A Hop, a Skip, and a Jump

He may well be 10½ years old, but there's still a skip in Dijon's step.

When he asked to come up onto the sofa, we had no idea what mischief he had in mind (usually it's something naughty involving either the telephone or pen pot). 

This is what he did…

 

Dijon's X-ray day

This is what the bunnies think of us today, after they had to spend six hours at the vet surgery yesterday. 

Dijon was sedated to have X-rays, which revealed the cause of his limping (which started last week) - a ruptured knee ligament. He hadn't responded to Loxicom for pain relief, prescribed at last week's appointment, so we suspected it wasn't arthritis - especially as it was such a sudden development. He also had a dental to burr some long teeth and sharp spurs, and more investigations into his watery right eye - a problem which started a few weeks ago and hasn't responded to the antibiotic eye drops or the tear duct flush. X-rays showed that tooth roots aren’t the problem, so this one is a bit of a mystery, as is the large, superficial ulcer on his left eye. 

Ebony had her vaccination - it's great that they only require one trip for the new triple vaccine, but they both have to go back for an appointment next week to check how Dijon's doing! They are expecting lots of treats today and planning their avoidance scheme for next week's trip.

Kale-monath

Like many people right now, we are looking forward to spring – the bunnies will hopefully be able to enjoy some fresh grass and herbs in the garden, and lie in the sunshine, rather than by the radiator, for warmth. It's been a long winter, much of it in lockdown, and perhaps you too are pleased that February is the shortest month. An Old English name for February is Solmonath, which means 'mud month'. The bunnies think the other old name – kale-Monath (cabbage month) – is more hopeful.

It is indeed muddy in the garden now, but last week we had some snow. Ebony hasn't been out in snow since she came to live here, and probably hadn't experienced it in her previous homes. She enjoyed nibbling it, and also digging some in the planters. Dijon ventured out briefly, but wisely decided to go back indoors.

During the first lockdown, as we were all at home to supervise, we were able to remove part of the bunnies' fence during the day, which had previously created their large enclosure (most of the living/dining room).  They are now free to wander out of the living/dining room – in theory they have access to the whole house. However, Ebony hasn’t yet moved out of the living room – the hall has slippery laminate flooring. Dijon does go into the hall and kitchen, but fortunately knows the stairs are too much of a challenge for him. He hops into the kitchen several times a day… sometimes to see what’s going on, but mostly when he hears anyone preparing food or drink. He wanders out, gives his puppy dog eyes for a treat, then either eats it on the spot or races back to tell Ebony it’s coming. She is usually waiting at the threshold, although still doesn’t understand Dijon's body language too well – he races happily towards her, sometimes thumping in excitement, but she often seems to think he's on the offense, and growls at him!

Here are some photos taken over the past month. 

Where's the sunshine?

It's been a week of gloomy news and gloomy weather, but the bunnies have enjoyed having everyone at home for another lockdown - well, at least Dijon has. It means he has more people around to go to for more cuddles. Ebony still doesn't need cuddles from anyone other than Dijon. Here are a few recent photos. 

Goodbye 2020

Happy New Year to all of our followers!

... and we promise to try harder to keep our blog up-to-date in 2021!

 

 

Cover stars!

Dijon and Ebony are cover stars!! They feature on the front cover of 'Rabbiting On' magazine's Winter 2019 issue.

Dijon is quite used to being a star, but this is a first for Ebony... and another couple of photos can be spotted on the inside, including one on the 'Ask the Experts' column. On this page, the RWAF behaviour counsellor suggests possible ways to stop Ebony's persistent nibbling of Dijon's eyelashes and whiskers. However, we think it's just the way she is - she is quite bossy and extremely strong!

Meanwhile, the bunnies have been busy posting photos on their Instagram account - @bunnymad_buns , so you can find plenty of photos there, showing all their latest antics!

Summer Days

Ebony is very settled now, and enjoys her daily routine. She races over, binkying on the way, at the regular snack and meal times, and knows how to give an intense silent stare when it's time for their pellets. She still chews Dijon's eyelashes and whiskers, and gives him a chase at some point each day, but they also spend a lot of their time snuggled together - and he's far trimmer and more active since she arrived.

She loves to be in their outside area on the patio, but their favourite past-time seems to be deconstructing their Rosewood Naturals Forage Cube - they work through so many that we now have the cubes on a 'subscribe and save' order!

Mabel's Planter

Yesterday would have been Mabel's 8th Birthday, so it is lovely that 'her' rose was in full bloom.

This is the planter where Mabel is buried. The plan was to plant it with rabbit-friendly plants, although a few extras like 'love-in-a-mist' have seeded there.

The miniature rose is clearly thriving, but look at the parsley... this was an 'out of date' potted parsley, bought from a supermarket back in October to encourage her to eat. I always plant them in the garden in the hope they will continue to grow, but have never managed to keep one alive for this long, and certainly never seen one grow to this size. I wonder whether it's enjoying the remnants of Tramadol in the soil?!

8 Today!

Today is Dijon's Birthday. He has reached the grand age of 8 years and is expecting lots of treats! Here are a couple of pictures of him when we first met him and Mabel, back in July 2011. They looked so innocent... !

Spring

The bunnies have been enjoying some of the benefits of Spring - well, mostly the dandelions and fresh long grass. Ebony still doesn't quite trust the dandelions, and approaches their sticky stems with caution, but Dijon vacuums them up and even appears to smile.

They have enjoyed some time outside on the patio, and Ebony scrabbles on the glass of the patio door most days from about 7am, asking to go out, whatever the weather.

 On cold days, we have to distract her by bringing in treats from the garden.

They are spending more time relaxing, either together or separately, and also grooming together.

 

Zoom in to see Ebony's tongue!

Rather cuddle the table leg than Dijon

They have also been busy exploring under our new armchair - we finally plucked up the courage to replace our 21yr old one, knowing full well it would be damaged at some point. Within the first week a small piece of the corner 'piping' had been removed, and the seat was in serious risk of being destroyed from underneath, requiring corrugated plastic reinforcement. The battle continues.

Dijon is not quite as adept at slithering under, and appears to be stuck on his first attempt, but here's a photo of him emerging.

Nothing to say it's bunny resisitant?!

Dijon's whiskers and eyelashes are still regularly shaved by Ebony, but fortunately she hasn't (yet) touched his stylish Mohican hair.

A couple of times each day there is a chase from her, no aggression, and Dijon is generally far more active since they've been together, which has helped him to lose some of his excess weight...

... although all this extra movement is hard work for a bunny who will have his 8th Birthday next month.