Rabbit HIGHLY bonded to human - thoughts?

I've been wondering about this since I came back from a holiday. Mel is almost 6, and as I take my holidays in one lump of time that means I've left the bunnies with a sitter (what's the right word?!) three times for 1 month, since I've had them. Sitter is a vet nurse specialising in small furries and I know they are well looked after.

I had Mel just on his own when I first aquired him, and assumed this is what makes him so much more bonded to me than the other rabbits I've had. If I've been away, the pair (Mel and Tilly, previously Mel and Pip) usually seem to make an effort to bond with me/remind me of my place in the hierachy (!) on my return, but this last time was something else entirely.

Usually they settle in quickly and happily, exploring at the bunny sitter's place. But this last time, Mel was really upset. He just sat there, shaking. Apparently he settled in quickly after that, but it was so horrible leaving him! And then when I got back, he was making the most extreme effort to re-bond with me. He would sit in random places just so he could lie and gaze at me, and he kept snuggling up and going to sleep next to me - sort of backing up and pressing against me like he was trying to get as close as possible (he never normally does this). Even went to sleep with his chin resting on my leg one time.

It was very sweet, but I'm worried I'm really traumatising him by going away. He seemed to know it was coming too - he peed on my pillow the day before! Now he's a bit older I don't want to stress him and make him ill...

Thoughts welcome!
And tips for going away for the weekend - would it help to leave something smelling of me? Like take a towel to bed for a week and leave that with them?

Gosh - just polishing my crazy bunny lady membership badge!

Aww!
No advice, but how sweet.
The dog my family had when I was a child was terribly upset when we went on holidays and would cry when she saw the suitcases. And she always stayed at home, or near home, with my gran.
My four were never at all bothered if I'd been away, but I think it's lovely that Mel cares.

No advice either, because I have the same problem!

OH moved out for a little while over Christmas and Arce was FURIOUS with him for it. She's forgiven him now, but every other weekend he goes to his parents for the night, sometimes I join them. This weekend just gone, he went as usually and Arce, who is a frail little old lady, was visibly dejected and really, really sad. Picked at her food, but thankfully not another stasis episode. I honestly thought I'd lose her and have 'that' conversation with him as soon as he got back.

Of course right now she is still a frail little old lady but she has perked right up again. Like Mel, she gazes at him and accepts cuddles from him far more willingly than she does from me. I'm glad they have a wonderful bond, but I wish it didn't come at the expense of my believing she was going to pass!

I'm no expert - so only have some thoughts/views/opinions. Firstly, it's important to understand that there's relative time involved here. In human time, a few weeks is a few weeks because of our aging process. In bunny life span, a few weeks in comparison will be a whole lot longer - maybe a couple of months or more. So your absence whilst only a few weeks to you, is actually much longer for your buns and they miss you in the same way you'd miss someone who was away 2/3/4 months. Just a thought.
I love the idea of something with your scent on it - pillow, blanket or anything else. Your smell is important to them so if this is an option, then great.
Also, as completely ludicrous as this sounds (and I'm happy to be shot down for suggesting it), what about utilising facetime for your bunnies? They recognise your face, your sound so if you have a laptop/tablet or whatever, could you not do a facetime? That might make them feel as if you're still there in their lives. I think you have a beautiful bond with your rabbits and it reminds me very much of my bridge buns Ben & Georgina who would be so excited when we came back from a weeks holiday or an occasional overnigher. We also have a rabbit sitter who is truly excellent and we're so lucky with and that is important too, when you need to leave your rabbits. Hope this helps.