 Bunny Blog
A Blog all about House Rabbit Pets & More
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Bunny Blog Archives June - December 2007
December 30, 2007, 6:30 p.m. Bunny Biting Art - Rabbit Dental Poster You may not want to decorate your living room with this poster, but your vet might like it for reception area art or as a teaching aid in an exam room for rabbits. The poster shows a normal rabbit skull, teeth, radiography, anatomy and endoscopy. It is full color and adapted from the Rabbit and Rodent Dental Handbook by Vittorio Capello, DVM & Margherita Gracis, DVM, Dipl EVDC and AVDC. It sells for $14.95 at the link above. Click on the poster to see a larger version.
Rabbit Baled Out by Hay - Another solo bunny rescue comes out of Centralia, WA from the flooding earlier this month. Several dairy farms in the area flooded with heavy looses of cows and other farm animals. When the floodwaters kept rising, some farmers joined their cows on the higher ground of the another family farm. They knew from the 1996 flood that this was a refuge. But this time everything flooded. One small furry survivor stayed behind on this farm. It was a rabbit that was found earlier on a hay bale along the banks of the rising river. Someone had carefully placed the hay bale inside the barn and that is where he was found . . . sitting on his dinner (the bale of hay) and he certainly had plenty of water to drink. The owners of the farm nicknamed the rabbit Lucky.
Apple Bunnies Making food into decorative shapes is a favorite children’s bento lunch technique in Japan where it is an art form. See the link above on how to make a apple rabbit.
Hop on the Bus – a large rabbit (looks like a French lop perhaps?) was abandoned on a bus in Britain over the weekend. Marble (pictured on the right) is waiting for someone to think he is just the ticket and give him a new home. For now he is safe at the RSPCA's Bawtry Animal Sanctuary. The animal care manager at the RSPCA says “It is hitting us hard already . . . we’ve got animals everywhere. I wouldn’t advise anyone to give a pet as a gift at Christmas as a lot of the time they are unwanted. The giant rabbit was found on a bus by a conductor who contacted the RSPCA to say someone had left it. The RSPCA can be contacted in Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire if they would like a large pet rabbit. Marble looks like a real cuddle bun.
Amy Sedaris’ Rabbit Dusty on Flickr Amy Sedaris is an actress, comedian, author and playwright. She lives in Greenwich Village with her mini rex rabbit Dusty and is involved with the New York House Rabbit Society. A friend took several pics of Dusty and shares them on her Flickr page. What a great bunny face!
Also, see Bungee & Pounder two beautiful lops photographed in all their activities like digging holes, washing their bunny faces and being adorable. There is a handsome dog in the mix, too.
Finally, there are Two Dutch Rabbits to see at Flickr. Lisa, from Cambridge, England is a computer games producer, and talented photographer. She has photos of two beautiful Dutch bunnies on her Flickr page.
December 19, 2007 - PetSmart Will Stop Selling Rabbits - Hoppy Holidays - Great News for Rabbit Rescuers & Fans - I just heard that Petsmart has decided to cease their "test of rabbit sales" when all the rabbits in the stores are sold. It's amazing what rabbit news can get to me even when I'm on my bunvacation this month. Now I need to put down the Christmas cards I'm writing and write my thanks to PetSmart for this decision and here's where to write.
PetSmart
And, after New Year's let's all make a
resolution to redouble our efforts to Stop Petco from selling
rabbits. Hopperhome's Bunny Blog will be back on after December 27, 2007. Have a Great Holiday!
D
~ Long nails that put too much weight on the back of the foot ~ Some breeds have less fur on the foot to protect the skin ~ Obesity - it puts pressure on the feet ~ Abrasive flooring and even some carpets ~ Large breeds seem to be more susceptible to this condition ~ Sedentary rabbits
My rabbit, Rosemary, never developed sore
hocks even though she was very thinly furred on the bottom of her
feet. I helped her stay healthy with lots of pedicures especially in
her old age.
Hopperhome’s 2007 Online Bunny Gift Surfing – I did a little online window shopping for holiday rabbit gifts for both people and bunnies, By the way, Hopperhome doesn’t accept advertising so these are just for fun!) Hoppy Holidays!
Cats and Rabbits and More has a special holiday special! from November 15th through December 31st they will be making a 25% donation off the retail price of all sales from their website to the National House Rabbit Society. Take a look at all their rabbit products at the link above.
By the way, the picture shows clay litter - never use clay litters for rabbits. Hay, pelleted recycled newspaper or pelleted straw litters are safe.
Home for the Holidays The Rabbit Stop carries the Ware Rabbit Den for a cage free alternative. This would be perfect for a small rabbit or maybe a pair of dwarf rabbits with good litter habits. For A Bunny Holiday Brunch - Botanical Hay from OxbowHay.com After testing this product this summer, my rabbits can recommend this enticing blend of Western Timothy Hay and a rich array of three fragrant herbs. It is an appetizing, long-strand fiber brunch for your bunnies. Sam Elliott has Hare - Quote of the Week (a long quote): In the new movie The Golden Compass, actor Sam Elliott, has a jack rabbit named Hester as his spirit sidekick. An interview with the actor included a section on jack rabbits at movie.com:
Also, the official movie website included a twenty question test to determine what your “daemon” (animal spirit) would be. So I took the test and should have known it was going to be a Hare!
Secondly, on November 22, 2007, Petwerks officially turned ten years old! Scot and Amy have been creating wonderful homes for rabbits in more ways than one for ten years – they are very active in rabbit rescue (Indiana House Rabbit Society Chapter and more recently the Oregon Humane Society Rabbit Advocates) -- plus, they make terrific bunny abode condos and apartments. That's my rabbits Rosemary and Bumble a few years ago in their first condo above. By the way, the door was normally open, but they enjoyed the top level for lounging and I closed it for the photo op.
November 26, 2007, 9:45 p.m. - Bunny Huggers Wanted! The Bunny Barn renovations at the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary were completed recently and they report the rabbits are very happy in their newly updated, warmly insulated, cheerfully bright Bunny Barn. They had a lot of help to get this big barn finished and now the bunnies need one more thing - hugs! As the GLRS acknowledges (and most rescuers have experienced) when rabbits come to into a rescue facility they are normally very frightened. The GLRS is in need of volunteers to help these rabbits regain their social skills. Volunteers help by holding these rabbits, grooming them, or just by talking to them softly. It is a very rewarding! If you are interested in helping socialize rabbits please contact karen@rabbitsanctuary.org If you aren't located in Michigan find a local rabbit rescue and hug a rabbit today!
Apparently, the kittens
climbed all over the five-month old rabbit and tried to nurse.
Summer wasn’t bothered by all the attention and just let the kittens
cozy up to her (see above). According to their human foster mom,
“now they follow her [the rabbit] everywhere. They can't bear to be
without her. They're all so lovely together.” The four male and two
female kittens are doing well and a local cat welfare agency has
plans to rehome them. See video of rabbit and her kittens:
Furry Friends is an all-volunteer organization and is the oldest of its type in the area. According to one of the Santa Cruz County volunteer captains, "We are only limited by the number of people who are willing to volunteer." Even though most Furry Friends members have dogs, the group welcomes all types of pets including birds, reptiles, guinea pigs and livestock. "Bunnies are perfect, we would love more bunnies.” See their website at www.furryfriends.org Hunters Save Pet Rabbit from House Fire – in a unusual twist four hunters in Ohio rescued a rabbit. The four men witnessed a fire start in a rural house and jumped into action to rescue a pet rabbit and a truck. The family wasn’t home at the time of the fire, but the hunters checked the house quickly before the fire burned out of control. The four men pushed the truck away from the house and snatched the rabbit from a back deck before the entire structure was engulfed.
Hopperhome is on vacation until November 25th. The Bunny Blog will hop on that evening. Thank you!
Bunnies of Cedar Rapids – Yes, the residents of Cedar Rapids, Iowa are sometimes referred to as “Bunnies,” according to a recent article on CNN. I imagined herds of feral rabbits running wild in the neighborhoods within the city limits. But the moniker doesn’t have anything to do with our furry, long eared pets. Since the 1930’s Cedar Rapids has been home to four different minor league baseball teams called Rabbits or Bunnies. Rabbit Day at AniMall in Morrisville, North Carolina - AniMall and the N.C. Triangle House Rabbit Meetup group are sponsoring "Rabbit Day at AniMall" on Sunday, Nov. 11, noon to 6 p.m, This education and adoption event will feature opportunities to learn more about the care of pet rabbits as well as to meet adoptable pet rabbits. Go to this link to RSVP By the way, not just one, but four North Carolina-based rabbit rescue groups will participate in Rabbit Day: Bunny Matters of Raleigh, Carolina Pet Rescue of Durham, Cape Fear House Rabbit Society of Wilmington, and Dancing with the Bunnies of Greenville.
Out of the Fire - The North County Times published a recent
article on how Westwood residents have reacted to the fire
devastation. It seems in Rancho Bernardo, one family member found
joy in the sight of a dirty, but quite lively rabbit hunkered done
in the flooded bushes outside her half-burned family room door. She
said “When I saw it, I was so happy I just started jumping up and
down.” I’m sure the rabbit felt the same way!
October 24, 2007, 9:00 p.m. - News for Fire Displaced Pets - Thanks to Ray Milkey of Rabbit Haven who sent this good news for fire displaced pets in Southern California - VCA animal hospitals (in Southern California) are offering free care for displaced pets while they have room. You can get a list of the hospitals along with contact info from their website: Rabbit Haven
Finnish Bunny Village - Marta sent this photo of a rabbit village at a park in Tampere, Finland in a warmer part of the year. These homes could be an inspiration for bunny hideaway inside a human house.
Neat Idea Cube (NIC) I stumbled upon a photo of a large Neat Idea Club house for a rabbit and that took me to the Flickr Gallery of a House Rabbit Habitat plus: house rabbit keeping for the overly organized! Several tips and products are recommended here, too.
October 18, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers - In the Valley Ridge neighborhood of northwest Calgary, Alberta animal rescue workers are humanely trapping abandoned pet rabbits. The rabbits are angering residents by eating their gardens. The rabbit rescuers plan to ship the bunnies to a sanctuary in British Columbia. According to CBC News, an animal rights activist who is with “the group Compassion in Action and volunteers for Pound Rescue, said the city would likely combat the problem by using snares or poisoning the animals.” Fortunately, there are people who know the rabbits deserve a better fate and will make sure they have one.
Update to Bunny Blog Entry on October 14th about the stolen bunny - kind-hearted people touched by the story in the local newspaper flooded the family with offers of help. One man, who wished to stay anonymous, went a bunny-hop further and handed over a special present to the distraught girl – a new bunny. Her father said “. . . It just shows there are more nice people than nasty people. "She will love the new rabbit just the same as Gizmo, but if we get him back it would be fantastic.”
By the way, BunnyLuv will host their 5th Annual Open House and Fun Day on Sunday, October 21, 2007 – in Van Nuys, California from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Go to their link for more information. The photo above is part of their facility.
Big Bunny Art - Below is a corner section of a mural in the Executive Boardroom at SPCA of Texas. Click photo to see a larger version.
Two Bucks Off – If you are in the Atlanta area and plan to attend the Atlanta Pet Expo present a coupon from the Georgia House Rabbit Society with a full priced adult admission and a $2.00 donation will be made to the House Rabbit Society. The Georgia House Rabbit Society has the coupon on their website for the upcoming Atlanta Pet Expo 2007 slated for November 3rd and 4th.
But if you’re from Texas you might enjoy a calendar from Bunny Buddies of Houston Area. It features some of the cutest rabbits from the Houston area all year round!
Also, if you live in the Los Angeles Los Angeles Area Rabbits will be hosting a Rabbit Care Workshop next weekend on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - View and download flier! Brandee’s Blog – This blog is from the Vice President of the Hop-A-Long Hollow, a Connecticut based Rabbit Rescue that also helps out with the re-homing of other animals. The purpose of Brandee’s Blog is to give people an idea of the day to day life running a rabbit shelter. Go to the link to see this blog or be sure to visit Hopalong Hollow.
October 8, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. - Turning to Bunnies for Comfort - In Bethesda, Maryland a cancer survivor turns to her rabbit for comfort. A recent article on the nonprofit “Critters for the Cure” organization described women who are breast cancer survivors and their pets. The women will appear in the organization calendar. Wendy brought her dwarf rabbit, “Mr. Bunnis” to the photo shoot in June. As she said, “My pets absolutely comforted me. . . They’re always there to love you and it doesn’t matter. They’re happy to be petted and sit with you and just be content in the moment.” Critters for the Cure
Jaw Abscesses - Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto and in his recent column in the Modesto Bee he wrote about rabbit jaw abscesses. The bunny in the article was his patient, “Oscar,” (a Netherland Dwarf) who developed a swelling on the right side of his lower jaw and then it became the size of a golf ball. At that size, of course, it was painful and Oscar’s appetite decreased. As Dr. Kahler said “I am not an advocate of ‘wait and see.’ The abscess was surgically removed. This a delicate surgery since the rabbit’s mouth does not open wide. I have treated abscesses with “Bicillin” shots with excellent results. But jaw abscesses such as this may not respond to antibiotics. The best prevention is a regular home exam for lumps on the rabbit’s head and a yearly exam that includes the rabbit’s mouth and jaw by a veterinarian. Non-surgical Treatment of Head Abscesses in Rabbits and Abscesses In Rabbits
September 30, 2007, 9:00 p.m. - Rash of Rabbit Robberies – All I had to do was go offline for awhile to replace my crashed computer and it seems a whole lot of rabbits have been nabbed in the last couple of weeks.
Tea Garden Mystery - A giant rabbit named Ralph was stolen from a tea garden in Arlington in the UK. He was taken with 10 chickens and a hutch from a farm shop who kept Ralph as a pet for customers. It seems nine months ago another giant bunny named “Bambi” was stolen from the same shop. It’s unfortunate, but the shop needs to reconsider keeping a rabbit for customers to pet.
Preschool Caper - Sugar Bunny was stolen from a preschool in Spokane, Washington and fliers protesting circus animal acts were left in its empty cage. The protest theft was against Ringling Brothers Circus which was in town for the weekend. (The preschool had no affiliation with the circus). The fliers named PETA and the NW Animal Rights Network. However, the director of PETA’s domestic animal department said the group would not endorse stealing a pet bunny. After all, how does anyone explain the missing pet to children (whether or not one believes in cages or school rabbit pets). I guess the thieves couldn’t fit a circus elephant or a Siberian tiger in their getaway car so they found a suitable substitute in a preschool pet bunny.
City Ordinance Breeds a Laugh – at least I was almost laughing (if it weren’t so misguided) when I read a story about a proposed ordinance. It seems City Council members in a northern Wyoming town gave initial approval to an ordinance that “limits rabbits to three breeding pairs a household.” Apparently, the Police Chief agrees with my assessment when he warned that rabbits are among the reproductive wonders of the world. He said “if you have six . . .you’ll have 60 rabbits.” Actually, in a year you will have over 2,000 from one pair.
Rabbits Being Abandoned on Long Island – This AP story made the front page of CNN last week online. Someone has been abandoning rabbits on roadways and in parks around school grounds on Long Island’s South Shore more frequently in recent months. Earlier this month, a man was seen dumping 20 rabbits in a box at a train station and driving away. A Nassau County SPCA has speculated that someone is raising rabbits and trying to get out of the business. A reward is being offered for who is responsible for dumping the bunnies. The rabbits that have been recovered are infested with fleas and ticks. However, they are being treated, fed, cleaned and put up for adoption.
September 15, 2007 - Hopperhome's trusty little e-machine finally crashed for good this weekend. Time to hop to it and buy a new super fast, up to date, brand new bunny computer. After all this time, Hopperhome can now invest in a computer that will keep it hopping along another 9 years - The Bunny Blog will be back next in a week or so after the new computer is installed. Thanks for your patience!
ld her to be grateful she didn't lose her rabbits to the heat, but she wanted a ribbon. About then Bonnie came over to tell me no one used a resting board because it was “against the rules” and “wasn’t clean.” That was it, we headed out to the booths for decadent fair food and fresh air. However, we felt glad we had handed out several cards about rabbit care with website links for the visitors in the rabbit building. We told them how wonderful rabbits are as house pets. The photos here are of some of those rabbits.
September 9, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. - Local TV News Station Features Rabbits! A news program (Ch. 17 news) in Raleigh, NC recently ran a story called, “Many Choose Rabbits for Pets.” The story online and the video were terrific – see at link. They interviewed and filmed, Kimberly, who has two lops. She explained how her rabbits have lots of personality and they like to interact at floor level. She also said rabbits should be house pets and have room to exercise. A volunteer from the local SPCA was also interviewed. She noted that rabbits should be adopted in pairs and can be litter box trained. Rabbits were shown at their best as pets.
On the Wild Side – The federal government released a draft recovery plan for the pygmy rabbit. Right now there is only one lonely rabbit in Eastern Washington. Officials plan to get him some company. He was released earlier this year with 20 other tiny rabbits and now is the only one remaining. The little pygmy rabbits are the smallest rabbits in North America and it’s only one of two rabbit species that dig burrows. The Columbia Basin rabbit has been an isolated population for thousands of years and is genetically different from other pygmy rabbits. The Fish and Wildlife Service will accept comments on the recovery plan until November 6th. I think the lonely pygmy would say “Hop to it, folks!”
"Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to hop" — and the music started at the Evergreen State Fair over Labor Day in Monroe, Washington. The laughing crowd flowed together, their long ears waving and bobbing. It appears the Guinness World Record for the largest bunny hop was broken — by a whisker — by fairgoers . Participants all wore pink and white bunny ears. Bunny-hop organizers say 1,886 people formally registered for the event, held in the spirit of the fair's "Be Somebunny! Hop to the Fair" theme.
September 6, 2007 - 8:30 p.m. - Sprinkles of Kindness in Flood - Water rushed over a dike across the street from a family home in Rushford, Minnesota where a bunny named Mr. Sprinkles lived. The late August flood ultimately caused $12 million property and infrastructure damage in Fillmore County. About half of the town’s 760 homes were ruined. Mr. Sprinkle’s family had to evacuate their home in a hurry at 4:00 a.m. as the water surged over the dike. The rabbit was left in his backyard cage. The family feared the worst upon their return after the flood waters receded. They were stunned and relieved to find Mr. Sprinkles alive in his cage on the front porch after a neighbor had rescued him. Volunteer in Vancouver, B.C. - Mercy’s Reach Rabbit Refuge (Vancouver, BC) urgently needs volunteers for cleaning, feeding, grooming and socializing rescued bunnies, awaiting adoption. Even two hours a week will help their overworked bunny lovers. Call Muriel 604-530-3297 for more info if you live in the area and can help. September 5, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. -
Rabbits in the Will - Leona Helmsley left her dog Trouble $12 million and even though the amount is unusual, naming a pet as a beneficiary is not. Ohio allows for trusts for pets. Also, I recall in 2005 several dogs and a spotted rabbit called Roxy were part of a gathering in Hawaii to witness the Governor sign a measure into law that would allow their residents to leave a trust for care of a domestic animals. It seems, 60% of American households include a pet as a beneficiary.
Red Eyes Have Power - In the Edo period in Japan during the Hina (girls) Festival parents pray for their daughters' happiness through a thread taken from a piece of old clothing. It is then sewn into a hanging ornament such as the one shown below. People entrusted their wishes to the ornaments. The ornaments (110 different ones) have separate meanings. The red eyes of a rabbit are traditionally supposed to have the power of curing diseases.
August 19, 2007 - 7:00 p.m. -Shelter Resources - Thanks to the House Rabbit Society for providing Resources for Animal Shelters on their website. So many shelters are only set-up for cats and dogs and do not have resources for small animals. The HRS has materials to help educate the public, improve a rabbit adoption program and provide proper care for rabbits at a shelter. Visit your local shelter and let them know. See the links above.
Folded Rabbits - Cindy at Fingermagic wrote me about the Origami Rabbit Kits they have for sale. They look like fun folding for adults and children. See the photo of these cheerful folded rabbits on the right. Also, they have a beautiful Origami Rabbit Necklace in white.
Bunny Preference - Ann caught me – my Bunny Blog entry about the BADD (Bunnes Against Drunk Driving) a couple of weeks ago showed my lagomorphic preferences. Ann wrote “I just love the 'order' of this sentence in today's bunnyblog......’Both the rabbit and driver were unharmed.’ oh ya, the human was ok too - tee hee! Speaks volumes about how we bunny parents think.” Okay, I AM guilty.
24 carrot lane Proclaims First Annual Worldwide Rabbit Love + Appreciation Day - A special day for rabbits on August 24th! It is all about encouraging rabbit parents everywhere to do their small part to spread the word about responsible rabbit guardianship, to let others know how intelligent and affectionate rabbits can be, and to remind everyone that they CAN make a difference for the better, which will ultimately help to reduce the number of rabbits surrendered to shelters. Tania of 24 carrot lane has several suggestions on how you can do you a bit of good where you are, in honor of rabbits everywhere. Your suggestions are welcome, too. Check it out at the link above!
BADD "Bunnies Against Drunk Driving – The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that a 19 year old man sped down a street and severed a telephone pole. His pet rabbit was in the car! Fortunately, the car stopped before it ran into a house. The prosecutor said that “speeding and alcohol were believed to factors in the crash.” Both the rabbit and driver were unharmed. Hillsboro Rabbit Hoard Case Postscript - It was disturbing to read the Eugene Register Guard article about the Hillsboro, Oregon woman who was arrested last year for animal neglect. Miriam Sakewitz "has returned to jail because she violated her probation by keeping a rabbit at her house.” Last year when she was originally arrested she had almost 250 rabbits, including 88 who had passed away.
A county probation officer, “testified that Sakewitz, 45, had a rabbit at her house in June, repeatedly canceled counseling sessions and did not open her door for unannounced visits.” Also, two neighbors testified. The judge sent her to jail for three days and “he also ordered her not to go within 100 yards of a rabbit when she gets out.” For information on animal hoarding see the Tufts University website at: Animal Hoarding Research
August
6, 2007 - 10:30 p.m. - Priceless Rabbit - A bunny named
Rabbits on the Road - According to Explorer.com pets are no longer relegated to small motels and campgrounds. The AAA’s 2004 Traveling with Your Pet Guide says “20,000 up-scale accommodations are happy to shake paws with your whole family.” It seems Loews Hotels opens their doors to all walks of life, from dogs and cats, and yes, rabbits. The concierge at one of their hotels said “A lot of our guests choose to travel with their pets, especially during the summer months. It makes for a great work environment for all our employees.” With that trend toward a pet friendly attitude, it’s no wonder 67 percent of pet owners travel with their pets when over 50 miles away from home.
PetSmart Rabbit Sales - Last week the Arizona Republic and the Green Bay Press ran articles about the move by PetSmart to sell rabbits. Petsmart has “begun breeding and test selling dwarf rabbits.” A company spokeswoman was quoted as saying, “We certainly don’t doubt that there are rabbits in shelters that need homes, but we also know that there are people seeking pets that have been bred and want to have that pet from the start.” The article goes on to say “rabbit sales began the week of July 9 and are placed in 25 stores nationwide. That number could expand to a maximum of 40 stores.” For more information and to express your concerns go to: House Rabbit Society – What You Can Do
July
31, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. -
The Story of Chris Dodd's White Hare - Candidate for
President Chris Dodd has a White Hare. His
Episkin will help save thousands of small animals, particularly rabbits, in providing cruelty-free cosmetics for consumers. Europe will institute an animal beauty product-testing ban in 2009. The practice is banned in the U.K. already. The photo above is from Marmee Craft on Etsy
Hopping Mad – First there was a
Wall Street Journal Article
about Hare Today where a rabbit farmer spends her days packing and
shipping frozen rabbits to her customers who feed them to their cats
since the pet food scare a couple of months ago. Then the
Chicago Tribune Article
in the Chicago Gardener column picked up the theme suggesting all
the extra rabbits ravishing gardens in
I have two cats in the household. When the pet food industry contamination became news, my sister and I simply checked our pet food. Fortunately, it was not on the list of contaminated pet food. If it had been, the cats would have gone in for a vet appointment and their food would have been switched. (My cat, Pele, grooms Mr. Hops above.)
July 25, 2007 - 9:00 p.m. - PetSmart Petition - Several rabbit lovers emailed me today to let me know (and all Bunny Blog readers) a petition is available on ipetitions.com regarding PetSmart: Stop Selling Rabbits. If you are concerned about this issue, you can read text of the petition and electronically sign in about 60 seconds. I will be visiting to sign as soon as the blog is finished. Go to: Petition
Store hops to save bunnies - Several news media outlets covered the story about a Tops Market that was overrun with several white rabbits behind their store in Erie, PA. So far 16 white bunnies have been rounded up. It is believed someone dumped them in the woods directly behind the store. The employees hopped in and took the task of bunny wrangling upon themselves. Plus, they are going to try to find permanent homes for them. Many of the rabbits went home with store employees. The rabbits included several very small baby bunnies and a few full grown adult rabbits. July 23, 2007 - 10:30 p.m. -Hop Hop Hurray for the Humane Society of Fairfax County whose shelter looks more like a home than a typical shelter. The two-story building is home to the cats and rabbits ready to be adopted. The HSFC is a no-kill shelter and their main goal is to give animals a good home and the shelter is a good start. They have volunteers who sit and play with the animals and many of their volunteers are students from George Mason University. Some GMU students sit in the rooms and do their homework.
Each
room is cleaned twice a day and specifically designed with the
animals in mind. The rooms include a radio, usually playing
classical music, a nightlight and toys and linens, donated from
Fairfax County residents. The "rabbit room" was cleared of anything
a rabbit could chew on. Rabbits are on rotation for time outside of
their cage. If the rabbits are compatible, they are housed together
and then they are adopted together," according to the HSFC
President. (Tiger is one of their adoptable rabbits pictured above.)
Pictured above: Tango is a big beauty at the Giant Rabbit Rescue in the UK. He is one of their newest bunnies. Tango is an orange and white French Lop Buck with a wonderful temperament.
Black Rabbit - Hiroko sent me this photo of the Kuro Usagi (Black Rabbit) Pub in Okinawa. She also has a black rabbit named Kuro. She enjoys knitting "coats" for her rabbit for their walks in the winter since he is a full-time house rabbit. (By the way, no Rabbit served in this pub.)
.
 Hare Raising Pot
of Flowers - A woman in Glenvar, Virginia found three baby
cottontails "planted” in her pot of petunias. The pot is just ten
feet from the home’s back door, but the doe doesn't seem to mind.
She is feeding the bunnies at night. The home owner, thought at
first it was squirrels who were digging in her pots only to find the
newborns nestled in the largest pot. They were discovered probably
when they were only a few days old since they were very small and
their eyes weren’t open yet. Now they are fully furred and ready to
hop out of their pot. See the flower pot bunnies
pictured on the left.
By the way, i n the Twin Cities area the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society is a very active rescue and adoption group with many rabbits available for adoption such as Tristan & Isolde pictured above.
Very Bad Sport – In sports news it was reported that a 52 year old man will be prosecuted for throwing a rabbit during a game in Milan. The rabbit’s legs were tied up so it could not escape. Fortunately, the animal was recovered in the middle of the game and rushed to medical help. In spite of suffering some unspecified injuries and shock, the rabbit survived and has been adopted. The “procurator” in Milan is requesting minimal punishment of a fine for animal cruelty. However, the man could face charges for throwing an object at a sporting event and in Italy he could face one to four years in prison.
Where to Write PetSmart: Email: PetSmart Email Form - Phone: (800) 738-1385Fax: (623) 580-6502 or write them at: PetSmart, Inc.,19601 North 27th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85027
Writer Jumps to It & Gets the Facts Right – I don’t really monitor newspaper stories about pet rabbits so I can scold the writers. But Samantha with the Independent mail in Anderson, South Carolina got an earful from this rabbit fan last week. However, she gets a lot of credit for writing another “humor” column about pet rabbits on why they aren’t the best pet for small children and correcting some errors about their longevity, etc. Her readers got the facts on pet rabbits and everyone’s hoppy now. Read her article at: Samantha Learns the Facts of Life About Rabbits
Bronze Bunnies - Georgia Gerber does the most wonderful sculpture and bronze casting especially of animal figures like rabbits. She lives on rural Whidbey Island, Washington, where she operates her own studio and foundry with the assistance of two women artisans and her husband. She primarily works with life size animal and human figures – see her wonderful rabbit sculptures on her website like “Stretching Hares” pictured below.
July 10, 2007 - 9:30 p.m.- Cottontail Out Foxes a Cat – in the Houston Chronicle Dr. Michael Fox’s column featured a story sent in by a reader in Minneapolis. Just outside a large backyard the mother rabbit tried to rear her new litter a few feet outside the fence while a chocolate lab presided over the yard. But unfortunately the babies were attacked and killed by a cat. This year the rabbit made her shallow nest 8 feet in front of the dog’s house and all are thriving. The dog is unbothered by the rabbit family in his yard. (Above is a Giant Continental Rabbit and a Black Lab who are best buddies.) Rabbit Shopping Finds Online! I did a little window shopping online for my rabbits and found some great bargains and new items for rabbits. Bunny Bunch – Check out this Extra Large Willow Tunnel for big buns. Finally!
Bunny Bytes has a new Bunny Treat Jar that’s airtight and keeps treats fresh (and even those papaya pills some bunnies love.)
Busy Bunny See the Bun-nanza Bargain values like this Carrot Basket and Mini Ball Trio Value Pack.
Cats and Rabbits and More has a complete weatherproof pet first aid kit on sale with 30 of the most recommended items.
Funny Bunny Toy Company With a hobby that became a business these natural toys were created and great for chewing, tossing and playing. Huge Variety.
Leith Petwerks It's a treat, it's a toy...wait, it's both – stuff this with timothy hay and watch your rabbit enjoy this treat/toy.
July 9, 2007 - 9:00 p.m. - Bunderful Generosity – In Coventry, England the RSPCA put out the word in the local newspaper about a white rabbit who needed donations to cover the cost of an operation to remove a badly infected eye. Over 100 generous people came forward and donated $4000.00 (US) Dillion got his operation and is on the road to recovery. He will be reunited with his mate, Julie, who also arrived in terrible condition. Both will be ready for adoption as a pair soon. The operation cost $300.00 and the RSPCA had a little extra leftover. They are now repairing buildings and the funds will keep the center open for the all the animals. It’s all due to the kindness of people who wanted to help one rabbit. Dillion's photo wasn't available.  Rescued
Just in Time –
According to InsideBayArea.com, “Nearly a dozen rabbits, some soaked
in urine and kept with no food or water, were rescued by police last
Tuesday from dirty, cramped cages behind a four-plex. “ Some of the
bunnies were only 4 weeks old and some of the cages were small bird
cages. The Oakland Animal Services representative said “The owner
could face charges of misdemeanor animal cruelty and neglect because
of conditions the rabbits were kept in.” With temperatures rising
this past week in California, the rabbits were found in the knick of
time. The rabbits are being cared for at the shelter and will be
available for adoption. Call (510) 535-5602 or visit their web site
Oakland Animal Services (One of the
rescued bunnies is pictured above.)
Iowa Rabbit Day at the Spa- the Animal Rescue League of Iowa is rolling out the red carpet for rabbits on the afternoon of July 28th with a Bunny Spa Retreat. For $5, bunnies can get nail trimming, grooming, ear cleaning and a massage. There also will be a special rabbit movie and fresh rabbit greens and more. The Animal Rescue League's own rabbit and small-animal specialist will be on hand to answer questions. Plus, some beautiful rabbits will also be available for adoption. Hay, someone pass the carrot juice!
July 3, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. - July 4th is a Loud Day for Rabbits - remember to keep your rabbits secure and inside the house. A rabbit's hearing is far more sensitive than a human's hearing. The sound of a radio or TV can help mute the sound of fireworks. My bunnies like a little classical music. Be sure fireworks don't pop off outside the room where the rabbit is housed.
Thanks to Austin Statesman.com writer Jane Greig who wrote a commentary/response to a question about a full grown abandoned rabbit who recently appeared and is living in her garden. Jane’s answer gave the number to the House Rabbit Resource Network. She also noted the HRRN currently has 250 rabbits needing homes with an average foster stay of six months. She also suggested if “you use a humane trap to catch the rabbit, check it every hour to prevent death from stress, heat or predators.” This is especially important in the warm weather.
West Nile Virus - Bob from Colorado emailed me since he is concerned about West Nile Virus and his pet rabbit who spends exercise time in the backyard. According to the South Dakota Dept. of Health website, “WNV can make horses very ill. It can also be detected in dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. It is important to remember that animals cannot transmit WNV to people. “ See the CDC West Nile Virus 2007 Activity Map to find out where the disease has been active this year. Also, the Center for Disease Control website has a information on mosquito control and lots more resources. Bento Box Bunny - In Japan the bento is a individual portion take-out meal. The container can be as simple as a throwaway box to elaborate handcrafted boxes. Below is a photo of a rabbit shaped bento emailed to me by Lisa in Japan.
The best prevention is to have a fly free house. Use whatever means you can like fly traps/strips, fly swatters and repair screen doors and window screens. Make sure your rabbits are dry and their area cleaned daily. If you have a disabled rabbit with problems such as incontinence or fecal matter sticking to fur, keep the bunny as clean as possible. I have also clipped the fur short around a rabbit’s bottom to help. After experiencing the results of fly strike in some of my rabbits when they were rescued, I know how important it is to make sure rabbits are in a “no fly zone.” By the way, the handmade bunny with wings is a lot prettier than a picture of a house fly. It was sent to me months ago from a Bunny Blog visitor in Japan so I don't know where to buy them.
A Clover Deterrent - The Boston Globe published a recent article on the benefits of clover in yards. One of best reasons for planting clover is how appetizing it is to wild rabbits. “Rabbits are so fond of clover, garden experts say, that if you determine where their burrows are and grow a patch of clover between their homes and your vegetable garden, they'll never make it to your beans and carrots.”
Hoppy Thoughts - While my server was down for editing the last several days, I had time to rethink the web design for Hopperhome's website and what else I want to add to it this year. I will be making time to make changes this year and adding more to the website content especially on health issues. A few contests are planned, too. I will keep you posted!
Illuminated Rabbit Lamps in Soho London from Bob & Shannon, rabbit lovers on vacation in the Britain.
Fun Whimsical Bunny Stuff: One of a kind set for a young child including the whole rabbit family and fun bunny furniture in a soft house with lots of detail. Lettuce Scented Pink Bunny Soaps
Crisp and clean and everything
green with pink rabbit centers! The rabbit embedded soaps smell like
romaine! I found them on
www.etsy.com
– the hip crafts w If you know your way around a sewing machine, this is a whimsical pillow with a pocket for the two little bunny stuffers. Photos and all instructions to make one yourself at the link above. Goldfish Don’t Burrow - In Germany the EarthTimes.com reported on how Germans spoil their pets. And, it seems they are becoming more responsible when it comes to choosing their pets. However, the article noted there are exceptions. A German Veterinarian tells about a woman who came into his practice asking how she could get her pet rabbit to stop its natural instinct of burrowing in the garden. His very direct advice: "Get yourself a goldfish. They don't burrow."
Hopperhome has experienced several intermittent problems with my web hosting company. (They have been bought out 3 times in the 9 years I have been with them.) I'm looking for a new company. In the meantime I appreciate your patience.
Speaking of luving buns, the rabbit shown above is Bling Bling. He is a handsome Dwarf mix about a year old. Poor Bling Bling was found “roaming in the dump in Hartford, CT." He had an ear that had been pierced with a hoop in it. It’s all healed up now. Good Grief, I know rabbits have lots of ear, but they aren’t for piercing! Go to 3 Bunnies link above to find out more about this bunny.
Masked Marauders and Foxy Critters - The newspapers in the UK run many articles about foxes breaking into outdoor hutches with tragic consequences for pet rabbits. In my suburb a common culprit would be our local raccoons (and possibly a fox or coyote) getting into a rabbit hutch. Raccoons are very good climbers and can easily kill a rabbit. Just because you live in a suburb, please be aware foxes and raccoons are living in your neighborhood. The picture above is one of “my raccoons.” My place backs up to a large green belt of woods even though civilization is out the front door. When the weather is nice, some people are tempted to take their house rabbits outside, but it's safe only when rabbits are supervised. I received an email this week from a couple who said they went inside to eat lunch, and from their kitchen window saw an eagle take their rabbit right out of an x-pen. They were devastated and in shock. Hop on the Bus - Below is a photo of a bus in Japan. Mrs. Yamaguchi who sent me the photo called it a "usagi" (rabbit) bus. This is "hare"larious and I want one!
These funds are helping some very deserving rabbit rescue operations (and the rabbits, of course!). Go to the link above to donate and learn more about the program. San Diego HRS started the first of its kind, “rabbit only” Spay/Neuter Rebate program in February 2006. People who get their rabbits spayed or neutered can mail a copy of their receipt to the San Diego HRS for a refund for a portion of the surgery cost. Click here for More Info if you live in San Diego County. The gorgeous girl above is "Tootsie." She is an Angora mix who is a little over a year old and good with her litter box. And, look at those helicopters ears. See Tootsie at: San Diego AdoptionAre real bunnies naughty like Peter Rabbit? If you live in the Bay Area of California you can find out on Saturday, June 9th at 11:00 a.m. The House Rabbit Society Headquarters (Richmond, California) has an event for kids (and grown-ups) called "Storybook Bunnies and Real Bunnies." Susan Davis, HRS Educator, will answer questions like the one above and others like: Do wild rabbits really frolic in the woods like the ones from The Velveteen Rabbit? She will also read excerpts from classic rabbit-themed children's stories and then lead a discussion on the differences (and similarities) between fictional bunnies and real ones. Find out more at the HRS Events Web PageDippy Rabbit - Martha Stewart take note - Rhoda from Texas found this photo and emailed to me. Rhoda even tried to duplicate this bread bunny for her party with "some success." (She didn't send a photo of her attempt.) But she did make hers more colorful by adding some other veggies.
In the UK many rabbits are kept in hutches, but after the survey the RSPCA is going to improve the living conditions for rabbits throughout the South West region. They are offering a limited number of brand new and large hutches to existing rabbits owners who cannot afford them with a minimum donation. Of course, I recommend bringing bunny inside, but these rabbits will have much improved lives over cramped quarters. (Borris, a Lionhead mix, represents the UK above – he’s listed with the Rabbit Rehome. Hay - it's a Good Deal! The folks at www.oxbowhay.com have a special deal so you can add variety to your rabbit’s diet. Taste of Oxbow combines 15 oz. varieties of Western Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass Hay, and Oat Hay with your choice of Alfalfa Hay or Brome Hay. I have purchased all of these hays separately for my rabbit’s discriminating tastes (except the Alfalfa Hay since it's too fattening for my geriatric bunnies). See the link above for a terrific price on four 15 oz. bags– it lasts until June 30th.
By the way, Hawaii has recently become the 43rd state to make cruelty to animals a felony offense now that their governor has signed a bill to protect pets into law. Pets are defined as dogs, cats, domesticated rabbits, guinea pigs, domesticated pigs and caged birds that are not bred for consumption. The new Class C felony of cruelty to animals in the first degree is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of up to five years. No More Rabbit Rescues? I love the list at CottonTails Rescue in UK about “How to Put Your Local Rabbit Rescue Out of Business.” It says: 1. Do not buy a rabbit on impulse. 2. Do not breed your rabbit. 3. Make sure that the sex of the rabbit is what you think it is, especially if you intend to keep two together. Seek confirmation from your vet. 4. Never buy a rabbit as a gift for someone I would add: 1) Neuter and spay your rabbits and 2) buy the pet for yourself and not your children, but they can play with the bunny with rules.
Hopping through Flickr.com reveals lots more rabbits. To see photos of the Red Door Rescue group assisting with a rescue of 180 rabbits go to: Red Door – 180 rabbit rescue photos on Flickr and Sweet Binks has some of their rabbit rescue photos online at Sweet Binks Rabbit Rescue Photos (see two white rabbits above from Sweet Binks.) If you want to visit some house rabbits in the UK go to: House Rabbits in Nottingham, UK And, these are just beautiful and maybe used for a calendar Leslie Levings Photo Shoot for BunnyLuv |
Bunny Blog ARCHIVES
Disclaimer: Photos are published here from many sources, primarily Bunny Blog visitors who send them via email. Other photos are added only to illustrate a blog entry about a subject. Credit is given when identifying information is sent to: mail@hopperhome.com If there is a usage objection to any photo or logo pictured on this web page, it will be removed immediately.
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December
6, 2007 - 9:45 p.m. - Preschoolers are visiting
Bunnytown
–
It’s a Saturday morning Disney show for young kids that revolves
around a town of brightly colored rabbit puppets. There is lots of
music from disco to country to hip hop. The sly rabbits in
Bunnytown
can spy on the human inhabitants of Peopletown. There is a series of
tunnels for observing those wacky humans. It’s fast, musical and
showcases a variety of silly jokes. The musical numbers occasionally
feature original lyrics and are played by the Bunny Band. So “Get
off your chair and mess up your hare!” 
December
5, 2007, 9:30 p.m. - Smile the Holidays are Coming! - I
couldn't resist sharing this photo of Eva from the
November
25, 2007, 9:30 p.m. - Rabbit Adopts Kittens – or was it
the other way around? This week several newspapers reported on a
rabbit in Aberdeen, Scotland who has become a mom substitute for six
abandoned kittens. A veterinary technician took the three week old
kittens to her home where the rabbit, Summer, normally lives
outside. But the rabbit was inside due to “Bonfire Night” so she
wouldn’t be frightened by the fireworks. 
Former
Pets Take over Campus - I have been reading about the feral
rabbits at the University of Victoria, British Columbia for quite
sometime. The university now has a rabbit committee to deal
with their multiplying problem “that hops around campus and even
delays soccer matches.” There are so many rabbits they are now
moving off-campus and into neighborhoods nearby. The new committee
plans to “. . . look at ways to hear everyone's concerns and
determine the scope of the issue." Eight more rabbits were found
over the weekend during a women’s soccer game that was delayed when
a rabbit popped up near the goal net. Inside the rabbit hole were
eight newborn bunnies. They were taken to a nearby animal hospital
and the game resumed. (Pictured above is just one of the abandoned
pet rabbits at the U of V.)
October
16, 2007 - 8:30 p.m. - Rabbit Ears on TV - The
Seattle Animal Services Small Animal facility was featured on
Evening Magazine, a Puget Sound area (Seattle) television
show. The show regularly presents segments on nonprofit animal
rescue organizations and governmental animal services. A
representative from the shelter held very pretty Rex rabbit during
most of the segment. The bunny looked a lot like the male mini Rex
(above), Stewart, who is available for adoption on their website.
If you have a local television magazine program in your city, write
a letter and suggest they feature local animals for adoption.
See
the video segment from Evening Magazine online: 
October 14, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. -
Hoppy Holidays – If you want to get an early start on your
Christmas cards visit the
UnFair
Theft - Someone at the
Puyallup Fair stole a rabbit resting in its cage after it won the
top blue ribbon. A little Netherland Dwarf was somewhat of a
celebrity since he won top prize at this annual State Fair in
Washington State. Miraculously, RJ (the rabbit) was recovered in a
box several blocks from the fairgrounds on the sidewalk several days
later. Someone had left water and chopped up carrots for the
bunny. The owners said they would take the bunny home since he “had
been through a lot” and they didn’t want RJ to be stressed any
further. This was the first rabbit ever stolen at the fair.
RRR/HRS
13th Annual Rabbit Care Conference will be held on Sunday,
October 21, 2007 at the Radisson Hotel in New Rochelle, NY. The
line-up of informative talks is impressive including: Feeding and
Longevity by Susan Brown, DVM and on Caring for Senior Buns by Mary
Cotter, ED.D., LVT and Gil Stanzione, DVM. Plus, there will be a
demo on introducing bunnies for trio living called, “Threes
Company.” There is too much to list here, but you can go to the
link for more information at:
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Rabbit
Talk - A blog that is written from the perspective of the
rabbits -
Ferret
Friends - Yesterday I received an email from someone who saw
young ferrets and rabbits housed next to each other in a pet store
and wanted to get one of each. First, I told them to adopt from a
rescue organization. Then, I explained that Ferrets are the
domesticated descendants of the wild polecat and they are kept as
both pets, but also as “working ferrets” that help flush out wild
rabbits from burrows for hunters. They are carnivores and the few
times I have seen rabbits go on a real “thump fest” (a signal danger
is near) was when a raccoon or ferret was close. I don’t recommend
it even though I have heard from ferret owners that their ferrets
would never attack a rabbit. Personally, I wouldn't take that chance
and two ferrets together would be great companions as pets. For a
directory of Ferret adoption resources see
campaign was in a
frantic search for a well-behaved bunny and found that a 3-year-old
New Zealand shorthair from the Humane League of Lancaster County was
just the ticket. Dodd named him Lancaster. On Senator Dodd's
website there are more videos of Lancaster behind-the-scenes – see
link above. Lancaster was actually saved the day of the shoot from
an animal shelter, where he was slated to be "put down" within the
next forty-eight hours. Happily, Lancaster now lives with a new
owner. It seems Dodd gave Lancaster his 1 minute of fame and in the
process found the big white bunny a new home. Too bad rabbits can’t
vote! (PS: Hopperhome doesn't endorse any presidential candidates.)
Down
the Rabbit Hole - A couple of pet dogs were stuck in a rabbit
hole for three days in Hertfordshire, England recently. They
finally got free (Winnie the Pooh style) when the mother Jack
Russell and her puppy lost enough weight to wriggle out. It seems
the puppy ran down the rabbit hole chased by his chubbier mother.
She got stuck trapping not only herself, but her puppy inside the
warren. The dog owners were understandably upset. 
July
17, 2007 - 9:00 p.m. -
Parking Lot
Bunnies Rescued - From the Winona, Minnesota Daily News –
“During a torrential downpour last week, Nancy Unnasch and a few
volunteers from the Winona Humane Society and the Pet Medical Center
were busy rounding up abandoned rabbits in the K-Mart parking lot.”
The bunnies were dumped near a “swampy wooded area near the edge of
the lot” so they had no protection. They captured 17 out of 25
rabbits and efforts were made over the next few days to get the last
six, but to no avail. Unfortunately, the local human society does
not taken in rabbits so Nancy took the rabbits to her home to await
adoption or transport to shelters in the Twin Cities area. She is a
certified Veterinary Technician and it seems every rabbit picked up
by Winona (Minnesota) animal control gets to her door. Anyone who
lives near Winona, MN and is interested in adopting a rabbit can
call Nancy Unnasch at (507) 458-1320 according to the article.
Bunny
Gets Standing Ovation - The Calgary Sun reported something very
bunny happened at a football game between the Calgary Stampeders and
Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Several times during the contest, a rabbit ran
onto the McMahon Stadium turf, once causing a delay of the
Tiger-Cats punt team. When the bunny scampered across the goal line,
the alert crowd at McMahon Stadium let out a huge cheer. But the
baby bunny didn't stop there, taking the play all the way down the
opposite end to score again for another ovation. 
One
Bun Salute - The folks at the
July
2, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. -
Bouncing Baby Bunnies -
Ray from
Quote
of the week
- gotta love British bunny lovers and press …Reuters wrote a report
on the on Britain's new Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance
minister), Alistair Darling. The article was all about politics
until they wrote: “With jet-black eyebrows under a mop of silver
hair, Darling cuts an unusual figure in parliament. Until a few
years ago, he also sported a beard-a rare sight among cabinet
ministers. He also has a pet rabbit called Bertie. ‘It's the
biggest rabbit you've ever seen. It must be three feet long,’ said
one visitor to the Darling home.”
June
27, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. - Bad Hare Day on Milan Runway – that’s the airport runway.
The airport flights were suspended for three hours at Milan's Linate
airport according to the AP Wire while a hare capture took place.
They netted 57 hares and 4 rabbits. All were taken to nearby nature
reserves according to the article. The leaping lagomorphs were
causing false alarms in the control towers. Milan is better known
for it’s fashion and style where every “hare” stays in place instead
of wild hares.
On
the Wild Side: Coyotes, aka Canis latrans is one more reason to
keep your rabbits as house rabbits. One of these distant cousins to
the dog family and native of North America was standing about 12
feet from my back door over the weekend. He was a young coyote and
casually sniffing the grass until he disappeared back into the
forest greenbelt behind my home. Coyotes can adapt to many
different environments including urban areas like the one found in
New York City a few months ago. My sister and I enjoyed watching
the coyote and were glad all of our pets are indoors.
June
11, 2007 - 9:30 p.m. - Boing - That's a Lot of Bunnies - Karen and Nimal from
Police
Band together for Bunnyless Family - In Ipswich, Britain, the
Evening Star newspaper reported police did something really
“bunderful” - they surprised a family who lost their pet rabbit by
digging into their own pockets to get them a new rabbit. The
original rabbit most likely escaped while playing in the backyard
and met a terrible fate on the roads nearby. A new black rabbit
“Roger” was presented to the family when police heard how upset the
family was over their loss. The police officer said “We felt really
bad when we heard through various different people that [the rabbit]
had unfortunately been hit by a car.” So the police “banded together
to pay for Roger and an outdoor run so he cannot escape.”
June
5, 2006, 9:30 p.m. - When you Hop on - An Oregon congressman
wants to take care of your bunnies. (Oh yes, that includes dogs,
cats, hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, birds, fish, horses and
reptiles.) What happens to pets when their owner passes away. The
Oregonian reports Rep. Blemenauer wants pet owners to be able to
set-up a federally deductible trust fund for “fur” kids.
According to the article “The obscure bill has the support of animal
rights advocates.” Also, Blumenauer says, [the legislation] “would
give ‘peace of mind’ to the many Americans who think of their pets
as family.” Thirty-nine states -- including Oregon -- allow people
to set up trusts for their pets. (That’s Gretchen above - she is a
lovely, small grey Rex who was a stray. Her litter box habits are
great. She is very sweet, loves to be held and enjoys sitting in
one's lap.
Lavender
Luvies started with a lavender stuffed bunny. In Seattle a
resourceful woman hand-stitched a lavender bunny, which she said
calmed her daughter. "Bears are so typical. So, I made a bunny. ...
That was kind of fun, and I thought I could sell these," Jordan
said. "I thought it would be cool to make a living." After making
that first bunny in 2002, she would stitch other rabbits together
while her young son, Liam, napped. After stockpiling a cadre of
lavender bunnies, Jordan began selling them the following year at
Pike Place Market in Seattle. She now has a shop on Queen Anne Hill
called Lavender Luvies. See her website for not so real, but
calming rabbits at:
