So, I would like to introduce billy, he is my pet and I love him to pieces.
I have always had rabbits, ever since I can remember, they are cute, cuddly and each one I have had has had a special and unique personality.
My dad breed rabbits and specialised in lion heads, which are ultra adorable. So they were always around me in childhood. Dad used to get ours from the animal auctions, they were really cheap and had much better temperaments than those we had previously bought from a pet shop where they charge stupid amounts.
The first rabbit I remember most vividly was Nibbles, white and light brown, almost a peachy colour. He was so friendly and sociable, would be so happy to see you. Always greeted me with a nudge of the head, he loved me rubbing the top of his head with my fisted nuckles which is where the 'nibby rub' originated from (all my family will know the 'nibby rub' ;).) one of my strongest childhood memories is standing in the vets, with my mum, sister and brother crying our eyes out as we said goodbye to that little man (I'm blarring now). I can't remember why we took him to the vet, maybe old age.
My sister had a beautiful little grey female, her name was tequila. She was very sweet, with a little flat nose.
I had one as a teenager called marijuana, my dad did not want me shouting that in the garden so her nick name was margypoo. Margypoo was a diva, snotty, grumpy and did not like to be fussed. Even though she was a diva, I still thought she was fabulous. She would often come and chill with me on my bed while I done homework. She moved out with me when I was 18 and stayed with me until she died. She was buried in my garden.
I didn't have one for a few years, but I settled down with my partner (now hubby!) and after receiving some bad news he wanted to treat me and bought me a bunny. It was the best gift ever. My hubby, after lots of convincing, agreed to let me have him as a house rabbit. Oh and how the fun began! He was great, we called him Ali ( after Ali G in da house ). He managed to chew the following:
3 play station control wires
2 internet connections
1 alarm clock wire
A very large chunk of carpet behind sofa
The skirting board in the hall
And finally the Lino in the bathroom.
The final point for my future husband was one morning he was rummaging under the bed looking for something and ended up getting an electrical shock. My darling ickle Ali was sent out into the garden.
I then had my children and they too, shared time with Ali, chasing him around the garden, giving him 'nibby rubs', and feeding him carrots. He died of old age and he is buried in that garden.
I had some unwanted bunnies too, who needed a loving home. First snowbell he was about three when we got him. He was very grumpy always thumping his back legs, but we loved him all the same and snowbell and my cat Sally had a special friendship. The second unwanted bunny was called Billy (Billy the first) he was found as a baby and had been attacked by some mean animal. He was found in my friends garden. He was treated by the RSPCA and when fit and well they gave him back to my friend. She was keeping him in an empty chicken run, but wanted to get some more chickens so I took him home with me. Billy, despite the trauma of being brutally attacked and being left for dead, was incredibly loving and loved huggles and his 'nibby rubs'. He loved hopping about the garden with the children. Sadly he had such low immunity he got fly strike ( first rabbit I have ever known to get it). I remember trying to bath him and get the maggot eggs off his fur, but sadly he was so riddled with them I had to get him put down. For a long long time I had nightmares of all those disgusting maggots.
After Billy the first I vowed never to have another rabbit. Then we moved and my daughter had been asking for a rabbit for some time, till eventually one day hubby gave me the green light and within three days we had Billy the second. My daughter chose the name and although it is technically my draughters rabbit, I am the one that cleans him out, cuddles him, feeds him, waters him and plays with him. Billy the second is the greatest bunny. Happy, excitable, sociable, nosey and just all round yummy x
I have always signed my name in cards and informal letters with a bunny squiggle next to my name. Now I have created a unique illustration billy. I hope you liked and enjoyed my bunny story. If you want to share your bunny stories please do in the comments, be great to hear some.
This blog was originally posted on my other site.