Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Story of One Shallot's Teeth

I work at a zoo. I don't know why, but many people seem to think that zoo = place to drop off unwanted pets. Let me assure you, this is not the case. True, the zoo I work at houses a large number of rescued parrots and primates. So many, in fact, that we can barely keep up with them all. But unwanted pets? Well, when was the last time that you saw a house cat in a zoo exhibit?

Even so, many animals are abandoned by our back gate every year. Bunnies are a particular problem where I work; at one point someone dumped about 50 of them in the park next door! Everyone did their best to get them to a rabbit rescue, but not before they were traumatized by dogs, cars, and who-knows-what-else!



So I guess it was only a matter of time before I ended up with a hard-luck rabbit of my own. We already have something of a menagerie at our house. But this guy was just too pathetic to trust
to fate. So I took him home and named him Shallot.

Shallot is blind in one eye, was emaciated, and has terrible problems with his teeth. His front teeth grow so crookedly that they curve in four different directions, with the top two growing backwards into the roof of his mouth. No wonder he was so skinny! He couldn't chew vegetables at all. He was surviving by picking up small pieces with his tongue and pulling them into his mouth. He lived with some other bunnies at the zoo for a while, but it was obvious that he couldn't compete with them. So I finally brought him home.

Turns out, he's a wonderful guy! I was afraid that the fact that we have to take him to the vet every two or three weeks to get his teeth trimmed would make him skittish. Far from it! He roams my studio, grooming my ankles while I work at my desk, and generally brightens up the place. He doesn't seem to mind his carrier, and has been designated a "well-mannered bunny" by my vet's office staff.


Now that he is healthier and more robust, the next step is to trim all his teeth. For that he'll have to stay at the vet all day and be mildly sedated. I'll probably still have to dice up his food really finely, but it should improve his ability to chew. So wish Shallot luck! Hopefully by 2010 he'll be eating almost like a normal rabbit.



16 comments:

  1. Wow what a pretty little fellow! I can just imagine what a pure joy it must have been for him to be able to eat again when you took him in and trimmed his teeth. I'll wish him luck of course, but if he found you I'm pretty sure luck isn't something he's lacking anymore.

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  2. Aww, thanks Tatty! i've never had a rabbit before, so I was really surprised at what great pets they make! He even gets along with my kitties! Fingers crossed that the next trimming helps a bunch!

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  3. Arh bless, I hope by January he'll have no more problems and will be eating you out of house and home!
    Good luck

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  4. Aww, he's looking great! So much healthier. And what handsome markings he has. He's a lucky bunny to be with you. :)

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  5. Awww...as an animal lover, this story has done my heart good :)

    He is a very handsome little bunny, and with you on his side, he can have nothing but good things come his way.

    I look forward to reading more about your little Shallot :)

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  6. Isn't he a cutie! I live on a farm, and it's amazing how many people drop off their dogs and cats in the country thinking that some farm will take care of them! Why do people do that? If you don't want a pet - don't get one!

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  7. i used to raise rabbits, so hats off to taking on a special needs bunny that is so cute!

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  8. Thanks everyone! I'll tell him folks are pulling for him! ;)

    Audrey, I didn't realize that people would do that at a farm too! I know it's been said before, but people are strange.

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  9. Hi Corinna,

    Glad I found your blog and read about Shallot. He's the cutest!

    Lynn (aka LolaLynn - EFA's challenge coordinator)

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  10. Too cute. Looking good.

    What a delightful, delish and adorable blog you have here. So glad I just found you today. Love each and every one of your great picture.

    Hope I can follow along. Stop by my garden when you have a change.

    www.thegardenbell.blogspot.com

    Hope to see you soon.

    Will be checking back regularly.
    Ho-Ho-Ho

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  11. If someone hasn't already told you, you can potty train rabbits! Makes cleaning up sooo much easier. Good luck!

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  12. Shallot looks really good. That's great that the cats get along with him. Several people have told me how much they enjoy reading your blog.

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  13. Thanks everyone! Erin, I've been reading about that. Hopefully he'll learn that soon, lol!

    Harleycat, tell them thanks for reading!

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  14. Oh my goodness, I think he is the sweetest rabbit I have ever seen- and I'm a big rabbit person. I am so glad you gave him a home and he keeps you company in your studio. That is wonderful! :) Good luck with the teeth!!!

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  15. Amazing! I love this post. Poor Shallot, but then again, lucky Shallot! I wish I could adopt all of the bunnies and kitties, but I have no yard :(

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