So just to give a little of a backstory…
I found my sweet bun in a shelter almost a year ago. Originally I wanted maybe an elderly rabbit, or just one that was overlooked in general, medical complexities weren’t much of a concern. And I found my bun. No medical complexities, young, fixed, and absolutely gorgeous.
Turns out she had been there for quite some time. It seemed no one was interested in taking her home. Staff did warn that she usually doesn’t tolerate those who come in and interact with her. Me and my former partner at the time sat on the floor as they removed her from the enclosure so we could meet her. As soon as she was done interacting with my partner she came over by me, sniffed my shoes, then wedged herself between me and the wall, just overall highly friendly. I absolutely melted, filled out the adoption forms then took her home 3 days later.
And now nearly a year later, she’s very affectionate, but only towards me. She merely tolerates anyone else, which is normal. But the rest of her behaviors aren’t something that I’ve seen/heard of before in other rabbits.
Anything I do that annoys her she takes out on my former partner, maybe nips at them or glares and thumps at them, but not me. She nips at others that try to feed her, so they have to give her food from high up where she can’t reach any hands. But I can feed her and even place my hands in the bowl, she just softly nudges them.
She’s highly selective in what she destroys. She will chew wires and clothing but based on smell, if they’re mine she sniffs and leaves them alone. Anything that doesn’t belong to me she will destroy. I’ve watched her do this and it’s very interesting. She’s never inaccurate.
She has and can spend up to three hours straight grooming me while demanding to be pet. And gets upset if someone steps into the space. She also doesn’t make much noise while I sleep. But with anyone else she will wake them up early with no regard.
And this is even more bizarre, she can’t stand anyone touching/hugging me. She will glare, pull back her ears, lightly grind her teeth, and rock back and forth. Her ears turn pink as well. Selective listening with others that doesn’t pertain to me is another oddity.
Before I could bring her home I was told that she despises other rabbits and can’t be safely paired with one. It’s not the same as having another rabbit, but I give her a lot of my time and attention, and she has a small collection of blankets and occasionally enjoys a stuffed animal.
My former partner even tried to blame me because she doesn’t do rabbit stuff or act like a rabbit when in my presence. She has plenty of time and space outside of her pen to run around and play with various things including toys, but prefers to be snuggled up next me.
Don’t get me wrong, I love her dearly and am grateful that she feels comfortable enough to be affectionate. But I just can’t help but feel some of what she does isn’t exactly I guess “normal”? She’s also very smart.
Does anyone have any tips/advice?
by Pure_Ruin_