Meet Our New Baby

Well, it's not a human baby, but still a baby to us.

This is Mocha, the newest member of the Heckman Family.

She is a 4-month old Holland Lop bunny (did you hear that...the bunny is a SHE!)

We have been missing having a pet in the house since our sweet Rohy passed away last October. What we have not missed is the obligation of walking the dog 2-3 times a day, expensive vet and grooming bills, and coordinating schedules around when the dog has to be let out (especially those middle-of-the-night outings - I do NOT miss those).

So, Payton's art teacher's daughter, whom is also a neighbor (did you follow that?) recently showed her bunny in the State Fair. After she showed her, she decided to breed her since she is a specialty bunny (with registered papers and everything!). Payton watched the bunny (named Waffles) as she became pregnant and then eventually gave birth to 5 sweet little baby bunnies. And all along he was begging me to let him adopt one.

I'm still not clear on how the final decision was made (I swear Brian gave the final "yes" he swears it was me) but I guess he finally broke us down enough and talked us into how it would be a good idea to bring home a bunny.

Four months later - after much online research, many library books, lots and LOTS of discussions with the breeder, we were delivered a sweet little baby bunny on Monday afternoon.

As you can imagine, the boys (and our neighbor Avery) were just a bit excited!

 

The breeder said not to take her out of the cage for at least 24-hours so she could adjust to her new environment. So Payton got his beanbag chair and sat next to the cage all night and the next morning until he was allowed to finally hold her.

She doesn't require much work at all thus far. Payton feeds her and refills her water when it's low. And every couple days we clean out her cage. Other than that, we just let her run around the playroom when we're in there and put her in her cage when we're busy.

She doesn't bark. She doesn't require walks. And she is starting to enjoy being held.

And maybe, just maybe, she's already found a friend in the only other girl in this household...

Welcome to the family Mocha!