Chaucer the House Rabbit

Although we missed Chaucer, we did not immediately get a new bunny. However, after a few months, we agreed to audition another house rabbit -- one looking nothing like Chaucer. We wanted to avoid comparisons and not have any expectations

On the internet we found "Camelot Rabbetry" in Jefferson, Wisconsin, managed by Jenny. Her web site depicted the perfect bunny. Shuffling e-mails, we arranged to meet at the Jefferson County fairgrounds where she was participating in a rabbit show. She'd bring her newborn bunnies (age about 3 months) with her, including the "perfect" one.

We arrived along with hundreds of bunnies. Marcia spotted her bunny near the entrance. I suggested she look around to see if she'd prefer any other. She looked but nope, it was bonding at first sight. Only the perfect one, now already named "Daniel," would do.

So we bought Daniel and a cage for a temporary home until litter training became reliable. Litter training took about 3 days. He lost it for about two weeks when his hormones kicked in at age 5 months. We had him "fixed" at Midwest Bird and Exotic, and his good litter behavior immediately returned. He is now six months old and well behaved, at least as far a litter is concerned.

Although Daniel looks huge in the photos, he only weighs 2.5 pounds. We have his pedigree and his parents topped out at three pounds each. We can hold him in our cupped hands, providing he remains still. (Photos Olympus Camedia E-10)

This summer, when we turned on our air conditioning, Daniel started to grow a winter coat of fur. However, it only partially grew in. He's now a punk bunny with a short strip of summer fur down his back with long winter hair below. See for yourself while he plays with Winnie the Pooh's friend, Eyore.