Jockey is a little better today, still would not qualify to attend school if today was a school day... but better none the less. He slept last night on the floor in front of the bathroom at his own choosing. But he only got up twice in the night. He did still have a fever last night, but it's not soaring. And this morning he asked for his pear, although it is unconfirmed as to whether he actually ate any of it. But he asked. And he got his own pants and boots on and wandered outside to meet us and to see the baby rabbits. He really likes them but only wants to hold the ones that won't pee on him. He really has a thing about having his hands clean and washed all the time (hard when you're and artist too and the paint gets everywhere.)

So he came out to see the baby rabbits and this is what we found on...

Day Seven of Babies rabbits:

It's a beautiful sunny day, and WARM as far as spring goes. So we could actually bring the babies into the sunlight rather than just hover over the nesting box. They have more fur/thicker coats. The three solid darker ones... well, one has a white tummy and is lighter than the other two... kind of has coloring like mama. (So for now, "rosie jr.") The other two (Darko and peewee) have dark tummies and I'm eager to see their full coats since they are not like either parent. The skin over the eyes is showing the line of indentation where the two lids are starting to form from solid skin. They actually look like "sleeping" eyes shut bunnies rather than deformed blind things. With the boys, we actually saw a baby move it's mouth like it wanted to eat. I was able to explain that motion to the boys, and what they are eating, and also show them the little teeth, feet, and their back legs (which are often all covered with fur on an adult and it's hard to get an idea of how big the back feet are in proportion). They got to hold quite a few of them. At this point, the boys need coaching on how to hold a baby rabbit over anything else. They think it is cute when the babies crawl up their arms while outstretched, but when the baby reached the elbows there is a great chance that it could fall and you won't have a free arm to catch. Jockey does good with the "baby chick" type of two hand hold, but the babies can still climb and stretch out of that one (and a high chance of getting a few wet fingers.) Basically, NO unsupervised baby visits! Especially when they have to stand on a bucket to even reach! Too far for anybody/thing to fall. Rosie was let loose in the yard today for a little leg stretch. I saw her nibble a bit and at least 3 "happy hops" and good runs. She does not want to be picked up right now (too sensitive a tummy) but it was worth it to get her out for 20-30 minutes. She is ever patient and will even lay in her relaxed on her side position when I reach in to pet her. She's a good mama and an even better rabbit. But F-A-T, full of food and milk. Rolie polie for sure. Overall, the babies look more like tiny bunnies than rats finally. 4 more days or so and we'll see eyes!

Pictures of today:

Jockey with a speckled one

Caleb with a speckled one.

Jockey with a speckled one

Caleb with a speckled one... see eye slits developing.

Caleb with PeeWee

Jockey with Darko

Mommy holding Shooter Jr.