When to get a new bunny??

Hello,

As I wrote a few nights ago in the bridge forum, Penelope has gone to the bridge and it was a month ago now.

Since then, Pipkin has become needy, he constantly wants cuddles and strokes (he was not a massive cuddler before, preferred his food!) he is always sniffing my feet to be close and has started sitting in Penelope's old spot rather then his own favourite place.

Is this a sign he is pining for her, or for the company of another wifebun??

If so, when should I get another bunny? I don't want Pipkin to be alone and I feel mean/guilty leaving him in the day now. I am worried though about bonding him with another girlie, as would he reject any bunny that wasn't Penelope??

Am really stuck as to what to do for him for best, so any advice would be most appreciated.

Ta all xxxxx

It's certainly the fact Pipkin has lost Penelope that he has become more loving and more needy with you, a friend of mine lost one of her bonded pair's before Christmas and the female was always grumpy and a bit wary of her owner and now she is completely a changed bunny, loving, needy and just like Pipkin.

I don't think he is grieving or pining to a point where I'd worry , I think he is just turning his attentions to you due to her loss, he need's the attention still that she gave him. When he sit's in her spot that's because he can still smell her there and he feels close to her and it's a comfort to him.

If you wanted to get Pipkin another Wife sometimes rescue's for a small donation will bond them for you, if not we are all here to help you step by step.

If you are out of the house most of the day another bunny would be company for him I'm sure.

Maysie has given good advice. The folks on here will definitely help you out if you choose to find another bunny and bond yourself. Rescues will often bond for you too, which takes some of the worry away from doing it yourself.

When i lost my buns, i lost both of them, so i didnt have to worry about one bun being left behind, but i have heard that they will usually accept another bunny quite quickly after loosing their bonded partner because of their need for company and affection from another bun. Its been almost 8 months since i lost my buns, i still have another pair, but i have not wanted for another, and have struggled to bond with my foster bun after loosing them, so I can understand if you dont feel it is the right time for yourself. Im sure Pipkin will be happy with your company until you are ready, and as he is being extra affectionate, he will help you get through it and come to terms with the idea of a new bunny. x

I totally agree with maysie and Sophia x
sending hugs to pipkin and you

I think Maysie and Sophia have given you good advice. I agree!

Sending hugs to you and Pipkin xxx

My Daddy, Jack, had an incredibly strong bond with Mummy. We lost Mummy very suddenly and Jack was beside himself. He met his new wife-bun five days later, even though taking him to the rescue to choose somebun was really tough on my Hu-parents. They had no interest in choosing a bunny - she was just for Jack - and they told the rescue lady just to plonk in the girl who had been there the longest.

That was Layla, a big floofy orange lop. Jack is just as close to her as he was to Mummy, and she is such a sweetie that she won the hu-parents round in no time. She is a confident bun and has brought Jack right out of his shell. Doing what they did when they did was hard but was absolutely the right thing to do for all of them

I think buns who have had a good bond before tend to bond more easily. Speed dating can be a great way to find someone he is likely to take to.

You might find it a little tough to welcome a new bun into your home, but I think you soon get over the dread of 'replacing' the lost bun and grow to appreciate the new one for themselves.

I think you've been given great advice here. I'm so sorry you lost Penelope - sorry I missed it.