yarrow, and the aforementioned Dill. Seasonal flowers are included as well; Nasturtiums, Roses, Honeysuckle, and Borage. Garden "weeds" are often requested by the diners: Dandelion and Chickweed are served as supply allows. Sometimes Rabbits3 get chopped celery and occasionally grated carrot. A few oat groats might find their way to the salads, but these are usually reserved for training treats.

Amelia demonstrates the Basil Tango.

Bonding is still an issue. Sydney will still chase Amelia and has been caught with fur in her mouth. When this happens she is politely escorted from the room. Still, Amelia seems to prefer having the gate down. This morning Tyler was seen grooming Amelia, though not with a lot of enthusiasm, he may have been cautious about being busted by Sydney, who was sorting the hay nearby.

Have an excellent week and remember to eat plenty of greens.

Rabbits3 in Disguise

Always full of fun, Rabbits3 put on disguises for Halloween.

Tyler as Cotton Ball salesbun.

Sydney IS Cleopatra.

Amelia chose to be an airplane in honor of her namesake, Amelia Bunhart.

Monday Bunday

Random scenes from around here.

Rabbit with dreaming eyes.

Tyler chinning Mint lest anybun think it is theirs,

moments later, just to be sure of ownership, he ate the same stalk

.

Busy Rabbit.

Amelia simultaneously grooming

and re-calibrating the Earometer.

Sticky Buns.

This would appear to not be such a special picture, the Spots snuggle all the time, what you don't know is that a split second before they were in opposite ends of the room and suddenly flew together like highly magnetized furry jigsaw pieces. And now you do know.

Dusk rabbit.

Amelia loves to go out at night, the outdoor bunnex is part of her patrol. On the night of the big rain she insisted on being let out though she seemed surprised by the rainwater rinse that she got.

Monday Bunupdateday

Amelia again shows her expertise with the 

Earometer method of measurement.

It has been a rather hectic week between trying to be a good daughter and the hard drive going south, bundates have been somewhat limited. I got tired of Sydney always chasing Amelia and so have had to give her a little talking to about playing nicely and how there is enough love to go around and all that. I've also been supervising more closely and  creating  diversions when Sydney starts taking a run at Amelia. I've seen no more Amelia/Tyler grooming, though I have seen her asking oh so very nicely.

Tyler takes a taste to be sure the produce 

is up to his high bunstandards.

It is expected that California's Central Coast will be rained on to the tune of 3-6 inches on Tuesday so I harvested the rest of our red pumpkins. Of course these had to be inspected by the Rabbits3. As you can see Amelia measured with her Earometer, Tyler tasted and Sydney hopped over to record  the findings on the chalkboard.

This looked like a lot of fun and I don't really mind a few chews here and there, 

so I let them be rabbits, bundiscipline is not my strong suit.

 It seems to be in the Spots nature to rampage and pillage, so I wasn't a bit surprised when I heard a small crash and found Tyler and Sydney in the middle of a box of papers. Although Tyler was the one to make his way onto the plant shelf and eat part of an Orchid (toxic plant, but it didn't bother him a bit), I'm not sure if it was Sydney or Tyler who ate part of a silicon muffin cup, but I am sure it is Sydney who has it in for BF's couch, now covered with throw rugs, cardboard and a couple wooden boards. The resulting curious structure is functional only from the standpoint of keeping Sydney from her apparently appointed mission in life, but not from that of human usage. Ah, well, a lose/lose situation, maybe we should just let her have the couch, at least somebun would be happy.

We send Rabbits Guy and Fats wishes for healing and wellness. 

PS Interview with me here. Sorry it's a treasure hunt to find the interview, go to link, click on the offered Printsy link, page to the bottom, click on older posts and voila`.......

Bunny Up Dates

Tyler in a bulb pot, he likes to go out but is still not completely

comfortable with the sky being so big and all....

Last night the gate stayed down until sometime in the very early morning when I got up briefly to replace it and put Amelia's pellet bowl down. One of the issues here being that the Spots, being "mature" rabbits shouldn't eat alfalfa pellets and hay and certainly shouldn't have the unlimited amounts a growing bun like Amelia gets. I usually herd Sydney, she is usually the last Spot in Amelia's room, out when I go to bed, but last night she would not go. She was stubborn and evasive, even when I told her her brother was waiting for her. Rather than ramp up the herding to where it would be upsetting, I let her stay.

The Spots feeling pretty good about all this, especially Tyler

who thinks he owns the world at this moment.

Meanwhile, unconcerned, Amelia naps ZZZZZZZZZZZ

There were NO audible fights or chasings during the night; another small bonding victory. Amelia is still not "allowed" out of her room. Last night she ventured a bit further, almost to the doorway out of the kitchen when suddenly there was a great scrambling and running as she returned to her sanctuary, and Spots thumped away in the next room. Maybe they all startled each other, funneh bunnehs.

Girl Buns chillin'

Overall there is still some chasing, but feelings don't seem to be hurt by this, and there has only been one fur incident (Sydney was caught with a mouthful). The Spots play and relax in Amelia's room in the morning and evenings and nap elsewhere in the afternoon. There is less marking both in the room and at the door. I hope this will completely disappear in time.......

And, yes, Amelia has made it up onto the chair. Here you can see how her marking are changing a bit, either from maturity or for winter. Her nose is darker, her back feet almost totally white, front feet darker and ears almost all silver with a darker band at the base.

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.