Introducing DD to Belldandy?

Stone_family3 · Aug 5, 2009

My DD, Sophie, is very kind to animals, she has grown up around cats and dogs. However today we pick up our very first bunny.

I need some tips for introducing Sophie to Belldandy. Any suggestions?

Flashy · Aug 5, 2009

Aw. It's good she has grown up around animals. Hopefully that means she will have that basic respect for them that a lot of children who haven't had animals, lack.

How old is she?

I'm hopeing DD is Dear Daughter? If it's not, then I have no clue if the response I made is relevant at all so far, lol.

Stone_family3 · Aug 5, 2009

Yes DD means Darling Daughter or Dear Daughter. I was going to just write Sophie but with everyone's bunnies having people names I thought it might get confusing....lol.

Sophie is 2 1/2. She knows to ask before touching other's animals. Not to pull tails/ears and to be gentle. My parent's have older pets (4 cats, one is 22 years old and the others are between 9-12 years and a dog 10 years old) so she is very gentle. She knows to be quiet and to wash her hands after touching them.

I wasn't sure if what I've taught her so far would suffice or is there anything else I'm missing?

Flashy · Aug 5, 2009

I think that sounds good.

With a rabbit she needs to know that she has to sit and be patient and wait for the bunny to come to her. Very much the bunny needs to be in control.

There is an article called Bonding with your Bunny in the Library. It might be worth reading it and then working out how it can apply to your daughter.

I think she has a really good basis and foundation for animal respect, which is great.

I would suggest just attaching padlocks or something to the cage so that even if she gets a 'reckless' moment she can't get Belldandy out or do anything to him that he may not be happy abouty (or he may be VERY happy about, but you're not very happy about-uch as having run of the garden/room/house, etc).