Considering adding a greyhound to the zoo

Having lost 3 bunnies since August '08, I'm feeling like an empty-nester just having SweetPea and Bandit. My first priority is definitely their level of comfort and security (not to mention safety!), but I'd really love to add a dog to the mix.

Something about greyhounds has me captivated. They seem majestic and graceful and sweet and laid back and fun. I've known a grey or two in my life (Pharaoh was an incredibly loving dog), but I'm definitely more filled with questions than with answers at this point.

Now, you may think adding a sighthound to a house with a prey animal and a shy cat is insane, but I think that if I can bond an unneutered bunny boy (Hops) to three spayed bunny girls (Ariel, Kayla and SweetPea) and have them live in peace, I can pretty much do anything with animals. Not to mention the intro of the cat (predator much?) to a mix with three bunnies (Kayla, Hops and SweetPea), two of whom became immobile (read: helpless to run from said predator) during her early residence in the house. No incidents occurred at all between the cat and the bunnies. Now, you may think I just got lucky, that Bandit would run from a fly if it flew towards her (and you'd be right, my friend), but I'd also like to think life is peaceful with my zoo because I introduced them right and took my time and let each of them know what was to be expected of them.

So I definitely need more information on the subject.

Enter my Pet Website Of The Week (if only I could keep up that pace!): GreyTalk.com. These people are greyhound fanatics. And I say that with awe and appreciation and respect. They tell it like it is. I've been lurking on their forum for like a week now and today posted a few queries to the group. I've already gotten several wonderful responses from really knowledgeable people.

So, my questions are: Are greys okay with shy cats (Bandit) and bunnies (SweetPea)? Also, do greys need to run or are a few good walks a day okay for them?

If you have any advice on either of those questions, PLEASE comment on this post or on GreyTalk.com!

Can't we all just get along?

In the spirit of our new hopeful presidential administration, I thought I'd share this photo with you all:

Bunny who thinks he's a goat

Check out the head-to-head butting action of this little dude! I've never seen goats be friends with bunnies before, but clearly this bunny can't let his buddy out of his sight. It's just adorable what games animals come up with when left to their own devices! Terrifying rabbit, indeed! =:-3

Bunny munching away

This cutie is sooo hungry, she could eat a whole rice cake. Somehow the fact that her hands stay on the edge of her bed make her even sweeter.

Cutest bunny?!

The cutest bunny on the Internet?! Well, all baby bunnies are probably the cutest bunny on the Internet, but check out this lil' charmer!

Why I call them bunnies and not rabbits

Paul asked me a while ago, "Why do you call them bunnies and not rabbits?" Interesting question...

Rabbits are bigger. Even SweetPea, who tops out about 7 pounds now (huge next to her 2- to 4-pound siblings), is a bunny. The big 'uns are like Flemish Giants. They're rabbits. Mr. or Mrs. Rabbit if you don't want them to sit on you. The little guys are just bunnies.

However, when I talk to non-bunny people, I make sure to specify "house rabbits" to emphasize the indoor quality of their domicile.

Do you call your house rabbits "bunnies" or "rabbits"?