How are the rabbits? :)

I think a lot of people are sighing when I go on about my rabbits, but for some reason I can't rest until I know they are fine - even if they are a pain in the butt and not nice to me at all, run at any sign from me that I want to pet them (well, sometimes when they've just received something yummy they can stay put for a while...). I've been worrying that it's too cold for them outside - we have already had a week of around - 20 degrees. Well, today it was - 6, which felt really warm :). Anyway, I moved the rabbits into the barn ("cowshed"..hmmm, not sure about the right word) and hoped they would all three get along, since they spend a lot of time on each side of the "net" between them outside. But no, D found a ball of black hair almost immediately - Doris had bitten Maya first thing and Maya was just running around trying to find somewhere to hide, even from her own sister Ellen. So, out Maya went for still another night, until I had time the next day to put up a net between the rabbits inside.

I was furious with them - they are causing me so much extra work. I also needed a warmer "house" for Maya who was alone, finally my neighbour had time to make one, for me it would've taken days and I would've been a nervous wreck. It's been even -10 in the barn as well, so if it gets to be so cold again for a long period, I plan to but in a radiator. People say rabbits have survived even - 30 outside. I just think rabbits are not endemic to Finland, they probably come from somewhere south-central Europe, where it seldom gets to be much below around - 5. So I don't want my rabbits to just make it through the winter, I want them to be comfortable.

And I guess, they are doing me a favour - I suspect they are helping me focus on something else than the constant "remember to do this, do that etc etc" which goes on in my head otherwise. When I worry about the rabbits, it's just them, and it's somehow easier to handle and I get more fresh air feeding them every day. So even if they are not affectionate to me, they are very important! Which means I really, really want them to be comfortable!

(last photo - D and Pekka had to help as well. You can also see the state of the rest of the barn here :(. I will never run out of things to do in this place)