So last night, mikey was picking up Jack in the Box to bring home on his lunch break from work. I get a frantic call, “A homeless guy needs to give up his rabbit, can I bring her home?” I’m a little stunned, but given the situation, I said ok.
Apparently, the homeless dude had been carrying her around in his arms while riding a bicycle and panhandling for food and change… for who knows how long. He said that she’s 3 years old and potty trained (though I beg to differ — but that might just be because she’s stressed and doesn’t have her own space right now) and that she loves being held. That is true — she’s very good at being held and loves to be pet. She’s slightly bigger than Lulu, but white like her and marked with similar markings, just pitch black instead of gray, like Miss Lulu. She looks like little cow. New bunny looks like she could be a mix of English Spot, Mini-Rex and maybe some Californian. She’s got a big black schnozz that blends into her other black markings. Her eyes are dark chocolate brown, almost black.
So, mikey put her in the backseat and she just sat there the whole ride home. We put her in Lulu’s big carrier that we used for the move and let her out a little last night to run around and stretch her legs (keeping Lu separate), but she pissed from here to eternity. There’s a little potty in the carrier, but she’s a bit big for it and I don’t think she “gets” that its for her to pee in.
She’s eating like crazy and guzzling so much water, it’s no wonder she peed all over the place. I think she was pretty dehydrated and she’s sort of thin. Her nails need trimming really badly. She’s sweet, though. She loves having her nose pet and if I thought I could bond these two bunnies, I’d consider trying. But Lulu is Queen Bee. Apparently, this bunny was a solo bunny, too — also female, so it’s not exactly peas and carrots. Bonding can be a lot of work and take a lot of commitment and time which I just don’t have in spades right now. I’d rather find a rescue who can take the little hobo bunny.
But I’m racked with guilt over it — I mean, I can’t do everything and I can’t take on the costs of a second bunny, which means vet visits (she’s got a growth under her dewlap that looks about the size of a super bouncy ball) and a completely separate set-up just like Lulu’s (at least until they’re bonded, which could take months) and double the food, treats, toys… It’s just too much right now — we just got here and Lulu is just now settling into a routine, so bringing in a new bun is just too stressful for us all. But we couldn’t just leave her with the homeless guy who was at his wit’s end. He loved her, but he clearly couldn’t care for her anymore. Poor little bun reeks of cigarette smoke. At least we provided her a warm place to sleep and food/water for the night.
I still feel sick over it. There are so many bunnies who are abandoned, I feel like because I have the means to care for her, I should, but I don’t feel like it’s the right time or fit. And Lulu is not happy about this stranger invading her domain. I have to remember that I’m not abandoning this bunny, we’re simply the liaisons — the stopover for this bun from owner to rescue.
Anyway, I’m trying to find her a home. I’ve called the vet (had to make an appointment for Lulu to get her nails trimmed today), but they gave me the name of only two bunny rescues here in Las Vegas. One doesn’t open until 11 and may be at capacity. The other I sent an email last night, haven’t heard back and their phone number appears to be out of order. I don’t know what I’m going to do if we can’t find her a rescue/foster today. She can’t stay in that carrier much longer, she needs to stretch out and run around…
She’s such a love — I wish I knew what to do. Mike was right to bring her home — we couldn’t leave her out in the cold with Smokey the Hobo, I just wish it wasn’t so gut-wrenching.
