I didn’t intend to leave you hanging with the next part of our adventure day, (I planned on sharing about it the following day) and I apologize for that, but didn’t get the chance to share the rest of the story at the end of last week. Now that you’ve seen the title and pictures, you know what the surprise was- a bunny!
Jeff and I have spoken for many years about a pet for Bracken. He has his chickens and ducks that he loves, but we had something else in mind. However, we were hesitant for several reasons. For one (and the biggest reason), we already have so much on our plates, that any other responsibility whatsoever just didn’t appeal to me at all or to Jeff for that matter. The second reason is that we are working to get some things paid off and didn’t want any more cost in the meantime. The third reason was the fact that it was such a relief for us when we downsized years ago and decided to keep fewer animals here, that we’ve been reluctant to bring more animals back into our life again. We’ve been spoiled with chickens, they’re so easy to care for (and they pay for their feed with eggs.)
So, those were some of our reasons to not get a pet for him. We thought about fish. Great first pet, right? But a bunny ended up coming first. At the Black Sheep Gathering, Bracken was in love with the bunnies. We thought about it then, we talked about it, we asked questions, but we weren’t ready to take the leap quite yet. Then, at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival, the Bunny Barn was Bracken’s favorite place to be. I watched him talking to the bunnies, petting them, and going around to visit them all. It pulled at my heart strings. I talked to Jeff and he felt the same way and hesitations aside, we decided we would be getting a bunny for Bracken.
After asking around, we decided that we wanted a jersey wooly bunny. Bracken wanted an angora fiber bunny, but all the ones we saw were much larger than we wanted and I also didn’t want to have to give haircuts because it just wasn’t something I really wanted to tackle. Then we were told about a type of angora bunny called jersey wooly. The jersey woolies still give some fiber (not a lot, but plenty to satisfy Bracken), but only need to be brushed. They are also much smaller, which suits us better. Jersey woolies weren’t all that easy to find, though, and not as young as I wanted either, so we had to be a little flexible. We lucked out in having the right conversation on the right day and finding a source for a jersey wooly blend.
With his 5th birthday approaching, I wanted the bunny to be one of Bracken’s birthday gifts from Jeff and I. Bracken’s Rainbow Bridge teacher at the Waldorf School gave him their old bunny cage as a birthday gift, bless her heart. (I loved the drawing she did of a little boy with his bunny so much that I had to take a picture and share it.) That made it feel like a whole community was coming together to make his bunny wish come true. Two days before his birthday, after we left the aquarium, we drove over to Corvallis to pick up his bunny.
We picked a girl just over 3 months, with black on her head and a grey body. Her father was a jersey wooly and her mother was german or english angora. We were given some advice that if we wanted this bunny to be a pet for Bracken, to only get one. We were told that you get one bunny if you want it to connect with you and you get two bunnies if you want them to connect with each other. That made sense to me, so we decided on one. Bracken picked his favorite girl bunny, after getting to meet her mom and dad. I sat next to Bracken in the backseat and we carried her the whole way home while my mom drove.
Friends and family who knew that Bracken was getting a bunny for his birthday, often asked him what he was going to name her. I thought we should meet her first before giving her a name and Bracken liked that idea, since he didn’t have a particular name in mind. A few minutes into the drive, Bracken said that her name was ‘Honeyberry.’ He came up with it all on his own and said it so matter of factly. I had never heard a sweeter name for a bunny and we all thought it was perfect. Later during the drive, while he was holding her, he turned to me and with the biggest smile on his face said: “My birthday wish came true. You know why?! I got my bunny!!” I was like a puddle of mama mush, hearing him say that, the joy in his voice was just so sweet.
Neither Jeff nor I are “indoor animal people” if that makes sense. We’re both perfectly happy to have our animals outside. But we decided to have Honeyberry be an indoor bunny and we’ve been training her to use a litter box. (I didn’t know that was a thing either, you learn something new every day.) There’s only one downside (or maybe a few) to this happy birthday bunny story. It started with sneezing, then a runny nose. Then an itchy throat and itchy eyes. You guessed it, I seem to be allergic to her. Bracken’s nose has run after holding her and Jeff sneezes and his face itches. We all seem to be allergic to her. I was completely shocked. I have no idea why, but it never once occurred to me that someone could have an allergy to a bunny like you could a cat or dog. Admittedly, I had a moment (or longer) of panic while my mom was here, wondering if all our wonderful plans had been spoiled and my mind was frantically trying to figure it all out. (It also happened to be at the time with all the fiasco surrounding our running water so I was especially overwhelmed, but I’m trying to stay on topic here.)
I didn’t want to keep her outside because she would be lonely and I’d worry about varmints, even with the small openings of her cage. (I’ve seen the places weasels have squeezed through to get our chickens.) So I suddenly worried about what to do if we couldn’t end up keeping her in the house. My major allergic reaction happened after I brushed her for awhile, so in the future I may have to do that outside only. Hmm… still not really sure what to do about the whole allergy thing. Major allergies aren’t something I’m willing to live with every day, but if it’s only mild here and there? I don’t know… obviously, we’re still figuring this out. For the time being, we’re still trying to keep her in the house and we don’t want to keep her in a small cage all day so we’ve been letting her hop around.
Besides the allergies, (to risk sounding like a birthday bunny downer here), we do have some other concerns. A free-range bunny sounded so great until I noticed she chews on everything and saw her go up to an electrical cord to chomp down on it! I quickly removed her, but it made me wonder about how realistic that’s going to be. (I can’t exactly keep all electrical cords out of the way.) I only let her out when I’m keeping an eye on her, but it’s all much more complicated than I expected. She gets nippy and we’re hoping she’ll grow out of that. She is still really scared of people and being held, and we’ve gotten quite scratched. Though Honeyberry had been handled a little for brushing and nail clipping, I was afraid that it would be harder to get her used to being held since she was already three months old. I know she won’t warm up to us right away, and I know it will take time. (Maybe it was unrealistic to think she would magically potty train herself? Ha!) A friend told me she’d help me learn how to trim the nails and I’m doing my best to take it one day at a time and not get too overwhelmed.
But I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I thought her cage would need cleaning once a week, but I think I was mistaken. I can’t believe how much that wee bunny poops! There’s a lot more maintenance all around than I expected. (I know taking on a pet of any kind is not going to be completely easy, but since so many aspects of our life feels so challenging all the time, we just want something in our life to feel easy right now. Know what I mean?)
Bracken and I made a pen for her outside the other day (with an old baby gate) and watched her nibble the grass, that was really fun. Bracken loves to fill up her food dish every day and bring her kale from the garden. Honeyberry is so adorable and is so incredibly soft! She looks like a big, fuzzy mop hopping around the place (and probably does the dusting in the lower parts of the house.) I adore her coloring and Bracken already has a bag where he collects her fur (and already made his very first project with some.) We’re all in love with her. I’m attempting to stop my mind from spinning in trying to figure out some sort of solution right now, but instead to just take it a day at a time and hope that in time the perfect solution will present itself and it will all work out.
Hi Taryn we also had a pet rabbit for our little girl. And as much fun as she was, she was also quite hard work. I would be surprised if she mellowed to you, I think they get more stroppy with age, especially the females. Ours started off friendly and nice, but became nippy and would sort of jump at you if you put your hand in her cage- the females seem to get territorial with age. We were always very respectful and kind to her. In the end the children lost interest in her and didn’t want to get scratched so she became another job for me. We were sad when she died but we shall not be getting another. I suppose you could breed from her and keep her as a pet and eat the offspring? That would be great for her and you. Best wishes, Helena.
oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I can relate and it’s a horrible spot to be in. Hoping you find a solution soon – I just went through this with my kiddos – and a bunny is something I’m considering for the Spring because they can lice outside. (I can’t live with allergies or the stress from them.) I share your concerns though… hope it’s getting better.
Perhaps try stinging nettle tea for the allergies (I brew a quart overnight, then strain and sip throughout the day).. bonus that it’s great nourishment for the body and spirit (I always feel like I have more energy and am in a more sunny mood when I remember to drink it).
What a gorgeous bunny!! I’m sorry to hear about the allergies! We had two bunnies, but one died so we are left with one. We keep her outside but regularly bring her in and yes, we do have to make sure all the wires are covered and hidden because they will bite through them! Bringing her in each day works well for us, the only thing to be careful of is when the temperature is really cold outside you can’t bring her in for long in case the temperature difference gives her a cold. I hope you manage to find a solution. x
Quercitin works great for allergies. It is a natural anthistomine.
It certainly has helped me. Something to check out.
Your body may adjust just as I do to new cats.
I hope it all works out.
Good luck.
That’s so sweet and he looks so happy to have his new bunny. I didn’t read all the comments so don’t know if anyone asked this. But can bunnies be bathed? I am allergic to the dander in puppies and kittens and also in goat kids and lambs. But not the adults. I was told to bathe kittens and puppies to keep the dander down. I don’t even know if bunnies have dander or not. But maybe check into bathing bunnies. That might be an option for help with the allergies.
nope, you really shouldn’t bathe them unless absolutely necessary 🙂
Having rabbits is fun for the kids and teaches them about taking care of something that is dependent on them, my boys especially have a lovely connection with our remaining rabbit. We initially had 2 lion haired rabbits but one ran away not long after we got it, as we didn’t secure the hutch properly. The other unfortunately died of myxomatosis (get the rabbit immunised for this yearly!) last Halloween, after nearly 4 years with us and we still miss him a lot. We also got a female rex after we lost the first lion head and she got on super well with the boy!!! (he was fixed) . Now she’s on her own and all the advice we have had, including from the vet, is that you cannot really introduce another rabbit in with her in her space. We handle our rabbits every day as we have to get them from the hutch into the run and back again and also we have a walled garden so she runs free on the days we are home. Our cat shares the space with her and knows she isn’t dinner. I think our catty smells keep away any other cats and she is more safe when she is running about. Wear fleeces when you are carrying her about and that saves getting scratches and holes in your clothes. Ours live outside all year round but haven’t even had snow for 2 winters now so its not as cold as you probably get. We have a cover for the hutch in winter, indoors would be tricky. Good luck. Rabbits are really lovely and easier than a dog!
joy, you can introduce a new bunny- friend at all times, if you keep a few things in mind.
a male& female (neutered/spayed) usually works best. they shouldn’t be too far apart in age – e.g. you shouldn’t mix a calm granny- bunny with a young, energetic one;
get them in a space of about 4m2, where ideally neither has been before (otherwise neutralize floor!), give them plenty of food and houses with at least 2 doors…
it might take some time and it often happens that a lot of fur lies around, but don’t worry- rabbits can let go of fur pieces when stressed- so mostly it’s no real fighting – just running after each other, chasing and checking out who’s the boss…once that is clear, they will get along pretty well- then it’s safe to transfer them to their everyday- grounds…sometimes they start chasing each other again, but usually they don’t hurt each other!!! it really looks a lot worse than it actually is…
I’ve re-socialized 7 of my own bunnies over the years and helped quite a few others with their furry friends and we never had to separate the bunnies again…just give it a try – I’m pretty sure there are lots of youtube videos to give you an impression of what a socialization looks like 🙂
hey thanks for that, it seems such a shame that she has been alone for the year but we didn’t want to cause her any problems by mixing her with others when folk who knew more than us said not to.
Scoop her poop up every day and add it to the compost. It makes the most beautiful compost. Fast acting. When you clean out her litter box, use vinegar and baking powder. Their urine smells strong. Make a free range cage for her. Just like a chicken tractor. She’ll really enjoy being outside on the grass. And, you’ll need to brush dust. Their fiber floats. Sorry!
It’s always an adjustment in the beginning. But their fiber, even a bit of it is glorious. Bracken can learn to brush and put the fiber in a Baggie. And he can sell it to a spinner. Bunny fiber is incredibly warm. Even if you blend a tiny bit, the result is luxurious. In addition to her feed, which is cheap, she’ll eat garden leftovers. Heck, Bracken can learn to make her chew toys out of wood scraps. You do have wood scraps, don’t you? And you can leave her overnight. She won’t die of loneliness. Think of this like 4H for Bracken. He’ll learn so much.
my sister is a member of a house rabbit rescue–people get rabbits for pets,it doesn’t work out for whatever reason,they drop the rabbit off at the humane society,and the bunny gets transferred to the rescue for adoption. she has fostered and adopted these bunnies for almost 30yrs.my sister has always had allergies since childhood,so i am not sure how much of that is caused by rabbits or not.she is very knowledgeable about rabbits,and i think the first things that she would tell you to do,if you haven’t done so already,is contact a rescue organization and get a few pointers on rabbit care.go online and look stuff up about raising a rabbit in your house.go to the library and take out books on rabbit care.we used to keep rabbits out in the garage with the goats when i was growing up,so i can tell you how much they chew stuff up! my sister has to keep an eye on them in the house—they chew through furniture legs! rabbits have to be provided with blocks of wood to chew on,or they will chew up their surroundings.that is how they keep their teeth from overgrowth–they have to wear them down constantly,or they will curl up! this also happens to guinea pigs and beavers,by the way…i think that anything else you would need to know about keeping house rabbits,you can find online.good luck…
We currently have 3 angora buns. I’ve had the same thoughts go through my head! Even though we researched them endlessly before getting them its been a learning curve and adjustment. We love them and they are great…but not exactly sure about them being a good pet for a small child. I understand the idea. cute fuzzy bunny…sounds perfect. But they do have minds of their own and such personalities. If your willing to hang in there and get to know her you’ll do fine. Like the above poster said..I rarely pick mine up but sit on the floor and let them hop on and off me at will. I also have allergies to ours (im allergic to most everything) but my allergies have gotten better over time. Our bunnies have a room of their own in my husbands big garage. It’s heated and cooled. they each have their own cage and get out into a larger “play area” with toys etc. We also take them out in our chicken tractor (when its not in use) to play outside. Good luck and I am sure Bracken is learning so much about his new bun!
Hi Taryn
Such a coincidence your writing about this! Our children so badly want a pet but I am highly allergic to dogs and cats. They love bunnies and go crazy when we see some so I thought maybe a bunny would be an option for us! I was very excited till I held one in my arms and instantly started to sneeze, welled up, patches of red on my face neck and arms..it was terrible and sad as the kids then knew we now couldn’t have a bunny.
I hope you find a way to live in harmony and wellness with your new bunny! She is beautiful! Sweet name too.
What a cutie!!! and I love her name!!!
I’ve been working for a bunny- welfare- organization for a couple of years, so I can give you some advice 🙂
First of all- wether a bunny should be encouraged to socialize with humans or not, it should never, ever be kept alone. Imagine living as the only human among rabbits. Bunnies are extremely social animals and need their kind around – they clean and cuddle eachother, play together and are a lot more sociable if they’re at least in pairs (more are always welcome 😉 ). A human can never replace another bunny. Wether they like human company or not is usually dependent on their character…
I’ve got three bunnies at the moment of which two enjoy human company and cuddles, one is rather timid.
As for picking bunnies up- you shouldn’t do that unless necessary – try sittig/lying on the ground with it, maybe bring some food and wait- bunny will come for sure, as they’re naturally really curious.
Picking a bunny up is really, really frightening for it, as it’ usually big birds who come and pick bunnies up for dinner 😉
Patting them on the ground will make bunnies happier!
It’s great that you’re letting her out and run wild in the house- we’ve had “free range house bunnies” as we- they DO learn to use the toilet (best place a toilet where she pees, they’re usually pretty clean and don’t like to soil everything!)
Of course this means some things get chewed up- make sure she’s got plenty of twigs and branches for chewing – hazelnut & apple are favourites over here!
If you’ve got any more questions don’t hesitate to contact me- I’ll try to help making life for you and your cute bunny a little easier 🙂