Wiggles and Her Tumor

I found a strange lump on eldest fur-daughter. While I was cutting her nails, I noticed a lump by her ankle. This got me worried because I trim her nails every month and I have not seen it prior.

It didnt seem to bother her at all or affect her galloping around. In fact, she had been more active than usual. But I was worried. As you may recall, my past experiences with rabbit savvy vets have been dismal at best. But thankfully I found a vet though a Rabbit Fair. So, Wiggles, Connor, Eleanor and I made the long trek (hour drive) to the heart of downtown Toronto to get Wiggles checked out.

The vet was really reassuring and helped put our minds at ease. (Its not always cancer) but she would need surgery to have it removed. Being 8 years old, Wiggles is an octogenarian. The vet and more so I, was worried that she may not be strong enough to make it though. I made a deal  with them that as soon as she was out of surgery to call me so I could pick her up. I know my rabbits, I know what they want and need. Wiggles, always wants food. And the company of Connor (hence his presence on this trip).

The issue of the bill came about. At the time I was working part time, barely making ends meet but I honestly did not care. Wiggles is my baby, she is in need of this, so regardless of the cost, I was going to do everything to make sure she would be ok. I told the vet this too. I'm not made of money, but when it comes to my babies, money is no objection.

The surgery was scheduled for a week later. I was nervous but always had hope.
I brought my Wiggle Bear to the vet first thing in the morning. Armed with a bunch of fresh dandelions, blueberries, hay, water, bunny kibble, soft blankies, a stuffed toy that had some of Connor's fur on it, and the best bunny carrier money can buy, I left my baby in their strong capable hands. I left one and only ONE clear instruction.

SIDEBAR: reading this blog you may have noticed that Wiggles LOVES food. I mean she LOVES it. She is not like any other bunny that runs to food, she BOLTS with lightning speed regardless of what you are doing. She has always had a healthy and happy appetite.

My only request was to ensure that she had food available to her at all times.  Hence the offering of fresh fruit and veggie.

I watched the clock all day. Called and left messages. Wiggles made it though surgery but was still not fully out of it. I waited a bit more...and more...till 6PM rolled around. Now I was getting antsy. I did not want her to stay overnight. She is in an unfamiliar place, not with her family, she needs to feel safe to begin to heal and recover. I went with Eleanor in tow, to get Wiggles. They were reluctant to let her leave since they said she had not eaten anything. When I asked if they had given her any of the food I bought they said no. :/


Naturally no bunny likes the taste of Critical Care. Even Wiggles will protest. As soon as I was able to see her, I offered her dandelion leaves and with as much enthusiasm as a poor frail bunny who had just come out of a long surgery day and a doggy barking  vet hospital could muster, she chowed it down with glee.

Lesson: A bunny momma knows best :)

The best part of all of this was that her lump was not cancerous (Yes, I spent the extra $200 to get it tested to make sure)

Wiggles is back to her usual self. Thankfully.

Here she is grumpily accepting our cuddles and affection. Yes, that is a ring sling she is in. She feels really secure in it. Yes this was the first and last time I did this.

Wiggles adores the sun. She will find the spot in the house that has a concentrated sunbeam and relish it with a flop. She also enjoys being outside. Here she is with Eleanor in the morning sun. 

Wiggles had a hard life before joining our family.
She still has an aggressive streak when she things she is being threatened but those episodes have decreased with time significantly.

She still eagerly awaits her morning banana. She will follow you and grunt if you dont pet her long enough. She adores her bun-husband Connor. And striking most of all, despite her sometimes still aggressive nature to us and even Connor, she has never grunted, scratched at, or even shown anything less than love towards Eleanor.

We often don't give animals enough credit for their intelligence.

I'm so glad Wiggles is OK :)
May she live another 8 years in love, health and happiness.

When you know you aren't wanted

We have limited time on this world. Some of us lucky ones can choose how to spend our precious daily moments. As do those around us.  So when one isn't fond of spending time with you, don't take it personally.

Some prefer to spend their time with Cats or Dogs. Someone familiar. Someone that is 'normal', someone perhaps that doesn't challenge the status quo. Someone that will eat their canned food, who will take you on your normal routine, someone who will not cause a fuss or change how your perceived notion of a suburban life should be.

To those who aren't Cats or Dogs, to those of us, who are Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, or any other creature that may fall outside of the norm, don't take it personally.  Be who you are. Hop, flop, crawl, slither, run in a wheel, but don't change who you are. You are perfect to the rest of us who are non status quo.

Its our one year anniversary of having Wayne. His BUN Day into our lives, so to speak. Blessed Mr. Wayne. He came into our lives because someone didn't want him. They abandoned him in a parking lot for whatever reason. They didn't want him, but I sure as hell did.

I never intended to get a third bunny. I never had more than one. But one abandoned bun after another what can a one do.

If you know what it feels like to be an outcast, someone who goes against the norm, someone who challenges the status quo, who questions, who does not abandon their morals to fit in, someone who despite being told they are worthless, still stands their ground, well my friend, you are a rabbit like we are.

Don't let the opinion of others influence your self worth.

Just like a rabbit, a prey, a 'meat' animal, you are more than your label.  Don't let them label you.
Don't let anyone tell you what your worth is!

Those close around you may not see your true value, but the rest of us do. We may not be the norm, but thats what makes us special and wonderful.

So, if those that didn't care for Wayne didn't want him, I am more than grateful that they gave him up and I came across him. I am grateful for the people that chose to abandon Wiggles because she was too aggressive, and to those who threw Connor out in the trash, because now they are apart of my family.

It doesn't make them bad people. It just doesn't make them rabbit people who understand, don't judge, and can think outside the box and will aways be accepting of who you are.

So, to the people that abandoned Wayne in a parking lot. I just wanted to let you know that he is doing really well. He has his own room and jumps for joy in the mornings when he sees us. He is really playful and does a lot of happy hops. He loves being chased and adores carrot tops.

To those that threw Connor and his siblings out in the trash when he was just a few weeks old, thank you. You have given us a wonderful bunny who loves giving kisses and is madly in love with Wiggles. He is gaining our trust daily and LOVES broccoli.

To the family that abandoned Wiggles after having her for 4 years and then getting a dog and developing allergies to her. Thank you. We now have a lovely trusting bunny who for the first time in 3 years does happy hops, loves playing outdoors, eats like a horse and LOVES being petted and paid attention to. (She is currently eating dandelion leaves beside me).

Rabbits and some people may not be for you. But don't treat them like they are worthless. There are plenty of people out there that see their value. People of different ethnicities, genders, sexual preferences, religions (as long as they don't harm others) and even animals outside of the dog/cat realm. Outside of the domesticated MEAT FOR ME even? But I will let you deal with that one on your own.

Having said that. Happy one year anniversary Wayne!!! I am so happy to have you in our lives. You are a fantastic bunny. I am so grateful that you do happy hops and shake your head when you greet me every morning. You are such a loving and trusting bunny. Thank you for the nose pokes, the company and most importantly for being you.

This is for you. Its small, its emerging and I hope to make it more of a larger wave, just for you.

Flops on the bed

This is Wiggles demonstrating that rabbits in fact can and will flop and sleep on a bed. I couldn't get a good zoom but you can totally see that white little...er, not so little belly. 

I hope to capture a flop on video one day.

Wiggles Munching

If you don't move quickly you will miss it. She is a little lawnmower when it comes to food. 

 Done!