Holiday & Fiesta

[Leaf]

Pipp had made this post from an e-mail send out that went through on December 5th.

I took a gamble and emailed Save ABunnyeven though I was out of state. After quite a bit of "interviewing" and reference checks, I was approved to adopt the two bunnies.

I can't begin to describe how many people were involved in helping these babies - the people who found them in the park, the San Jose Animal Service shelter who took them in, "Auntie Heather" who made urgent email pleas for their rescue...

- Save A Bunny rescue who claimed them from the shelter (who planned on euthanizing them) - the foster home they went into, their vet Dr Harvey ...

Our own ra7751 who PMed me quite a bit about special needs/splayed bunnies when I was considering adopting -

Everyone who worked with the bunderground in attempt to get them here, everyone rooting them on, the pilot who took his day of to fly these guys to Missouri, our own forum member angoragrl who picked them up at the airport and transported them to me...

ALL of this has been extremely overwhelming to me!

 

[Leaf]

[align=center]Introducing Holiday[/align]


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[align=center]Holiday is a small boy. He likes being held, stroked and spoken to. He's full of vinegar and very inquisitive. He loves his brother and tries to keep him in sight at all times, even when he has the urge to go explore.[/align]

 

[Leaf]

[align=center]Introducing Fiesta[/align]

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[align=center]Fiesta is a big boy compared to his brother, and as different as they are in size - they are in temperment as well. Fiesta does not like to be held. He is more timid and reserved but does like to listen to me speak and he is very curious as to where his brother is at all times. He is a sweet boy with strong opinions![/align]

 

[slavetoabunny]

Holiday and Fiesta are the sweetest looking buns ever! Bless you for adopting this pair. I think anyone who takes in a special needs bunny is truly a saint. I'm sure Holiday and Fiesta are eternally grateful to you.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

What precious boys. I know that however long they have on this Earth, they will have touched so many people. They have stolen my heart at the very least.

I know they have a rough time but seem to be very happy. I pray they stay smaller, continue to be mobile and continue to thrive.

Bless their little hearts.

 

[XxMontanaxX]

I really think these two will touch a lot of people too. Honestly, I think you shouldwrite a book about these two. Like tell about their life story and adventures and stuffand how just because they have special needs, they still have personality and can be happy, so people shouldn't rejectanimals because they have a few problems. I think it'd make a really good book.

I'm glad you are giving these two a great life, and hopefully they will be able to live a long one.

 

[slavetoabunny]

I hope these two sweeties know how precious they are. I can predict a long, pampered life!!!

 

[Leaf]

Holiday and Fiesta have a wonderful vet. You can see her website here:

http://www.avafrick.com

Dr Frick actually knows their former vet, Dr Harvey in California, as she was under instruction with Dr Harvey for quite some time.

 

[Leaf]

Belated update to our Feb 7th vetting:



If they're New Zealands as my vet believes, they were probably a lot younger than the rescue thought when taken in.

Dr Frick knows Dr Harvey - she's actually been HRS certified through the CA vet and has attended many of her 15 hour seminars. Dr Frick says she is glad the buns are with a person willing to work with them and who understands what their care entails.

Compassion and sadness definantly shined through on her part during the visit and checkup though. Unfortunantly the boys have passed the timeframe where something could have possibly been done to partially correct their splays.

I dont want to be overly positive about their possible lifespan- but at the same time I dont want to be negative either because life is full of the unknown.

That said, once examined our discussion turned to quality of life and how long they possibly "have".

I don't regret adopting them and WOULD do it again, even though these little guys will need to be evaluated often, both for their physical comfort/health and overall quality in their known lifestyle.

Nothing I learnedat the vethas really suprised me as far as their condition goes, so I'm not overly disappointed. They're still DOLLS!


People have been asking for me to post videos of them. I'm still uneasy about that right now - it's easier to see them in person, know their condition and see how HAPPY they are right now - than to be shocked into seeing their mobility issues and drawing conclusions from that.

To be honest if I had seen a video of them in motion I would have hesitated to take them in, but knowing them in person I dont think the adoption was a mistake.

Doe that make sense?

 

[GoinBackToCali]

Gawd, I don't know what's the matter with me.

I just looked at their pics and read their stories, and some weird moisture came pouring out of my eyes..

Bless you...

 

[Leaf]

XxMontanaxX wrote:

I really think these two will touch a lot of people too. Honestly, I think you shouldwrite a book about these two. Like tell about their life story and adventures and stuffand how just because they have special needs, they still have personality and can be happy, so people shouldn't rejectanimals because they have a few problems. I think it'd make a really good book.

I'm glad you are giving these two a great life, and hopefully they will be able to live a long one.

Montana, that really is a great idea, and something for me to consider.

I can write but as far as publishing I'm clueless. Still, it is something I can easily look into.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I bet there are a couple of people on this board who might have a clue as to what to do to get published...... (I'll let them come forward but I can think of 3 right now!)

Leaf, how are the boys today? My heart just melts when I see them.

and just curious..... how's Genelle now? is she a spoiled little rabbit?

 

[tundrakatiebean]

I love these two snuggle-bumpkins! I am so glad they found a good home

 

[Leaf]

I often get asked how high maintenance these boys are.

Well...



Now that they have been here for a while I can answerthat question better!

Special needs bunnies - I suppose it would depend on the extent of the problem the rabbits have.

These boys have extremely splayed rear legs. Side by side they eachhave a"bookend" reversed front leg.

This leaves them with one functional front leg each. Naturally, with very little *normal* help from the other legs mobility is an issue.

Due to their structure they are beached on their undersides.

Keeping the boys clean and debris free is a must, period. They always run a risk of urine burn, sore rear "knees" that they use to propell themselves with - and the possibility of getting their legs caught up in almost any tangle hazard their legs can get into.

Naturally, finding housing appropriate for their condition was somewhat of a challange. The kiddie pool has been the best solution. I use timothy hay for their bedding as well as some of the vet bed material. Slick solid siding - soft hay that allows feces and urine to migrate down away from their bodies and a cushioned substrate all work together to help with their mobility and comfort at the same time.

Once the housing issue was sorted out and worked with, clenliness was a concern. Because they lay down I have to be responsible for their bedding and substrate. I have to make sure theyare dry, that the hay is packed down enough that stray bits don't get in their ears or around their eyes. (they can't easily get out of uncomfortable situations).

Their water - well, a low small bowl gets tipped. A deeper dish is not easily accessable. Any bowl, crock, dish etc fills up with hay (yuck!)I finally rigged a hummingbird-like water bottle setup for them that *works* but if you have a drippy tip dampness is an issue.

I learn new things daily. Sometimes I get ideas at random times. The boys are always on my mind.

Above all, though, the hardest part of having a special needs animal is knowing how to judge quality of life - verses the quantity you wish for them to have. Dr Frick and I discussed this greatly.

My boys are most likely large breed rabbits. Fiesta is a very healthy, happy, curious boy. Already, as the larger of the two, his body construction is working against him. As he grows to a healthy weight his ribcage bears more weight. This progress is flattening his body, shifting his organs and is the most likely to compromise his well being in the future. Holiday is smaller so his problems (body wise) aren't as pronounced but his leg issues have caused a severe curvature of his spine. Simply put - his tail and rear are underneath his body - a compromising position for his internal well-being. Once Holiday gains the weight his age and growth allows more issues will likely arise.



Both are cherished family members. Both are healthy, happy and content. They will bevetted by Dr Frick and I will provide the best I can for them. With vetting and care, close monitoring and love I know they will have happy lives. They really know no better than what they are but the biggest thing to keep in mind is their quality of life and comfort they live in.

Losing the boys, God willing, will be an act of compassion - and that alone makes them very "high maintenance" in my eyes.

 

[Leaf]

Holiday was extremely excited to see me when I came home today. He scrabbled across the kiddie pool and over Fiesta in his rush to get to me.

I'm sure it's pure affection and has nothing to do with the craisin bit I've been giving both of them when I come home in the mornings.

 

[Pipp]

:inlove:



sas

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Leaf, I know you are being sarcastic but that's just too sweet!

Also, if that craisin is instigating some movement, maybe that's a great thing.... What little they can move, they should do a lot for their health.

Do they get around much at all?

Leaf wrote:

Holiday was extremely excited to see me when I came home today. He scrabbled across the kiddie pool and over Fiesta in his rush to get to me.

I'm sure it's pure affection and has nothing to do with the craisin bit I've been giving both of them when I come home in the mornings.

 

[tundrakatiebean]

that is so cute :biggrin2:this might be a dumb sounding questions, but how do they beg? Wash sticks his paws up and stands up while looking as pitiful as he can...have you seen them beg yet? I think it would be super-duper adorable.

 

[Leaf]

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[align=center]The Great Green Bean Race [/align]

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[align=center]:woohoo[/align]





[align=center]Holiday is on the left.[/align]






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[align=center]Fiesta is on the right.[/align]



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[align=center]Step right up - Place your bets!



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[align=center]On your mark![/align]




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[align=center]Get SET![/align]





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[align=center]GOOOOO![/align]






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[align=center]http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/mineralsolutions/Videos/?action=view&current=Photos710.flv[/align]

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Aww Look at those babies! They do well for how disabled they are!


I noticed that the larger one seems to wait for the smaller to get things and then he can take them away...?

He also seemed to be breathing harder.... was it just at that time?