ThePhillips
New Kit
I've been away from the forum since Christmas, we took on two little sisters last year and when they were old enough they were spayed. Biddy didn't survive, she suffered Gut Stasis as she had adhesions inside and the Vet had to handle more of her gut than he would have liked and she was under anaesthetic longer than usual, she died Christmas Day morning - long story. Anyway, Iddy survived her op perfectly fine and has been living alone with us. We'd toyed with whether to get her a bud or not.
Yesterday we were in PaH looking at varieties of dust extracted hay materials for our Guinea Pigs and looked in the Adoption section. There was Russell. 6 month unneatured male. We asked for a look and a cuddle and he was a dreamboat. We proceeded with the adoption and right at the end of the process one of the other members of staff pointed out that Russell was in fact a girl. We were given the choice to stop but we proceeded. I considered the home we could offer Russ.
So, Russ has had her jabs, confirmed by the vet as female and we are arranging neutering.
I have bonded buns before and am geared up for the crisis' of confidence and frustration. I'm in this for the long term and don't expect to start anything in earnest until 6 weeks after Russ' op.
We put Russ' carrier in Iddy's room, and some of Iddy's litter tray in Russ' hutch. We also intend to rotate the two buns having the run of the house for periods to try and get them familiar to scents.
One thought I had was to get a second hutch and move Iddy (our existing house bun) into the hutch outside so to desensitise what would hopefully be their shared home (currently Iddy's home) once bonded. This would allow me to clean it and probably give 6 weeks to clear all scents.
Russ has endeared herself to the family, I really don't want two seperate buns - I want to give this the best shot I can. I know some bun pairings just don't work regardless of sex, I don't want to put them through unnecessary stress.
We did introduce them briefly and there was nothing that would suggest it is futile. Usual ignoring, then mounting and fur pulling. My thinking being it gives them both an idea where the new smells are coming from. I wasn't planning on any further intro's till Russ is spayed.
Am I being ridiculous? Any tips? Any sole girl/girl successful bondings? Can anyone give me hope :0) :0)
Yesterday we were in PaH looking at varieties of dust extracted hay materials for our Guinea Pigs and looked in the Adoption section. There was Russell. 6 month unneatured male. We asked for a look and a cuddle and he was a dreamboat. We proceeded with the adoption and right at the end of the process one of the other members of staff pointed out that Russell was in fact a girl. We were given the choice to stop but we proceeded. I considered the home we could offer Russ.
So, Russ has had her jabs, confirmed by the vet as female and we are arranging neutering.
I have bonded buns before and am geared up for the crisis' of confidence and frustration. I'm in this for the long term and don't expect to start anything in earnest until 6 weeks after Russ' op.
We put Russ' carrier in Iddy's room, and some of Iddy's litter tray in Russ' hutch. We also intend to rotate the two buns having the run of the house for periods to try and get them familiar to scents.
One thought I had was to get a second hutch and move Iddy (our existing house bun) into the hutch outside so to desensitise what would hopefully be their shared home (currently Iddy's home) once bonded. This would allow me to clean it and probably give 6 weeks to clear all scents.
Russ has endeared herself to the family, I really don't want two seperate buns - I want to give this the best shot I can. I know some bun pairings just don't work regardless of sex, I don't want to put them through unnecessary stress.
We did introduce them briefly and there was nothing that would suggest it is futile. Usual ignoring, then mounting and fur pulling. My thinking being it gives them both an idea where the new smells are coming from. I wasn't planning on any further intro's till Russ is spayed.
Am I being ridiculous? Any tips? Any sole girl/girl successful bondings? Can anyone give me hope :0) :0)