Aiden "The Brat"

[Leaf]

I've been a Flemish Giant fan longer than I've been a member of Rabbits Online. Naturally, Flemish Giants are very hard to find in this area. For almost a year I had been looking for one, to no avail.

Several weeks ago I found this boy posted on Craigs List:

The lady who had him had gotten three Flemmies from Oregon. As they matured one was definantly a male - not what she was interested in. At almost 10 months old she posted the unnamed rabbit on Craigs List, wishing to trade him for a female.

I couldn't resist emailing her to see if she'd sell the boy. After a few short e-mails it was decided the rabbit could come live with me. One snowstorm later we met and my world was flipped upside down!

Affectionantly called "The Brat", Aiden and I are getting to really know each other. He hadn't been handled a lot prior to coming to live with me but he is SLOWLY coming around.

He is cat and dog friendly, loves his independence, is very curious and a very brave boy! At this point he is still hand shy but his quirky nature sure makes him a joy to have around!

 

[Leaf]

Aiden and my dog Jack:

 

[Leaf]

Thinking inside the box:

 

[Leaf]

The Brat has been in his litter box almost all morning (a coverd cat litter box) and I worried about him. I even checked his breathing at one point because I was so scared something was terribly wrong.

In Aiden's case I think he's still ticked off at me - I was laying on the bed in there almost asleep when he decided to jump on in - His back feet grabbed purchase on my forehead, I yelled - he freaked, and he's been hiding ever since.

So much for bonding right now!

 

[Leaf]

 

[Leaf]

I posted this in the forum on March 15th:

I have been very overwhelmed in the last few weeks. Family issues have come up (outside of my home - nothing to interfere with my pets, but stressful anyway), losing Fiesta (did I mention that happened on my Mom's 50th birthday?), a severe break-in at the pound I work at...

In the midst of all of the excitement I've neglected my newest addition, the flemish giant.

He is BEAUTIFUL. 24lbs, almost 10 months old - loves to play with the cats and my one dog (the other dog is still a bit scared of him - 4lb dog vs24lb rabbit).

He gets daily free roam time, usually 4-5 hours and is otherwise baby-gated in my kitchen or in the computer room with an X-Pen and wire dog crate.

If he isn't allowed out in a reasonable ammount of time he thumps his back foot. He loves to explore, prefers to stretch out in front of the sliding glass door in the dining room rather than anywhere else - hides behind or under the couch if he thinks I'm about to "get" him - runs from me and hides under the kitchen table if he thinks its time to "crate up" - runs me around the upstairs if I NEED to put him away and he isn't "ready".

He got under my buffet the other day and I thought I was smart, and that I "had" him. He scrunched up and I figured I'd put my hand in front of his face to stop him from running forward then use my other arm to capture him....

I didn't expect him to rear up and box/slash my palm with his front feet. My bad. :shock:

My attitude here has been down in the dumps because so much has gone on lately. I'm sure he picks up on it, and then I get frustrated (but never mean, loud or anything) when he runs from me constantly. Once he tires of his games, or if he is ready to be crated he happily hops where I want him to be but it seems to be on his terms ONLY.

First, I need name ideas for him. I was going to call him Tequila but I've changed my mind. Then I was going to call him Price because I thought it was fitting - but now I think not.

How on earth can I start a relationship with a rabbit I can't even name?

I need name suggestions and any other possible input or help please! Ive emailed updates to the person I got him from and they say he is used to running with other rabbits - but honestly I dont have anyone here I could begin to try to bond with him. I'd love another flemish but finding this guy was a fluke so I doubt it would be possible and dont know if it would be a good idea since he and I seem to not click right now.

NO - I'm not even contemplating rehoming him, I'm just venting some frustrations I guess and asking for help.

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=34103&forum_id=1


I received some excellent advice and slowly but surely we are making progress!

 

[Leaf]

 

[Bo B Bunny]

What a gorgeous boy!

Poor baby got scared! he's in his litterbox cause he thinks he got into trouble!

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

I love the pic of him with the "little" dog. He is really a cutie though! Ah, the Flemish:hearts.

 

[TinysMom]

I just have one thing to say....


[align=center]
MORE PICTURES...


please?


[/align]

 

[maherwoman]

Oh wow...he's INCREDIBLY handsome!!

I have to say...I love that picture of him in the bin...he looks HUGE!!

How much does he weigh??

 

[Little Bay Poo]

A VERY nice looking bunny. I absolutely love his color :inlove:

All these pictures of flemish giants make me want to get one some day!

 

[trailsend]

YA Leaf - more pictures! He is so cute!

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

I LOVE flemish giants! And Aiden is just GORGEOUS!:inlove::inlove::big kiss:

 

[Leaf]

It's supposed to be nice outside today so I've been working on a hutch I have, hoping it'll work for Aiden. While not a pretty hutch it should do for him to be out in the fresh air some.

Usually I baby gate the back deck for him to run on but at times I think a hutch would be safer. The one I have is divided in half by tin. I wish I knew how to cut through it to make a hole. That alone would make the double sided hutch quite spacious for him.

 

[Leaf]

:shock:I forgot that Aiden had a blog!

 

[myheart]

Is Aiden the bunny in your avatar? I have been admiring that picture ever since you started using it. If Aiden gets tired of living with you, pack his bags and tell him he could spend the summer months with me. (did I slip that in well enough?)

myheart

 

[juliew19673]

Leaf you really need to post more photos of Aiden.. He sounds like a dream flemmie and I'm dying to know how you and he are getting along?

 

[Jess_sully]

He's just GORGEOUS! I love flemmies!

 

[Leaf]

Here kitty, kitty, kitty!