Jun 4, 2010 - Sally and Mrs Bunny

Sally Carty from the Vale of Glamorgan tells us why she and Mrs. Bunny enjoy Celtic Haven.

“Mrs. Bunny was intended to be one of those ' outside ' rabbits but the weather was so bad when she arrived we kept her in a hutch in the house for 3 days, on the 4th days she was taken out the garden and proceeded to pull out large clumps of fur and make strange mewing noises so I bought her back in the house and that's where she has stayed ever since – I’ve even had a sun terrace built, which she can access via a cat flap, but she seems more than content with indoor living.

We have been to Celtic Haven twice this year and have another visit planned for November. I love the Spa and the tranquil setting and Mrs. Bunny enjoys exploring a new cottage. She likes that they are light and airy with beds she can hide under, but she wonders why, if the views are so amazing why she was left in the cottage all day!!

On our 2nd visit, I opened the fridge to discover a bunch of carrot tops – kindly placed there by one of the client care team – that’s what makes Celtic Haven so great for people as well as animal companions - they make everyone feel special!”

A lot of people ask if rabbits make sounds – they do actually, but for the most part they are virtually silent but I have heard the odd grunt from her e.g. I pulled a newspaper out of her mouth which she wanted to hang on to & she made a kind of squeaking nose when she tried to hurdle the baby gate...funny when you do hear a noise from them though.

If they are content...Mrs. B likes to have her whiskers fluffed...they gently grind their teeth...if they are in pain (like she was last Christmas) they loudly grind them.

Apparently they scream if they are very distressed - supposed to be blood curdling stuff so I wouldn't want to witness that!!

Mrs. B's favourite food is carrot tops...she is also very partial to her muesli, but as it’s very fattening apparently and she only picks out her favorite bits, I try to moderate it

Also, she goes potty @ about 8 every night as she knows that is when she is getting 5 yogurt drops & in dandelion season she enjoys the flowers, but leaves a trail of yellow petals where ever she goes!

Growing up I always had ' outside ' rabbits, ones that you fed, kept clean and stroked when you were out the garden. Although I do remember bringing 1 inside and blow drying it as it had been out in the snow; that was Dumpy she lived for 10 years

But inside, rabbits are totally different as I suspect it’s because you spend far more time with them and you get the chance to witness they have incredible personalities...as you will see!

Mrs. Bunny was purchased for me by my daughter Sasha, I think out of guilt as she was spending less time at home and thought I needed a companion ( this is the child who asked me the other day if I was around when dodo's were alive ! ) so I'm not sure she knows that I am only 45 

Our day starts with me calling her as I am come down the stairs. She is either at the bottom waiting or mooching about the house. On the weekend if I fancy a lie in and she objects then the tin duck at the bottom of the stairs which is twice as big as her gets attacked!

She has her bunny breakfast muesli while I get ready for work and then its fun time! While trying to put my makeup on she is biting my shoes or trying to get up my trouser leg, I know this is a sign she wants to be chased, so this is what I do for 5 minutes. She then zonks out in the corner and I look like I had never got ready in the 1st place



Home time, Mrs. Bunny is always sat on her mat when I come in, sometimes with a look of ‘I have been naughty’ on her face...so I check the lounge and in the past I have found chewed skirting boards, corners of sofas & mats with all of the bobbles bitten off - my family think I am mad as I was always so house proud before I had her but now I'm like, well what can I do. She doesn't know she is destroying my home she's just keeping her teeth short - now that's love for you!!

So tea is here and she has her food and then she seeks out the last strip of sun coming through the blinds to lie in & looks really content. I get little done in the evenings these days as I can't walk past her without giving her a kiss & a cuddle

8pm she knows its chocky drop time; she looooooooooves them and it’s the only time she will come up on my lap & she knows she is only getting 5.

During the evening whatever room I am in she is it in also, although she is a quiet as a mouse or as a rabbit even  It’s lovely knowing she is there, nose, ears & whiskers twitching away and she has the cutest tail in the world. Whoever thought up those tails deserves a medal!!

To be honest I would love another bunny but the feedback I am getting is quite negative as they are very territorial and may not get on at all...Mrs. B is quite jealous also. She lunged at my daughter a couple of months ago when she was play fighting with me and if we are having words Mrs. B starts stamping her feet....basically to introduce a new one could make Mrs. B depressed & I wouldn't want to be held responsible for that !
Anyway that's it...our special relationship - I give her food & love & she gives me no walkies required, a good listener (no judgment), silence apart from the odd honking and she's just so couchy!!!!

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