How long until able to reintroduce possible new mate?

[express_wagon]

Hi everyone,

To begin on a sad note, my much beloved Bam Bam suddenly passed away on Sunday. He was only 3. His sister Pebbles have been left alone and I can't help but think about getting her a new adult companion. My question is, how long should I wait until I start looking for a new possible friend she can bond with? I am sure she is still confused where her brother went :cry2. I have another bunny that is nine years old. She is still kicking. It has been a difficult 24 hours so far. I really loved that little guy. Everyone lives inside my house.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Ape337]

So sorry you lost your bun ray:

If she didn't see him dead, I've heard it can take a bit for her to realize he's not coming back. I know some shelters will expedite an adoption for a widowed bun to prevent them pining away. I brought Trillian's body home for Humma to see when she died and he seemed to get it rather quickly. Then he became very depressed, sat around a lot, and didn't binky anymore. It was horrible. I was given Faith when an acquaintance of my husband's found out our bun died and Humma became his old self just knowing another bunny was in the house. His binkies returned even though they are not bonded.
Perhaps some of the experts will chime in with more helpful info. Take care.

 

[express_wagon]

Thanks for the advice.

I found Bam Bam dead in his cage with his sister. Probably 10 minutes after that, I took him out of there. He's now buried on my property.

I'll start checking out local rescue shelters soon and hopefully find a mate Pebbles can get along with.

 

[Sweetie]

Jason: I had a rabbit pass away. My purebred Netherland dwarf, Prince. He is the white rabbit in my avatar. The black rabbit is Sweetie. She got sick right after he passed away, so I had to wait until she got better before getting another rabbit. It took Sweetie almost a year to get over Prince being gone and she was the dominate one of the two. I spent every night with her before I went to bed and every chance I got during the day. She and Prince were a bonded pair right from the start, they bonded instantly.

Two weeks after Prince passed, a forum member gave me another rabbit because they knew that I lost one and Sweetie needed a new friend.

I think that having another rabbit around has helped Sweetie get through her grief of losing Prince. Pudden and Sweetie didn't get along for a while and I thought that they would never get along but a week ago was the first time they got along without fighting.

I think that it depends on the rabbit how long you should wait before getting another. Was Pebbles the dominate one of the two? I would get a rabbit that is more closer to her age than a nine year old rabbit, that way she has more time with the new rabbit.

I am so sorry you lost Bam Bam. It does hurt so much when they leve us so young. I lost Prince when he was only 2 1/2 years old. Sweetie is still alive and she is now 3 years old, will be 4 years this October.

Spend as much time with Pebbles as you can and comfort her and let her know you are there for her.

 

[express_wagon]

Pebbles was prob the submissive one of the pair.

My nine year old Heidi has been with me since 2003 and never really associated with my other pair. I don't plan to put them together now or ever. They live in separate cages but same room.

I'm thinking of adopting one with similar age as Pebbles. Prob start calling places to see what are my options around here. I would like to find one already neutered.

I am sorry for your loss too. These little fury animals are family to me so it stung pretty hard. I am sure you felt the same way when you lost your baby. I guess it was just his time and I'll have to see him another time.

RIP my little man

 

[Sweetie]

Thank you. Yeah my netherland dwarf was sick when I got him, could not figure out what was wrong with him. What kind of rabbit was Bam Bam?

Yeah I was in tears when Prince passed. He passed away at the vet office. I found him face down in a corner basically lifeless. I kept twlling Prince that I love him and to try to make it to the vet. When I got to the vet, the vet took Prince in the back and when he got the IV in Prince's heart stopped. Sweetie didn't see Prince pass away but I think that she knew. Prince was my first purebred rabbit. I have his ashes and they are right about the cage he and Sweetie shared when he was alive.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[MiniLopHop]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is hard when a rabbit loses their mate.

Earlier this year Houdini lost his bunwife, Cinderella. He was with her when she had to be PTS, so he knew that she was not coming back. He layed in their burrow doorway with his chin on the floor (he is normally a very happy, active bun). He wouldn't eat or groom himself. I took him to a rescue for dates two days after her passing because I was afraid I would lose him too. He didn't like the first girl he met, but when Sophie came in he instantly started to groom himself and cuddled up next to her. They went home in the same carrier and right into his space. He was back to his old self.

It honestly took me longer to accept her. I was angry with Houdini at first because he was able to move on so completely, all signs of depression gone. But rabbits live in the moment. He was a faithful husbun to the very end, grooming Cinderella's face as she passed. Grieving was not going to bring her back. Now Sophie is a fully loved part of the warren.

 

[express_wagon]

Thanks for everyone's words. It is much appreciated. Here's a picture of Bam Bam when he was only a few weeks old. I miss him dearly.

 

[Sweetie]

He is adorable!!!!!!!!