I would appreciate thoughts on this, if anyone has the time. You may have seen my earlier post on the Introduction thread, where I explained that my adored rabbit Little Wilbur died last Friday. He was about 7 - ish, a rescue bun, and I had him for 4 1/2 years. His mate, who remains with me, is Hetty, a sweet natured agouti type who is most likely around 5 -ish.
I had been planning to get Hetty an older bun as a new mate - she to have the final say, as had happened with Little W and Hetty when Little W and I went back to the rescue home after his previous mate died. However my vet rang this morning - the local vet who had referred us to the vet who did the dentals, to commiserate, which I thought was very kind of him. He asked why I wanted an older bun and I said that it was partly that I have heard of young rabbits being a bit overawed by older mates and partly because I think that I will in the future need a period when I don't have a pet, as I finish my working career.
So he said that his advice was that in that case I should not get a new mate as it would mean facing loss in a shorter time than if I got a younger bun. I don't want my dear Hetty to be lonely but my vet said I should beware of being a martyr by caring too much. That sounds hard written down but I know what he meant and he meant it kindly.
I'm not sure and I have asked the local rescue home again - the Mayhew - for an older bun. But I am thinking about what he said. I love seeing rabbits snuggled up together but does anyone have experience of a single houserabbit, particularly after a mate has died?
Thanks,
Norma
I had been planning to get Hetty an older bun as a new mate - she to have the final say, as had happened with Little W and Hetty when Little W and I went back to the rescue home after his previous mate died. However my vet rang this morning - the local vet who had referred us to the vet who did the dentals, to commiserate, which I thought was very kind of him. He asked why I wanted an older bun and I said that it was partly that I have heard of young rabbits being a bit overawed by older mates and partly because I think that I will in the future need a period when I don't have a pet, as I finish my working career.
So he said that his advice was that in that case I should not get a new mate as it would mean facing loss in a shorter time than if I got a younger bun. I don't want my dear Hetty to be lonely but my vet said I should beware of being a martyr by caring too much. That sounds hard written down but I know what he meant and he meant it kindly.
I'm not sure and I have asked the local rescue home again - the Mayhew - for an older bun. But I am thinking about what he said. I love seeing rabbits snuggled up together but does anyone have experience of a single houserabbit, particularly after a mate has died?
Thanks,
Norma