Craig 1965
Warren Veteran
Im a bit late posting this - been very busy today and only just sat down.
It's been a year today since we adopted Flo. It has been in so many ways, a far from smooth road for Flo. She came came to us, understandibly in a very confused and defensive state. She had been through so much transition in the weeks before we got her and she was hurting bad. She was quite the boxer - and if you catch her in the wrong mood, she still is.
We allowed her to just get her bearings on the first day - but on the second day I spent all day with her in the kitchen - just sitting, letting her know she wasn't alone. We also had the beginning of the snow and boy, did it snow. It was about -5 outside and the same inside as I kept the kitchen door open so Flo could go out and explore - hence her nickname by the forum - 'sno-flo'.
We doscovered that Flo had insecurity issues and took to consuming cardboard and the trigger for this was pulling the curtains across the outer kitchen doors - thus closing off the outside world to Flo - and Flo did not like this one bit. She still doesn't.
She bonded quickly with Leo - they had liaisons through the glass during the first few weeks and they became inseperable - Leo being the absolute gentlebunny.
We were not prepared for the sudden and tragic loss of Leo 4 months later - which had a devastating effect on Flo as she had only just begun to get her confidence. Now she was isolated once again and we did everything we could to support her emotionally - she had free roam of the downstairs rooms and she spent her time sitting with us. But you could see she was hurting. We did our best to try to find her another partner but found out Flo had a fierce defensive side to her and we just couldn't facilitate a bond here with a beautiful rabbit and we began to think that Flo would end up as a solo - which we did not want.
Out of the blue we were approached by the local blue cross who offered to undertake the bonding process for us and we had to sign Flo over to the Blue cross and we all felt very sad at this. It was also hugely disruptive for Flo as she was once again moving home and we knew she would feel vulnerable. But we also knew that the long term aim would be to have a successful bond with a new bunny.
And we were overjoyed almost a month later to be reunited with Flo and her new hus-bun Alfred.
Now, 4 months on, we have a sparking Flo who has her mojo back, and we have an inquisitive young bunny in Alfred - who is a huge presence in personality and in physique. In Alfred, Flo has that security and companionship that we simply couldn't fulfil. Flo can transition between the world with Alfred if she so choses, and also to share our world which she does in the evenings. Flo choses what she wants to do and Alfred is happy to be at her side, or if he prefers, to sit alone.
A year is along time for us, for a rabbit it is even longer. Happy gotcha day little Flo. We hope that you feel this is your home and that you are safe and loved here with us.
Here is Flo and Alfred an hour ago....
Craig xx
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It's been a year today since we adopted Flo. It has been in so many ways, a far from smooth road for Flo. She came came to us, understandibly in a very confused and defensive state. She had been through so much transition in the weeks before we got her and she was hurting bad. She was quite the boxer - and if you catch her in the wrong mood, she still is.
We allowed her to just get her bearings on the first day - but on the second day I spent all day with her in the kitchen - just sitting, letting her know she wasn't alone. We also had the beginning of the snow and boy, did it snow. It was about -5 outside and the same inside as I kept the kitchen door open so Flo could go out and explore - hence her nickname by the forum - 'sno-flo'.
We doscovered that Flo had insecurity issues and took to consuming cardboard and the trigger for this was pulling the curtains across the outer kitchen doors - thus closing off the outside world to Flo - and Flo did not like this one bit. She still doesn't.
She bonded quickly with Leo - they had liaisons through the glass during the first few weeks and they became inseperable - Leo being the absolute gentlebunny.
We were not prepared for the sudden and tragic loss of Leo 4 months later - which had a devastating effect on Flo as she had only just begun to get her confidence. Now she was isolated once again and we did everything we could to support her emotionally - she had free roam of the downstairs rooms and she spent her time sitting with us. But you could see she was hurting. We did our best to try to find her another partner but found out Flo had a fierce defensive side to her and we just couldn't facilitate a bond here with a beautiful rabbit and we began to think that Flo would end up as a solo - which we did not want.
Out of the blue we were approached by the local blue cross who offered to undertake the bonding process for us and we had to sign Flo over to the Blue cross and we all felt very sad at this. It was also hugely disruptive for Flo as she was once again moving home and we knew she would feel vulnerable. But we also knew that the long term aim would be to have a successful bond with a new bunny.
And we were overjoyed almost a month later to be reunited with Flo and her new hus-bun Alfred.
Now, 4 months on, we have a sparking Flo who has her mojo back, and we have an inquisitive young bunny in Alfred - who is a huge presence in personality and in physique. In Alfred, Flo has that security and companionship that we simply couldn't fulfil. Flo can transition between the world with Alfred if she so choses, and also to share our world which she does in the evenings. Flo choses what she wants to do and Alfred is happy to be at her side, or if he prefers, to sit alone.
A year is along time for us, for a rabbit it is even longer. Happy gotcha day little Flo. We hope that you feel this is your home and that you are safe and loved here with us.
Here is Flo and Alfred an hour ago....
Craig xx
