Blogiversity.org

All of my life, I've loved animals and have wanted a dog. Actually, anything furry would have been great. However, some of my family are extremely allergic to anything furry, so unfortunately, no pets except a goldfish (not exactly cozy). When I moved out I was excited at the possibility of a pet, especially a dog, but was concerned that my family would be knocked out on Benadryl when they visited just to be around the dog. I let time go by and then thought on a smaller scale. This past February, I got a sweet baby bunny this. Oddly enough, it was from a pet store we'd normally never get anything from. But this little one was so tiny and cute, just curled up in my hand and fell asleep like it always knew me. How could I not be enamored? I decided this bunny had in a way chosen me and I was now a proud new "mama". The bunny was so downy-soft and a dove-grey with blond around it's jawline and on it's belly. I was told it was a female and named her Colette. So sweet!

Fast foward to about two months ago. I went to take Colette out to snuggle when, WHAT?!! Suddenly there had appeared very male "parts"! Wow, talk about shock. I felt like a bad mother, not to know the gender of my own "kid"! After getting over my shock I jumped online to do some research. What had happened to my little "girl"? I found out that it's very difficult to determine the gender of rabbits when they're so young because they're so furry and both male and females private parts are in the exact same spot. They're also not obvious, like a dog or cat. It's not until they hit puberty (about 4 months old) that the males will begin to show any difference. Well, there was my bunny, now needing a boy's name. I decided on Cole, since it seemed an appropriate shortened version of Colette. Poor thing, all that time I'd been saying stuff like, "How's my sweet girl?". Talk about confused! What was I going to say now, "Hey, little dude - what's up?"? Anyway, Cole has still been the sweet bunny I've had since HE was tiny enough to fit in my palm. I still hold him that way (while supporting him with both hands now that he's bigger) and he has to curl under himself, but still looks so content and comfortable sitting that way since it's how I've always held and talked to him. Not to mention he's the cutest thing EVER when you look at him face to face like that!

I've also noticed some decidedly male behaviors in him, now that he's an adolescent. He's more energetic and sometimes, even rambuncious. He loves to scramble around in circles or whatever crazy direction suits him, flying through his log (in his cage) and then stopping for a drink. He's so ridiculous and he makes me laugh. Rabbits are social animals, so they like knowing where their family is. I take him out of his cage and yep, he's still that snuggly-sweet bunny I first got. He's kind of like a lap dog without the yapping. He'll sit on my lap and snuggle while I'm watching a movie or whatever. However, now that he's growing so much, he's seeming to find new joy in running, jumping and leaping, finding that his newfound body and muscles will support him. (Also hilarious to watch!). I bought a ferret harness for him that's adjustable and loop the handle end to my coffee table leg, which is strong so he can't pull free but still has a lot of running (and jumping!) room. He loves it. I also got him a ball with a bell inside that he likes making noise with and when he's out, I have a small box and an old oatmeal container that he likes nibbling on, jumping over and exploring the inside of. He'll grab the box with his teeth and throw it! I think he knows he's "the man" now and he keeps me very entertained. He's loving and sweet and I'm glad to have gotten such a great bunny.

I'm so glad you got your bunny. It is one of the sweetest animals I know. I was actually a bit worried about him when you first got him because he was so content to just lay there snuggled up against your shoulder and not even bother trying to move for hours. Most bunnies flip out and try to run around after a little while. I was afraid he might have been sick or lethargic. Now that he's older he has a lot of energy and runs all over the place, but he's still the sweet little cuddly bunny he's always been.

What? I never knew you were worried my bunny might be sick or lethargic. But thanks for the insight, lol! Just kidding. When I first held him in the store, the same thoughts went through my mind. But when I asked how old he was and the guy said about 6-8 weeks, Cole's tiredness seemed appropriate with his age. We used to find tiny, nearly just-born bunnies in our back yard and all they ever did was sleep. When you think of it, it's the same thing a favorite puppy of mine did when she was just a pup. But they're all just babies needing a lot of sleep in the beginning to grow strong. Because after that, they're more interested in playtime than sleeping! And remember those other two bunnies? They were more active, but the one was actually way too skittish for being so young and that actually worried me more than Cole being a sleepyhead. It was like a bunny with ADHD and I was afraid that if the right person didn't adopt him, he'd spin himself out of control! Poor rabbit... I've been very blessed with Cole's demeanor and I'm also glad to start seeing his activity level become more age-appropriate (although I do hope it levels out somewhat). But I also love that he still snuggles with me too and will fall asleep when I stroke his whiskers. It's amazing how an animal can make you feel not only like you're providing for it and loving it, but that it loves you back and knows you as well. I love how Cole perks right up as soon as he knows I'm talking to him. Then he does that following-around thing in his cage, stretching up to greet me like a little puppy. He's so cute!! And I'm glad you like him too. 

PS - I was hoping to post a couple of pics of Cole on this page. How can I go about that?

 

I wasn't worried enough to think there was actually something wrong with him, just initially thought wow, I wonder if that's normal. In a pet store with an ADHD bunny, a pompous guinea pig aptly dubbed "Rat", and a skitzo guinea pig who thinks he's a turtle, you have to wonder. 

There really is something very sweet about his personality. Believe me, I would have suggested going to another pet store if I hadn't known he was very unique (this time in a good way). I love how he will follow you around the house like a puppy, always trying to stand up and prop himself against your leg to look at you. He must feel so small way down there.  

 

As far as how to post some pictures, I posted a guide on that in the Blogiversity Help Forums. Click Here to go straight to the guide.  

Speaking of my favorite bunny buddy, I just have to said (completely unbiased, of course) that Cole is the cutest animal. As I'm going back and forth between doing computer work and housework (oh, the joys of laundry....lol), he's just chilling out in his cage, looking so cute. He actually lays on his side, more like a dog does when they're just relaxing. I can see his eyes following "Mom" wherever I go, just making sure I'm still okay. He makes me smile at his little white fluff tail when he's all relaxed like that. On the occasions that I cry (as much as I hate to admit it), he actually will sit there and stare at me and thump his hind legs to get my attention, as if he's saying, "Hey! I'm right here! Are you okay? I'll make things okay!". I end up laughing at his antics and having to go over to pick him up and let him know all is well. He's such a snuggle bunny and I'm so glad that hasn't changed since he was a baby. If you're thinking of getting any animals, make sure you get them young and snuggle them a LOT. Trust me, when they hit puberty, when they'd normally act out like small lunatics, you'll be glad you started them out in a loving way and they'll still respond to that. Or maybe Cole's just the ultimate exception, I don't know! Tell me your thoughts on your own pets. I'm interested in getting a puppy someday and would love and info/advice! :-)

PS - I'll post a few pics of my sweet bunny soon!

 

A couple of pics from when Cole was a baby, about six to eight weeks old.

 

Oh-so-cute baby bunny. So tiny!                                                                               

   

                                                       

  A handful of bunny. 

 

 

And some current pictures - Cole is NO Dwarf Rabbit, that's for sure!

                  

Cole on his harness, relaxing after running around like crazy. ;-)                                                                                 

  

 

Stretched out in his cage. 

  

 Relaxed. (He's often very lively, but it's hard to capture that since he moves so quickly!)

  

 

Cae & Cole. :-)                                                                                                               

  

That's such a cute little rabbit. It amazes me how big he's grown when I look at what a tiny ball of fluff he used to be. And I love the picture where he's laying in in front of the table leg. It makes him look like he's got a horn growing out of his head. It's like a little fuzzy unicorn.

"Stop making up mythical creatures!". Next thing you know, you're gonna be saying he's a Puma or some other such nonsense! ;-)