Tag Archives: pet parents

Jan13

Bunny Name Game

Posted on January 13, 2026 by lifewithlilred

Hello darlings! Quick question… Are you really a pet parent if you don’t have a litany of nicknames for them? We have had our beloved bunnies, Melvin and Penelope, for over three years and it feels like we have had them for forever. They are simply the best and we love them so. A few weeks after we adopted them and took them home, I made this post with a handful of their nicknames. My goodness has this list not only expanded but also devolved into calling them mere syllables sometimes! But, hey, they respond to it so that’s all that matters. Melvin Vincent Price and Penelope Marie may be their names but if you’re friends you can get away with the following:

Melvin:

Melvin is Penelope’s baby and the duo was so bonded that we adopted them together. While Pen comes out of her shy shell occasionally, Melvin is Mr. Attitude. Since the day we brought him home, he has wanted to be on the move and explore. Thus earning him his first nickname of TW or “Tiny Wanderer”. Since their homecoming, Melvin Vincent Price has been known to go by:

Mel Mel
Mel Bell
Little One
Scamp
Son (Because let’s be real, he looks exactly like Johnny!)
BB
BB Boy
Rambo (Short for rambunctious)
Mr. Price
Mr. Mel
Mister Mister
Biggest Boy

^^^ Big stretch!

Penelope:

Penelope Marie is my baby girl. Ever since I was little, I wanted a bunny named Penelope for some reason and now I have finally got her! It took Penelope a fair amount of time to warm up to her new surroundings and me. The jury is honestly still out on Johnny lol. Over the years it has been so much fun to watch her confidence and trust grow and she is the biggest cuddle bug now! Also the recipient of many a nickname like:

Mama
Mama Girl
Miss Mama
MG
Nelly
Nani
Na Na
Na
Pretty Girl
Penny
Penny Lane
Pretty Penelope
Princess Penelope
P Marie

^^^ Special delivery!!

Whatever we call them, Melvin and Penelope have turned our apartment into a true home. They came to me when I needed them most and it is one of my greatest joys to be a bunny mom!

What are the nicknames for your pets? How did they earn them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep17

Pet Supplies Plus Is A Must

Posted on September 17, 2025 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Johnny and I adopted our beloved bunnies, Melvin and Penelope, in November of 2022 and will be celebrating our three year buniversary here soon! They have brought an indescribable amount of joy into our lives and I simply couldn’t imagine our home without them. Since the homecoming of our pets, I have been a loyal shopper on Chewy and was making purchases at least every month. The convenience of ordering all of their supplies in a matter of minutes couldn’t be beat so I never bothered shopping anywhere else. However, my tune has changed drastically…

Every once in a while, I will need a new bag of hay or bedding before a Chewy order is due and will visit the Pet Supplies Plus down the road from me for a reup. These trips were few and far between so I wasn’t interested in signing up for their loyalty program. One faithful day about two months ago, I stopped in for more bedding and saw that they were running a stellar buy one get one half off promotion and was able to purchase bedding and hay for the tune of thirty something dollars. It was a TOTAL steal and in that moment, I realized I was sleeping on Pet Supplies Plus for far too long. In almost three years, I have never seen Chewy run a promotion that good.

After making my purchase, I immediately went home and created a rewards account and the savings have been nonstop. Since signing up for it, I receive thirty percent off coupons constantly and that is a substantial amount off of bunny supplies. Now, I am often getting their hay and bedding for twenty-five to thirty dollars in total. With Chewy, I was spending at least forty-five for these necessary supplies and that is a huge difference! I still shop Chewy for their hutch cleaner, favorite toys, and pellet food because Pet Supplies Plus doesn’t carry them. Believe you me, I wouldn’t be ordering on Chewy period if they did!

When I find a brand or company I like, I tend to be fiercely loyal to it and that was certainly the case with Chewy. But listen, literally EVERYTHING is so damn expensive now that if I can find a better deal elsewhere, I’m just going for it. My bunny supply cost went from roughly one hundred dollars a month to seventy if that and that is an amount that can’t be overlooked. I also really appreciate that Pet Supplies Plus teams up with a lot of the local rescues in the greater Akron area! While I love the convenience of online shopping, I love saving moolah even more. 😀

If you are a pet parent and have a Pet Supplies Plus in your neck of the woods, I truly can’t recommend making a visit there enough. You will be amazed at the difference that their promotions, coupons, and rewards cash can make!

Where do you shop for pet supplies? Have you changed where you shop recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May27

Bunny Love

Posted on May 27, 2025 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Johnny and I have been proud bunny parents to our mother and son duo, Melvin and Penelope, for the past two and a half years and it has been an absolute gift. They have brought an indescribable amount of joy and laughter into our lives and we just love them so much! Ever since adopting them and bringing them home, Melvin has always been our little adventurer. He loves to play and explore and never shies away from cuddles as he was handled by humans since birth. Penelope, on the other hand, is shy and timid. She clearly did not have a lot of human contact in her life and can be quite skittish.

It has been a long process to get Nelly Girl fully comfortable with pets and love and I am pleased to report that she has been making great strides. In fact, it’s almost as if she’s a completely different bunny than the one we brought home. It took a lot of patience and innovation for my bunny girl to not shy away from affection and it was worth every minute. We have been enjoying several times daily cuddles and it has been fantastic! If you have a skittish bunny, here are some of the techniques that worked for me:

Patience Is A Virtue:

I have always believed that Penelope would open up when she was ready and that meant doing everything on her own timeline. If she would run away in an attempt to pet her, I wouldn’t push it. If she was accepting of pets and love, I would utilize that time fully until she was ready to be done. If you continue to push your bunny into a level of contact they aren’t comfortable with, you are just going to terrorize them and they will consider you an unsafe person. I never wanted this to be the case so slow and steady will always win the race. And it did!!

Love Equally:

My two pet bunnies have polar opposite personalities and if you have two buns, it’s so important to not compare them. Whenever Melvin is ready for some love, I always ALWAYS attempt to give love to Penelope too. If she was not accepting of it, that was okay. Instead, I would talk to her in a soft, calm voice and look her in the eyes. That way, she was still receiving affection in a way that was comfortable for her. And, eventually, this coaxing resulted in her coming to me for pets rather than running away. This was one of the most beneficial techniques I used daily and I am so happy that my voice has turned into something that is soothing for them.

Favorite Things:

The way to Penelope’s heart has always been through her stomach lol. That girl can eat and one of her favorite things is an apple treat! If you have a food motivated bun, use it to your advantage when you try to pet them. That way, they will associate your touch with something pleasant while they are munching away on their favorite snack. Another great way to bond is by feeding them by hand. This is something I do with the bunnies daily. If they don’t come to you right away with treat in hand, that’s okay. Give them the option to do so and then place the snack down after a few minutes so they can have it on their own. Once again, patience is a virtue!

Get On Their Level:

Cats and dogs will typically come to you when they are ready for affection. For bunnies, you need to go to them if they are in their hutch. Tread lightly when you are on your way to avoid startling them, speak to them, and get on their level rather than hover over them. Bunnies are prey animals and a looming presence over top of them can be intimidating. If the bunnies are having free roam time, sit on the floor for a while and see what happens! Every morning, I spend some time on the floor doing paperwork. Eventually, my bunnies would come visit me as I was working and it is always a highlight of my morning. ❤

If you have a skittish bunny, be patient, kind, and don’t come on too strong. It took time for Penelope and we have such an amazing bond now!!

Do you have any pets? What kind of personality do they have? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr17

Pet Bunnies For Easter – DON’T!

Posted on April 17, 2025 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy!! Easter is right around the corner and, for some reason, animals seem to be an extremely popular gift to give to kids in their Easter baskets. From bunnies and ducks to chicks and cuddly puppies and kittens, Easter has become synonymous with welcoming a new pet. And, sadly, a majority of these pets will be a favorite plaything for a while until they end up abandoned in the wild or a shelter. Am I the only one who finds this absolutely ridiculous?! As a proud bunny mom of two sweet angels, I am here to talk about all of the reasons why a pet bunny might not be the experience that you think:

A long commitment:

Did you know that a well cared for bunny can live up to ten years? That’s essentially equivalent to a family cat or dog and their care requires multiple daily commitments to allow them to thrive. From constantly cleaning up messes to visits to the vet, regular snack times, and ample time outside of their hutch to roam and play – bunnies are more work than you might have thought. They are not just sedentary creatures that are up for constant cuddles. Bunnies want to be on the go and your schedule must accommodate a lot of free roaming time. Can’t commit? Don’t get them.

A financial investment:

One thing is for sure about pet bunnies – they are not cheap! In a previous post, I did some bunny math and the amount I spend for two rabbits per month is roughly one hundred and fifty dollars. Chewy orders and trips to the grocery store for fresh veggies and the occasional fruit treat are constant and it will be that way for up to a decade. These little sweeties have expensive taste just like their mom lol and they are definitely a financial investment. All of the items needed for their care are essential and cannot be bypassed. Can’t commit to spending over one hundred bucks per month? Don’t get them.

Unique temperaments:

If you are under the impression that your new bunny will want to be constantly held by your kids, prepare for your worldview to be shattered. All bunnies have unique temperaments. My Melvin, for example, loves being pet and doesn’t mind being held but is ready to roam after ten or so minutes. Penelope, however, is incredibly shy. It took a lot of time and patience to get her acclimated to my touch. She adores her pets now (usually) but isn’t interested in being held in the slightest.

This very well could be the case for the bunny you bring home and if you try to force this kind of contact, you are going to end up traumatizing the bunny and it will be miserable. Every bunny’s temperament should be respected. This is something that can be hard for a child to grasp because, at the end of the day, they are going to want to hold them anyways. That can truly impact their pet’s quality of life in a negative way if the bunny is uncomfortable being held and that is unacceptable. If you feel that you or your child can’t accept that, don’t get them.

Safety first:

Safety for your bunny isn’t just trips to the vet. It means bunny proofing their roaming area so they can’t hurt themselves. This means eliminating anything that is dangerous for them to ingest, covering wall sockets, and getting any and all wires out of there. Their roaming area should be totally and completely free from anything that can harm them as well as any items you are attached to. Trust and believe, your bunny will find a way to chew them. Their quality of life and safety is paramount and if you don’t have a space in your house where they can safely roam freely, they are not the pet for you.

A pet as a gift in theory might seem great to you. In practice, it is a totally different thing and I hope this post will make you think twice on your Easter basket selections. Stuffed animals are a much better way to go!

Are you a pet parent? What kind of pets do you have? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr4

Sweet Surprises: Bunny Decor Edition

Posted on April 4, 2025 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! I am incredibly lucky to be able to call my sister, brother-in-law, and three darling nieces my best friends in the whole world. They are simply the best and Johnny and I cherish every second with them. My crew is never far from my mind and I know the feeling is mutual – this was further confirmed by a Sweet Surprise from the bestie squad! When I got to my shift at chez parents this past week, there was a gift waiting for me on the kitchen table compliments of my BFFs and it absolutely delighted me. Check out this perfect prezzie for everyone’s favorite bunny mom:

As you all know, Easter is one of my favorite holidays. Not for religious purposes but because of the fact that bunny decor reigns supreme in stores. I have to get at least one new bunny themed decoration per year to celebrate my sweet pets and it just makes me happy lol. I’m even happier to know that my besties got into the spirit too! After unwrapping my adorable bunny in bow tie present, I could almost picture the shopping scene in my head of my sister and nieces. I am sure that as soon as my eldest niece saw it on a shelf, she told her mom that TT, Melvin, and Penelope, would love it. Even if this vision was imaginary, whoever thought I would love it was spot on!

Do I need more bunny decor? That was a trick question because the answer will always be a resounding YES! My Sweet Surprise is proudly displayed in my bunny corner of the knick knack shelf and it makes me smile every time I see it! ❤

Do you have any pet themed home decor? What is your favorite holiday to decorate for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep16

Bunny Math

Posted on September 16, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!!! On November first of 2022, Johnny and I became proud bunny parents to Melvin and Penelope. They are our beloved mother and son duo and they bring so much joy into our lives. Since adding “bunny mom” to my resume, I couldn’t resist following a ton of fairly local bunny rescue organizations on Facebook. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing comes from the obvious – any bunny is cute as can be. The curse? 1) Johnny won’t let me adopt any of them. And 2) It makes me so incredibly sad to see the stories of bunnies that have been dumped by their owners.

I think a lot of people bring bunnies home with the assumption that they require little care as well as little monetary investment. This is the farthest thing from true and I have to admit that I was even a bit shocked after bringing the buns home and that was after doing tons of research. They are so much more than adorable balls of fluff and have a significant amount of daily needs to keep them happy and healthy. On the owner’s part, this means giving them both the time and all of the supplies they need to thrive.

If you are considering adding bunnies to your brood, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about Bunny Math. Bunnies can live for up to ten plus years, which means a decade of never ending Chewy orders and trips to the grocery store. Don’t forget visits to the vet as well! If these numbers seem like something you can’t accommodate, bunnies might not be the best pet for you…

Chewy Orders:

I place an order on Chewy roughly every four to five weeks and every order totals to one hundred dollars give or take (Mostly give unless a promotion is being ran!). My order includes two different kinds of bedding, pellet food, hay, and a few new toys. However, an extra twenty-five dollars can be tacked on whenever new cage cleaner is needed. We go through one bottle every two months. These are not optional purchases whatsoever!! They are one thousand percent necessary for your rabbit’s care and it demands your commitment.

Grocery Store:

But wait! There’s more! Johnny or I go to the grocery store once every week and a half for leafy greens, additional veggies, herbs, and the occasional fruit treat for Melvin and Penelope. On top of that, we get a new box of gloves for when we clean their litter boxes and go through a ton of paper towel to clean said boxes, their hutch, and any accidents. The grand grocery store total for the month is typically around fifty dollars and, once again, are not optional. A well balanced diet for a bun includes these fresh veggies and should never, ever be skimped on. And, of course, cleaning without gloves is just gross lol.

Between both forms of shopping, your bunny’s needs will allot to one hundred and fifty dollars per month. Like I said, they are certainly an investment in time and money and this should not be overlooked when making a decision to bring one home. If you can fully commit to this, then you are in luck! Bunnies are the absolute best and Johnny and I love having these little gremlins more than we can say. Melvin and Penelope helped get me out of a really dark place when we adopted them and, for that, they deserve the world. We fully intend on giving them that!

I think it is so important to go into adopting a pet with full knowledge of what you are getting into. Bunnies might seem like low key pets, but they are far from it. The numbers speak for themselves!

What kind of pet do you have? What kind of pet would you love to have? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb26

Proud Bunny Mom

Posted on February 26, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Johnny and I have had our sweet bunnies, Melvin and Penelope, for a year and three months now. Life is so much better with these adorable, adventurous, mischievous gremlins by our sides and I am amazed at their progress since we first brought them home. Bunnies are timid animals and it took a decent amount of time for them to get acclimated to just Johnny and me petting them. Being held was also a massive no/no for them until just this week. In Penelope’s case, anyways lol:

Working up to holding my bunnies was a matter of trust. Despite the fact that I want to hold them all the time, I held off because I knew that’s not what they wanted and they weren’t ready for it. However, through recent events earlier in the week, I had a feeling the buns wouldn’t completely hate me for it. When I work from home, I am talking to the buns constantly and I try to use key phrases consistently for them to learn how to follow commands. For example, they both know their own name and turn themselves around when they are venturing into non bunny proofed areas.

This is always very impressive to me, but this week Mel and P blew my mind. About ten minutes before I leave for work, I let them know that it’s almost time to go back in their hutch and shortly after I herd them in. Their new trick is going back into their home without me having to get up. The first time it happened, I almost thought it was a fluke. They have been doing it every day since, though, and it is a true testament to how smart they both are.

Knowing that both bunnies have a firm understanding of my voice encouraged me to try picking them up. Johnny and I will hold them on occasion and we never attempt to move them if they are uncomfortable in the situation. This Wednesday, I was able to pick both bunnies up with no problem whatsoever. Melvin is a bit too young and rambunctious to want to be cuddled by his mom for longer than a few minutes. Penelope, on the other hand, was a totally different story. As soon as she was in my arms, she melted and it turns out my girl is a huge couch potato lol. She snuggled up on the couch with me like she belonged there this whole time. I was so proud of her and I knew that waiting until she was fully ready for snugs was one billion percent worth it. ❤

Being a bunny parent is all about being patient and this week of progress has shown that it pays off a thousandfold. Listen to your bunnies and pay attention during your interactions together, they will always tell you everything you need to know!

Do you have any pets? How has being patient helped you as a pet owner? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

5 Ways To Better Animal Health During Winter

Posted on November 14, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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5 Ways To Better Animal Health During Winter

Animal health during the winter is just as vital as our own. As an animal or pet owner, you have a responsibility to care for any animals at your home or farm. Staying active with animals always helps, but you can also keep an eye out for local wildlife that might need help as well. Take a look at some tips to keep your pets healthy all winter long:

Keep Up with Medical Treatment:

Like humans, animals require medical treatment to stay healthy. If you have any pets, then you will be well aware of the medical problems they can get and the effects these can also have. From simple eye infections to kennel cough and worms, dogs are susceptible to all kinds of issues. Yet even strong horses are also prone to worms, so products like Questplus dewormer are highly recommended during winter as worms occur mostly during December and January.

Stay Active with Your Pets:

Pets need lots of exercise, and this can be easy or challenging, depending on what pet you have. For instance, a rodent will go all day if you provide a wheel for exercise. Yet a dog has no such amenity. You must walk your dog and ensure they get the exercise they need, even in winter. This is harder, of course. But you can bear it with some reliable winter clothing. You can also get some clothing for your dog. This looks amazingly cute but will also help keep them warm.

Shelter Provides Animal Health During Winter:

Almost every animal needs shelter, from mighty elephants to rodents. Livestock such as cows, pigs, and chickens (which are common in backyards) need somewhere safe from the elements. A warm and durable shelter is so important year round, but is critical in the winter. You can click here to learn more about safe shelters for chickens and other small animals if you raise them to promote health and happiness during cold spells. The number of deaths from poor shelter during extreme weather runs into the hundreds of thousands every year. This can be avoided with adequate shelter for the animals you keep. Ventilation, dry bedding, and enough feed are also essential for maintaining animal health.

Help Local Wildlife Stay Safe:

You may or may not have pets. But what you will have is local wildlife. From frogs in the pond to birds, badgers, and foxes visiting your garden, there is abundant wildlife almost everywhere. And every now and then, they need a little help from us. For instance, there are toxic gasses that can build in frozen-over ponds, so check that there is always a hole for these to escape. You can also help birds find food with bird feeders. And be careful of hibernating animals when clearing debris.

Be Aware of the Human Dangers:

Winter is a savage time for humans in some places, and we need ways to get through it. Just maintaining your car can be a nightmare. But it can also be deadly to animals, especially cats. Ethylene glycol, the main component of antifreeze, is sweet, and cats are drawn to it. So, store it correctly and clean up spills. Antifreeze can also leak from your car, so be sure to check underneath the vehicle and clean up any residue that could possibly be an antifreeze solution.

Avoid winter health conditions for your beloved pets with the tips above and stay warm!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov4

Happy Gotcha Day, Bunnies!

Posted on November 4, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone!!! November first was Melvin and Penelope’s Gotcha Day and I guess I’m a horrible bunny mom because I didn’t realize it until the second lol. I have been thinking about their Gotcha Day for months and naturally it slipped my mind the day of SMH. In my defense, it has felt like Johnny and I have had Mel and P for forever ever since we brought them home over a year ago. They are the best little bunnies that we could ever ask for and it is such a joy to be bunny parents:

^^^ Lol at this picture of Penelope!

Mel and P have grown so much since we have brought them home. Not in size, but in spirit haha. For the first several months of having them, they were pretty skittish and it took a decent amount of time for them to get fully acclimated to their new setting and owners. These first months were a testament to patience being a virtue as we slowly but surely increased our interactions with them. A year ago, they barely wanted to be pet. Now, they love to be picked up and cuddled while Johnny and I hang out in the evenings. It’s great!

The best part about this year of pet parenthood has been watching Mel and Pen’s personalities finally come out. Penelope is not as shy as we originally thought and is such a cuddle bug. Our clothes are proof of this because she sheds like crazy. The way to her heart has always been with her favorite treats and she will literally melt over an apple lol. Melvin, on the other hand, is all about adventure. He loves to explore and is currently zooming around our bunny proofed zone as I type this. Mel is such an adolescent and doesn’t like to be held for too long so he can get back to playing. Thankfully, he is never too old for lots of pets from his old mom and pop. 🙂

Johnny and I took our fur babies home during a very dark place in my life and they made every day better. It was a comfort to have these two little gremlins to wake up to and return home to, knowing that they depended on me for their care. No matter how bad I was feeling, just being around them always helped to lift my spirits. Even though they can’t clean their own litter box (I wish!), they take care of me too. My mental health has improved one hundred fold because of them and they truly came into our lives at just the right time. I love them so much! ❤

Happy (late) Gotcha Day to my sweet Melvin and Penelope. The most wonderful bunnies in all the land! Johnny and I love you both!!!

Do you celebrate your pet’s Gotcha Day? How has your pet helped you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep24

About Our Bunnies

Posted on September 24, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!!! On November first, it will be one whole year since Johnny and I welcomed our sweet bunnies, Melvin and Penelope, home. We adopted Mel and P from a friend who adopted Penelope from some type of fair I think? Little did she know, Penelope was pregnant and had eight (Yes, eight!) babies. When Johnny and I decided that we were committed to adopting bunnies, I scoured humane societies and posted on Facebook for any leads. My post was answered by the new bunny parent of nine and we took our babies home two weeks later!

It was and still is so exciting to have pets in our apartment. Melvin and Penelope are our little buddies and we are just as obsessed with them now as the day we brought them home. It is such a blast to watch our two gremlins romp around our bunny proofed area, play with their beloved Chewy boxes, and get into mischief. Mel and P’s favorite activities include snack time, chewing literally everything, and getting all of the cuddles from their mom and dad. Although, cuddling definitely wasn’t on their agenda when we first got them… It took a while for them to get warmed up to being held, but now they are always on the couch with us when we watch TV! 🙂

Our almost first year of being bunny parents felt like a lot of trial and error. It took both Mel and P a while to get about 95% litter trained, for starters. The first few months involved a lot of cleaning up accidents and rearranging their litter boxes to find a solution that worked. We had to figure out the best ways to clean their hutch, the best places to shop for their leafy greens, as well as finding supplies that they liked and getting them acclimated to our touch. This process took a while, but we never gave up and it feels like we have had them for so much longer than a year.

Melvin and Penelope are completely different bunnies from when we first brought them home. Pen was SO shy and was not interested in exploring her new digs whatsoever. Melvin, on the other hand, was quite skittish and would rather run away than be near us. Now that they know who mom and dad are and are so used to us, we finally see their real personalities. Pen is sweet as can be and loves to be held – the way to her heart was lots of yummy treats! Mel is our little adventurer and tolerates being held for a while, then he scampers off to play, play, play. He loves toys and thinks it’s hilarious to dump his food dish all over the hutch as soon as I refill it! Their personalities compliment each other so well and I am thrilled that they are comfortable enough with us to show it off. ❤

Since Johnny and I did not have a birthaversary bash this year, we are hoping to combine it into a party for Mel and Pen’s Gotcha Day. Our bunny babies are so loved and in my perfect world, we would have an apartment full of them!

What is your pet’s personality like? When it your pet’s Gotcha Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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