Good progress…

Kenji and Yuki’s bonding process is progressing well! Better than I expected.

When I brought Yuki back from the holiday home, I’m slightly concerned because the playpen at home is Kenji’s territory. When I first put her in, she obviously found it a bit difficult to accept because when Kenji stayed in the holiday home, he was moved into HER hutch, after the introduction is made. Now, it’s the other way round.

Kenji is definitely a big man and he can’t share his space with his newfound love. I knew, both of them need to find a common ground. So, I’m fully prepared before letting them into the playpen. Water spray and broom both within handreach distance.

Yuki was forced to only stayed in the litter box, and Kenji basically dominated the other areas. She can’t go near Kenji, even though she tried. Kenji will instinctively want to nip her when she is about 10cm in range.

No sign of fight or attack. Kenji just ignored her. And this poor little girl was trying to make up and wonder what happened. However, Kenji can tolerate her by sharing his toilet and eating together with her. Definitely a very good sign!

After one day, they can get as close as nose to nose.

Two days later, I see Kenji demanded grooming from Yuki and she happily obeyed.

Three days later, they are side by side.

Just yesterday, I saw Kenji started grooming her as well. He finally released his love.

Rabbit grooming tool

I’m always looking for a suitable grooming tool for my buns. What I have now, is a normal brush-like comb which is used for cats. It doesn’t work as well as I wanted it to be because I remembered Kenji shed a lot early this year, and I have furs flying around when I groom him, and it makes me sneeze like crazy! Plus, it doesn’t catch much fur.

I came across 2 options. One is called Furminator small blue deshedding tool, another one is Kong Zoom Groom for cats. According to this piece of information on Furminator website, it has been tested on rabbit; and Zoom Groom has been used by many rabbit owners and have many good feedback too.

I haven’t tried any of them yet. But I’m keen to try Zoom Groom first. Furminator is selling at US$18.99/EUR 37.95 each and Zoom Groom at US$4.00/EUR 9.49 – geez… big difference isn’t it?

Rabbit holiday home in Den Haag

If you are a rabbit owner who is staying near Den Haag area, I found a very nice place to take care of your rabbit when you are going off for a holiday. It takes about 30m of travel time, by bus, from the Centraal Station to her place.

There are many places who take cares of rabbits, but I find this a very happy and joyful place for bunnies after my experience with her and her family.

The place is called Knabbeltuintje. Her website is in Dutch. So most English-speaking owners might not find her unless you have the time like me, to find out what is animal holiday home called in Dutch and google it!

She runs a rabbit adoption center as well. So if you want to find a mate for your rabbit, I think this is a good place. This is how Kenji found his sweetie darling Yuki! She definitely loves and cares rabbits very much!

The rates are reasonable. Plus she allows the rabbits to come out of the hutches so that they get some exercise time! This is very unlike many commercial pet hotel that I have experienced before back home.

She told me before that during summer, her place is full of rabbits!! So you need to be quick if you want a place for your rabbit to stay.

I’m not earning any commission from this. I just thought of sharing it.

When thumper thumps

What can you do when thumper thumps six, seven times in a row at 6.30 in the morning and you just want to continue your sweet dreams?

Maybe he doesn’t have enough food, or hay? or he sensed something dangerous approaching?

No matter what are the reasons, I dragged myself up and checked out Kenji and Yuki’s food bowl and hay, stood in front of them for a few minutes trying to listen to any sound (which I obviously can’t hear as well as them), and then went back to sleep telling Kenji that, “Hey boy, don’t do this again…”

The food bowl is still full with a bunch of celery that I have prepared for them before I went to sleep and they have more than enough hay in the litter box.

After one hour, he thumped again.
This time I decided not to pamper him anymore, and shouted back to him, “You have your food!”

Another hour went by, he thumped. Again, I shouted back, “I’m not coming to entertain you!”

By the time I woke up, he still hasn’t finish his food and hay.
I hope he knows who is the boss here.

Well… maybe not.

Yuki’s photos

Don’t stare at me like that!

I heard something, what is it?

Kenji:”I’m only sharing my toilet with you, don’t step into other areas, they are mine!”

Yuki:”Let’s see how it goes buddy…”

A new family member

Hubby and I took a holiday break last week, so I sent my precious bun Kenji to a holiday home for one week.

This holiday home is run by a Dutch girl who loves bunnies and she also runs an adoption center for rabbits. When I visited her place, I was amazed at how generous she allows the bunnies to run around in a corner of her garden, separated from other animals in her garden like dog, goats and chickens. I did mention to her that if possible, do help Kenji find a girlfriend. I noticed he is getting very quiet and bored these days especially during the time when I went through my initial pregnancy days struggling with morning sickness and tiredness. Though my hubby does play with him, he is still closer to me than him. He is obviously happier after my first trimester days but I still feel that he needs a REAL rabbit companion, which gives him the type of love and care that we human can’t provide.

When I returned one week later to collect Kenji she happily told me that she managed to bond Kenji with another baby girl!
“It was love at first sight!” she told me. I was thrilled!!

I bonded rabbits before and I know the kind of process that a rabbit owner and the rabbits need to go through. It can take a few days up to a few months depending on the gender and temperament of the rabbits. Love at first sight kind of bonding is rare! Of course I won’t let her go!

She is a beautiful, tortoise otter (fox) colour lionhead, 10-week old, and she is visibly smaller in size compared to Kenji who is coming to 2-year old.
I pet Kenji’s head and told him that he has a good taste!