Beau; RIP tree

As of the beginning of July, we have a new female bunny Beau. Harley had been on his own since Willow’s death in July last year, but Ruth had reached the conclusion that it might be best for him to have another companion. As before we went along to RRR and perused the limited number of females whom Sandra judged suitable, and agreed to an attempted bonding with Beau. She is around five years old, according to Steve and Sandra, and a bit skittish and highly-strung, so they warned – indeed she isn’t keen on being stroked, though perhaps she might come around, but she doesn’t appear too skittish otherwise. More importantly, she and Harley actually seem to work – they have been observed lying together a number of times and she has even on occasion been seen to groom him, albeit briefly. After the failure of both Lexie and Willow as companions for Harley – though Willow was an agreeable companion for humans – it’s a relief to have seemingly found him a suitable pairing. Beau has the same colour coat as Willow but is an erect-eared bunny as opposed to a lop.

Beau (left) and Harley being fed Fiba Sticks

Since Beau’s arrival we have been blocking off access to the stairs with a board in an effort to force Harley to stay downstairs and spend time with the new female, and amazingly, he appears much better and livelier than before – eating a wider range of food and hopping around after Beau, including following her out into the garden. I guess they really are social animals.

Sandra apologised for her masculine name but both Ruth and I are fine with it and have no intention of renaming her Belle.

Recently agreed, after months of wrangling, that Ruth could take out the conifer planted near the fence dividing us from number 51. Ray had planted it some years back – I think it might have been a Christmas tree though it was a sad-looking specimen and I had been convinced that it looked dead. Quite the contrary – it had grown into a splendid tree the past few years, resulting in us having to perform some surgery on it a couple of years ago. Recently, however, it had grown to such a size that Ruth had argued it had become too large for the garden – probably correctly, but I harboured some sentimental feeling for it, partly on account of its beautiful greenery, and had been reluctant to see it removed. However, I finally gave in recently on the condition that Ruth does something proactive for trees, e.g. via a donation to The Woodland Trust, e.g. through planting and sponsoring a tree or just making a donation. Or buying a small area of woodland.

The tree. RIP