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Benjie

T

thumps_

Wise Old Thumper
I'm sooo happy. Benjie has been a completely normal bunny today for the 1st time since I've had him 1yr 10 months ago.

He was a total nervous wreck of a bunny, spent nearly all his time in his hidey holes in the bedroom & only came out if I bent down to stroke him. On the occasions he did come out, he was happy enough - no shortage of binkies, but he'd only stay out for 15 -20 mins.
He's been out all day today, following me around, & at last normal rabbit behaviour of investigating everything I was doing, & even chinned a cardboard box. There's been some outbreaks of bunny 500's whichis quite funny in a larger bunny!

He's incredibly well behaved too. He took a tiny chew of a paper bag of potatoes, I said, "Leave", & he immediately hopped away to investigate something else.
I'm overjoyed, (as well as loving him to bits)
 
I find with prey animals it does take six months to a year for them to trust you fully, but it's so worth the wait. :love: So rewarding when it just hits you that they've changes because it's so gradual.
 
Jenova said:
I find with prey animals it does take six months to a year for them to trust you fully, but it's so worth the wait. :love: So rewarding when it just hits you that they've changes because it's so gradual.
Click to expand...

Yes, my previous severely traumatised animals have been predators - cats. I sailed in with Benjie then :oops::oops: How do I help a prey animal who's naturally timid for survival?
I even had to feed him under the bed, cos he wouldn't come out to feed unless I was there on look out. He's always been perfect with the litter tray, but it was more of a mad dash & back into hiding.
The other aspect is that as soon as he came here, I had to do "nasty things to him" to treat his snuffles & vet trips.

Yes, it's incredibly rewarding. I think I accept them as they are, give as much love as they can accept comfortably, & no expectations. Yes, Benjie had made much progress. It just happened in a big way today. I had a bunny with me all day. :D:love::love:
 
ripminnie said:
Aww that's fab :D it makes you feel so good, doesn't it :love:
Click to expand...

I feel so proud of him, cos he's had to do all the work to overcome it. I noticed that if something unpleasant happened once, he seemed unable to learn that it doesn't happen every time.
 
How lovely. :D Benjie is lucky to have such a thoughtful owner. Poor Ellie will never trust me I don't think after all the trauma in this first year.
 
How wonderful! :) Just shy of your birthday, what a lovely gift from Benjie. :)
*ahem* We couldn't get a few pictures of him could we? I don't think I've seen any in quite awhile.... ;) xxxx
 
Thank you so much for all your replies everyone.:D
I enjoy sharing happy moments so much.

Mimzmum, since photobucket changed I can't upload. I need a bit of help.:oops: How did you know I got older?
I'd love my neighbour to take a video of his reaction when being stroked. Whichever part of me he can reach gets licked incredibly enthusiastically! There's also the ritual that if I stroke him he has to lick me. He moves so fast to lick my hand before I take it away I thought he was going to lunge at me at 1st.
Today I got a nose lick through the bannisters!:love::love::love:


Cari said:
How lovely. :D Benjie is lucky to have such a thoughtful owner. Poor Ellie will never trust me I don't think after all the trauma in this first year.
Click to expand...
Just take it slowly & gently & be patient, avoiding similar situations which frightened her. You'll be surprised.

My Henry (cat) was deemed unsuitable for rehoming by the RSPCA. When I took him out of the carrier when we 1st got home he was totally limp with abject terror. (Some animals die with shock when they get into that state) So I left him alone to recover & didn't see him again for 4 days. :shock: He was living behind the washing machine & only came out to eat, drink & use the litter tray in the middle of the night.

I've a long living room diner - 23' so I filled the dining end with lots of big cardboard boxes, moved food & litter tray there, extracted him from behind the washing machine = limp cat again, & moved him amongst the boxes.
Phase 1. I'd read a book as far away as I could get from him. After a few days I could near movement, turned to look caught a fleeting glimpse he was cringing (belly walking) beside the wall, before he vanished amongst his boxes. I now knew not to turn my head, just watch out of the corner of my eye. He gradually lost his fear of me, & was known locally for waiting in the window for me to come home. I never saw it because he knew the sound of my car & was always at the front door to meet me.
He was frightened of everything, sky, birds, anything that moved, & even scared himself the 1st. time he purred - ran backwards.:shock: It took about 4 years to get him over all of it, by which time he was known as my "dog cat" because he was so companiable & obedient.

The highlight was when I had to bathe his abscess. I must have hurt him, head spun round & teeth went on my finger. It was so fast I expected a bite, but no, he had full control, & there wasn't even the slightest pressure. He was just saying "that hurts". In the past, humans had broken his bones, & pulled all his whiskers out - abused him horrifically. He didn't even nip me when I hurt him - still brings an emotional tear to my eye.

It takes, time, patience & perseverance to keep reaching out without frightening them. Watching them grow into their boots, & being the recipient of such love is more than worth every second.
 
thumps_ said:
Thank you so much for all your replies everyone.:D
I enjoy sharing happy moments so much.

Mimzmum, since photobucket changed I can't upload. I need a bit of help.:oops: How did you know I got older?
I'd love my neighbour to take a video of his reaction when being stroked. Whichever part of me he can reach gets licked incredibly enthusiastically! There's also the ritual that if I stroke him he has to lick me. He moves so fast to lick my hand before I take it away I thought he was going to lunge at me at 1st.
Today I got a nose lick through the bannisters!:love::love::love:



Just take it slowly & gently & be patient, avoiding similar situations which frightened her. You'll be surprised.

My Henry (cat) was deemed unsuitable for rehoming by the RSPCA. When I took him out of the carrier when we 1st got home he was totally limp with abject terror. (Some animals die with shock when they get into that state) So I left him alone to recover & didn't see him again for 4 days. :shock: He was living behind the washing machine & only came out to eat, drink & use the litter tray in the middle of the night.

I've a long living room diner - 23' so I filled the dining end with lots of big cardboard boxes, moved food & litter tray there, extracted him from behind the washing machine = limp cat again, & moved him amongst the boxes.
Phase 1. I'd read a book as far away as I could get from him. After a few days I could near movement, turned to look caught a fleeting glimpse he was cringing (belly walking) beside the wall, before he vanished amongst his boxes. I now knew not to turn my head, just watch out of the corner of my eye. He gradually lost his fear of me, & was known locally for waiting in the window for me to come home. I never saw it because he knew the sound of my car & was always at the front door to meet me.
He was frightened of everything, sky, birds, anything that moved, & even scared himself the 1st. time he purred - ran backwards.:shock: It took about 4 years to get him over all of it, by which time he was known as my "dog cat" because he was so companiable & obedient.

The highlight was when I had to bathe his abscess. I must have hurt him, head spun round & teeth went on my finger. It was so fast I expected a bite, but no, he had full control, & there wasn't even the slightest pressure. He was just saying "that hurts". In the past, humans had broken his bones, & pulled all his whiskers out - abused him horrifically. He didn't even nip me when I hurt him - still brings an emotional tear to my eye.

It takes, time, patience & perseverance to keep reaching out without frightening them. Watching them grow into their boots, & being the recipient of such love is more than worth every second.
Click to expand...

Oh what a lovely cat story :love:
 
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