Double hump

These two normally so happy a cute, looking slightly grumpy, why could that be? I think it was because they'd just been told that the box of treats wasn't just st for them. Another mistreated tale of bunny woe.

Sprat

Baby Sprat, 6th November 2010

Sprat was born around August 2010. He was blessed with his mothers ears but cursed with his fathers bad teeth. The whole gang came into the Rescue later that year - Camilla (mum), Wellington (probably dad but also possibly uncle/half-brother/cousin), Zara, Spangle, Porridge and of course Sprat himself.

Clockwise from top left: Camilla, Spangle, Porridge, Zara, Sprat

By the time they were old enough to start living away from mum, the kids individual personalities were already shining through. Zara was the cute and very sweet one, Porridge was the slightly bossy one, Spangle acted as Porridge's deputy in all things and Sprat was the friendly, determined type keen to take the humans for all the treats and attention he could get. We figured Sprat was going to be everyone's first choice buck and re-homed pretty much as soon as he was old enough.

Mastering his signature Sprat smile

Mastering some carrot tops

Porridge and Spangle, having already been diagnosed early on with dental problems, moved into my house sometime in 2011. Whisky, who was also dentally challenged, was looking for a new partner and we figured they would make a sweet trio. Shortly after they arrived however, Whisky started to suffer breathing problems related to overgrown tooth roots so the potentially stressful bond was postponed until after that could be resolved and he had recovered from the surgery. In the meantime the girls lived in a partitioned off part of Whisky's room, so at least they could all become accustomed to each other.

Although Sprat was indeed popular with visitors, by the time he was ready to leave the Rescue he had been diagnosed with dental malocclusion. It was difficult to tell the extent of his issues while he was still so young, but the potential for expensive medical problems further down the road was enough to put people off taking him on. Having been through it all with Whisky already, I wasn't bothered by it so we decided Sprat should come and join the party at my house.

11th June 2011, shortly after Sprat arrives, no real tension but they all camp out at the intersection of the three areas

The extended period in Whisky's room already for the sisters created an odd dynamic. It didn't take them long to accept their brother as their new neighbour, but Porridge was very possessive over her space and would throw tantrums if I swapped them around during the bond.

"Join me for some binkies?"

Out in the garden, on a good day they would all play and accept each other, but ultimately Porridge's bossiness and Whisky's lack of social skills would clash. Sprat all the while was a decent pal to Whisky, they got on perfectly well but Whisky's interest was clearly in the girls who didn't want his attention, so the siblings went back to the Rescue as a trio.

Spangle, Sprat and Porridge

Theirs was not a healthy mix of genes. Zara sadly passed away still very young, Porridge died within two days of having her incisors removed, then Spangle followed in 2014 from respiratory issues.

Sprat's sister Zara

Sprat (left) and Spangle raid the snack bucket

Sprat continued to have problems in his mouth, leading to the removal of his incisors, several abscesses and around six of his back teeth, plus a strange cyst down one side of his face. On top of this, his teeth would not wear evenly so he was having regular dentals, which all meant he had frequent anaesthetics. Fortunately for Sprat, he didn't need to worry too much about eating slowly because his next wife was Bugsy, who had about as many teeth removed as he had. They made a great couple and took turns looking after each other following surgeries and treatments.

Grated breakfast being slowly but enthusiastically eaten

Sometimes Sprat's problems could leave him with low periods, but he generally bounced back to his perky happy self after a few days or after a dental. When he saw humans he saw the opportunity for treats and attention, so he would often race over whenever anyone passed their enclosure. Volunteers and visitors loved him as his confidence and keenness to mug them for treats made him one of the friendliest rabbits on site. If I was there on a Saturday, I regularly heard visitors asking after them and whether they were available, but no-one wants to take on high maintenance rabbits who rack up giant vet bills.

Last year I was desperately missing Whisky following his death in December 2015. He was such a friendly, humanised rabbit whereas my remaining pair don't really have any interest in non-rabbit interaction, so on top of all the grief, Whisky's departure left a big hole in my life. As Sprat was a former foster, I have always had a soft spot for him and would always make time for him at the Rescue, but Sprat came to mean more to me that year. My bunnies didn't want to hang out with me at home so for most of 2016 I got my bunny fix hanging out with Sprat at the rescue at the weekends. As well as having similar personalities, his former friendship with Whisky was something that we shared. And the more time I spent with him, the more I came to appreciate Sprat for the wonderful character Sprat was.

"Hey foster dad, is it treat time?"

So when the opportunity came up, last summer I fostered Sprat again, with Bugsy of course, during the peak holiday boarding season to free up some space. They came to live in our spare room and had daily playtime in the garden.

"Great breakfast! Is there dessert too?"

(I don't remember, but from the looks I'm guessing we'd just got back from the vets in this photo!)

Once he had figured out how to navigate the stairs he really settled in and was having the time of his life racing about the whole house. Bugsy didn't seem to like being in the house much, but in the garden she turned into a happy lawn mower and also enjoyed trimming the herbs we grew there for her breakfast. Meanwhile, Sprat would race about the garden and binky to his heart's content. Despite the constant back and forth to the vets during that period I really enjoyed having them around, I didn't even mind the twice daily cleaning out of Bugsy's ear and yucky ear abscess (she wasn't so keen though). Sprat stole my heart completely that summer and I wanted to adopt him, but unfortunately I struggled with Bugsy's daily injections so they had to go back to the Rescue.

The last nine months have been difficult for both of them. Operations, medication, injections, nursing. I would visit them every few weeks, sometimes one would be pleased to see me, sometimes the other, usually dependant on what ailments and veterinary poking they had suffered that week. Bugsy particularly has been a worry the last few months, the open hole from her first ear surgery and the antibiotics were not clearing her ear abscess problem so she had a second surgery. This is so far looking promising, I was even starting to wonder if maybe some day soon they could come home with me again. But I guess I should have realised it just meant it was Sprat's turn to go downhill.

Last time I was at the Rescue, Bugsy was recovering from the latest surgery but Sprat was in a reasonable mood, so I actually got to spend some quality time with him. I thought at the time I noticed something odd about his eyes, like they were uneven, but when I had a closer look I dismissed it as paranoia. Then earlier this week someone else noticed it too and it was clearly worse. X-rays showed a growth behind his eye. He could have surgery to remove the eye and attempt to remove the growth, but at almost seven years old and with all his other problems the chances of him surviving the operation and living a happy life after seemed quite slim. Yesterday, 16th May 2017, with great sadness, we made the very difficult decision to let him go in peace rather than suffer any more. I haven't shed so many tears in such a long time.

My dearest Sprat. You gave so much joy to everyone you met and asked for so little in return. You touched our hearts so deeply. You were dealt a bad hand in life, but you still lived it with enthusiasm and excitement for all things. I loved you more than I can find words for and will miss you forevermore. Binky free, Sprat, binky free.

Super cute Sunday

                  Today's super cute Sunday is brought to you by the gorgeous, Bugsy Boo.

BBFN, BHV

"So we're not going to see you for a while, BHV? You're not even taking us trick-or-treating tonight?"

"You know that means you're actually required to come back soon with a sack of treats to make up for that, right?"

Social Media Spraturation

I noticed that Sprat has been popping up on our social media pages more often than other bunnies recently and though I don't manage those pages myself it's probably partly my fault. And partly his.

"There are OTHER bunnies you could point that camera at you know!"

I do know, Sprat, but you're SUCH perfect little models!

The Welcoming (Breakfast) Committee

A Question Of Demands

"Ah, good morning human! Now, my friend has something to ask of you on this fine day."

"GIVE ME SOME TREATS!"

Hmmm...now who does that remind me of?!

Bugsy and Sprat At The Weekend

Well it's the end of another stressful week at home. Bugsy's appetite wasn't improving as the temperatures became more reasonable so she had a dental on Thursday. Thankfully that did the trick, her appetite is back to normal and most of her medicines are due to stop this week which she will be happy about. Unfortunately she now has a snotty nose for me to worry about.

Sprat is mostly being Sprat, but he has a lumpy face again and is booked for another abscess surgery next week.

At least they are mostly enjoying themselves this weekend, not including yesterdays vet trip (yes, another one). New shenanigans include Bugsy raiding the herb garden, Sprat trying repeatedly (and very nearly successfully) to get his head stuck in the watering can and both of them adventuring around parts of the house they are not exactly supposed to be in (or so Anouska tells me). So pretty much a normal life with rabbits.

"Remind me why I'd want to go play in the garden when all the treats are in the house? All there is out there is grass! Who would want to eat that?!"

"[schlurrrrp]"

The Fun of the Fosters

Today's post is exceptionally late because firstly I broke a long standing tradition and actually went out on a Friday night (to see one of my favourite bands, Martha, play in London) and secondly because I was punished for trying to have a social life with yet another emergency trip across counties to the vets this morning. However, this is just the life of living with rabbits that we expect, I'm not actually grumbling. I should also say though that, this being vet appointment number four in just three weeks (and we already have two more arranged for the next two weeks, even without any more emergencies), these are not turning out to be the low-maintenance foster bunnies that I was hoping for this summer.

Bugsy has had many of her molars removed from multiple jaw bone abscesses as well as having a hole in the side of her head that needs cleaning twice a day. The hole is from a persistent ear abscess and has been deliberately left open to allow it to drain and be cleaned, along with the gunk that oozes into her ear that needs clearing. It is not a pleasant process for either of us. Here is the hole post yucky cleaning process:

As well as being yucky, the cleaning process is also slightly painful to her as the abscess site is very sore. She is also on four different medicines as of today (it was one when she arrived at my house, then two...) and needing to be groomed of moulting fur twice a day. Bugsy is also not coping well with the heat wave we are having here in the south of England this week. She blames me for everything. So when not cleaning her up, I mostly see her from this side:

Sprat has no incisors and has had 6 rear molars removed due to abscesses, so like Bugsy needs soft/grated food. He also suffered mysterious weight loss just before he came to stay with me so he has had some veterinary poking and has tests due soon, but regardless he is having a delightful holiday. He doesn't much care what goes on as long as he gets to eat as much as he wants (for the weight gain) and race round the garden at insane speeds with mega-binkies (photos to follow if I can get any). He loves attention and just seeing Sprat coming racing towards me every time he sees me is enough to cheer me up from any of the other stuff. That doesn't mean he is always easy to photograph though - even after three weeks here he is more interested in exploring and entertaining himself than he is in sitting still for picture time:

"Woo-hoo! I think I've found somewhere else to play!"

So there you go. Fostering bunnies can be hard work, but it is not without its rewards.

A lot of butts on this blog recently - I'll see if we can't 'turn that around' from tomorrow...

Stowed

BHV: Well, that was a tough day at the Rescue. I guess I'd better unpack my camera bag and see if I got any good shots... Hang on, what's this in the pocket..?

"Are we home? What's for dinner?"

BHV: ARRGGGHH!!! Sprat, you scared the life out of me. [sigh] OK, fine, you can stay. But ONLY FOR THE SUMMER!

"Is it true you serve grated carrot topping on pellets here? Can I have them delivered to me in this moult and bolt box with a double carrotini?"

BHV: I think I might need to go lie down...

Irresistibly Sprat

After several years of having his wonky incisors burred every 4-8 weeks, Sprat had them removed earlier this year, but since then he has been a bit funny about breakfast. For a while he even developed somewhat of a pellet mush addiction - you could try offering him other foods, theoretically he should have had no trouble eating them, but he'd turn his nose up. Mushy pellet goodness was all he wanted.

It's not like there hasn't been any improvement but Sprat has still not been entirely his old happy self so I have been spending more time with him recently to cheer him up. Mostly with his favourite snacks. It definitely worked, but I've had so much fun hanging out with him again that now I just want to take him home. And thanks to all the extra treats, Sprat seems to have decided that might not be a bad thing...

"Forget the adoption forms - I'll just climb right into your camera bag and we can leave now, Amy will never know!"

Hmmm...I think she might notice. Plus, I'm not so sure Mrs Sprat will be happy about that either...

"Well that depends if you have another bag for me and a third one with MY favourite treats too?"

They're not exactly making it easy for me to resist here. [sigh]

The Week of Love

"Oh hello everyone and everybun!

We have decided to kick that mean 'Carrot-Hogging Volunteer' bloke off the blog for the week and are hijacking his account for something different. In honour of Valentines Day, we are handing the blog over to the wonderful people who have brought their own bunny to this Rescue to find their perfect partner and forever friend. So please join us back here tomorrow for the first of our tales of bunny love.

(Oh, and if you see Mr C-HV, tell him if he wants his Blogger account back next week he'd better start being a bit more generous with the grated orange delights!)"

"Speaking of love, I'm about to give Bugsy a licky-face bath, so if you don't mind....?!"

Bugsy and Sprat

Here's some good news:- Sprat has found a new wife! He is now bonded with another special needs bunny, Bugsy

Awww! :-)