Sunday, October 29, 2017

A Halloween Bunny Tale

Another Rabbit Ramblings "traditional" seasonal post.
Don't forget to check out the post Bun o' lanterns -- Bunny pumpkins for Halloween)


In the mythical land of Trigiorria there is the legend of The Spirit Festival of the Rabbits.

At the end of the month of Octobré, when the veil between the worlds of the spirit and the real would thin, those who had lost family during the previous year would make a journey to the Spirit Woods. The recently departed would inhabit this forest during the year, awaiting the veil to be thin enough to cross over and thereby give their loved ones one last chance to say goodbye.

The family would sit and camp outside of the woods, sometimes as long as a week, awaiting for a messenger to arrive. That messenger - a white rabbit. As it approached, the family would gather and sit, patiently and quietly. The rabbit would find a spot near the family and sit down, regarding them with its ruby eyes and large ears turned towards them. At that point, the family would tell the rabbit the name of their recently deceased and give a final message to their loved one. Upon finishing, the family would offer the rabbit a token of their thanks, usually in the form of some sweet greens such as the tops of carrots or radishes. The rabbit would stand on its hind legs, taking the offering and, at the same time, folding its ears back, thereby trapping the family's message within them.

Turning around, the rabbit would sprint back into the forest, carrying the message for the spirit. Their ruby eyes able to see the other worldly spirits and their twitching noses able to find the scent of the family even upon the ghosts. Once they found the family member, they'd open their ears once again, imparting the whispers of the message still resounding within them and allow the family member to pass over with their family's love.

However, not all ghosts within the Spirit Woods are benevolent. As the noises that come from the forest are often eerie and vicious, it is the reason the families remain outside of the woods and uses the messengers. On a few occasions, dark shadows were seen lumbering forth from the tree line, but they never made it far for nipping at their heels were the guardians - the black rabbits of the forest. Whereas the inky claws of the spirits could rake furrows into the ground, they would simply meld into the rabbit's own obsidian fur. Wherever the black rabbits touched these creatures, there would be nothing but emptiness left behind. And when dozens of the guardians attacked a shadow, it dissolves so quickly that many people weren't sure they saw a shadow at all - only the frolicking of the rabbits was left behind.

Today, many families keep such rabbits in their homes as family members themselves. In fact, adopting one after the passing of their loved ones is seen as a blessing upon the house. When a white rabbit would stand on its hind legs and stare towards nothing, it is often thought that the animal is welcoming a friendly spirit into the house. The black rabbit would keep the family safe from any spirits that were not welcomed.

[Mark Mensch is a published author and volunteer at SaveABunny rabbit rescue - www.saveabunny.org]

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Make it a Happy Halloween for your bunnies, too!

Bunnies are prey animals. They don't like things like: strangers, loud noises, sudden movements, fireworks. These can stress them.

On Halloween, keep your buns cool and quiet, away from the constant noise and activity of Trick or Treaters.
Close the windows and doors. Close the blinds to avoid flashing lights.

Play music - peaceful, easy listening (not loud). Think elevator music.
(No hair bands or hare bands. Stay away from 1812 Overture.)
Your TV service might even have a suitable channel in its lineup - you just never tune to those channels.

If you do not already have boxes for them to play on and in, get some plain cardboard boxes (not slick or a lot of ink/color, no staples, labels or tape); cut at least two openings in each box big enough for your bunny to get in and out. They can hide in them, to further mute the noise and feel a little safer.

An air filter in their room may provide white noise to help muffle Halloween sounds.

Keep them company and reassure them that everything's okay. Pet them if they are the petting kind of bunnies. Have a couple of healthy rabbit treats handy (Bunya told me to say that). But keep them away from the human treats and candy - these can make your bunny deathly ill.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

P.S. Check out the post Bun o' lanterns -- Bunny pumpkins for Halloween


Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Bun o' lanterns -- Bunny pumpkins for Halloween

A Rabbit Ramblings traditional pre-Halloween post... If you carve a bunny pumpkin, please post a picture on the RR Facebook page so it can be added to the "library". (Bunkin pictures from miscellaneous sources around the internet and from past Facebook contributions, so also appreciate any picture credits you can add - thanks!)

Have fun! Be careful carving pumpkins and have a safe celebration!

Happy Halloween!

Carving a "bunkin" (bunny pumpkin) for Halloween?

Here are a few "Boo! Bunnies" to inspire your creative carving...




Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue FB page & website
Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue FB page & website



A classic lop image
Another approach to bunny pumpkin carving
Was this bunny in "Lord of the Rings" or something?

Don't forget "EB" - the Energizer Bunny


Bunny from Prickly City?
Bonded duo

                                                         Models for bonded duo pumpkin
Bunny Butt!
Talk to the butt, 'cause the ears ain't listening!

(Bernie Bunny from Annie's)



Bunny model: Pinki Larue
Model for pumpkin above


Monday, October 23, 2017

Halloween-flavored Funny Bunny Monday Meme*day


This is Lucy, a rescued bun who was being starved to death so the idjits wouldn't have to pay a surrender fee to the shelter - a true horror story. She has re-learned to eat and drink and is happy in her new home - a tremendous will to live.
Thank you, Lucy's humans.

Monday, October 9, 2017