TinysMom
Well-Known Member
Well - I wanted to share about Minnie Pearl. Her story is sort of interesting.
I bought her in 2006 for such a wonderful reason (NOT) for breeding. I bought her because she took BOS in a show where she was judged by Pam Nock. When I heard that our beloved Pam Nock had judged a show and found a rabbit worthy of a title like that (I didn't know much about shows at the time)...I just had to have her. So what if she wasn't exactly a show color...well...if she wasn't a show color at all.
So I bought Minnie Pearl - paid almost $100 for her.
Now Minnie Pearl has often been called "the doe from hell" because if you go to pick her up - she kicks, bites, scratches and does anything she can to get away. She hates other rabbits - and she hates being out of her cage. As long as she is in her cage - no matter how small it is - she's ok. Touch her - and she freaks.
Last year Minnie came down w/ head tilt when we were trying to figure out what was going on. She still has it - but she doesn't roll.
She was in a 3 X 2 NIC pen in my office - but we decided to move her to my bedroom so that the Cali boys could have pens....
The first shock was when Robin went to pick her up and move her. She didn't fight, kick or scratch. Of course, Robin sort of got her by surprise during her nap time. But Robin put her on my bed (vs. the pen) and Minnie came running to hide in my arms. Then...she snuggled...and when I touched her - she gave me tooth purrs.
I was in shock.
Total shock.
It was almost as if Hyacinth had invaded her body (when you see Minnie you might see the resemblance in the face and ears even though they are different colors).
Then yesterday afternoon - I went to take a nap - and brought Minnie up on the bed with me. I was so afraid she'd bite me...but she spent most of the time snuggled into my arms - giving me tooth purrs.
Mind you - this is the same doe I've been terrified to go near sometimes. She was my "wild child" - and I figured she was beyond hope as far as being tamed. Most breeders would have knocked her in the head (excuse my language but it is true - most breeders would have put a doe with her personality down). I did breed her once - and her daughter has her same temperament too.
But now - when I walk in the room - Minnie looks for me. She almost begs for attention and when I go by her pen - she tries to get me to pet her.
I'm in shock.
I guess this post is mainly a post to say "it is possible for an aggressive rabbit to change"...
Here is Minnie from 2006 - I don't have a current picture of her..
So if anyone is reading this and they have an aggressive rabbit - take heart. If Minnie can change - I believe ANY rabbit can change..
I bought her in 2006 for such a wonderful reason (NOT) for breeding. I bought her because she took BOS in a show where she was judged by Pam Nock. When I heard that our beloved Pam Nock had judged a show and found a rabbit worthy of a title like that (I didn't know much about shows at the time)...I just had to have her. So what if she wasn't exactly a show color...well...if she wasn't a show color at all.
So I bought Minnie Pearl - paid almost $100 for her.
Now Minnie Pearl has often been called "the doe from hell" because if you go to pick her up - she kicks, bites, scratches and does anything she can to get away. She hates other rabbits - and she hates being out of her cage. As long as she is in her cage - no matter how small it is - she's ok. Touch her - and she freaks.
Last year Minnie came down w/ head tilt when we were trying to figure out what was going on. She still has it - but she doesn't roll.
She was in a 3 X 2 NIC pen in my office - but we decided to move her to my bedroom so that the Cali boys could have pens....
The first shock was when Robin went to pick her up and move her. She didn't fight, kick or scratch. Of course, Robin sort of got her by surprise during her nap time. But Robin put her on my bed (vs. the pen) and Minnie came running to hide in my arms. Then...she snuggled...and when I touched her - she gave me tooth purrs.
I was in shock.
Total shock.
It was almost as if Hyacinth had invaded her body (when you see Minnie you might see the resemblance in the face and ears even though they are different colors).
Then yesterday afternoon - I went to take a nap - and brought Minnie up on the bed with me. I was so afraid she'd bite me...but she spent most of the time snuggled into my arms - giving me tooth purrs.
Mind you - this is the same doe I've been terrified to go near sometimes. She was my "wild child" - and I figured she was beyond hope as far as being tamed. Most breeders would have knocked her in the head (excuse my language but it is true - most breeders would have put a doe with her personality down). I did breed her once - and her daughter has her same temperament too.
But now - when I walk in the room - Minnie looks for me. She almost begs for attention and when I go by her pen - she tries to get me to pet her.
I'm in shock.
I guess this post is mainly a post to say "it is possible for an aggressive rabbit to change"...
Here is Minnie from 2006 - I don't have a current picture of her..
So if anyone is reading this and they have an aggressive rabbit - take heart. If Minnie can change - I believe ANY rabbit can change..
ray:
