Monday, April 10, 2006

Pfeff is an expensive little bugger it seems. Today I called around to some veteranary clinics in the area (and beyond) to get price estimates on how much it's gonna cost to get my baby altered. A couple weeks ago, I caught an accidental x-rated glimpse of my bun and now I think it's pretty safe to say that I have a son! Of course, I could still be wrong and end up having a daughter but I'm pretty sure I saw a little pink boy part (not that it's "little", Pfeffy. Sorry!) and so I've been trying to get into the habit of saying "he" rather than "it".

I've called clinics and animal hospitals both locally, from my hometown and surrounding area, and places about an hour's drive from here. The cheapest price I've found so far is an hour away and the cost is 129.30$ + tax. The most expensive place I've found so far is a local animal hospital about ten minutes away from me where the price is 247.40$ + tax. Other prices include a local vet who performs neutering for 150$ + tax but he isn't a rabbit specialist, just happens to do rabbit altering, and a vet near my hometown where the cost would be 217.10$ + tax. The most expensive place had the most informed nurse who I spoke with on the phone. She gave me a rundown of the exact procedure including what type of anesthesia is used on the rabbits and how they handle the overnight care. It was lovely. The price really seems to speak for the type of care they give the animals. The one downfall was that she told me that most rabbits don't need pain medication afterwards, but at least she did say that I had the option of purchasing some.

Joey said that he would pay for my baby's surgery as my birthday gift. That's a pretty darn expensive birthday gift. I think it's just a cop-out so he doesn't have to think up an idea all on his own! Of course, the suggestions I've been making aren't exactly cheap either: a custom-made shirt from my favourite clothing store would be about 50$. Now that I know the cost of surgery, I can't make him pay for the whole thing. That's just mean. He can pay for half which was the idea when I first found out that non-breeding rabbits should be altered. I haven't made the appointment yet because I need to find out when he'll be free to take Pfeff and I to the hospital. I won't be able to go alone because I know I'll break down and cry. A lot. I got a little misty just thinking about my bun having to be operated on. Ugh, I'm such a mommy!

[update] so Pfeff's neutering appointment is made for Tuesday, April 18th. Including taxes and bloodwork, the grandtotal of the surgery will be: 248.40$ (if my calculations are correct). Eep! I just hope my baby bun won't be in need of pain meds on top of all that. Goodbye money...

Yesterday, Shay accompanied me while I picked up a bag of hollow plastic Easter eggs. I had this geeky idea to have Pfeffer pose with them since this is my first year of having my own personal Easter Bunny. As per usual, he's not very happy when it comes to cameras and loathes the flash with an unrivaled passion. The flash had to be turned off so some of the pictures came out a little dark. I downloaded a few Easter-themed fonts so that I could make pretty images for this weekend. Expect a few to be posted nearer the end of the week.

Now, I'd like to remind anyone who is thinking of getting a rabbit for Easter that Easter & bunnies don't mix! Unless you are prepared to put in a decade's worth of work and love into treating your bunny as he/she deserves to be treated, then just stick with bunnies made of chocolate. Many rabbits are handed over to shelters or abandoned outside a month or two after Easter because people don't want to care for them anymore. I don't understand how people can so easily give up a member of their family. If it were a child who was left outside because he/she was unwanted by parents then the world would be in an uproar. Animals deserve the same kind of respect. But, if you are thinking of adding a pet to your household, do save someone's life and adopt from a shelter instead of purchasing an animal from a pet store. If you live in Southern Ontario, then today's link is for you!

*link of the day* Rabbit Rescue: "We are a 'NO KILL' Charity dedicated to saving lives of those most in need. Rabbit Rescue Inc. is a registered charity dedicated to finding new homes for domestic rabbits that have been abused, abandoned or neglected... We rescue 'last chance' animals, who have run out of time at shelters in Ontario. Without Rabbit Rescue, these animals would be euthanized... Rabbits make wonderful pets! They are affectionate, easy to litter train, quiet and can be downright hilarious!" JeN's mind ejaculated @ 5:49 p.m. | | permalink