When I married Doug four and a half years ago, I inherited two wonderful sons and a little Lionhead rabbit named Cam. A beautiful, glossy black color with a fluffy mane around his neck, Cam has dark eyes that intently watch everything and miss nothing.
Cam lives in an apartment on the ninth floor of a vintage Chicago building on a lovely tree-lined street with his two dads. He was a lucky little rabbit for they found him in an animal rescue center seven and a half years ago. Cam quickly got their attention and claimed them as his own.
While many rabbits may live in a cage, Cam does not. He hangs out with his dads in the living room watching football…or the special show about rescuing homeless dogs. He identifies with that one. He wants to be where his dads are, so he follows them from room to room.
In the living room, there are lots of toys and a big cardboard house that is all his. It has several different levels and he can jump from one to the other. Another favorite toy is a long fabric tunnel that he loves to run through. Evidently, the windows in the tunnel weren’t large enough to suit him, so he chewed them to be just the right size. When he’s ready for a nap, there are plenty of places he could sleep, but he likes to sleep under the dining room table on one of the chairs.
If you’re wondering where a little rabbit does his business in the middle of an apartment on the ninth floor, he has a litter box! Just like a cat. He also gets brushed and groomed on a regular basis. His dads take him to a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals – including rabbits! If you’ve never had a rabbit, there are several important things to know. For example, their digestion is very tricky and must be managed carefully. Another thing is dental care. Rabbits have “open rooted” teeth which continue to grow – rather like our fingernails. So Cam occasionally has to go to the vet to have his teeth filed! Fresh hay and chew toys help but they watch him closely to prevent any dental problems.
So what does Cam’s diet consist of besides lots of fresh water and fresh hay? If you could see one of his beautifully prepared salads, you’d be jealous! I asked his dad Jeff just exactly what Cam eats and his reply was great, so I’ll share here:
“Romaine, cilantro and Italian parsley for his salads. The other plate is dill, mint and basil. Carrots, apples and banana are his only fruits and it’s only a couple small pieces a day. Fruits have too much sugar for his system to digest. But he can actually hear a banana being peeled or me slicing an apple in the kitchen from the living room.”
Cam is very loving and friendly. If you sit on the floor with him, he will come hopping over to you. He will gently nudge your hand, asking you to pet him. His coat is so soft and silky. Maybe it has something to do with all those fresh veggies!
The only person who might see a little reserve from Cam is the housekeeper who comes on a regular schedule. He is definitely not a fan of the loud vacuum or having his toys moved around! I think he has been known to grunt a bit in reply!
I love that Cam was rescued all those years ago and has such a good home with his dads. He’s a happy boy.