I want to take this Sunday Bunday to spread a little rabbit awareness.

In spring, many people want to take home a cute little fluffy bunny to call their own.  Baby bunnies are often shy and don’t mind being held.  But when the bunny grows older, and becomes accustomed to it’s surroundings, it begins to exhibit different behaviors.  Among my favorites are bunny licks, races, binkys, and the determination to fit through small spaces.  But there are also some undesirable habits that begin to show up.  They begin to chew.on.everything.  Cords, carpets, moulding, doors, guitars, everything. Sometimes Emily sprays me with pee (as an act of love), bites through my computer cord, or pees several times on the couch.

(Above: Emily sleeping.  Look at the job she did on our coffee table!)

When going to the pet shop, most people don’t take these behaviours into consideration.  Often, they get frustrated and ‘release the (domestic) bunny into the wild.’  Wild rabbits live in family units in burrows, so a domestic rabbit is especially ill-equipped.  These bunnies fall prey to cats, dogs, cars, disease, starvation….

Bunnies need love and attention, and are a 10-12 year commitment.  I can’t express to you the importance of Emily’s presence in my life.  I love her and she is truly my companion.  I have the luxury of having lots of time to spend with her, and to me all of the downsides are completely worth it. She is the perfect pet for me, but bunnies aren’t perfect for everyone.  So this spring, won’t you spread a little bunny awareness love?  That way all those sweet new rabbit owners out there will have made an informed decision.