Babies grow..............

Time for an update on the babies that were born at Heartland Rabbit Rescue at the end of June of this year. 

Babies at 12 days old.

As you can see, they could be listed in the dictionary under the definition "cute".

At the greens party on September 5th they were introduced to grass for the first time.....as you can see a span of 55 or so days makes quite a difference in appearance.

Not quite a "baby" at 67 days old (Fast Eddie?).

The coloring on their fur is blackish on the body with a nice patch of butterscotch behind the ears and some white highlights on the face, chest and a brilliant bright white tail.

As can best be determined, both are boys and are so far very social and friendly except when they are doing baby bunny things and do not want to be interrupted.  Names are possibly not yet permanent although Fast Eddie is a strong contender as a name for one of the handsome lads.  Mom can be seen behind "Fast Eddie".  She still takes good care of them although when she gets a chance to cruise around the warren she seems to prefer visiting the other bunnies alone.

Baby #2 with butterscotch patch showing.

One may be just a bit larger than the other but in all aspects of external appearance they are virtually twins. Their coloring is unique and makes them both really appealing "eye candy".

Youngsters, no matter the species, are usually quite a treat to be around and these two unexpected additions are no exception.

As noted in my previous post however, a forever home is what these guys need, with their very own human family that is devoted to providing for their shelter, food, playground, toys, and emotional and medical needs.

This is no small commitment, their lifespan is usually given as from 9 to 12 years but some live even longer.  And, like all of us mammals, their physical abilities and functioning decline as they age.  Medical needs increase (often) with aging and just like human animals, cantankerousness may blossom as the years add their toll.

Choosing to live with a companion animal means entering into an unequal relationship.  The non-human animal will always be dependent on the human animal.  This inequality means great responsibility on the part of the one holding the power.

There will not come a day when you can send the companion animal off to live on their own.  This is one of the reasons many animal rights folks argue for an end to the "domestication" of any animal.  It is a forced and human created dependency situation....one that the dependent animal had no choice in creating and has virtually no possibility of ending. They rely on the "mercy" of human animals......and that is one hell of a precarious position for them.

Here is how gross all this stuff is.  Ignoring (for now) the "farmed" animals, domesticated cats, dogs and bunnies (and birds and lizards and etc.) are killed in "shelters" across the U.S. at the rate of about 4 million per year.....killed because no human (and humans created this domesticated status) wants to take on the responsibility of caring for them or has gotten tired of them and turned them over to a "shelter" or has taken them somewhere and "dumped" them.  4 million living, sentient beings murdered because humans can't be bothered with dealing with the consequences of "domesticated" non-human animals.  Some small percentage are euthanized (that means they are sick or injured and suffering with no chance of recovery) but the vast majority that are killed are healthy and active and have years of life left.

This is why it is unconscionable for any human to allow any "domesticated" animal to breed.  For as long as there is a single homeless one of these unfortunate victims of human folly, allowing more dogs or cats or bunnies to be born is simply outrageous and disgusting.

"Breeders", people who encourage or pursue the birth of more baby bunnies or puppies or kittens to be brought into this obscene situation we have created are simply contemptible.  There is no excuse. None. We are all culpable and we are all failing these beautiful bunnies and puppies and kittens....failing them miserably.  Not because we have to fail them, but because we are too lazy or greedy or goofy or mean. So quit it.  And help.

Never, never, never ever purchase or buy a bunny or kitten or puppy....go to a shelter or rescue organization or foster organization and adopt.

If you can't adopt, foster...if you can't foster.....volunteer, and if you can't volunteer.....donate.  Do all of them if you can.  The animal people shouldn't have to pay for our shortcomings.

That's the end of my rant.....whew....and the baby bunnies (like all the bunnies) are exquisite.