Esther finds us: day one

Just before Christmas, Enry and me lost our stunning, brave and beautiful daisydoe at the grand old age of 9. It was an extraordinary feat for her. At 4 she came to us already with issues from being kept in a breeder’s hutch for so long and in the last year, more issues piled on unrelentingly. She proved to be an inspiration to humans and her 2 bunny husbuns, the second of whom – Enry – has been dealing with life as an old chap without her when they were together for less than a year. I personally learned so much from daisydoe, and I want to try to document some of this, but also tell the more current story of what i’m hoping will bring some joy to me n E. A new E, Esther (pictured) joins us today. A young bit of fluff for my boy.

Although I would recommend companions for all bunnies, I’m still not sure that a new buddy at Enry’s age is what he wants. He had 9 years before he arrived here (‘yeah I’ll take him as a foster’). And then he just got under my skin in no time. Lunging at relatively well broadcasted movements, showing signs of separation anxiety, hating the TV. 4 months later these had all disappeared and the gated divider down the lounge was gone. Him and daisydoe were doing wonders for one another. The change in both of them cannot be overstated. She had been suffering a few months of grief from losing Smokes, her blind partner of 5 years, and Enry had never seen another bunny before daisy – only a puppy (in the home from which he was rescued) that did his head in to the point he shut down. Bunnies do, to survive. But she taught him how to be a bunny, with no pressure.

So searching for another bunny that wouldn’t intimidate and bully him has been a task I’ve not really enjoyed.

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve seen a tiny wee proportion of the 67000 bunnies currently going through rescues each year. I’ve been on sites I wish I’d never seen. There are some amazing humans out there doing amazing things for animals who need help and a roof, food and water… and love. And there are some really dreadful humans that really shouldn’t be allowed to have animals. Ever. The inability – indeed wanton denial – of humans to recognise themselves as interdependent on all life on earth, nature’s innate balance, being part of the animal kingdom and food chain never fails to horrify me. If only we had a better predator than ourselves…

My original plan was to try to get a couple of young or smaller does to avoid another bond issue some time down the line. But something about Esther ‘Gemima’ – partly because she was actually available (i’d missed so many!), and my lack of ability to travel far due to other commitments, meant finding her and being able to view her easily – at Thornberry Animal Sanctuary – was just one of those fate things. I took my lovely bunny friend Anne-Louise (Harlyn Forest holiday boarding) for advice and a second opinion. Invaluable. Gemima seemed so calm. Liked being held. But had come from a failed bonding for fighting. Ticked all the boxes I didn’t want – single, unneutered (too costly for rescue), only 1 vaccine, unknown detail on the attempted bond. Yep, she’s the one. I went to collect her today, the day after. It’s not recommended to go against your list. But sometimes you just know when to say yes.

Esther is set up in a separate room, penned in to a smaller area in an XL dog crate. She escaped the crate after having laid quietly for 2 hours in the litter tray. A design fault meant she houdini’d her way out of the smallest gap above the tray.

Hence the pen is a great save. She went a bit crackers digging, moving stuff and generally n showing nerves. I started wondering what the hell I’d done. Then she took a frond of parsley from my hand, and got visibly more comfortable as I waited nearby for her to get used to me, talked to her intermittently with a reassuring voice and then about 5 hours after moving in we had a cuddle after which she remained unfettered on my knee for a long 30secs. My hopes lifted. I gave her some time on her own with the TV on fairly low volume. She’s since done less random stuff. She watched the FA Cup draw.

Who knows what’s going to happen (in the football or with her and Enry). But it’s all about not rushing things. Other than her jab and her neuter. RVHD2 happens tomorrow (along with a check by my vet). Her neuter op will be decided then. She settled down at 9.30, so she’s having an early night with lots of hay and her own blanket. Me and Enry are having a chat about how beautiful and brave DaisyDoe was. Forever under our skin.