From: marty@world.std.com (Marty M HaleEvans)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Rabbit worry
Date: 19 Nov 92 16:00:52 GMT
Article-I.D.: world.Bxz0HH.3DG
Organization: Cicely Public Access UNIX, Cicely, AK

Thanks as always, Nancy-the-Bun-Goddess, for your help. :-)

njl@druhi.ATT.COM (Nancy J. LaRoche) writes:

>Rabbits shed three times during their first year, then once a year after
>that.  Some rabbits shed all at once in the spring and get it over with.
>But many start shedding noticeably in the spring, continue shedding all
>summer, but so lightly as to be barely noticeable, and then finish with a
>flourish in the fall.  

This may be what he's doing; I'm a little relieved that this may change as
he gets older -- there's fuzz everywhere!

I meant hairballs in his belly, and I'll heed what you say about the 
petromalt. I'll also look into getting him some vitamin supplements. I haven't
really been giving him a lot of petromalt (once every week or two), but I'll
stop if it's not good, and make sure I'm a lot more conscientious about the
hay.

>I think a second bunny is always a good idea (with a few exceptions
>involving medical problems or years as a single-bun).  But be warned:
>bunnies are particular about their friends and mates.  You should get a
>bunny of the opposite sex (get her spayed, not just for reproductive
>reasons, but to protect her health), and he should be involved in the
>choice.  If he doesn't show definite, friendly interest, it'll be a
>struggle (but not necessarily impossible) to get them to be friends.

I knew that about getting a female, and I'd never consider NOT getting her
spayed. I'll be careful not to commit to someone he may not like, though;
that's a good thing to remember. 

>Start by lying down on the floor with your hands under your body.  Be
>patient.  No bunny can resist eventually checking you out.  He may only
>sniff around, or he may climb all over you.  Next time, hide a little treat
>somewhere where he'll come across it...maybe on the back of your hand with
>your hand lying quietly on the floor.

I've done this, and often he runs away. Usually the best I can get is him
climbing on my back for a minute or so, then running away. He'll stay and
present if I pet him, but as soon as I stop he runs away.

>To win his desire to play, NEVER pick him up (except for clipping nails,
>checking teeth, etc., which should be done all in one sitting).  If you use
>a cage, let him come out and go in without you picking him up.  (Herd him
>into the cage instead of forcing him by picking him up.)  Encourage
>him to come to you by offering treats, etc.  You didn't mention breed or
>age.  Knowing that would help me advise on what you can expect from him.

I don't keep him in a cage; he has free run except for a few rooms. I do 
occasionally try to pick him up briefly, in hopes that he'll get more 
used to being handled. As it is, I can't check his belly or brush him 
thoroughly because he won't tolerate it. I can sometimes use a towel to pick 
him up and wrap him to clip his nails. When I do this, he generally quiets
down a lot for the duration. He'll let me clip, then sit quietly in the towel
as I stroke him (including his belly, which, as I said, he normally won't 
let anyone even entertain the thought of touching). After a few minutes, he
sits up and shakes himself (like "What was I thinking????"), then runs away
under the furniture. I'm not sure of his breed; he's basically big and non-lop,
white with black shoulder-spots, black ears and nose, and a black Rorschach
pattern on his behind. He looks a lot like a male version of the rabbit on the
cover of the House Rabbit Handbook. He was one year old this past Easter.

>You might try running in a wide circle around him--not so close as to annoy
>him, and see if there is any reaction.  You might give him a gentle push as
>though to roll him over and then run away a few feet.

The running is an interesting idea, and I'll try it. Pushing him usually tends
to bug and alarm him, and he usually runs off. Jingle bells are a good idea;
he hasn't generally been interested in Mason lids.

If you have any other ideas based on what I've said, I'd be grateful to hear
them. I really want to make friends with him, but so far our relationship has
consisted of my providing food and water and occasional brief petting, and my
trying not to upset him too much. I hope we can get more interactive, but if 
not, I still enjoy having him around. If you don't have any other ideas, I 
thank you again for the ones you've sent.

Marty


=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
"Seems like there ought to be a way we could look each other in the eye
To see we're all in this together, and put all thoughts of victory aside.
Seems like there ought to be a way we could turn this fear into trust;
No matter what you say, there has to be a way --
Every living thing is counting on us."      

Marty Hale-Evans                                 M   @   *   O   %   8   U
89 Mass. Ave., Ste. 199, Boston, MA 02115       \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/ \|/
From: almanb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Bob Alman)
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 06:23:40 GMT
Subject: Re: Miracle hair remover (clothes, furniture, etc.) REALLY WORKS!!
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA