Rodger Rabbit is a distinguished elderly gentleman, but he still has a bit of spring in his step.
The mini lop/chinchilla cross will be celebrating his 13th birthday on June 12: a remarkable feat for a rabbit, owner Christine Boldero said.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to [says] they’re five to ten years max.
“And the smaller the rabbit, the longer the lifespan. Roger’s quite big, he’s two and a half kilos. So for him to live that long… I think he’s pretty rare to make that age,” she said.
Christine, a vet nurse based in Waihī, said Rodger joined her family when he was only a few months old.
“He was one of our very first rescues – he was found in a dog park,” she said.
“We tried to find the owners and we couldn’t, so we ended up taking him home.”
Rodger very quickly became one of the clan, hanging out with both the family and their many animals – they have cats and chinchillas, along with rescue kittens and pigeons.
“He’s been my daughter’s best buddy since she was tiny… she’s 14 now, turning 15, so he’s been a big part of her life,” Christine said.
“[He’s] also been company for many of our rescue animals. His best mate is a white pigeon that we rescued and raised. They still hang out together now.”
Rodger also has a bit of a personality, Christine said.
“He’s a bit of a Houdini. I think that’s why they found him on the dog field, because he manages to get out of cages.”
Christine reckoned Rodger’s longevity could mostly be attributed to the care she takes with him.
“I’m particular with the husbandry, everything’s spotless all the time,” she said.
“Rabbits are quite high maintenance, people don’t realize that they do take a lot of looking after.
“He’s had the best treatment. I’m a vet nurse, so whenever he’s sick, I get on to it straight away.”
These days though, Rodger is definitely feeling his age.
“He’s completely blind now in one eye and he’s on medication to stop him falling over,” Christine said.
“Sadly he is deteriorating and won’t see another birthday, so this birthday is a very special one.
“He will get very spoilt, and when he passes he will leave a huge hole in our hearts.”
