k2

When we first moved into my sister’s house, Kelda ignored the funny white creature in the cage. She didn’t pay the bunny any mind. Perhaps she did notice him there because she didn’t go near Snowball’s cage. She went out of her way to avoid the cage. In any case she didn’t acknowledge or deny his existence.

The kids take the bunny out of the cage quite a bit and let him hop around the house. They were apprehensive about doing this now with the cats here. I reassured them that their bunny was in no danger from my cats. I explained to the kids that Snowball was the size of the kitten and she’d be smart enough not to risk a bunny attack and that Kelda was a wimp. (she’s never killed a mammal before, only bugs) The horrible truth was I didn’t really know this for sure. I was just guessing and hoping my cats wouldn’t want to eat the bunny. We were going find out one way or another, better to do it with supervision.

My words did reassure them and bunny was turned lose. Snowball immediately set abut the living room marking his territory. The cats watched this ritual at a distance. The kitten had perched herself safely on a tabletop. Kelda followed the bunny’s movements while maintaining a good 2-foot buffer zone. Kelda was curious to find out what this strange creature was.

I did not count on Snowballs curiosity. Neither did Kelda. When the bunny realized he had a Kelda in tow, he took to investigating her. He did this by hopping right up to her. The children were horrified that bunny was approaching the cat and thought Kelda would think their bunny a tasty meal. They were ready to intervene. I insisted they not do so because the bunny and cat would have to learn to live together. We all waited in anticipation to see how Kelda would react.

And react she did! When Snowball’s face met her’s, Kelda immediately leapt backwards. We laughed. Bunny persisted and once again stuck his little pink nose to Kelda’s face. Kelda turned and ran. So, bunny gave up and went on with his scent marking.

After Kelda settled from the shock, she started following Snowball again. He took notice and once again and approached the fraidy cat. How bold he was! This time Kelda let him sniff her for a few seconds before leaping away from him.

It went like this each time Snowball was released from his cage. Only Kelda became just a little more comfortable with him and a little more interested in the strange white cat each day. Finally, Kelda came to the conclusion that this weird white cat that lived in a cage was kind of neat. And one day Snowball concluded that the gray and white, big bunny was really fun to chase.

Chase is one of Kelda’s favorite games. She delighted in the bunny hopping after her. She was thrilled that the bunny would let her chase him. Back and forth bunny and cat would go through the living room until one of them got tired.

Kelda now stops by his cage daily and says her hellos. She likes sleep next to his cage, too. She’d sleep in it if we’d let her. Kelda is never jealous of Snowball when we give him attention. That’s HER bunny! She seems to know that he needs bunny love from us all. When we pet the bunny, Kelda is right there monitoring us ensuring we are gentle and kind to him. If the kids get to rough, they get a little swat of correction. Kelda is very protective of her new mate. We were dog sitting the other day. Kelda and Snowball were sitting together in a chair when the dog came up to Snowball and started to stick her dog nose in the bunny’s face. Immediately, Kelda jumped between the two and gave the dog a good swat on the nose. Nobody messes with her strange cat.

Kelda also has a respect for Snowball that she has for no other animal, with the exception of me. She knows when he thumps his feet he’s had enough from her. She backs down and leaves him be. Kelda is not one for backing down. She’s the one who always says when, so this really surprised me. My alpha cat succeeds her status to a little bunny!

I never would have suspected the blossoming of this relationship. I’ve never seen a bunny and a cat socialize. I don’t know much about rabbits, but I’m learning. Seems I’m still learning a lot about Kelda, too.