And now, Herbert has an ear infection.

Wow, could this bonding be any more complex?
First she bit him.
Over the eye.
And he healed.
So we had more dates...we all three sat in a little x-pen together in front of the TV. The buns seemed extremely unimpressed with the programming, but I would have gone bonkers just sitting there watching them be nervous without some human distraction.

They seemed to be getting better...less time being totally nervous, more time sort of just 'being' near each other, more time with Babette flopped, occasional licks when i force-snuggled them. She licking him, that is. He refuses to lick her. A few times he even ended up with his face right in her (butt) fur and there wasn't a fight.

But inevitably there would be a boxing match and attempted murder at some point. I didn't let them hurt each other.

And then, I noticed a bump at the base of Herbert's ear. I took  him to the vet on friday and had to get an abcess drained below his ear. Clearly, he realized he hasn't cost me nearly enough lately. The issue is pretty typical for lops, I guess. It was pretty deep and very puss-y in there. Sigh. Now I have to flush it twice a day and give him the dreaded baytril. I don't blame them for hating it...I hate the smell of it. Yukko.

It's been nonstop health issues here.

The only good thing about this is that I now have a new theory about the bonding taking so long...I think he's been in a bit of discomfort. Ear infections hurt! And when you hurt, you don't really want to get along with ANYONE.

I'm still sure in my heart of hearts that they want to bond. I just know. They're just so nervous. I'm going to wait until he heals a bit more and then do more, but shorter, dates. Angie suggests trying to make sure that all the dates are seen as good things. So in the future there will be food, and the dates will NOT last as long.
       

Sigh. Why can't this be easier?
It would be SO nice to have them both out. Babette is bored silly in her x-pen (it's big, but still, she's an adolescent and there are only so many ways to get in trouble in there). She loves being out. Well, she loves it for like five minutes, then she exhausts herself, and she goes back near her enclosure (where Herbert is while she's out) and lies down like a big....Lump. A big frenchie lump. I'm sure NONE of you are familiar with this phenomenon.

She's a total love. She  licks my face and loves to snuggle. Bond already, dammit! BOND! For the love of all that is holy, and in the name of my sanity, BOND.

Sigh.

All advice is more than welcome. Unless your advice is to give up. I hereby forbid you from leaving that advice.