Adventures with Gustav

Ellen and Felicia discuss Ellen's two years with Gustav the ambassador rabbit.

Origin Story

1. I “babysat” for him and his siblings (Leopold & Beatrice) when they were 3 month kits in fall 2020
2. He visited for the 2020 Christmas holiday & stayed
3. He’s as cute and adorable today as when he was a tiny kit – coffee brown, 2lbs

Personality

1. calm, cuddly, affectionate, sweet (“big brown loaf of bunny bread”), sits on my shoulder,
2. curious and adventurous – (when the tiny pocket-sized bunny met the tiny purse-sized terrier)
3. loves to travel, well-mannered, will snuggle with everyone no matter the size of their lap (“Mr. Ambassador”)      

Housing

1. Condo with tunnel, 20” high so that he can stretch up, tunnel is mounted on ceiling
2. Travel cage (tried small, now prefer medium size, especially for overnight stays)
3. Exercise pen designed for small animals (collapsible, portable, use indoors and outside, good for traveling, 24” high wire grid walls, wall panels are hinged panels

 

Responsibilities/Chores

1. he cleans the basement with his whiskers – “the Original Dust Bunny”
2. he watches me while I work on projects around the house – “Mr. Accountability”

 

Toys & Games

1. cardboard boxes, especially enjoys large boxes that he can crawl into (“man cave”)
2. sisal rope for nibbling is attached ceiling of the condo and travel cage
3. tug-of war with cardboard
4. outdoor exercise pen set up on the brick patio or in enclosed patios or in garage
5. indoor exercise – he runs laps around the perimeter of the basement – so proud of his speed that he often kicks his rear heels together
6. creative – he invented “chase after the bunny”

 

Aristocrats of Wisconsin Rabbitry

1. Appreciation for their methods of breeding, raising, training
2. Recommendation – highly recommend for their quality of healthy content pets