Working on his disapproving face.

Trying to sleep, here!, originally uploaded by jess sully.

I disapprove of mismatched socks on my doorstep.


Don't you dare zoom that thing in.


What?! How dare you disobey me? I dissaprove.

Making great strides!

THIS is amazing., originally uploaded by jess sully.

Flynn's behavior has improved so much lately.
I'm not sure if it has to do with his hormones, his age, or his new cage, but it's wonderful. He's much happier in his cage now... instead of pacing back and forth by the door, he is content to play and nap happily in his cage even WITH the door open. (Although he still runs to greet me and expects some food when I walk in the room).
He doesn't struggle anymore when I lift him off the ground, and he smooshes down for pets quite readily now.
He seems more lethargic in his cage now, as well. I'm not sure if that's because it's cold outside, because he's getting older, or because he has a bigger cage now.

An unexpected bonding moment!

aw., originally uploaded by jess sully.

Flynn was being especially smooshy today... he kept pancaking down to the floor for pets. During one of our long petting sessions, I realized how long his nails were (I've been avoiding clipping them- he HATES it).
So, I did it. I cornered him, wrapped him up in a bunny-burrito, held him on his back, and did those back tootsies.
I let him sit on his butt against my belly to do the front toes... and he just sat pleasantly with me for awhile :)
It was such a nice surprise!

Project FFF Update

About a week ago, my landlady agreed to let me get another bunny. She did, however, put strict stipulations that I had to make sure all of my housemates agreed. After talking to my housemate Kate, who is EXTREMELY allergic to basically every animal on this planet, we both decided that it would be best to get a rex/mini rex because neither of us are allergic to rex fur.
At first, I was a little bummed, because this ruled out most of the breeds I was looking at. I really wanted a lop, but all lops have regular fur... right? WRONG! I discovered a lovely breed called the "velveteen lop" which is a miniature english lop with rex fur! Velveteens are hard to find in the US, since the breed is still very new and on it's way to becoming accepted by the ARBA. I managed to locate a breeder about 1.5 hours away. And now I have a baby on reserve :)
Here she is: (broken blue velveteen doe)



Isn't she beautiful? The pictures aren't the greatest quality, but it was nice to see her, anyways.
She will be coming home on November 25th, the day before she turns eight weeks old.

Flynn's new NIC cage.

Flynn's new NIC cage., originally uploaded by jess sully.

After looking at all of the beautiful NIC cages online for awhile, I decided Flynn needed one, too. After all, his litter habits have been so wonderful that he needed a reward! I also haven't been able to let him out of his cage while I'm not here anymore, because he's been destroying the carpet, and I couldn't stand leaving him in his old dog crate for long periods at a time.

His old 36"x24" dog crate, and the towels surrounding it to deter him from pulling the carpet. It looked rather cluttered.


Close up of the old cage.


Supplies: 3 boxes of grids (on sale- $14.99/each) and zip-ties from Target, fleece from Jo-Ann Fabrics


After clearing out Flynn's old cage, but before construction- look at all that empty space!


The finished product. It took me about two hours to construct, and I did all by myself! (I'm not a handy person so I'm quite proud). It is 56 inches long by 28 inches wide. The loft in the corner is nice because it utilizes empty space, hides his litterbox, and gives him more opportunities to stretch out and play.


View with top door open- it hinges up and flips onto the top of the cage for easy access.


Cute binder clips that hold the doors shut and prevent him from escaping.


Flynn's loft- every bachelor's gotta have one ;)


Left side.


Right side.

The new cage is great. Flynn has so much more room to run and stretch- he can even do binkies! Also, it looks much better in my room.

Flynn goes outside.

Om nom nom leaf., originally uploaded by jess sully.

It was a very warm day today... almost in the 70's! I decided to take advantage of the nice weather by taking Flynn outside. It was his first time on his harness and leash (he was too small for it before), and I expected him to be nervous, but he wasn't at all.

I live on a pretty busy road, so he WAS boggled by the noise of the traffic. He kept trying to run near the road!


He loved eating the dandilion leaves.


Crunchy leaves = rabbit delicacy.


Foraging like a wild bunny :)

Whatcha doing up there?

Whatcha doing up there?, originally uploaded by jess sully.

Flynn doesn't jump on anything. Ever. The closest thing I've seen him do to jump are his binkies, but usually he shoots sideways rather than up. Good thing Flynn isn't a basketball player... he has no vertical! :) He won't even jump OFF things. I suppose I shouldn't complain. It makes bunnyproofing easier!
FRIEND FOR FLYNN (Project FFF) update:
I'm terrible at making decisions. Right now, I'm trying to decide what kind of bunny friend to get for Flynn. Unfortunately, I found out that the two gray lionhead sisters have been bonded together, and since I can only have one new rabbit (per landlady), they are out of the question. I'm not sure about Amber, though, and there are other adorable buns at Midwest Rescue... except they still haven't replied to my adoption form. I'm hoping they got it!
I would love to rescue a bunny. The adoption fee covers spaying (and spaying here is EXPENSIVE), and they are in desperate need of homes. However, there's something about not knowing the rabbit's past, exact age, etc. that would bother me. I like having the opportunity to raise a baby rabbit and thus "mold" them. Who knows what terrible experiences rescue rabbits have had? Although, then again I would love to be the one to show those poor abandoned/abused/neglected rabbits that something good can come from humans.
The other option I'm considering is a dutch. I was very, very, very close to getting a little blue dutch this summer instead of Flynn- I even had one reserved - but decided not to because of allergies. However, nobody in the house has had allergies to Flynn, despite our many other allergies. Dutch are classified in the "relaxed" category rather than curious or exciteable (mini rexes like Flynn are "curious"). I think a dutch would give me what Flynn currently can't- more affection. I love Flynn and his challenges, don't get me wrong, but I just keep meeting all of these wonderfully affectionate buns and wishing Flynn was more lovey. He's still young though, so neutering and aging could help.
The dutch breeder is a wonderful person! She has beautiful rabbits, and unlike many other breeders, she sincerely cares about them, even insuring that the mismarked pets get good homes. (Many other breeders "cull" (kill) them or sell them for snakefood. She would NEVER do that! She has worked with me very extensively over the past several months and I feel as though I owe it to her. Besides, her rabbits are supposed to be the sweetest!
I also have always loved Hollands, but I'm scared of the potential allergy problems with that breed (they have longer, fuzzier "rollback" hair). Dutches have "flyback" hair, so it's shorter and probably better for allergies.

Carpet Pulling = a manly new doormat.

Manly Doormat., originally uploaded by jess sully.

Flynn has begun the annoying habit of pulling out the carpet in front of his cage. I've found little carpet threads strewn all over in front of it, and have caught him in the act several times. For lack of better ideas, I've temporarily solved the problem by covering the carpet with a nice pink towel. It looks sort of like a doormat!
I've been looking online at rescues for a new little girl-bun to bond with Flynn. Well, I found several that I like on the other side of the state:

Aren't they beautiful! They're all sisters, born on December 25th of 2007 (ON CHRISTMAS!). I have no idea why someone hasn't adopted them yet, but I'd be willing to make the drive for one! The best part is that they are already spayed, and the adoption fee is $90. Spaying rabbits here costs around $300 so that's a great deal if you ask me! I sent in an adoption form for them, hopefully I'll hear back soon.

This is not dignified!

This is not dignified!!, originally uploaded by jess sully.

Flynn is becoming slightly more tolerant of being held, but he definitely doesn't enjoy it! He always knows what's coming when it's time for some practice, and before you know it, all you can see is a flick of his back feet and he's gone! I have to corner him, but once he's up and restrained he's tolerable-- not happy, but not frightened, either.
I have not been able to trance him, but I think that's a good thing. After all, a rabbit trance is actually a fear response to a predator-- they freeze hoping the predator will think they're dead so that they can spring to life and escape when the bear, eagle, falcon, cat, etc least expects it. He stayed still on my lap for about 30 seconds at a time though, before flipping over-- and he didn't run away, just sat in my lap and expected an apology.
Strangely enough, we had our longest petting session of all today, about five minutes after I'd put him on his back in my lap (like the picture). Perhaps, even though he hates it, he is learning to trust my hands a little more?

Window-Licking Good :)

Window-Licking Good :), originally uploaded by jess sully.

Flynn had an unexpected start to his days of free-roaming my bedroom. Every morning when I wake up, I let Flynn run around while I shower and get ready to go to class. Well, I woke up late today and in my frenzy to make it to class on time, he decided to hide. I wasn't in the mood to chase him back to his cage, so I shut the bedroom door and left. Five hours later, I returned home to find one content little bunny relaxing against the heating vent. After a long inspection, I didn't find any incriminating evidence of chewed baseboards, cords, books, or carpet... so I think it was a success. You should've seen the look on his face when I burst into the room- he yawned and rolled over as if to say, "What's all the commotion about? Can't you see I'm trying to nap in MY room?"
As you can see in the above picture, he likes to be on my bed. And one of his favorite things to do WHILE he's on my bed is to look out and lick the window. Is this normal? He seems rather transfixed by it. Don't worry, the window hasn't been cleaned with chemicals or anything lately... what college student has time for that?

Hello there, Handsome!