Pet Forum / Mammals / Rabbits / April 2008

Exciting news!  (well, for us anyways ha ha).  After just over a year
of 'getting to know each other' Chicken and Hoppie had their first
real breakthrough tonight.  Up until now, Chicken has lived in utter
adoration of Hoppie, wanting nothing more in the world than for Hoppie
to acknowledge her.  Hoppie has been tolerant, and the two can be left
alone unattended for short periods of time, but Hoppie has always
gotten agitated if Chicken is too 'forward' up until now.  I think
it's an age thing- Hoppie is about 7 or so, and Chicken is right in
the middle of her 'difficult adolescent stage', so sometimes Hoppie
has had enough when Chicken is just getting warmed up.  If I sit with
them together to reassure Hoppie that everything is ok, she will sit
quietly while Chicken grooms her and chins her and rolls around at her
feet and makes googly-eyes at her, but does nothing in return.  BUT!
Tonight, I was sitting at the computer and Matt (my husband) was on
the couch with Hoppie in her box (she has her own 'tv watching box,
lined with a nice soft blanket for her sore hocks, with one low side
so she can get out and hop about if she wants) and Chicken jumped on
the couch.  All of the sudden, we looked over, and Chicken had her
chin resting on the edge of Hoppie's box, and Hoppie was grooming her
and chinning her and fussing all over her!  It lasted for about five
minutes, and Chicken was in seventh heaven!  I have one question
though... Hoppie took turns between grooming herself, and grooming and
chinning Chicken.  Was she actually showing affection for Chicken, or
was she just 'caught up in the moment' of grooming and saw Chicken as
another bit of fur that needed tidying?

I hope this is the start of a serious bond between the two, but we'll
just have to see what happens!   Any input would be warmly welcomed.

Many thanks,

lisa and buns

Sooooo exciting!   ha ha ha