Cody Chronicles #1

Now that we have possibly taken more photos since April of our new bunny than of our own children, I suppose a mini-series about our bunny is forming on this blog.  So henceforth, all blog updates about our first family pet will have "Cody Chronicles" in the title.  Or just click on the "bunny" label to the right to see all bunny related posts since he first came live with us.

Initially, I was looking forward to bringing our pet inside when we moved into the apartment.  Now, I can't wait to send that rascally rabbit back outside into his hutch as soon as we move into our next home.  He gets so dirty in that cage, and when we try to let him exercise indoors, he scatters pee and poo EVERYWHERE!  I have watched YouTube videos showing how easy rabbits are to litter box train, but I can't let him out long enough to train him lest he claw up my favorite furniture or pee on something that may become irreparably damaged.  In the new house, there will be more room where we could possible set aside a furniture free litter training area for him, but I suspect I'll be too protective of our new carpet, new tile, and new hardwood floors to even consider it.

So for now, he gets lots of baths and we change out his litter and clean out his cage every other day or so.  How could something that only weights 2 pounds, 11 ounces be so much work?  At least the kids are learning a little something about taking responsibility for another living creature.  He's quite scary looking when he's wet, and he sure can distribute water all over the apartment floors when he escapes from the sink during bath time, but when he reclines in my arms allowing me to rub his head and rock him to sleep, all is forgiven!

To his credit, Cody sure does make me laugh....like when he decided to shred all the newspaper my husband carefully taped ever so neatly to the bottom of his cage.  We have been trying to only put litter in his box, not his cage, to teach him to do his business in the litter box.  But apparently he didn't like that plan so he tore up the newspaper into tiny strips as if to spread litter for himself in the rest of his cage.  When I caught him tearing at the newspaper, he looked at me with pleading eyes as if he was imploring, "But Mom, I did not do it.  I promise you that I'm innocent."  Yet with newspaper stuck to his face (see lower picture below), I knew better!

He also does a great job keeping the kids entertained.  He patiently endures their playful shenanigans. The kids actually bought him some clothes for the winter. He's not too crazy about the bling on his black shirt.

At first, he would not even look at the camera.

Bunny bucks are domineering and proud like lions, so he did not like playing dress-up!

Yet, he will still allow ou kids to cuddle up with him, kiss him, and carry him like a baby, although I suspect his motives are purely selfish.

 This photo and caption (to the tune of "Little Bunny Foo-Foo") illustrate my point.

Little bunny Foo Foo hopping through girl's tresses...scooping up some kisses and hoping to be fed.

Cody even helps the kids with homework.  After having my son read Ox-Cart Man aloud, I suggested that he act out scenes from the book as a reinforcement activity.  His right-brained sister thought he needed some props, so they used an umbrella stroller (free to whomever will come get it) as the cart, spices and miscellaneous school supplies as the wares for sale, and bunny as the ox that pulled the cart.  Of course, Cody needed a carrot to pull his load.