Stress Bonding Is The Way Forward It Seems

 

Today really has to be a day of giving thanks I think.

Last night Hubby's cousins told us her Hubby's brain tumour has finally started to shrink!

We are so thankful for this news and pray the treatment continues to do its work.

 

The morning was spent pottering, interrupted by a friend calling in for coffee in between school visits, then she called in again at lunch time...double blessings!

Having not seen her this term at all and not a lot in the summer, it was lovely to catch up.

I made some soup butternut squash soup and she came in bearing maple and pecan Danish pasties ( just as I had decided to kick start the diet too!) so we had a yummy lunch.

 

The afternoon was spent sorting out a couple of cupboards, the endless laundry of course and then when Teen Two came home, another session of bunny bonding.

 

 

I must admit after yesterday's horrendous session I was dreading it, but the "stress bonding" really does do the trick of reducing the aggression.

We scattered spinach leaves in the bath, but only Benjy (right) nibbled on them.

He did nip Flora a few times but way way less than yesterday, and yesterdays were full on attacks, these were more "I'm boss" messages.

Poor Flora though, she just sat there most of the time, breathing quickly and laying low.

We were pleased to see her grooming herself though, this is a good sign...

 

 

...and Benjy also groomed himself, and in close proximity to Flora, so that was encouraging.

There was a lot of nose to nose contact, with just the occasional little nip from Benjy and I am sure he licked inside her ears, as opposed to bit her ears.

I think the way forward is definitely to stick with the "stress bonding" until we are more confident in seeing some friendlier behaviour from Benjy.

Last night I went to bed feeling rather heavy hearted and wishing we had just stayed a one bunny family, but maybe it will be possible to turn this around after all.

It will be lovely for them, to have some company, they are by nature gregarious creatures and in the winter will be able to snuggle up to each other at night time, like their predecessors did.