Melon_Pip
Young Bun
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!
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!