Xena and Gabrielle
An MCRS fosterer's story of two special bunnies
Xena and Gabrielle came to MCRS from a cruelty confiscation and both rabbits had some serious trust issues. Xena showed her distrust with aggression while Gabrielle was shy and reserved. They were fostered by two different foster homes, each working on improving their socialization, before they went to Mary's home. The following is her story:
It started the night we adopted my last foster rabbit. I should have suspected something was up, but was a little emotional about the bunny leaving that night and wasn't thinking about the "next" foster. Little did I know there was a Plan in the works...
Joanna and Tanya showed up that night with 21 lbs of mean rabbit on the paw. Xena and Gabrielle came for a 'visit'... just in case I might be interested in fostering them. J and T insisted that the visit went well, and I was the ideal person to foster the girls. Since I always succumb to flattery, it was a done deal, and I had my new foster bunnies.
I have never had that much rabbit in my house and wasn't entirely sure how to approach them. So, I devised a plan of enforced affection - I held, cuddled and petted each girl for one hour a day...for four months!
I was so proud of myself and the girls' progress on the morning they stood up and begged for craisins. I knew they were really after the treat, but I chose to believe it was all about me and was again very flattered by their attention.
Each of the girls had their own way of dealing with my enforced affetion. Gabrielle crawled around my neck and sat on my shoulder to help me read. The longer she sat, the more she would tuck her head under my chin. I fell in love. Xena would melt in my arms and tooth purr - and I fell in love again.
It wasn't all blissful, though. Gabrielle liked to chew fabric, particularly the chair we sat in, and Xena still wanted to be Alpha Rabbit. We had some meaningful conversations about the situation and after exhausting all the traditional approaches, tried some unorthodox options. Eventually, Xena conceded that perhaps I was the Alpha...sometimes.
Then one day, the email came that a family was interested in adopting the girls. I was very nervous again, until I met the young woman who was the family's rabbit finder. She was perfect! The family of five - including a stay-at-home mom - had plenty of the love and attention that Xena and Gabrielle need. They had experience with rabbits in the past and were not even deterred when I told them the honest truth about Xena and Gabrielle in an attempt to scare them off.
When the family came to meet Xena and Gabrielle in person, I was again so proud of the girls. They played their parts perfectly. We were all sitting on the floor and Gabrielle ran around happily checking everyone out and NOT hiding in the corner. Xena actually came over to the mom and enjoyed pets for the longest time.
Since Xena and Gabrielle have been adopted, I have checked on them a few times and continue to get glowing reports. I'm even invited back for more cuddles!
When I think of Xena and Gabrielle, I am not sad because they are gone - I think of them in their new home and am so happy for them and their new family. It was a very satisfying experience.
