“She was initially called ‘Houdini’, but I later realised she was female, so I added the ‘e’ to make the name more feminine,” Foo told FMT with a laugh, adding that she tends to call the little fluffball “Dinie”.
Houdinie is a Holland Lop, which is one of the smallest lop-eared rabbit breeds.
“I chose her because she looked a bit ‘deformed’ as she had one ear up and one down, but I thought that made her extremely adorable,” she recalled fondly.
According to Foo, Houdinie is the “queen” of the household. “I’m merely her servant,” she chuckled.
Foo once fostered a pair of kittens, and Houdinie promptly showed them who was boss. “She would chase them away whenever they got too close or curious. She’s rather feisty!”
When it comes to food, Houdinie gets unlimited hay alongside a handful of pellets every day. She also gets fresh greens such as lettuce, parsley and herbs in the mornings.
“She likes to eat all the green leaves and she doesn’t touch the stems until much later,” Foo pointed out. “She’s quite spoiled.”
Being crepuscular, which means most active during dawn and dusk, Houdinie follows Foo into the kitchen every morning, hoping to get fruit treats.
Her absolute favourite fruit is bananas, and she can smell them a mile away. “I haven’t been able to eat a banana in peace since I’ve had her. She goes bananas for bananas!”
However, Foo only allows her a little at a time, as food that is high in sugar is not good for rabbits.
“Contrary to popular belief, carrots aren’t that good for them either, for the same reason. They should be fed in small amounts as occasional treats.”
According to Foo, baths are a no-no as they can be harmful to rabbits. Besides, “she cleans herself pretty well”, she said.
And, like most rabbits, Houdinie can be affectionate and often snuggles up to Foo during the night. “She loves being petted all over, except for her hind legs – that’s a no-go zone!”
Foo has also taught her how to do a few tricks, using food as motivation. “I’ve taught her how to circle around my legs, spin on the spot, and beg on her two hind legs.”
Houdinie is a “free-roam” rabbit, which means she is allowed to wander about the house without restriction.
“She does have her own area on the balcony, which consists of a wooden crate that she sleeps in all day, along with a litter box, and a hay feeder that I handmade,” Foo explained.
Houdinie also has a pen, into which she is placed temporarily whenever Foo needs to clean the house.
In general, Houdinie is a rather “tidy” bunny, “except when she ‘redecorates’ her living space by messing it up”!
Interestingly, her favourite spot in the house is the sliding door track. “She likes to squish herself in that tiny space,” Foo said with a laugh, adding that the family is always careful to make sure she’s not in any danger by being in that precarious spot.
And even though Foo has bought quite a few toys for Houdinie, much like a cat, her favourite plaything is a cardboard box. Silly bunny!
Still, for all her cuteness, it’s not always sugar and spice: Houdinie likes to nibble on plants, clothing, and – the most nerve-wracking – wires, also known as “spicy hay” in the rabbit community.
“She can be really naughty, but she’s so cute, I forgive her every time,” Foo said warmly. “At the end of the day, she’s just a bunny being a bunny.”
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.