Introducing Rudolph

It is a happy day as I am finally introducing my new house rabbit. I have had him for about three weeks now but we have been quietly getting to know each other, and I wanted to give him chance to settle in before beginning his duties as Cottontails' new ambassador.

But the time has come.

So. Ladies and gentleman..... I present...... Rudolph!

Rudolph is a little Netherland Dward cross bunny and we think he is about 18 months old. He is a 'rescue bunny' having been abandoned just before Christmas when his owner no longer wanted him. She didn't even say if he had a name, so the vet who took him in called him Rudolph.

Happily Rudolph made it to a rescue center, The Essex Rabbit Rat and Guinea Pig Rescue. They took care of him, had him neutered and vaccinated, and listed him on the wonderful rescue website Rabbit Rehome, where I came across him.

From when I initially spotted him, it took me about three weeks to take the plunge. Such a very big step, and dear Humphrey left such big paws to fill. There were several phone calls and emails to Wendy, the lovely lady who runs the rescue center. And then one Saturday on January I headed off down to Essex to pick him up. It was a 10 hour round trip! Madness probably, with so many rescue bunnies much closer, but I felt drawn to this little fellow, and as most rescue centers rehome their rabbits in pairs, I was happy to travel to find a single chap, to find the right bunny for me.

Rudolph is settling in nicely and I already love him to bits!

After a life in a tiny hutch, he is very much enjoying tearing around the house. He creates quite a commotion, jumping and racing from the office, across the landing, into the bedroom and back. He hasn't discovered the stairs yet, but I don't think it will be long. And over the last couple of days he has started flopping over on to his back and falling asleep next to me - a sure sign that he is happy and relaxed - and that he trusts me.

At the moment he spends his nights in an indoor hutch in the Cottontails office, then in the mornings I open the door and he can spend all day and evening hopping around as he wishes. He is so well behaved and uses the litter tray in his hutch 100% of the time. (Apart from an unfortunate incident involving a pile of Mike's clothes. Oh and the occasion on Mike's side of the bed. Do you think he is trying to say something?)

So far there has been no stock nibbling which is a huge relief. But he has chomped his way through a mobile phone charger. And a lamp cable. Both my fault for leaving such tasty nibble-magnets in his path - I am still adjusting from Humphrey, the most perfect and placid rabbit in the world.

And he has a little quirk which I love.... he wags his tail! I have never, ever seen a rabbit do this before but he properly wags his little tail! I have looked it up and apparently it is a sign of excitement and / or defiance. It is very funny!

Anyway, enough words. Let's get to the bit we've all been waiting for.... some photos!

 Under the desk, a favourite spot

 Stretching out under the radiator, a favourite pass time

Rudolph's night quarters

By day he prefers to sit on his hutch, rather than in it

Gazing out at the balcony, looking forward to summer

He often sits under my chair,. This is tricky - I must not wheel about..

Showing an interest in paperwork...

Meeting a new friend - surely the first of many

me and the little fella

Spot the Rudolph!