Kind of interesting to see how our rabbits have acted this past week following the passing of Marble Jr. It’s almost like their bunny radar can tell there’s one less rabbit in the house and they don’t know how to respond. Just makes you realize how much rabbits, being the prey animals at the bottom of the food chain they are, rely on familiar sights, sounds, and habits as a way of feeling safe and reassured.
Take Cosmo, for instance. Ever since he was given the run of the bunny room, he would spend his nights lying alongside Marble Jr.’s cage area – especially if she was lying directly across on the other side of the fence. Since Marble Jr.’s passing, however, rather than lie alongside her cage area, Cosmo has spent his nights against the fence but facing away from it. Kinda strange.
For Half Pint, this has been an especially difficult week. Even though she never spent any time with Marble Jr. – like the other rabbits, the latter would have ripped her to shreds if given half the chance – they were, in a sense, cage mates, since part of Marble Jr.’s area included an open cage directly below Half Pint. Since during the day Cosmo spends his time elsewhere in the house, with no Marble Jr. around to watch, smell, or listen to, Half Pint now spends much of her days alone. As a result, we’ve been letting her out at night for a romp, but, given that rabbits are such creatures of habit, that must seem strange to her.
Even Peanut – a.k.a. the Little Bitch – knows something is going on. Her response seems to be a general need for reassurance. While never the least bit hostile, she’s not exactly what you’d call friendly – outside of her deep hatred for Half Pint she’s really just a skittish young rabbit. But this week, she seems unusually quiet, and while in her cage will even allow us to pet her for an extended period of time.
I’m not sure I’d call it mourning on the part of our three remaining rabbits, but there is definitely some brooding going on, and it will either take some time or some other shakeup in the Richard rabbit universe to shake them out of their doldrums. Just like their human housemates, I guess…
Both Andrew and Willy were aware that Elizabeth was gone. After a couple of days, Andrew began jumping in my lap at the computer (which is something she did everytime and he never did). Willy started sleeping even closer to me and would move over to her side of the bed. Animals know when the energy in their environment changes.
Also, did you see the post from me that is on June 9?
Comment by Jana — June 14, 2009 @ 6:36 am
Their world has changed and they’re adjusting. A new pecking order and a new routine will be established. Their personalities may evolve, too.
Comment by Rob — June 14, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
Tracey was just saying that Half Pint now knows she’s the matriarch of the rabbit household. It just occurred to us that in the last week Jr. was around Half Pint had started taunting Peanut from the other side of the fence – something she would never do before. It’s only later you start picking up on these kinds of things. Pretty amazing, animal intuition.
Comment by The Great White Shank — June 14, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
Hey, Doug! I know it’s off topic, but here’s a quote from your favorite golfer as she finished up her round today in 23rd place, 14 freakin’ shots off the lead:
“I felt like I played great. I really don’t think the score reflected my game,” she said, shortly after a bogey on No. 18 capped her final-round 70.”
Yeah. That’s what I say after every round stuggling to break 100 as well.
Comment by Dave Richard — June 14, 2009 @ 6:21 pm