Thank you all for whatever you have been sending us. I've had a lot of sleep & thought over the relationship between Thumper & I.
I don't think he's any different from any other rabbit. It's just that we were brought together in unusual circumstances, because I've been almost house bound throughout, & so able to spend much more time with him than most people, just watching to try to understand him - realize that we live in the same world but he perceives it very differently, - try to encourage communication by responding appropriately.
Doubtless I'll lose all credibility, but I've been avoiding a repeated observation that there are a lot of times when Thumper knows what I'm thinking, in considerable detail. He invariably responds every time I make an appointment to see the vet. On Tues he rushed back upstairs & started to eat as soon as I put the 'phone down. Then "hid" under the side board. When it was time to go I hand fed him some pellets, he was enjoying them until I thought about putting his toy rabbit & a jumper I'd been wearing for the smell of me in his carrier. The reaction was dramatic. [I distinguish 3 types of thumping. "I want something - Look at me & I'll show you". There's "That isn't on - don't do it" and the standard - "There's danger around".] He gave a "That's not on" thump & refused to be caught! It's the only time he ever runs away from me. I just prefer he doesn't get hot & bothered before we start, so there are no preparations. He just goes straight in the carrier, (which he'll use as a safe place the rest of the time!) then his "comforters" & we're off. There are endless examples in different situations.
I've concluded that Thumper communicates best by ESP but I can't do it.
A forum member wrote "rabbits communicate by whispering in a frequency we can't hear". I more than suspect that not only can we not hear it, but don't even know how to detect it.:shock:
So if I'm right - poor little boy will have picked up every time I've worried about us being separated, & my efforts to work out a way we can stay together, with enough indoor & safe outdoor space for him.
The odd thing is, that although he's very frightened when we go for a dental - he's not stressed out by it. His wee is nice & pale when he comes home.
It's rather discomforting to think that your bunny may know you far better than you know him or her - well mine does. Crackers? Well it's taken me 4 years to "get there". I can't find an alternative explanation for the facts.
So we've had a long talk about vets - I'll never just abandon him somewhere - loads of "cuddles & I think tomorrow will be better.
I don't think he's any different from any other rabbit. It's just that we were brought together in unusual circumstances, because I've been almost house bound throughout, & so able to spend much more time with him than most people, just watching to try to understand him - realize that we live in the same world but he perceives it very differently, - try to encourage communication by responding appropriately.
Doubtless I'll lose all credibility, but I've been avoiding a repeated observation that there are a lot of times when Thumper knows what I'm thinking, in considerable detail. He invariably responds every time I make an appointment to see the vet. On Tues he rushed back upstairs & started to eat as soon as I put the 'phone down. Then "hid" under the side board. When it was time to go I hand fed him some pellets, he was enjoying them until I thought about putting his toy rabbit & a jumper I'd been wearing for the smell of me in his carrier. The reaction was dramatic. [I distinguish 3 types of thumping. "I want something - Look at me & I'll show you". There's "That isn't on - don't do it" and the standard - "There's danger around".] He gave a "That's not on" thump & refused to be caught! It's the only time he ever runs away from me. I just prefer he doesn't get hot & bothered before we start, so there are no preparations. He just goes straight in the carrier, (which he'll use as a safe place the rest of the time!) then his "comforters" & we're off. There are endless examples in different situations.
I've concluded that Thumper communicates best by ESP but I can't do it.
A forum member wrote "rabbits communicate by whispering in a frequency we can't hear". I more than suspect that not only can we not hear it, but don't even know how to detect it.:shock:
So if I'm right - poor little boy will have picked up every time I've worried about us being separated, & my efforts to work out a way we can stay together, with enough indoor & safe outdoor space for him.
The odd thing is, that although he's very frightened when we go for a dental - he's not stressed out by it. His wee is nice & pale when he comes home.
It's rather discomforting to think that your bunny may know you far better than you know him or her - well mine does. Crackers? Well it's taken me 4 years to "get there". I can't find an alternative explanation for the facts.
So we've had a long talk about vets - I'll never just abandon him somewhere - loads of "cuddles & I think tomorrow will be better.
so glad he is feeling better x
