Moody Monday

I’m not convinced Patty is entirely happy that it’s Lolas turn out in the binky area today 

Thursday flashback

Super cute Benson, our little grump and his partner Patty.

(I'm Pretty Sure) There's No Third Chance

"Let's try this again, shall we? I say 'More parsley!' and YOU say...?"

Snacky Patty

Due to the complicated balance of bacteria in a rabbits gut, you need to be very careful treating bad bacteria with antibiotics that might upset the good bacteria. Some antibiotics used with other animals are fatal to rabbits as a result, but even the safer ones come with risks.

Our Patty is a good example of this - after a few days of antibiotics a few weeks ago to treat one issue, her digestive system has seemed like it is in meltdown since. She suffered bad diarrhea and crashing weight loss, her condition went from good to almost terminal in a very short space of time. As a result, while fighting to keep her going we have needed to be very careful about what goes in that mouf of hers to make sure her condition doesn't further deteriorate. She is on a carefully controlled and monitored regime trying to bring her system back into balance, which so far has included syringe foods/supplements, wild plants and dried herbs - crucially (much to Benson's annoyance, since this generally means he gets lumbered with the same restrictions by association), our vet has warned against giving Patty vegetables. The one exception we are allowed to give her is an occasional and small amount of fresh herbs.

With all the attention, her strict diet and daily bottom washes, it is a difficult and stressful time for Patty (and Caroline of course, being the one who has to clean that messy tail!), we are all really hoping she starts to improve soon and gets through this. In the meantime, I can say this for sure - she really does love those occasional parsley treats!

Altered Images

Patty and Benson have very definitely changed their personalities since they got together. Gone is the grumpy, lunging, in-your-face, snack-snatching attitude. They've become more refined and almost, dare I say, ...angelic?

"Hey, I've always been an angel! (In my own way...)"

"Well our attitudes may have changed but our breakfast order hasn't! More carrots, less of that healthy green rubbish please!"

Sorry Patty, even quieter well behaved bunnies need to eat healthily!

Mr and Mrs Moodychops

Benson and Patty are two of the moodiest, most stroppy bunnies I have ever come across.

When it comes to breakfast, talk about snatchy and ungrateful, however quick you move these two will have the food out your hand (and a few fingers along with it if you are not careful) before you can give it to them. When they've been in sheds with open outdoor grass areas, when you try to let them out they'll barge past you with a headbutt and a glare that suggests the speed of your door-opening leaves a lot to be desired.

Patty has been single for some time. Besides her behavioural quirks, although she's pretty healthy she has funny leg issues which means she needs monitoring and is probably not suited to be rehomed to just anyone. But even amongst our many other special needs residents, she has not been keen on any potential new partner.

Benson, with his strong personality and hilarious antics, has won the hearts of a number of volunteers, but again he is not the sort of rabbit you would re-home to just anyone. You get the feeling that his quirkiness could easily turn into actual fear-aggression if he found himself in an environment he wasn't entirely comfortable with. So rather than leave him single for a while as an available partner for an owners rabbit, Caroline decided it best to find him a new partner straight away.

Which is all good. However, when I found out she was putting these two characters together, I figured there could only be two possible outcomes:

• Their personalities would clash and they'd never accept each other OR
• They'd bond together into a pair so densely packed with mutual grumpiness that no volunteer would survive near them long enough to clean or feed them without being sucked into a vortex of emotional destruction.

I figured it would be the first one. Looks like I might have been be wrong.

"Oh yeah, we're getting on now. Is that surprise or fear I see in your eyes?"

"FYI? Domination plans: these snacks, this Rescue, world. Any questions?"

I'm sorry people. We are all doomed.

Two Drenched

"I think I speak for everybunny here when I say that's enough of the rain for this year, thank you very much. I'll be lucky if my ears dry out before Xmas."

Patty, The Grass

"So, like, maybe there's enough grass here to last me until this afternoon? Did you hear what I said? I said you have until this afternoon to grow me some more grass."

Patty Vs Bigfoot

"You misunderstand me. I didn't ask you to move because you are in MY run, or because you are obscuring MY view with these hideous green boots. I asked you to move because you are on MY foot."