Tag: Critters

Meet the babies.

A very warm welcome to my three musketeers, Charlotte, Duke and Peaches. A month ago we adopted these three gorgeous babies who needed a loving home and a family to call their own. Finally my heart felt strong enough to welcome more fluff balls in after the sudden loss of Valentine and Duchess earlier this year. If anything, these three have reassured me just how much I loved, and still love Valentine and Duchess!


Naming them was a little tricky. When I got Valentine and Duchess, I had wanted a bunny for so many years and knew I would name him Valentine. Duchess just came to me after we found out that he was in-fact a she-haha! These three had me stumped. Until I started to see their personalities come through and as I got to know them they each reminded me of animated movie characters. Charlotte became Charlotte because she is shy but very regal-just like Charlotte from Charlottes Webb. Duke became Duke because he is very pushy and forces attention on himself-just like Duke the dog from The Secret Life of Pets. And Peaches became Peaches because she is a little different from the other two, it took her a while to fit in and become comfortable in her environment-just like Peaches from Ice Age. And that is how my three musketeers were named 🙂

Oscar as usual is great with his babies. All he wants to do is kiss them and slobber on them. They come up to him too and give him a good old sniff then go about their business as usual. Zara is very intrigued by these little fluff balls. She was very young when we had Valentine and Duchess and she just wanted to run after them, which of course was not the way to behave. With these three she is a little older, has been to puppy training so she listens and understands things a whole lot better. She sits and watches them for hours through the glass door that leads into their play room. Her interaction with them is supervised at all times and we are slowly building up what she can and cannot do around them. She is rather funny, when Charlotte, Duke and Peaches come up to her for bunny kisses she freezes like a statue! Does not move a whisker. It is quite funny to watch. I am confident we will get to a stage where Zara will happily lie and watch over these three as they run up and down the passage and explore the house just like Valentine and Duchess did. It’s a learning process for us all but so far her progress is unbelievable and I am immensely proud of her!

All in all life with three baby bunnies is amazing. They trash their room every single night, which I believe is their way of showing me just how much they appreciate all the hay, treats and toys they get. I get special bunny kisses all the time, and recently Duke and Peaches have taken to the idea of having power naps in my lap. It is just the best!! I am loving being a bunny mom again…

Thanks for reading.

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Little Critters Rescue Club.

 

My mom and I were fortunate enough to visit the Little Critters Rescue Club at the beginning of November. We took some much needed supplies and we wanted to spend some time and get to know each Little Critter. We fell in love with all the critters, including the permanent residents! It is such a special place and one that is close to my heart, especially since Valentine and Duchess came into my life. When Lauren opened the door we were greeted by the cutest pack of wagging tails. Marmite, Peanut, Misty, Molly and Barney to be exact. Isabel who is one of Lauren’s rescue cats quite proudly showed us where the Critters were and then demanded some tummy tickles as a reward for her efforts.

Lauren started Little Critters Rescue Club out of pure love and adoration for smaller pets such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice and chinchillas. The club is a rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing center, but of course some of the critters that come in become permanent residents, mostly because they are special needs critters.

Lady, Gladys and Odette, the permanent residents
Lady, Gladys and Odette, the permanent residents

 

We met Gladys who was an abused little guinea pig girl who now has scars across her back. Her fur is long enough to cover them up and when you look at her you would never know just how hurt she was before she came to Little Critters. She was so friendly to my mom and I, we even got little piggy cuddles. She melted our hearts!

Lady is another piggy permanent resident who was so over bred that her bottom eyelids suffered such trauma from inbreeding that they now protrude outwards. She also has ovarian cysts and has had many ovarian issues as a result from all the breeding and she needs constant care. We also got piggy cuddles from her and she was such a sweet heart.

And then there is Odette, who is very special to Lauren! She has kidney failure and needs three supplemented feeds a day to make sure she gets all the vitamins, proteins and fluids she needs!

Piggies enjoying their Timothy Hay
Piggies enjoying their Timothy Hay

 

Then we met Sooty and Sweep, two cute baby bunny sisters! Lauren hand fed these babies and taught them everything they know. Luckily at the same time they came in, another guinea pig family came in and the three amigo baby guinea pigs and Sooty and Sweep became inseparable. Luigi, Herbie and Peanut are such curious little boys. My mom and I could have sat for hours listening to them chat amongst themselves, feed from their mom, explore their surroundings and play with Sooty and Sweep.

Sooty and Sweep are gorgeous baby bunnies and remind me of Duchess
Sooty and Sweep are gorgeous baby bunnies and remind me of Duchess

The Critters live a life of luxury while at the club. They have access to a massive mansion that has ramps, pillows, hideouts and lookouts. When they are not relaxing in their mansion they have access to the most awesome herb garden where they can run free and just be Little Critters! There is also a playground for everyone to enjoy with things to jump over, hide under and gnaw on.

Visiting Little Critters has inspired me and given me new ideas on how I can improve Valentine and Duchess’ play room, hutch and outdoor area.

Their outdoor playground area
Their outdoor playground area

Before any adoptions, strict home checks and interviews take place. It is very important that anyone wanting to adopt is doing so for the right reasons. Lauren will also educate the adoptive family on proper care, food requirements and how to keep your Little Critter truly happy.

These critters were abused, abandoned and not cared for, yet they still have enough love and trust in them to allow us to show them what its like to be loved, it honestly is heart warming.

The guinea pig family enjoying a meal together
The guinea pig family

 

This Christmas I ask you to please think of these Little Critters.

Before Valentine and Duchess came into my life I had no idea just how much effort goes onto making sure they are kept happy and healthy! Meal times are a lot more than a lettuce leaf and a carrot. Despite their size, their food bill and toy bill is costly. I can’t imagine having more than two Critters to feed and look after. If you can, please donate any amount to the Little Critters Rescue Club. They always need Burgees Pellets, Timothy Hay, blankets to snuggle in, and interactive toys. You can contact Lauren on lauren.namer@iburst.co.za and please be sure to follow them on Facebook (click here) and Instagram (click here), every share is one step closer to finding these Little Critters their perfect forever home!

 

Having fun together
Having fun together

Thank you for reading

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