Hi everyone. I recently adopted two bunny brothers, but now I’m regretting it.
Some backstory: I’m a 28 year old firefighter/paramedic and work 24hours on, then 48 hours off, usually. I live alone in an apartment that allows pets, and for some time now I’ve been wanting to adopt a pet because I want a companion. I don’t have family around to help out. Dogs were out of the question because of the amount of time I know has to be dedicated for their exercise, maintenance, and care has to be. I also can’t imagine leaving a dog alone for more than 24 hours a day without someone to check on them. Separation Anxiety is a real thing for dogs, and I would never want to have a dog go through a day or two alone. I had a dog as a child, but he passed from cancer two years after adoption.
Cats. I’m allergic to cats, so that’s a no.
Fish and reptiles are also a no, mainly due to preference.
And that’s where I landed on bunnies. I did my research, a WHOLE lot of research. The whole shebang. Diet, exercise time, possible health issues, care, everything. I found places to find good quality proper hay and litter, had a list of veggies to give and NOT to give. Toys, what kind of x pen and how big they should be, videos, guides, books…..you probably get the point. I also understood that if I were to leave them for 24 hours, it wouldn’t be IDEAL but so long as I fed them heartily and changed their litter boxes before shift, they’d have each other for the day. I planned on getting a pet camera to keep an eye on them during downtime. I also work 8 min away, so popping in sometimes isn’t too much of an issue, with permission from my Lieutenant.
And that’s what I did. I talked to the adoption agency, about my situation, long work hours, but had planned on giving them the care they deserve when I’m home. Time to free roam, bunny proof the place, etc. The agency (multiple agencies) had collectively said about the same things, that if I were to have two bonded bunnies, that this is doable. That working a long shift would be workable. And I was prepared. And then my adoption application was approved for two brothers, both 8 months old.
I believed I was prepared. But the emotional regret that manifested after a few days with the bunny brothers has really taken its toll on me.
Don't get me too wrong. My plans worked. Feeding them before shift, checking on them every now and then while at work, coming home and spending as much free time as I had with them. They're happy. Well fed. Flopping down every day. No current health issues. Still a little weary of me but that's expected. In the mornings I come home, they're active, and then during the day they're napping and I do my own things.
But I can't get over the fact that I regret adopting them. I didn't realize how much I liked my home being alone. I'm a homebody that wanted a companion, but now I just want to spend my time at home alone with no pets or other responsibilities. And the realization only came after spending two weeks with the bunnies. I liked my previous schedule, but I really believed that I'd be happy with a new addition, and I'd adapt. I knew coming into this whole thing that my off days would be spent caring for the bunnies.
I feel horrible for feeling this way, after spending time with them and the amount of research and preparation I put into the bunnies. They're adorable and ideal bunnies. Great companions. But I don't believe I'll be able to keep them for much longer. My adoption agency had told me beforehand that if for any issue I need to give them up, that they would be able to take them back. I adore the bunnies, I care for them, but I don't think I can keep going on with this. I believe they'd be better off with owners who would jump over the moon for them, as I had initially thought I would be.
There's also the issue where I realized I have a slight-to-moderate allergy to bunnies, and my nasal passage is being destroyed. So, this issue isn't really helping with my regret issue...
Has other people felt this way about adopting rabbits, or other pets? I don't know if I'm asking this to make myself feel better, but I genuinely do want to know if this is a thing post-adoption.
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/ox5ho4/im_regretting_adopting_my_bunnies/
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