A Day in the Life of Milkshake: A Special Needs Bunny

How snuggles, special care, and a few tasty treats make every day wonderful for Milkshake

Let me introduce myself, my name is Milkshake. I'm the fluffiest, most lovable bunny you’ll ever meet. I'm a cashmere minilop (long-haired) and I'm not just any rabbit—I'm a special needs bunny with a heart as big as my adorable ears. Every day with me is a little adventure filled with gentle care, belly laughs, and heart-melting cuddles. Whether you’re a pet lover or a bunny parent yourself, you’ll know there’s something truly magical about these kinds of moments with me.

The Origin of Milkshake

One stormy afternoon in February of 2025, (human) Mum was standing at the kitchen window looking out admiring the rain with a cup of peppermint tea. When suddenly in the garden outside I appeared - a little wobbly, wet ball of floof (no bigger than the size of your palm). She rushed outside to grab me, brought me in and dried me off with a warm towel and soft warm hair dryer. I was a little bun, full of fight and willingness to live, as I'd made my way up, what looked like, quite a steep garden embankment to say hi!

What Made me Different?

You see, I am no ordinary fluff! I have a special condition called "swimmers" where my front legs grew in the opposite direction (don't worry it doesn't hurt), but it sure means I can't hop around and balance like normal bunnies can. But it doesn't stop me being so full of life, strong and sassy!

However, with my condition, it will mean I will not grow as big and hefty as my brothers and sisters in the fluffle, and that is just AOK with me! I was only 100g when I first appeared and I'm now almost 1kg!

Milkshake when she was really little!

So you want know what an awesome life I have, huh?

Morning Routine: Waking Up in my Cosy Igloo

When the sun peeks through the window, I stir from my deep slumber, snuggled down inside my soft, fluffy and dark igloo. Usually using the sides as a sleep mask to dream the nights away. Forget hay-filled hutches—my igloo is lined with plush fabrics, making it the perfect safe haven to start my day. Sometimes, you’ll see just the tip of my nose twitching as I decide if it’s worth leaving my warm cocoon. Sometimes Mum has to reach in and tickle my belly, as my alarm clock, to help with waking me up for the day.

The day begins with a gentle water syringe feeding—an essential part of my routine to make sure I stay hydrated. As a special needs bun, I can’t always manage on my own, so a few careful syringes of fresh water are given with quiet words of encouragement. I generally consume around 100-200mls every one to two days. Mum and I then hit the grooming stations. I love a good lick bath. Mum helps me with special combs for my fur to ensure there are no mats, hay or anything else sticking to my coat. She even 'licks me' with a baby wipe to ensure the coat oils are kept clean. I am white so I expect shiny cleanliness peoples! I need to shine bright like a diamond! I love it so much I help Mum stay clean too by licking her back. She's got to look her best for work too.

In Winter, my heat pack is warmed just right and tucked underneath the base of my igloo bed, keeping me cosy and comfortable as I nap during the day. This provides up to 10 hours of soothing warmth to help me have the best dreams.

Grooming and Bathing: Gentle Care with Baby Wipes

Special bunnies need special grooming. Bunnies can't be bathed in water as this can be fatal for us due to the extreme stress. It also increases matting of fur (which is a very painful thing for buns). So the baby wipes help keep my fur clean and fresh, especially around the spots I can’t quite reach by myself. I'll, generally, sit quietly (sometimes with a little nose boop for encouragement) as my paws and coat are wiped down, making sure I'm always comfortable and looking my best.

Treat Time: Apple, Banana, and Fresh Grass Galore

After my morning care, it’s time for my favourite part of the day: treats! I can't help it, but my eyes light up at the smell of apple being peeled into thin slices, a nibble of banana, and, best of all, fresh grass straight from the garden. Each treat is given in small amounts, savoured slowly (I mean devoured in seconds), with my little mouth working away in the most endearing fashion. These tasty morsels are more than just snacks—they’re little moments of joy and connection. But you'd better be quick as one blink and they are consumed! No rest for the wicked! And I have to eat it before Mum gets any!

I mean I still get all the usual bun stuff like unlimited hay, rabbit pellets and some oats but the treats are what I live for. I can smell it whenever my Human's go in the kitchen and I get so excited. I just can't contain myself.

Milkshake getting her apple treats!

Snuggles and Play: The Heart of the Day

Most of the day I love to sleep and twitch (I love a good dream) away inside my igloo. It's super cosy and safe for me. I have more water and nibble on my hay throughout the day. I'm a growing girl so have to keep hydrated and fueled for all of that important stuff. This also gives me the energy I need to play with my Mum and Dad too, as I am most active at dawn and dusk.

If there’s one thing I love even more than treats, it’s snuggles. Throughout the day, I show this by using my big beady blue eyes and waving my little arm at Mum or Dad. They then pick me up for gentle pats, head rubs, and cosy cuddle time. Sometimes Mum will get me out and I flop out along her forearm, sometimes she’ll nuzzle in for a quiet chat about how much she loves me too (I also hear about her day). I just love it and tell Mum by licking or teeth purring my head off. Playtime isn’t about zoomies for me, but about slow, affectionate interaction—I'm happiest when I feel included, safe, patted, and loved. I just want to be wherever my Mum and Dad are.

Bedtime Ritual: Forearm Cuddles and Chest Snuggles

As evening arrives, the sweetest routine of all begins. I settle in for my nightly forearm cuddles, gently cradled and 'splooting' along Mum’s arms. The world grows quieter, the lights soften, and I get to stretch with more teeth purring. Just before bed, I enjoy some more water and a little groom. Then, when it’s finally time for bed, my favourite place in the whole world is right on my Mum’s chest, listening to her heartbeat, drifting off to sleep feeling utterly safe and adored (I often hear Mum and Dad saying "Milkshake is full, fat and tired"). Friday evening are more fun when I get to watch some team called the Rabbitohs play another team in this sport called football on this big screen on the wall. Their logo even looks like me! Eventually I do somehow make it back into my igloo with a freshly heated up heat pack, but I am often too tired to realise this is happening. I'm busy dreaming about my awesome days.

Milkshake asleep on Mum

Future Quality of Life Improvements Ahead

Mum is organising me a custom made wheelchair so I can move around the house freely and explore more! I can't wait for it to arrive and try! This would make my day even more fulfilling, so I can follow my sniffer and check out new places. Maybe I will need to do another post and include a video of me using it? Watch this space human bun bun lovers...

Conclusion: Why Every Day Is the Best Day for Milkshake

Every day with me is filled with gentle routines, tasty treats, and boundless snuggles and snoozies. I remind Mum and Dad that love, patience, and a little extra care can turn even the most ordinary moments into the best days ever. For me, and for anyone who is lucky enough to know me, every day truly is the best day. I am, to our world, a soul that is so much bigger than my little body and I do what I can to bring love to my world.

I just know that 100% of my memories are with Mum and Dad, and I want as many of those times to be as enjoyable as possible. I just wanted to share my amazing day with you and hope it brings a little ray of sunshine to your day too. I hope we get to meet in-person soon!

I can hear you having a good day from here!