We read that bunnies are quiet and clean, and after 3 months of having Totoro now, we decided it was true. (His litterbox needs to be cleaned every ~3-4 days, but that's not too big a deal).
We calculated the cost associated with getting a bunny and that we should make some time to let him exercise (run around) in the morning and evening, and the placement of his cage. We wanted for him to have a big enough cage to romp around.
We also checked the bunny guide on the Bunnybuddies.org website to find out what is good for him to eat (lots of timothy hay, good quality basic rabbit pellets, most vegetables but definitely not cabbage).
Either way, the first step for us was to check out the buns. We visited the "Bunnies Day Out", an event hosted by the Houston area Bunny Buddies organization. They are very caring and knowledgeable people for bunny rabbits and their owners. Their website is here:
http://bunnybuddies.org/
The event is a fun and open environment for bunny owners to bring out their bunnies to play in the sun, and for prospective owners to see new bunnies. Some owners brought their own bunnies to find a "match" (another bunny) for him/her. Here's a pic I took at the event showing an owner playing with their rabbit. The balls are actually toys filled with hay (bunnies love timothy hay the best, and it is very nutritious for them).
The big bunny is a Californian giant rabbit.
We saw this cage full of rabbits and approached. I went inside the cage to sit and interact with the bunnies to see which one would have the best chemistry. Even though we liked one of the white bunnies with freckles, it did not seem very receptive toward us.
One of the brown bunnies, though, seemed exceptionally curious and friendly. We held the bun and interacted with it in a separate cage. After some thought, we decided to get him. He was spayed and more calm than unspayed males. His name was Freckle. We re-named him Totoro after a sweet, endearing rabbit-like character in a Japanese film, who is brown/gray with a freckled white belly.
Here is Totoro's family. The middle bunny is a Mini-Rex and is his mommy. His dad is on the right side, the white bunny with the orange spots. He is a Lionhead. Totoro is on the far left side, the dark brown bunny. Funny how an all-brown bunny can result from two white bunnies with speckles! Genetics ;)
Totoro's sister is sitting on the litter box, with other sisters and brothers around. The pen was an area where prospective owners could come inside and see which bunny they liked the best.
Totoro's brother or sister is nuzzling or grooming the dad Lionhead (on the left). Totoro is called a Velvet Lion or a Velvet Lionhead because his mom is a Mini Rex and his dad is a Lionhead. A Mini Rex Lionhead Cross or Mix is referred to as a "Velvet Lionhead" and is a very new breed. However, a bunny's personality and compatibility with you (different for each bun!) is more important than the breed, in deciding whether to adopt specifically her or him.
Totoro's mommy, a Mini-Rex rabbit.
Totoro's dad, a Lionhead.
Totoro with his brother or sister. He had a lot of gray fluff (Lionhead characteristic) around his cheeks and hind quarters which eventually reduced in volume over time.
Totoro (brown bun) grooming his brother, next to his mommy and another sister.
Totoro's mom is bending her head underneath one of her children, either eating some hay or begging/demanding for a grooming session ;)
When we decided to foster/adopt Totoro, we filled out the paperwork and went home to begin preparations.... Actually we first went to the local Target store, Home Depot, and the grocery store to get organizational materials we'd use to construct his new home, and food for him.
Read on to find out what went into constructing his new home :)
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