One special volunteer in the rescue is Jessica. Here we will be putting the stories she writes of the animals she has helped foster.

My name is Jessica. I’m 22 years old and I have spastic cerebral palsy. I’ve always had trouble finding and getting a job because of medical issues associated with my CP but that would soon change. I came across the Tiny Paws website while I was searching for a new home for my dwarf hamsters Snowy and Dakota. After numerous emails and phone conversations, I asked Linda about Tiny Paws and what she does with the animals she rescues. I wanted to know more so she gave me an opportunity to help out at an upcoming adoption event.
That day, I worked with a sweet brown female rabbit named Peanut Butter. She was reasonably fearful of people after being abandoned in the wilderness. All I really did was reassure her that she was all right when she became frightened of the loud noises and people who wanted to pet her. I didn’t do anything special; I just treated her with kindness.
Recently, Linda and mom gave me the chance to work with another unwanted rabbit named Lisa. Lisa is friendly but obviously terrified of people I don’t blame her though; the first person that took her in didn’t even try to bond with her, than she was handed over to animal control and neutered. That’s important for any pet but it had to be quite frightening for a rabbit that hasn’t had very much positive socialization.
We’d discussed fostering some animals but mom wouldn’t hear of it. After a few conversations by phone and email mom and Linda reached an agreement. My mom agreed to let me work with Linda’s animals but only those in need of socialization.
Lisa was the first animal to be placed under my care. I hope she is the first of many success stories. When she first came to my home, she was so scared that she wouldn’t even come out of the carrier. In fact, I almost gave her back because she was afraid of getting picked up that she would kick violently and scratch my mom and my sister every time they tried to put her on my tray. Another thing that worried me was the way she trembled when I tried to pet her. She’d also duck her head if we tried to pet her when she was hopping around the pen.
Fortunately, the time and patience has paid off now she’s ready to begin a new life in a new home. Her behavior has improved a great deal since then, she’s much more trusting of people now but keep an eye on her she’s very curious. Lisa also enjoys getting attention and affection just as much as she enjoys giving it. Lisa’s a gem; she’d be a wonderful addition to any family.
PS. Please take good care of her and give her the warm and love home she deserves.

Sincerely,
Jessica

 

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter’s story The very first animal I worked with was a light brown female rabbit named peanut butter Linda introduced her to me while I was helping out at an adoption event. Sadly, she had been abandoned in the wilderness and left for dead after her owner lost interest in her. She still needs more socialization but Linda and I agree that she would make a wonderful companion for anyone who’s willing to give her the love, time, and extra attention she needs. Owner’s Note The person who takes this pretty little girl home is very lucky. She’s a sweetheart with lots of love to give. She’s still quite timid in presence of others so please give her time to adjust she’s very affectionate when she’s relaxed.

Lisa

Lisa’s story Lisa is a gray female rabbit. Unfortunately, her first encounter with people wasn’t exactly pleasant; animal control officers picked her up and took her to get neutered immediately. I brought her home for five days in an attempt to earn her trust, in her mind all humans meant trouble. I don’t really blame her though. The women who agreed to Foster her returned her to Linda in a matter of days. Her foster claimed she was an escape artist. After she spent three days in my home she had become very comfortable with her surroundings; perhaps she was a little too comfortable. Although, she did mange to get out of the pen a couple of times but all in all I really enjoyed having her around. Owner’s Note Lisa is a very affectionate but on her own terms. She prefers meeting people on the ground at her level. This way, she can give guests potential owners a proper inspection. She not lazy but she’s not hyper either; she’s almost like curious George in the form of a bunny. I think she’d do well in home with older kids seven and up. She shouldn’t be placed with young children because she’s not the cuddling type you know. Lisa’s definition of cuddling means sitting on your lap on the floor while being petted. She also loves Food, attention, and exploring so please keep your eye on her when she’s busy checking things out ok.

Speckles

Speckle’s Story Speckles, is a black and white female lop eared mix. I brought Speckles home after asking Linda to line up some of her most difficult rabbits; speckle was at the top of that list. Speckles had been saved but her sister was found dead on the ground. Luckily, Speckles had only lost some hair on her rump. Her rescuers don’t know if the two rabbits got into a bad fight or if the dogs had something to do with it. I took her into my home hoping to ease her fears but I had my doubts; all Speckles did for the first few days was tremble and hide; there were times when I thought boy, am I going to get through to her? She gave me an answer to that question soon enough. Little by little her fear became curiosity. By the fourth day, she felt she could trust me but not completely which is why I kept her a bit longer but she still managed to reach the goal we set for her right. Linda tells me Speckles seems a lot happier and she’s very trusting nowadays. Owner’s Note Speckles would be a wonderful addition to any family she’s very laid back. She loves giving affection just as much as she loves getting it. She very curious but she can also be a bit hesitant when being introduced to new people or new things just give her time adjust to her surroundings; once she does that her loving and playful nature will reveal itself. She shouldn’t be placed be in a household with dogs she’s extremely fearful them after her ordeal.

Gidget

Gidget’s Story Gidget is female Abyssinian Satin mixed breed Guinea pig; she became terrified of everyone and everything after being exposed to dogs. If Linda gave her an igloo to sleep in she wouldn’t come out, even if she was hungry. When she did eat, she’d drag her food into the igloo with her and remain hidden for days on end. Linda introduced me to Gidget after I came to an adoption event with the new improved Speckles. I planned to return home with Speckles but she’d done much better so I brought Gidget home instead. Since that time, Gidget has transformed into a completely different Guinea Pig. Nowadays, she wants attention. In fact, she demands attention. When she wants to be petted she’ll nudge your arm and start squeaking. If you stop petting her she’ll squeak a bit louder to get your attention. Whoever makes Gidget a new addition to their family can look forward to many more happy memories. She has a wonderful personally she’s very affectionate; she’ll sit on your lap for hours if you let her. She’s quite playful too. If she squeaks while turning in circles and sniffing the air this mean she’s excited. She’s generally good-natured but she can be moody sometimes. Don’t disturb her when she’s eating wait until she does her business afterward before handling her again. If She making a puffing sound while your petting her leave her alone for a while. If she starts making that puffing sound while walking around stiffing the air, she’s caught an unfamiliar scent and she’s a little bit frightened. She will do this if you share your home with other animals but it’s nothing you should be too concerned about Gidgit’s a sweetheart.

 

Brownie

Poor Brownies was a victim of classic miscommunication. Tiny Paws showed up at a shelter to pick up two rabbits; problem number one was that somehow the wrong rabbit got neutered, Blaze not Brownie. Tiny Paws had to work out some space problems and called back to say we would pick him up on Wednesday on our way back from Indiana. When we called to make sure he would be ready on Wednesday morning, they weren’t sure , so they didn’t neuter him. Okay, please neuter and let me know when to pick him up…Finally on the following Wednesday we call to see what is going on. It shouldn’t take a whole week to neuter one little bunny. So at the same time the rescue is calling the shelter to see where he is, the shelter is calling the rescue to see why they haven’t shown up. He is safe now and eagerly showing off and dancing around at the front of his cage trying to get attention. That isn’t hard, look at how cute he is. They call Holland lops the “no neck” bunnies with rounded backs and bodies. Their ears are also much short than the mini-lop and not only my favorite breed, but Brownie is my favorite color. Everyone wants to carry their bunny around like a baby, which they just hate, but Brownie does not tolerate being carried as one is instructed and fidgets…a lot. Put him on his back like a baby and he settles down immediately. We will evaluate him further as he settles down from his neuter done about November 30 and as he gets free run time and we can watch him interact with the guinea pig, cats and people in the house.

Flip Flop

Hi everyone, it’s Jessica. I just wanted to tell everyone about some new friends I made while helping Linda at some Tinypaws fundraiser. Flip Flop Flip Flop is a gray and white male Dutch rabbit who was surrendered to Tinypaws Rescue after the family could no longer afford to care for him and their rex rabbit Cream Puff. Linda brought Flip Flop to some events hoping I could figure out why Flip Flop was lashing out at her. After talking to Linda about her relationship with Flip Flop as well as the family’s relationship with him. Immediately, it was clear that Flip Flop was acting out of jealousy not aggression. Linda took my advice to heart and admitted she also gave Cream Puff more attention. Since that time, Linda has spent more one-on-one time with Flip Flop and she has noticed a change in his behavior. I’ve also spent some one-on-one with Flip Flop. It’s true, has a bit of a jealous streak when it comes to other rabbits but you can’t blame him. I’ve also gotten the opportunity to see Flip Flop’s softer side. The majority of my time spent with Flip Flop has been wonderful. He loves getting affection a lot. He makes this cute clicking sound with his teeth when you stroke him down his back; he also enjoys having his ears stroked. In fact, he has a unique way of showing you when you’re not doing enough he’ll gently tug on your shirt with his teeth. The thing I love most about Flip Flop is how he returns any affection he’s been given. He’ll look at you with those big black eyes and rest his head on your arm or he’ll stand up put his paws on your chest on your chest then rest his head on you almost like he’s giving you a hug. Note to potential adopters: I think it would best for both Flip Flop and any potential owner’s if Flip Flop went to family that has had experience with rabbits in the past. It would also be best for him go into a home with older children and remained single due to his jealousy issues. It’s also important that I mention that Flip Flop is very frightened of dogs. Despite these issues, Flip Flop is one rabbit with lots of love to give. He’ll fill one household with enough joy and laughter to last a lifetime if given the chance. Sincerely, Jessica Cronk