UPDATE 12/31/07: As we close in on the end of 2007, Sweetpea is hoping for a new home for 2008. A new year and new start on life would be truly amazing for this little bun who has overcome many health obstacles. As she settles into my home, it’s apparent that with lots of love and respecting her space and ‘tude, she is an amazingly sweet rabbit. Truly, she is and her name does fit her. She has absolutely no fears of anything and explores her surroundings like she’s lived here all her life. She now comes right over to me and allows me to pet her. She is still cage aggressive, but we are adjusting and learning how to overcome that “slight” obstacle. She knows the sound of the banana chip jar and immediately comes to the door of the cage. She is still not keen on being held, so we transport her from her cage to exercise time on the floor via her litter box. She jumps in, a hand is placed over her for security and down she goes. Her litter box habits while out are impeccable, however her cage habits… well we’re still working on that ;)

If you’d like to give this small dynamic package of a bun a chance, please consider her.
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Sweetpea came to HRN a few months or so ago. She is a teeny black bun who was found as a stray in bad shape. During the past few months she has received the best TLC and veterinary care by a “very special volunteer”. The most immediate problem was her sore hocks, which have now healed. She also had a basal cell tumor on her shoulder which is now gone. Once she had gained some weight and was healthy enough to be spayed, she was. Upon spaying, uterine cancer was found. The vet was able to remove as much as she could of the uterine stem, but there is that chance it could come back. However, we are hopeful it won’t. This little bun certainly deserves a chance in life after the shape she was found in.
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Sweetpea is a wonderfully, rude little bun weighing only 1.5 pounds! She does hop a bit funny. We’re not sure if it’s due to arthritis or leftover from her sore hock issue or maybe even neurological from E. cuniculi. Her water intake was excessive when she came in, but a course of Fenbendazole did indeed help solve this issue.

Sweetpea will only be adopted to a bunny experienced home who understands her possible needs (right now, there are none, other than a loving owner). She IS feisty and has earned the nickname “T-Rex”. She can be as sweet as pie one moment, but the next, all 1.5 pounds of her will box and grunt at your hand. I’m sure she wasn’t treated well in her “previous life” and human hands coming at her are scary for her at times and she reacts the only way she knows how. She can also be cage aggressive, but for the experienced owner, they’ll know how to handle this.
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She loves her greens and gets unlimited pellets because she still is a bit on the skinny side; and she’s a good hay eater. A small piece of carrot each night is what she likes. Raisins, cranberries and banana chips are her favorite and a good way to “gain her trust”. Her litter box habits aren’t the greatest, but at times, they can be. She’s a funny little thing like that. A few puppy pads in her cage helps this situation. But she’s only a teeny thing, so her “output” isn’t much of an issue really.

When she’s out and about, she loves crinkling up tissue paper and running through the willow tent and tunnel. She plays with her toys, chews on willow and does cute head shakes and binkies… well as best as she can! She’s an explorer and really has no fears of what lies ahead. Her traction on different flooring is fine, despite her wobbly little hop. She’ll come right over and check you out and will stay only if you have a “peace offering” (treat).
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Her favorite spot is in her bed or relaxing on a blankie or towel. She enjoys a Snuggle Safe at night to keep her even warmer. She’ll sit with her back area on the towel-wrapped Snuggle Safe and her front paws stretched out in front her, like the little queen that she is.

Sweetpea was obviously treated very poorly before HRN found her, but that hasn’t dimmed her will or spirit to survive this cruel world. She will require a home that is fully aware of her possible future needs, the ability to work with and understand her cage aggressiveness and a loving person that will show her life can be good and that a house rabbit deserves the best!

~Shannon – Member/Volunteer/Sweetpea’s foster mom