Holly passed away

Holly is in the middle, eating strawberries.

Today was Holly's birthday, marking four years since we adopted her. It is also the day that we said goodbye.

Two weeks ago, I noticed that Holly's eye looked cloudy. We rushed her to the vet and were told that she had an eye infection. We immediately started her on antibiotics and pain meds and brought her home.

A few days later, I left to Texas for a week for my little brother's High School graduation. Huz stayed and took care of Holly and the other buns. He gave her meds and cuddled her and monitored her.

When I got back last week, we noticed that she wasn't eating and her eye wasn't improving. We took her back to the vet, who recommended that we schedule her for surgery and have the eye removed. We were worried she would lose more weight and get weaker if we didn't. We were also concerned about the pain she was experiencing. We would love our Bun whether she had one eye or a million, and just wanted her to be as comfortable and healthy as possible.

We took her in for surgery this morning. Huz got a call from the vet saying that Holly had been a trooper through surgery, and had done great, but just wouldn't wake up from the anesthesia. They tried to warm her up and bring her heart rate back up, but it kept dropping until it stopped completely. She died peacefully in her sleep. We got to see her and pet her and tell her we love her one last time. She will be buried on a farm in Napa, surrounded by grapes (which were her favorite treat).

I am heartbroken. I just can't believe that just four years ago on a sunny summer day we brought home our sweet, nervous bunny, and today, on a cold and rainy day, she left us. I know we gave her a good life and that she always felt loved and taken care of. We did the best we could for her, and I treasure every day I got to spend with my sweet Holly Heart. It just sucks and I really really really wish she was still alive.

Huz is really sad too, I know, but he tries to be strong for me. I think Hef and Jude know something is wrong because it seems like they keep looking for Holly. They check her favorite hiding spot and come to the front of the hutch as if to ask us, "When is she coming home?". I'm so sorry guys. This morning she was here, and now she's not. It's going to take time for all of us to get used to it. I love you and I am so sorry.

I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning when I'll wake up and most likely forget, and have to remember all over again that I won't see her anymore. I'll have to remember that I have two bunnies now, not three. And when we pull our Christmas stuff out in December and I see her stocking- yeah, that's gunna suck too.

But I'll face that eventually. Today I'll think fondly of my Holly, and wish her a Happy Birthday and Goodnight.

Thank you Lord for blessing my life with Holly, and for allowing me to be her Mama. She was a joy to have, and I'm better because I love her. I don't understand why she's not with me anymore. I don't understand it, and I don't like it, but I accept it. I know her life had a purpose. She was a precious gift wrapped in fur, and I am thankful that she was mine.

Happy Birthday Holly!

Today we celebrated my Holly Heart's 3rd "birthday". It's actually the day we adopted her and brought her home from the shelter. She was there for a while, so we don't know *exactly* when her birthday is. We celebrate the wonderful day that we brought home a round little ball of fur and nerves, our first little girl bunny. Poor baby was completely frightened and was tense for so long. She and Hef fell in love literally overnight, and our Bunny Addiction grew.

Holly can sometimes be grumpy and lazy and bossy, but I'm thankful that she is comfortable enough to be those things. It means she really is at home here. And, she can also be sweet and loving and silly and so fun! She can still be that nervous furball, but I know that she knows she is loved by everyone (and everyBun) in this house.

Happy Birthday Holly! I love you!

Quick Update!

Yikes, it's been a long time! School has been crazy, and we've been really busy around here, so I haven't had time to update. Here's a quick one.

1. Birthday Camping! For my birthday, Huz and I went on a fabulous little camping trip at our favorite spot. It was really fun, but super duper cold. Huz whittled, played his harmonica, and read. I painted, knitted, and lounged. It was great! I love that we're total old people.

2. The Bunnies are Bonded! It's totally official! We are a three-bonded-bunny family! All three Buns are in the same pen together, and getting along fantastically. They cuddle, lay around, and play. It's such a huge accomplishment, and I'm really proud of our little family for working hard and getting here together. It feels so great to know that we have peace and happiness in our home. Yippee!

3. Prince! Oh my goodness! We found out last week that Prince was coming to town! We bought tickets for a show that was literally just days later. We bought cheapie nose-bleed seats, and I was so excited to go! We got there, and immediately got upgrated to.. get this... the 7th row! Yeah, I know, crazy! We had amazing seats. And it was the most incredible concert of my life! We've seen some amazing shows, like Paul McCartney, Santana, BB King, and Third Day (at this one we were right in front of the stage, and met the band after. Awesome!) but I think this was my favorite concert ever. I was dancing the whole time, sang along to every song, and had so much fun. Prince did such a wonderful job, and has the most talented team with him. It was an experience I will never forget, and I'm so glad we got to go!

So that's two more on my 30 before 30, which is so cool!

4. Sewing- my cousin came over tonight and showed me how to use my sewing machine. I seriously didn't even know how to turn it on when we started, and now, I am so excited to practice everything she taught me. I think I'm really going to have a great time! And I can't wait to cross it off the list!

5. Cake Pops! Our church is doing this incredible young adults service called The Journey. I absolutely love it! I got Bakerella's book for by birthday, and was so eager to try my hand at them, so I decided to bake some for our service. They were really fun to make! And, I really liked the display Huz thought of. The theme of The Journey is "Finding God, Finding Yourself, and Finding Purpose". Huz thought it would be really cool if we could display the cake pops in a suitcase or trunk. We bought a cheapie suitcase in the right size from Ross. I covered some styrofoam with scrapbook paper that looks like an old map, and poked holes for the cake pops to fit in.

I love that my Huz is so creative and came up with the concept, and then worked with me and helped me carry it out. This isn't the best picture ever of the display, but here's a little look. They went over pretty well, and I can't wait to make them again this week!



Tomorrow I'm going to see Glee Live! I am way too excited! :D

I guess that's it for now. More soon!

Happy Birthday Hef!

On this day 3 years ago, we brought a tiny little bunny from the local pet shelter. We talked about getting a rabbit for a few months, and decided to "just go look". It was after Easter, and there were a bunch of sweet little babies there. We thought (at the time) "Well, we can only help one, so let's do that". (Haha! We all know how that turned out!) Hef was just a little ball of fluff. He was tiny and curious and so funny and full or personality. I was instantly in love.My tiny little baby bun grew up into a giant monster! He's still curious and funny and full of personality. He loves to run and play and eat. He's my big boy now, and I always look back on this day with such thankfulness. I could not imagine my life without this big ol' lug. He makes me laugh every day, and is such a joy to have. Hey, he's the reason we ended up with TWO more bunnies. He must have been doing something right!

So Happy Birthday to my Hefalump Houdini! (That middle name was given to him because of his many, many escape attempts. He's pretty good). I love you so much, and am so grateful for the day you came home with us.

Sunday Bunday: my chocolate Buns

Oh my gosh. How cute is this?! Huz and I went shopping for stuff to put in our Godkids' Easter baskets. I got so excited when I found these:

No, that's not another picture of my Buns playing in the yard! That is a picture of some Easter candies we found! Mini chocolate Buns including a white bunny, a brown bunny, and a little black and white Dutch bunny- just like my Hef, Holly and Jude! I can not even stand the cuteness! I am so happy that we found these. They had super huge versions of them too, but I managed to not lose my mind and buy them just to buy them. I got the minis though, and put one of each in little plastic Easter eggs for the kids' baskets. I still have some leftover, so I absolutely must find another way to use them. I am in love! These sweet little buns were found at Target, and it was only 99 cents for a pack of about 15. Go ahead and buy them and remember to make yours chocolate!

Blue Skies and Buns

It was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day today, and The Buns and I spent most of it outside, in the back yard. They played and ate and ran around until they were tired, then relaxed in the shade, then ran around some more. I studied. I think they win. It was really great to see Hef and Holly be more receptive to Jude. Holly didn't bite Jude or chase her away every chance she got. It was peaceful, and I think, a lot of fun for everyone. I think we are making progress! This last picture is my favorite of the day. Holly and Jude were laying RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER! This is big news! The girls cuddled for a bit while Hef looked on. Look at his cute little behind with the grey tail- I love it! How are Bunny Butts so darn adorable? I was a very happy Bunny Mama today. I hope we can accompish #10 on my Thirty Before 30:
"Bonding All Three Buns Together" soon!

Sunday Bunday: Bunnies and Easter

I love my Bunnies. And I really love Easter (there's probably a whole blog post dedicated to that coming up lol!). Now, I definitely don't think that bunnies are what Easter is about. But I do love all things cute and cuddly, and I love to spoil and celebrate my bunnies with all the super cute Easter Bunny stuff around this time. They get an Easter Basket, and pictures taken, and all kinds of treats and goodies. It's a lot of fun. And now, with Jude around, we get to have even more fun.

However, as I'm sure everyone knows, my bunnies are spoiled and really lucky. We adopted Hef after Easter one year, when the animal shelter was full of abandoned Buns. It was really, really sad. So, while I like to celebrate Easter with my Buns, I feel I have to speak out against people adopting bunnies for Easter. It's really not a good idea. I blogged about it last year, so rather than bore you again by saying the same exact thing, I'll link it: http://secretlifeofacrazybunnylady.blogspot.com/2010/03/real-bunnies-are-not-easter-toys.html

Please, if you or somebody you know is thinking about getting a rabbit for a child or anyone else for Easter, let them know it is not a good thing to do. If they've done the research and really want to open up their home and make a bunny a part of the family, I encourage them to wait until after Easter. It's at least a ten year commitment, and not one to make lightly. A rabbit is a real, breathing being, and deserves to be treated as such, and not like a disposable accessory to a gift.

Please see: http://rabbitron.com/ http://www.makeminechocolate.org/ http://www.therabbithaven.org/easter_030107.htm http://www.rabbit.org/ for more information.

Thank you so much!

Love, Hef, Holly, Jude and

Sunday Bunday: Toys

My rabbits have a really bad habit of eating their house. Okay, really only Hef does. The girls are pretty good. Hef is our little Houdini, and is always trying to escape, so I kind of think that's why he's always chewing. Anyway, their house is expensive, and I don't want them to ruin it. I'm almost out of ideas on how to make him stop chewing!

We buy them a crapload of toys, so they have something they're allowed to chew on/burrrow in/throw around without being destructive. Jude likes them okay, but most of the time, Hef and Holly would just push them out of the way until they chewed on their house enough to get our attention, so we'd give them a snack. It drove me crazy for a bit. Those fatties don't even want to play and have fun, they just want food.

I came up with the idea to "lace" their toys in grape juice. They love grapes! It's like candy, maybe even crack to them. So, we started rubbing down their toys with grape juice. It worked! They gnaw on their toys, trying to get the grape flavor! The cage was saved!

Except, now I think they're learning to just lick the juice off... ::sigh:: And they chew their cage to remind us to juice up their chew toys again.

Their hamburger chew toy, a stick ball thing, and some wooden blocks that I covered in juice.

Sunday Bunday: What do The Buns eat?

My fattie Buns would eat anything they could get their paws on if I let them. They have such a sweet tooth, and know how to beg with the best of them. They're curious, and always want in on whatever we're having. They're spoiled, so they have stuff that's appropriate for them, but we make sure they love it.

Our bunnies eat timothy hay and orchard grass, depeneding on what'd available. We get our grass by the trunkload from an even crazier bunny lady than I am. She is amazing. We buy hay from her at a waaaay better price than we get at a pet food store. It's great. We also give The Buns fresh greens. Sometimes it's broccoli, carrot or beet greens, sometimes cilantro or alfalfa, and sometimes it's lettuces. They can NOT have iceberg lettuce though. We don't even really keep it in the house. It doesn't have any nutrients for them. But dark leafy green or purple stuff is great!

We give them a treat or two in there too. This time it was grapes, but they love pieces of carrot, or banana, pears and strawberries- anything sweet. Huz has a food dehydrator, so he's going to try to dry fruit in there for us and The Buns. In the summer, we get to pick stuff for them fresh from our garden (they're very considerate sometimes, and don't want us to trouble ourselves, so they'll just help themselves... sneakly little buns!)

We give them fresh grass every day (sometimes twice a day depending on how active and hungry they are that day). They get greens most days, and love it. We try to keep the sweets and treats to a few times a week, and special occassions. They also have plenty of edible/chewable toys that they love. Like Huz and I, they love supper time, and appreciate a nice, homemade meal.

Doesn't this salad look delish?

Sunday Bunday: Mani/Pedi and Shopping with Jude

I'm thinking of doing a weekly Bunny specific post on Sundays. Sundays can be pretty hectic for us, so sometimes it may be a Monday Bunday post.

Today, I took Jude to get her nails did. Save A Bunny does free nail trims for Bunnys regularly, so I took her in and made a donation. I also got her a cute little carrier (smaller and with a messenger bag type strap) so I have the option to take her more places. It worked out really well. We met my aunt and cousin at Kohl's for a little shopping, and Jude went in with me in the tote. It was great!

At Kohl's, we found the CUTEST candle that incorporate two of my favorite things ever, Cupcakes and Bunnies! I bought this adorable little thing (on sale- woot!). I love the little white bunny on top. Totally reminds me of Hef! The colors match my kitchen perfectly. I'm really happy with my little purchase.

This concludes my first ever Sunday Bunday!

Jude my study buddy

Ugh, I have had a TON of schoolwork to do lately. I feel like it's taking over my life. I'll be glad when it's all over. Anyway, I bet you didn't know it, but Bunnies make great study buddies. Jude happily sat at my feet while I read and highlighted. As soon as I picked up my phone to play Words With Friends, she gave me one of those very disapproving bunny looks. I picture her lecturing me like Mrs. Kim on Gilmore Girls.














When she realized how fascinating my book was (/sarcasm font) she came to see what it was all about. Obviously, she knows she's much more intelligent than me, and is laughing at my need to study. She's thinking "Humans. They're so dumb, but so cute. "

Thanks StudyBun.

Crazy Bunny Huz

I married a Crazy Bunny Guy. He is just as smitten by these silly, fluffy trouble makers as I am. I snapped these pics real quick with my phone. Huz was falling asleep while we watched TV. Jude obviously thought his full attention needed to be on her. She started licking his nose, trying to wake him up so he could pet her. He got distracted by the The Office, and that just wouldn't do, so she licked him on the face again. This girl will not be ignored (and really, who would want to? I love that little face!)

Hoppy Chinese New Year from The Buns!

It's the year of the Rabbit, and we're excited about that!

Hope it's a great year for EveryBun!

Bunny-whipped

I just found this super awesome site! It's bunny-whipped.com and I love it! They have a Cafepress store too, where I can buy just about anything with this on it:

along with a slew of other super cute designs and a portion of the sales are donated to bunny rescue groups! Huzzah!!!

I just found out that they recently had a "Crazy Bunny Lady Photo Contest". I just missed it! Well, I'm pretty sure we all know who will win next year!

I took The Buns to see Santa today

At a local pet supply store, volunteers with SaveABunny do free tail trimmings for rabbits every few weeks, so I brought the buns to get a mani/pedi. I also found out that the store was doing Pet Pictures with Santa for a small donation (which benefited the SVACA). I was really excited, and could not pass up an opportunity to cheese it up with my Buns. I realize that this catapulted me to new dimensions of craziness. I hope you can still love me.

Hanging Out

Last night, I was sitting in the living room studying when I glanced over and saw all my bunnies just looking at me. I'm not sure if they were daydreaming about how lucky they have it and how happy they are, or if they are in cahoots and have some evil plot for revenge going on. I snapped a pic with my phone to document it either way.

On the left in her own hutch is Jude. She's still recovering from the spay, but I think she's feeling a little better every day. She moves around more and just begs to be petted and picked up. We can't pick her up for another few days (sadface), but we sit next to her hutch and talk to her and pet her and give her treats. She loves attention.

At the top of the two story cottage is The Boss, Hef (maybe we should start calling him Jefe). He's always up there, surveying the land, checking out his kingdom... and trying to be the first one to spot when a treat is on it's way. If he hears the fridge door open, or the rustling of packaging, he's runs up there.

Holly kind of blends in, but she's at the bottom of the cottage, just taking it easy. She gets a lot of beauty rest. She likes to lay in her bed and not be bothered. And if something doesn't go the way she thinks it should, she'll stomp. She and Veruka Salt have that in common. I wonder if Holly wants a bean feast.

Sometime soon, we'd like to get a third story for the cottage hutch and have all three bunnies bonded so they can live in there together. Jude's hutch is our outdoor one (The Buns' cabana if you will. They'd go in and drink water or grab a snack while playing in the yard) and I'd like to get it back outside asap. Crossing our fingers that bonding goes well after Jude heals completely!

Happy Spay Day Jude!

Well, she's not having a happy day right now, but it's all for the best.

My loving little baby bunny is in her hutch, eating strawberries and bananas. Those are sweet treats to Buns. I think it's like giving ice cream to kids who get their tonsils out. As long as she's eating and keeping up her strength and getting better, I'm happy.

We were up early this morning and took Jude to the clinic for her spay appointment. I was really super nervous leaving her there, and almost cried on the way home. I know I'm crazy. I was a nervous wreck all day. I'm afraid of what I'll be like when we have a human baby. Yikes.

We picked her up about 8 hours later, and I could tell she was tired and in pain and out of it from the meds. Her eyes were half closed, and she was trying not to move. And she didn't try to lick our hands so we'd pet her. I was really sad. We're instructed to keep her in her hutch, in a dark and quiet place with soft blankets and towels, her hay, water, and a few treats that she might enjoy, and keep her calm. We're doing our best to comply and let her have time to rest and heal. Huz wants to go check on her and bug her every 10 minutes. He's just concerned. He's a Crazy Bunny Guy

Jude's moving slowly around her cage. We put everything she needs really close together so she wouldn't have to move much, and I think that's helping. I feel so bad that she's in pain. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. I almost chickened out at the last minute and said "Do we really need to spay her? Our other bunnies are fixed, and I won't let her wander off or anything!" Huz reminded me that it's the responsible thing to do for Jude and her health. I know he's right.

So she has to stay in her cage by herself to heal for about five more days. And she can't be around the other buns for about two weeks. We will definitely be spoiling her and making sure she's as comfy and happy as possible.

Feel better my sweet little Bun!

Another Bonding Update

We are still working on bodning. We've tried "bathtub bonding" (being in a strange area -like the bathtub- together promotes a bond and positive feelings toward each other) and have been able to go for longer and longer periods of time. When Holly and Jude were able to last for an hour to an hour and a half in the tub together without Holly trying to bite Jude's face, we put them both in the same hutch together. The hutch has two sections and I divided the sections with a wire door. Each Bun got a section to play in, but they could still see and smell each other through the door. I monitored this and saw some pretty good signs!

Holly HATES being away from her house. So being in a new environment was probably pretty stressful for her. Jude was trying to lick her and sniff her through the slits in the wire door, and really wanted some love in return. Holly was just like "get me out of here". But, she didn't seem aggressive toward Jude, which is progress! Yay!

For a few hours, I bring both bunnies on the couch with me. I pet them and talked to them and let them interact with each other and run around a bit. I didn't see any biting or fighting. Jude tried to groom Holly, and Holly tolerated it nicely. We all hung out and watched Glee together, and it was really nice.

Last night, They stayed in the 2 room hutch for an even longer period of time. While I cleaned the kitchen, did dishes, folded laundry and hung out in the living room, they hung out in their divided cage. I stayed up pretty late, and napped on the couch, listening for them. There were no signs of aggressiveness, and they seem to be adjusting nicely. (I think Hef was a little lonely in his hutch by himself though. He was monitoring the Ladies' activity as much as I was. He would look around all sad like "Hey? Where are my girls?" and every time he heard a noise coming from the Girls' hutch, he'd climb to the highest part of his hutch and try to see what's going on.)

So today, I took out the wire door dividing the hutch. There is just one big space for Holly and Jude to run around in and play. I've been monitoring them for a couple of hours. They've been napping and eating. Holly has been letting Jude groom her, and hasn't tried to bit her.

The biggest test will be when we try putting all three of them in the big two-story hutch together (that's where we hope they'll all live eventually). Holly and Hef can be pretty protective of their space, so it might take a little longer to get everyone comfortable with that. And, I am a little concerned about re-introducing them all after Jude is spayed next month. (She'll have to be by herself for a while to limit her running around so she can heal).

Hopefully everything works out, and all three of our Crazy Buns will be head over heels for each other. ::fingers crossed::

Bunny Bonding Update

When two bunnies meet, it's not always love at first sight. They can be very territorial and aggressive. When Hef and Holly met each other, there was some sniffing and a little bit of biting... and then they literally bonded overnight. They fell completely in love with each other. We were lucky.

Bonding with a third bunny is a little more complicated. The dynamics are totally different. Hef and Holly's whole life as been turned upside down. And poor Jude just wants to be friends. It's taken more time with this bonding experience, but I know it will be worth it.

During the evening, Huz and I (or just me if he's at work) will open up the Buns' hutch doors and sit on the kitchen floor. When they're ready, they come out and walk around, come get a treat from us (usually some cilantro, or a grape, or a piece of dried apple or banana) and run around the kitchen. Well, Hef will run around. Queen Holly doesn't even want to leave her bed sometimes. Actually, I give her credit. She's been coming out to play more often. And Jude will explore a little, and then then come sit on my lap. Then, get brave again, go out and explore a little bit more, and then come back and lie next to me. It's adorable.

So, through these carefully monitored playtimes, we've made some progress. Hef (the most dominant bunny) no longer snaps at or chases Jude. He will sniff her, lounge next to her, and I even caught him licking her fur once! (but I think it might have been because she dribbled some grape juice on it by accident ::shrugs::) Jude is very careful around him, and will approach him gently, sniff at him, and attempt a little cuddle. But if he moves or she hears him make any noise, she'll run like hell. Sometimes, one of them will accidently make a quick movement, which will startle the second one and make him/her jump back quickly, which makes the first one freak out and run.... and they both end up running in opposite directions at top speed over nothing. I'm glad they're getting to know each other, and neither is outright attacking. I choose to see it as a positive sign.

Now, Jude's attempts to win over Holly have not been as successful. Holly has always been very shy and timid. But, with a new girl hanging around, we've seen that she can get a little aggressive as well. If Jude comes near her, or her house, she'll try to bite her fur. Jude immediately runs away. I've kept a really close eye on those two, and won't leave them alone together. I'm hoping that eventually, Holly will get used to Jude and they will all get along so well that we can keep them in one hutch.

This pic was taken yesterday. They were distracted by some yummy cilantro and forgot to be suspicious of each other for a minute.

Our Crazy Bunny Family...

is now officially one bunny crazier. =)

Huz and I decided that we just fell in love with sweet little Jude a bit too much to place her with someone else. She belongs here with us, and this is her home. We're so happy to have her (and we realize that adding another bunny makes us completely certifiable. We're cool with that.)

In case you forgot, I checked with our vet, and it was going to cost $500 dollars for us to get Jude spayed there. Yeah, you read that right. 500 benjamins, c-notes, bucks, smackeroos, bones, clams, greenbacks, dead presidents...that is a lot of sweet moolah. So, I made some calls and found the Palo Alto Spay and Neuter Clinic. They gave me an estimate of $85. So now we have a Spay Day set up for Jude. I'm really excited about that! (I don't think Jude shares my enthusiasm).

So here begins life as we know it... with three bunnies!


Welcome to the family Jude!