Author: Michael

Star was transferred into rescue from a local shelter because her time was up there.  As we did not have a foster family available, she was placed in our emergency facility which is a farm setting.  As she was unspayed and was unable to get the personal attention that she needed there, she developed aggressive tendencies.  When a fosterer became available, Star was placed in a loving home and was spayed.  From that point on, she quickly blossomed into one of the sweetest, cuddliest bunnies ever.

We had the most wonderful 12 pound floppy eared rabbit named Peanut Bunny. Peanut Bunny was very special.  She bonded with my son, who was 12 at the time we brought her home. Every night Peanut Bunny would sit beside Aaron and groom him. After 3 1/2 years she became sick and was sick on and off for about 9mos. While she was sick, I did a lot of Internet searches on rabbits to see what I could do to help her. In those Internet searches I came across the Gainesville Rabbit Rescue site. I thought what a nice idea to rescue rabbits.  I vowed to make sure the next bunny I bring into my home would be a bunny that did not have a “forever” home. In February of 2010 we lost our Peanut Bunny at the age of 4yrs old. In March of 2010 we adopted Daisy, a black and white bunny with helicopter ears. Daisy was scheduled to be euthanized due to aggressive behavior before the Gainesville Rabbit Rescue took her in.

Her foster moms took very good and loving care of her, showing her not to be afraid, and thus stopping the aggression. I have to say they did a wonderful job. Daisy is the sweetest bunny ever! She wants to be loved on all the time. Daisy has become a central part of our family. Every morning she rushes to me to be pet and fed greens- okay to be fed greens and then be pet. Every evening she comes over to us and lays down beside us as if to say, “it is time to pet me!” She will want you to pet her for hours on end, yawning and stretching every so often and then settling down to be pet again. What a great addition to our family. After some consideration we decided to open our home to help other rabbits. Currently we have 3 forever bunnies and 4 foster bunnies. Our home is filled to the brim with bunny love!

 

Vinny came from a local shelter with a mouth that our vet described as a “train wreck” He had numerous health issues and our vet determined he had been neglected for the first five years if his life. When we rescued him he was the saddest, sickest bunny we had ever seen.Due to his ongoing dental issues, Dr. Emerson made the decision he would be a sanctuary bunny and stay in permanent foster care as he was now a special needs bunny. I was honored to be his “Foster Mom”.

After numerous teeth extractions, dental surgeries and a host of other procedures…he came through like a champ. His personality shone brighter and brighter. This once sick, shy boy was gaining a reputation! Everyone loves Vinny…and he loved everybody!

He attended many of our events and was featured in many articles and videos. In the midst of his “popularity” he continued to need surgeries and was and stayed on a diet of mush formula because he was unable to eat hay. He always popped back and was called our “Superstar”. He greeted visitors at the door and knew no strangers. He was our mascot.

He was so loving we brought him to nursing homes for pet therapy where in spite of his own special needs, he brought much joy to the residents! He brought many smiles to their faces. He was just the most loving little boy. He never showed pain and if I thought he was just a little off it was usually a large abscess. He was a trooper…well one last surgery to remove the last five teeth…… After numerous kisses and hugs and well wishes from his Face Book fans…sadly our “Superstar” didn’t make it. It was a long surgery and there were numerous abscesses this time. We were devastated. We are still mourning.

My husband and I are blessed to be able to have loved and care for this special needs boy who loved despite his own issues…if only for a year and a half, he was loved. .He truly had a gentle heart and a valiant spirit….we miss you Vinny.

~ Liz and David

Bosley was adopted by us.  He was abandoned at a vet’s office in Orlando.  He was a ticklish ex-show rabbit.  Because he twitched when he was touched he was abandoned.  With love and care he no longer twitches when he is handled.  He has an extreme dislike of white animals which is amusing to us since he is primarily white.  He loves to sit on top of Zippy (the parakeet) who is fond of pulling Bosley’s whiskers.

~ Susan Ann Tipton and Family

Imo was owned by a lady who became pregnant and was unable to clean his litterbox so she was going to dump him.  We fostered him for over a year before he was adopted by a young man and his girl friend in Orlando.  They wanted an active bunny.  He is that for them.  He now has a free roam of their apartment with his own condo area.  They say he loves to snuggle.  He does not understand when they want to sleep in and bangs his food dishes until they get up.

~ Susan

Another Hoppy Ending!