Wild rabbit in home 2 years now

Question
Hi Dana
I wanted to follow up with the progress of the wild rabbit in our home for almost two years now. I should say the rabbits warren since the little beast has commandeered the home. She(?) lives under our sons bed with heavy cotton sweaters and is always looking to expand her territory. We have 5 declawed inside cats and the rabbit is comfortable with 4 of them and has proven to be a more than equal match to them - seems to be about 3 steps ahead of a cat. I should write a book about how this rabbit has fared. From the long battles with me over territory (to the animals I'm the alfa male. To my wife? Don't get me started) - which can last a week or more - she will hunt me down to chase and nip me day and night yet also allows me to stroke her nose but once I stop she is looking to nip, she will then glare contemptuously at me on two legs while I tap her nose and say "NO!!!" No fear whatsoever. I have followed that up by leading her to the door, opening it and yelling " YOU THINK YOU CAN FIND A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE!!!! GET THE HELL OUT!!! The rabbit will approach the open door sniff the outside air for awhile and then slowly - very slowly - hop away. Wild rabbit 1. 41 year old man 0. This has happened more than once. Proper food offerings are important (baby carrots ONLY no regular size carrots, fruits to taste sliced just so and NO Walmart rabbit food. I think the rabbit would starve if that were the only choice. Hartz is ok though.) The rabbit will allow my wife to rub her stomach while she is on her hind legs (the rabbit!)and this will put her into a trance (again, the rabbit). It has been amazing. The thought of leaving a wild rabbit to die rather than bring it into your home to me is ridiculous IF you are prepared to deal with a wild animal inside. NO CAGES!! let it go and die before you cage a wild rabbit. Place barriers to all electrical outlets and cords and have a litterbox along with a dustbuster for all the misses and messes. If you are prepared to adjust yourself and allow the rabbit to be itself it can work. They are a pain in the ass but they are also worth it. I am grateful to have experienced this animal up close. It has been fasinating. Brian

Answer
Dear Brian,

It sounds as if King/Queen Cottie has found the perfect home with humans who know their Proper Place in the hierarchy.  Yes, it's true.  A rabbit will always win.  And cotties are particularly adept at winning. I mean...who can resist that adorable face with those huge, brown eyes.

(Just as a note:  tapping him/her on the nose is a definite challenge in rabbit language.  If you want to really piss him/her off, keep up the tapping!)

I have lived with a wild cottie who was completely in love with our wild sanctuary jackrabbits and wanted to be one.  I think Cottie must have been the most intelligent non-human I've ever met (and probably smarter than some!).  No fear. Complete confidence in himself.  And brilliantly smart, able to solve problems.  Just loved being near people.  What an honor to have lived with such a great soul.

And what you say about cages is right on.  Our wild hares would go insane if we ever caged them.  It's hard enough just to get them to come inside (they can come in whenever they want, but only Tulle does for treats) for medications!  They need their open sky cathedral, or they just cannot thrive.  Freedom is hard-wired into them.  Take that away, and they will die.

I'm so glad your wee cottie with the HUGE spirit has found a safe haven with so many willing subjects!  :) Thank you for sharing.  I think you *should* write that book!  Believe me, there would be people to buy it!  (Including me!)

Dana
dana@miami.edu