Welcome to our "Hoppy Tails"
Stories of the rabbits who have touched our lives, and moved on to forever familes.
Each year, Little Miracles Rabbit Rescue places over 100 rabbits and other pets as well (such as ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs, kittens and more into loving, forever homes). These are their stories, directly from the people who have come to love them. |
Colby (adopted January 2010)
 In January of 2010, we lost my first pet bunny, Whiskers, to anesthesia. We were devestated at our loss and swore that we would never get another bunny because we couldn't bear to deal with that pain again. But then I came across a picture of Colby on Petfinder and I immediately fell in love with him and his helicopter ears. Something about this little guy just tugged at my heart. I showed his picture to my husband, and he fell in love just as quickly. We picked up Colby that same day.
When Colby first came home with us he was very shy and scared, running everytime we would come near him. We allowed him his space, but would sit on the floor often so he could feel comfortable enough to come to us.
We've had Colby for just over 5 months, and he's become a great member of the family. About 3 weeks ago he gave me my first bunny kiss, and now kisses us all the time. He's very snuggly and affectionate. Colby is also very playful and so much fun to watch. Whenever we walk through our door, the first thing we do is head for Colby to give him a hug.
While I still miss Whiskers, Colby has helped tremendously to fill that void and is truly a Warenchak.
Thank you, Little Miracles, for taking care of Colby until we could bring him home. |
Brownie, Baxterrie and Zahra
 Brownie was the first bunny I had adopted. I originally got her from LMRR in NJ as a foster bunny, but as you can imagine we grew so attached that I couldn't imagine being without her, and she became my permanent companion. She was with us for about three years from the time we adopted her till she passed away. After the first year, I moved and got a more demanding job, which kept me away from Brownie for much longer periods of the day. I worried that this would be tough on her, because she followed me around everywhere. I used to sleep on the floor so that the two of us could cuddle. The second that little lovebug sensed me putting out the blanket and pillow on the floor, she'd run over (one of the few times she'd "run") and settle herself next to the pillow, and then back her little butt up so that she was under the comforter. It was the cutest thing. When i was home she was always underfoot, purring at being pet, and nudging me or
sneezing to get attention if I got a bit lax on the petting. We came back to LMRR in NJ with Brownie to adopt a companion for her, and brought home one of the gentlest souls of all times--Baxter. This was the shy, soft black-and-white head-tilt bunny. It took him a year to trust us enough to let us pet him (and even after a year, we could only pet him when he'd feel Brownie next to him). He loved Brownie, but I think Brownie remained most attached to me because we were together before he came along.
After Brownie, I became more sensitive to animals, their feelings, their needs, and their treatment. I became a strict vegetarian, started cutting out dairy/eggs, became more conscientious about what kind of products I bought, and startedcarrying a wildlife rescue kit in the back of my car. We have had 9 other bunnies come through our doors (either as permanent adoptees, or as foster bunnies that were later placed in wonderful homes), and we loved all of them differently for their distinct personalities. However, something about Brownie made me feel like we were really like little inter-species soul mates. Sometimes I would just look at her and talk to her lovingly, and she'd start purring. It was like she really understood. When she passed away (we suspect as a result of pneumonia), it was like a physical pain in my heart. Thinking about it too much even now still causes a palpable pain. But the day after she died little Baxterrie came over to us and let us pet him the way Brownie used to, and reminded us that there were still so many opportunities to love him and other bunnies as we had loved Brownie. She used to hop around the house like a cute little grump and we miss that.
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 Baxterrie was the second bunny we adopted, also from LMRR. We adopted him as a companion for Brownie. When we brought Brownie over, she and he just sat on opposite sides of the play pen and ignored each other. After some time, Baxterrie tried to go over to Brownie to investigate or say hi, but she turned her head and ignored him further. Your mom told us this was a good sign. We found it odd, but trusting her judgment and knowing that he would be harder to adopt out due to the
head tilt, we brought him home. The rooms that the buns are allowed in are bun-proofed and the doors to other rooms are closed, so the bunnies can hop about as they please without being caged. The first few days were really tough to watch because Baxterrie would constantly roll over and trip as he was getting used to the new place. Within a couple of weeks, watching him went from being a heartbreaking event to just a total pleasure. He'd do cute little binkies, follow his sister
around, and cuddle with his different stuffed animals. He'd spend all day in a big cardboard box which we started to refer to as his "office." I think he started hanging out there because it was the place he felt safest in, but even after he was at-home and comfortable with us he'd still be there pretty much 9 - 5. After a year, he would let us pet him and actually seemed to purr and ENJOY the pets. By the time Brownie passed away (two years after adopting Baxter), he was
significantly more comfortable with us and would let us pet him for extended periods of time, as long as it was very soft pets.
When Brownie passed away, we came to LMRR in NJ again to adopt another companion for Baxterrie. As luck would have it, he and his biological litter-mate got along. She was called either Colleen or Maureen at the shelter (can't remember which), but we renamed her Zahra.
Unfortunately, Baxterrie developed some kind of neurological problem that the vets said he was predisposed to from birth. It took a long time for them to figure out what the issue was, and for his last few months he stopped eating. Towards the end, he used to lose his balance and tip over just while sitting down. Zahra used to hop over to his side and lay by him so he could lean on her. He was extremely loved by all of us, but seeing how much he suffered we thought it might be best for him to be given a peaceful end. On the way to Red Bank Vet Hospital to euthanize him, he passed away naturally.
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 Zahra (or Maureen/Colleen as she was called in your shelter) has the same gentle disposition that Baxter has, but she seems to be even milder (if that's possible). She was even more scared of us than Baxter was, taking more than a year to let us pet her. But she was an excellent sister to Baxter and is now a loving companion to our latest adoption, Charlie Brown. (Charlie Brown was not adopted from LMRR, but was an abandoned bunny that we fostered, and then took in as a permanent bunny after Baxter passed away). Zahra loves Cheerios and the little Kaytee Crunch-around treats. We nicknamed her cookie dough because she kind of looks like that and reminds us of melting cookie dough when she lounges. She can't see very well because she has cataracts and glaucoma, but she can sniff a cheerio or banana piece
from quite a distance and will alligator-walk her way over to it as fast as possible. We take her to the Matthew J Ryan Vet hosiptal at U Penn pretty regularly now because she has some heart problems, and they absolutely LOVE her. Every time she is discharged, the papers mention her health updates, but also say things like "Zahra is a little princess" or "Zahra is a sweetheart and it was a pleasure to have her." Because she has some incontinence issues, her room is lined with shower curtains, covered by blankets and then papers in the areas where she is most prone to peeing. She loves lying on the fleece blanket in one particular corner of the room just outside a cage. Charlie Brown spends the daylight hours in thecage, and Zahra sits just outside it.
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 Wednesday and Sparkle (Adopted May 2010)
Dear Little Miracles;
Who says pink-eyed, white bunnies aren't beautiful? Just look at these two gorgeous buns! William (formerly Wednesday) and Emily-May (Formerly Sparkle) are the most lovable rabbits I have ever met. They would let me pet them all day if I had the time.
I am actually honored that you allowed me to adopt William since you and your volunteers loved having him around. He is fantastic, really unbelievable; runs right up to the dogs and acts like one himself (without the awful barking). Emily is just as wonderful and docile as he is; she is a little lady when having her nails done and is an expert at bunny flops.
They have their own bedroom (no chewing - no cage) but William loves to explore the whole house in the a.m. and p.m.; afternoon is siesta time and Emily has a "cottage" under my desk.
The love and care you gave them while waiting to be adopted shows in their calm and trusting natures. Anyone reading this who is "sitting on the fence" about adopting from Little Miracles just get off and do it! (I'm thinking about a 3rd addition!)
Thanks for the bunny love,
Barb in Bradenton |
 Emma-Leigh (Adopted 7/8/09)
Dear Little Miracles:
When I stumbled upon Emma’s picture on the bunspace website when I was nosing around one day, I immediately fell in love. She was so beautiful and had striking similarities to a bun of mine that had recently passed. While I knew that having her would not bring back my old bun, I still had to have her! The only problem was that Emma resided with you in Florida and I was 2,401 Miles away in Alberta, Canada.
As you know I decided that distance didn’t matter to me and started knocking down your proverbial door trying to arrange for her delivery or pickup. In the end it was decided that the person with the passport on hand should be the person to do the deed and so I was the one who took the trip allll the way to Florida to pick up my little bundle of joy. I really appreciate the volunteers coming together to send me messages of support and for bringing Emma to my hotel room (not without a truckload of accessories! Which were much appreciated as well, especially after customs confiscated my hay). Emma and I are doing well now after our 8 hour flight in which we almost missed the connection because the customs agent wanted proof that I had gotten Emma in Florida (I say he was just jealous and wanted Emma for himself). She did very well on the flight and was even grooming herself in her carrier; she definitely appeared to be dealing with the screaming infants better than I was!
Emma is now in her new home and has adjusted very quickly, she loves to stretch out in her room and looks forward to her daily jaunts out in the yard, where she thinks she can just stretch out and eat dandelions but mum pushes her to get some cardio in too.
Thanks Little Miracles for giving me my little miracle!
Love, Jessica |
Bradley & Fallon (Adopted 4/11/09)
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Hugs & Kisses (Adopted 5/15/09)
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 Chloe (Adopted 2/16/08)
A Tail of Two Bunnies
Here is Chloe’s adoption story…
In February 2008, I was looking for adoptable bunnies on Petfinder after being devastated by the sudden loss of my first bunny, Zoie. I found Little Miracles and called. I went over to the rescue to look at bunnies – I didn’t quite have anybunny in particular in mind. I was open to adopting any kind of bunny (cause I love ‘em all!), but I was hoping to find another Holland lop. Well, lo and behold there were a couple of Holland lops! I visited with 3 bunnies that day…one was an uppy-ear bunny, one was Chloe’s sister, and of course I looked at Chloe (then named Sandy). Well, I loved the other two, but Chloe decided to give me bunny kisses while I was petting her. I was hooked.
Needless to say, Chloe came home with me about a week later. She is spoiled rotten! She does have a cage, cause she tends to get into trouble, but she’s free range whenever I’m home. She’s got a ton of toys that she mostly ignores, a comfy bed, all the hay she can eat, fresh veggies twice a day, a guinea pig sister, and of course, a bunny mommy who loves on her constantly. She has given me so much in return! She really helped to heal my heart after the loss of Zoie. While one bunny can never ever replace another, Chloe showed me that there’s always room for more love. I just love her more and more every day.
Adopting Chloe also awakened my passion for bunny rescue. Since Chloe’s adoption, I have become quite involved in the rescue. I help with regular feeding/watering, cage cleaning, have attended adoption events, helped with a large-scale rescue, been on the news, fostered a bunny, and recently became the volunteer coordinator for the rescue.
All of this happened because of one little bunny…well, two really. Without the loss of my Zoie, I never would have found Chloe and the rescue, so at least something good came of tragedy. And now, I may be adding another bunny member to my family, so we may have another hoppy tail soon! |
Three adorable ferrets! (Adopted 6/09)
After two years of mourning our last ferret, we were finally ready to open our hearts to another. I was planning on coming home with just one, and maybe two, but after meeting them, I came ho me with three, and all for the price of one from a pet store. We thank Little Miracles for helping us find a part of our family. Our furry friends get lots of love and attention and bring a lot of fun to our lives.
Kimber Dawn Brouse
North Port, FL |
Hayden & Athena (Adopted in 08 and 09!)
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 Heather (Now P-Nut Butter) (Adopted Jan 09)
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Elliot (and their bunny, Pumpkin)
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Port Charlotte, FL
(941) 240-6412
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