Sheep herding bunny

Yes, you read that right - a rabbit that herds sheep.
Or maybe just loves bossing them around.
Bunya sure would.

Bounce Bunnies!

Catching up on an Iron Chef episode and even speeding through the commercials, spotted this...

See other bunny commercials here and here.

Ethel, always a lady

Ethel is still the sweetest bunny. Probably the easiest to retrieve for weekly grooming and exam. The fastest to finish, too ... she seems to shed the least.

Ethel getting groomed - such a pretty little girl!

She also has one of the funniest, cutest flops around. Have not really been able to catch it on video yet, but still trying. Here she is post-flop...

Collapsed in exhaustion after the weekly rituals.

The Mastermind of The Great Escape -- Ethel?!?

For speed and brute strength, count on Lucy.
For soft and bossy, see Bunya.
But for brains, look to ... Ethel!?!

Yes, we have been underestimating the LWB (little white bunny). We have teased her about her one brain cell and how sometimes she forgets it.

Well, news to us - she is the brains behind the bunny escape!
If you don't think bunnies are smart - you are WRONG!
Ethel figured out how to escape and remembered it over a week later (in the interim, we had just been closing the door at the end of the hall).

I put up the gate since I was home and in the basement. I was in the "treadmill room", talking with a friend there and noticed a little movement in the doorway ... oh, it's just Ethel. WAIT!?! Ethel? There are not supposed to be bunnies on this side of the gate!

We put the gate back and watched. Forgive the poor pictures with the phone (only camera available at the moment)...

Lucy is being old school - they would come up to the gate
and nibble the bars perpendicular to the ground.

Ethel: No, no, no, Lucy, let me show you...

Ethel: See, whatcha' gotta' do is grab this little bar
that is parallel to the floor and
at the side panel and lift *grunt* so that
it goes over the nail that holds it in place.

Ethel as a blur after she goes around the end of the fence

Ethel examines the difference between carpet and concrete
as Lucy ponders why she is now on the lonely side of the fence.

And, bonus - Ethel is the still sweetest bunny of them all.

Bunny reading in bed

Lucy has her favorite box. I suspect this is the one she is in most of the day when she can't be spotted on the buncam. But they are gradually eating in a skylight, so maybe we will get a peek inside at some point in the future.

Anyway, she worked either the book or the box - or both - into position so she could "read" in bed...

What?!? There's plenty of light for how I "read" a book!

We've come home to sticks and cardboard tubes sticking out of that box, too. It's nice she makes herself at home.

Lucy the "reader" ... loves her books

As it turns out, Lucy eats about 120 words per minute...

She is very methodical and keeps a nice, steady pace.

She hopes to enroll in a speed reading course - from Evelyn Wood.

The Bunny Rules

1. The bunny is not allowed in the house.
2. OK, the bunny is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
3. The bunny is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture.
4. The bunny can get on the old furniture only.
5. Fine, the bunny is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with humans on the bed.
6. OK, the bunny is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.
7. The bunny can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.
8. The bunny can sleep under the covers by invitation only.
9. The bunny can sleep under the covers every night.
10. Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the bunny.

Bunya: Yeah, we're pretty much going to hang where we want.
Lucy: Unless you try to pick me up.

Lots of good stuff on the HRS site, including these rules.

Bunny pistol?

My son got me into Pawn Stars on the History channel. In the 12-05-2011 episode, Blaze of Glory, a lady walked in with "the world's smallest pistol", made in Austria. On one side was a deer profile, but in one quick picture of the pistol, they showed the decoration on the other side - a bunny.

Detail of bunny decoration on handle of tiny pistol

You know, it's small enough that it could be used by bunnies in their plot to overthrow their status as prey.
Just sayin' ...

No other real comment here, other than it will be posted on the Bunny Things page.
We just report 'em where we find 'em.

Another Rhymes With Orange instant bunny classic

I got an autographed print at the last GHRS Silent Auction. I hope this one is up for bid next year ... check out today's Rhymes with Orange.

I love how every part is re-used in the second frame.

She sleeps with the ... toys

Okay, a Godfather movie reference, but Ethel literally was sleeping with the toys. We had just finished cleaning the bunnies' pen. To do that, we take everything out to sweep and vacuum.

So, after we put all their boxes, tunnels and litter boxes back, we dumped the toys in one spot.
Little Ethel snaked her body among them all for comfort and to rest after the morning trauma of pen cleaning and grooming (with treats aplenty).

Mine!

Lucy eating her greens

Lucy gives this task tremendous concentration.

The new camera is great ... you can see her blue eyes.
Well, eye.

You can also see that some white hairs are popping through the black. I hope an almost 2 year old bunny is not getting gray. This is pre-grooming, so that's probably what it is. Look near her tail and you can see tufts of fluffy hair, suspended in mid-shed.

This video above is what was going on right before Lucy went back and rejoined the other buns to get some more greens, seen here.

The Tortoise and the Hare Meet Again

Sort of.

My son spotted a vanity license plate:

(I'm guessing Sea Turtle ... could be See the Turtle
but I am not sure where you see sea turtles in Colorado)

And in the same picture he sent me was a bumper sticker on that same car:

An excellent sentiment!

So the tortoise and hare met again and were friends.

Going exactly the same speed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of loving somebunny, check out this article:

Why I’m glad the Year of the Rabbit is coming to an end

How to fold a bunny napkin

Wouldn't you like to fold this wonderful napkin shape for your table? Maybe for Easter?

Well, what are you looking here for? Do we look like Martha Stewart?
Go see how Martha does it!
> ; )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

04-05-2012 UPDATE: See alternative and video here:
Bunny napkin fold - Part Deux!

Bunny buttheads

The usual evening. Looked in their pen and spied the bunnies butting heads. This behavior means "Who is going to lick me?"

No ones wants to be the first to yield in this battle of the hard heads. Or maybe soft heads. Soft, fuzzy heads.

So they all smash their heads flat to the floor and puuuuuuush...

Lucy slides her head under Bunya's chin - Groom me!

Bunya tries to parry with a reverse chin thrust

The heaviest and a fan of all-star wrestling,
Lucy powers her way between the two
so she is evenly placed should either of the others start to groom

Finally, Lucy just flops through the other two, but no one has yet conceded to be the first to groom, only be groomed.

Torture Bunny App - IS GONE!!!

Original post here.

Again, from HRS's Facebook page:
House Rabbit Society is very grateful for the quick and humane response of Chillingo to our concerns. Torture Bunny App has been removed from the App Store! Thanks to everyone who contacted them, and thanks to Chillingo for hearing our concerns!

Thank you, Chillingo!
Thank you bunny lovers, everywhere!

Little bunny wood chippers

Sunday morning ... buncam doesn't come on until later because it's clean the bunny pen day.

Everything out.
Everybunny out.

So, before I started emptying the pen, I gave them breakfast on their "terrace" in front of their pen.

To me, still one of the best entertainment values around is watching bunnies eat, especially their greens.

They're like little wood chippers; you can almost hear little engines grinding.
This clip starts off with Bunya.
Lucy joins in; she had taken a bunch of greens back into the pen to munch and came back for more.
~50 seconds in: Lucy has a parsley mustache
~1 min 30 sec in: Ethel starts munching on a long stalk and it bounces up and down like she's a maestro conducting an orchestra.

Relax.
Enjoy.
Then go fix yourself a nice salad.
> : )

Want to torture a virtual rabbit? There's an app for that!

UPDATE HERE: Torture Bunny App IS GONE!!!

Found this in a post today on HRS's Facebook page.
Just trying to keep you up on things in the bunny-sphere...

I like video games but why create one that allows the user to torture something? Anything?
Well, released last summer: Torture Rabbit
Are they trying to give serial killers a new start, a stepping stone before they start torturing real animals?

From the House Rabbit Society:
Stop Torture Bunny App - A company named Chillingo has created an app for iphones that allows users to virtually torture animated rabbits. While no rabbits are actually harmed in the game, HRS is distressed to find that the game encourages the torture of even virtual rabbits .... Please contact Chillingo, the makers of the game, and especially iTunes, which sells the game, to ask them to no longer sell this game.

Chillingo
Carmen Pearson
Head of PR & Communications
carmen@chillingo.com
415-746-0803

Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010

Someone on Facebook noted that if you have an iPhone, you can look up the app, scroll to the bottom and report it as offensive; there is also room for a comment.

New Year Resolutions for Bunny Owners

One of the sites under Rabbit Resources in the right hand column is Hopper Home which also includes a blog.

The Rabbit Ramblings "Great Escape" posts from yesterday reminded me of a recent HH blog post: Ten New Years Resolutions for 2012 from a Long Time Rabbit Fanatic.

In particular, # 5:
I will not take for granted my home is “bunny proofed:” It just takes one new rabbit with a skeletal system that must fold or dislocate enough to get around the normal bunny barriers I have installed. Also, he knows what those back legs are for – jumping. I mean jumping really high over all man (or woman) made barriers.

Just saying ... it's worth keeping in mind.

In Memoriam - Bella

We have lost another blogging bunny, Bella.
As Christina commented in an earlier post: Bad start to 2012.

Beautiful Bella (Passed to the Rainbow Bridge 01-06-2012)

You can read about Bella and family, and offer your condolences at Little Fluffy Adventures

Please make a donation to a bunny shelter near you in her memory.
If you don't have a shelter, here's a great one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

[Author unknown]

Here's a newer version that was made into a poem.

The Great Escape

For starters, read the prior post.

So I got home. The bunnies are tipped off that someone is there by the beeping of the alarm. As I rushed downstairs, I thought I might have heard the drumbeat of bunny feet. My hope was that I would see the little gate we use to block the doorway still in place (yes, even when they are in their pen).

No such luck.

The gate had been breached.

They try to open this all the time, but we hook it so it should stay in place. They were finally successful.

I went into their area and they scattered. Well, Lucy & Ethel did. They dashed behind a table and box, respectively, and glared out at me with two of the guiltiest looks I have ever seen on an animal (Oscar, a wonderful mutt of yesteryear takes first prize, but the cats were never even in the running; the cats didn't care, so what was to feel guilty about?).

Not me, not me, not me, not me....

Nyaaaaa, what's up, Doc?

Bunya didn't think anything was wrong. He used to play in the areas Lucy & Ethel only dream of exploring but Lucy likes to eat carpet, so they're all restricted now.

Bunya just hopped into the pen, turned around grinning and stared at me like: "Okay, I am in the pen and ready for it to be shut while you are at work, so you can give us our treats now."

I had already done that once this morning.

Rabbit raisin left in treadmill room

Carpet and wood chews -
old or new?

There was evidence that they had not only breached the gate, but gone exploring...

Now we just have to figure how they did it.

Friday the 13th, huh?

Escape! Escape! Release the, uh, human!!!

I am at work and glanced at the buncam.
No bunnies is not totally unusual. They could all be snoozing in tunnels and boxes...

Screenshot of their pen via buncam

Then I noticed the gate!!!

Called my wife - she is at work, too, so she didn't let them out.

Headed home ... praying the bunnies have not gotten into the un-bunny-proofed part of the house or we'll be replacing electric cords for weeks.



Checking out the new bunny

My mother spotted a cute stuffed bunny at a gift shop; it reminded her of Bunya, so she got it for us.

Gave it to the bunnies so they could check it out...

I think Bunya is making it expressly clear to the new kid, when it comes to treat time, the newbie is last in line.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If it is before 01-15-2012 and if you have not yet voted for the Bloggies,

please go here and do so. Thank you!

One day in the Cheerios box ...

Lucy was laying down in her favorite box, but in a somewhat formal position. You know it - when your bunny sort of looks like the Sphinx.

And she was shaking something awful. Then we realized, Bunya was licking her so hard, it looked like she was shivering. You would have thought she was taking a car ride. To the vet.

Lucy: Please, no puns about us Generally Milling about...

After a while, Lucy flopped down to relax after her massage and Bunya flopped right next to her. A little while later, when I peeked in on them, this is what they looked like ... one very long strangely colored bunny, with a black & white head and a brown tushy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If it is before 01-15-2012 and if you have not yet voted for the Bloggies,

please go here and do so. Thank you!

Suspicion, thy name is Lucy

One of Lucy's tricks to avoid being picked up is to run into their pen where there are usually lots of boxes and tunnels for her to hide in, and to dart to another when we pick up one.

That was a boo-boo on her part the other morning. We had already taken everything out of their pen to clean it when she darted in. We shut the door. Lucy ran my wife around in dizzying speedy circles, but eventually got picked up ... groomed ... got her weekly health examination ...  then mesmerized against her will, but at least she relaxed ... and it was all topped off with a papaya treat.

What are you looking at?
I've been groomed - you are not picking me up again!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If it is before 01-15-2012 and if you have not yet voted for the Bloggies,

please go here and do so. Thank you!

Please vote for Rabbit Ramblings in the Bloggies! Before Jan 15th!

Yes, there is a contest for everything. If RR wins the grand prize, we will double the cash award and donate it to out local all-volunteer, no-kill House Rabbit Society rescue and shelter.

By the way, the grade prize for 2012 is 2,012 cents. Yes, $20.12.

Anyway, this will take a few minutes (less than 5), but hopefully, the following will get you through it as fast as possible. Vote only once (this is NOT one of those "vote daily" deals).

1. Go to the Bloggies voting site.
You are required to enter 3 unique blogs, so if you do not have favorites, you can use the recommendations below. You can also enter up to 3 nominees within a category.

2. On the left of the screen, there are the voting categories (in the grey "ribbon" that stays on-screen).
Click on "Pet" category.
Copy this into the Nominee space: Rabbit Ramblings
Copy this into the URL space: http://www.bunyaboy.blogspot.com/

3. To complete the entry, here are some other categories and nominees:
(A) Click on "Health" category.
Copy this into the Nominee space: More of Me to Love
Copy this into the URL space: http://www.moreofmetolove.com/blogs/category/soul-food/
(B) Click on "Travel" category.
Copy this into the Nominee space: Americana the Beautiful
Copy this into the URL space: http://americanathebeautiful.wordpress.com/
(C) Click on "Art/Craft" category.
Copy this into the Nominee space: Jonathan Brilliant
Copy this into the URL space: http://jonathanbrilliant.com/blog/
 
3.A. You can also click on other categories, such as "weblog of the year" and enter the data in #2 above.
> : )

4. Go to the bottom of the page.
Type the security words (those wavy words to make sure you are a real person and not a spam machine).
Enter your email address - used for voting verification only.
Click: Submit your nominations!
 
5. Then go to your email and click on the link in the email sent to you by the Bloggies. This completes the voting process.
 
If you later decide you want to vote in other categories or for additional blogs within a category, you will invalidate your prior vote, so you should re-enter ALL the blogs you want to vote for. The latest VALIDATED (via email) vote is the one that counts.
 

THANK YOU!!!

Executive Bunny

Bunya has always had his favorite chair. When we are not borrowing it, we keep it up against the back of the sofa. He hops on the sofa, up on the back of the sofa, and then down into his chair.

Excuse me - how did you get past my secretary?
Do you have an appointment?

Sheesh, I specifically said "No interruptions" during my massage.

I guess the "Do Not Disturb" sign fell off the door knob.

In Memoriam ... Ziggy and Savannah

Our hearts are saddened by the recent passing of two blogging bunnies ...

Ziggy (Passed to the Rainbow Bridge 01-06-2012)

Savannah (Passed to the Rainbow Bridge 01-07-2012)

You can read about Ziggy and family, and offer your condolences at Two Bunny Blog.

You can read about Savannah and family, and offer your condolences at A Houseful of Rabbits.

Please make a donation to a bunny shelter near you in their memory.
If you don't have a shelter, here's a great one.

Just in case you're pinterested ...

Someone pinned the bunny mouse pad (that benefits GHRS) on Pinterest. Not sure how it works, but thanks - maybe some more mouse pads will get sold and help the rescue bunnies!

Notice some other pinteresting things from Rabbit Ramblings there ... check out to left of where the link above takes you.

Bunny quilting bee?

I don't know ... what would you call it?

They all decided to work on this patch of cardboard together.

At the same time.

From the same perspective.

Maybe they're just gossiping. I hope not; that's not nice.

They were working on this so long, I passed the camera down the chairs and sofa to people who were at a better angle to take the picture. Each person took a few pictures and passed the camera along to the next. The bunnies just chewed back and forth like they were eating an ear of corn while watching a tennis match.

Peeking in on the bunnies

Got to the office and one of the screens I open on my computer is the buncam, just so I can peek in on them once in a while during the day. This is what I saw...

Ethel had gotten into one of Lucy's favorite boxes this morning. Lucy noticed and jumped in after her and then Ethel came leaping out, with Lucy chasing right behind.

So I was glad to see they had resolved any differences, and to find them flopped and peacefully spooning (in the lower right hand corner of the screen).

While Bunya the Hutt guards the food dishes.

Calling all bunny people - need your help - "Access Hollywood"

Got this from the Facebook pages for GHRS and HRS. You have to be a Facebook member to access it, so in case you are not, read on for excerpts; it includes links to the show's FB page and direct site:

• A few days ago Dana Kremples [Editor's note - A link to Dana's wonderful bunny health care info is included in the right-hand column under "Rabbit Resources"] who runs the Miami House Rabbit chapter caught an episode of  "Access Hollywood Live" and the host - Kit Hoover - had purchased a Holland Lop Rabbit for her child for Christmas and horribly slammed everything we stand for and try to avoid with people buying them for their children. Dana wrote an excellent letter ... below ....

Contact:
• http://www.accesshollywood.com/contact
• http://www.facebook.com/AccessHollywoodLive
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Access Hollywood Folks,
A recent segment on how your hosts spent the holidays included a very disturbing message.

The female host, Kit Hoover did a terrible disservice to those of us who spend most of our time and income rescuing unwanted, abandoned rabbits.

She took about three minutes to describe the "Christmas surprise" of a Holland Lop rabbit she and her husband got for their kids for the holiday, simply because they'd begged for it. She said that the breed was known to be "dumb but cute" (which is ridiculous; Holland Lops are one of the craftiest, sneakiest, liveliest and intelligent types of purebred rabbits), and that a few days after the holiday (and her cleaning the cage "like 10 times a day") the kids were finally "over the rabbit." She said this with clear relief.

Oh, really? Could she please tell me why she got the kids the rabbit to begin with if she didn't realize it was a serious, ten-year commitment? And that--like a kitten or puppy--a young rabbit needs house-training (not to mention spay or neuter), too? Was she clueless, or just callous?

And now what? Since the kids are "over the rabbit" will she take it to a shelter, where it will most likely be euthanized? Or will she--like many uninformed rabbit buyers--simply dump it in a park or on the side of the road to fend for itself? (Hint: Domestic rabbits DIE when you do this.)

Rabbits are the third most relinquished animals at shelters across the U.S., *precisely* because of attitudes like the one broadcast by your Access Hollywood host.

I hope Access Hollywood will consider making things right by inviting some of the compassionate, responsible celebrities (Clint Eastwood, Bob Barker, Amy Sedaris, to name only three) who share their hearts and homes with companion rabbits.

These people will tell you that rabbits are not "dumb" (quoting your host). But they *are* herbivores and prey animals who "speak" a language entirely different from that we've come to expect from dogs and cats.

Rabbits are complex, fascinating, and incredibly rewarding for those who have the patience and intelligence to learn how to properly care for and interact with them.

What rabbits are NOT, though, is low maintenance. They are NOT good pets for children or for adults who have not done their homework. Living with a house rabbit requires a level of maturity and commitment lacking in most adults, let alone children. It's very sad to see a person as visible and influential as your host making light of her impulse purchase of a helpless animal who will now very likely end up shuffled off to a shelter, or worse.

Thank you for listening, and for helping Access Hollywood be more responsible about such messages in the future. Living in a house full of long, furry ears, I do appreciate having a human ear bent my way when it comes to important matters like this.

Happy New Year to you!

Sincerely,
Dana
Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
University of Miami Department of Biology
President, H.A.R.E., Inc.
(HouseRabbit Adoption, Rescue, and Education, Inc.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, go to Access Hollywood and leave them a message. It can be short. It should be respectful. But the numbers will count, so take a couple of minutes and leave a note.

If you are on Facebook, you can "Like" the comments left by others about this issue (the longer before you check it out, the further down the "wall" it moves). When you go to their page, be sure to click on "Everyone (Most Recent)" at the top of the column so that you can see comments posted by bunny-people.

Thanks!

The leaning tower of Bunya

Bunya was at the gate to their pen, looking a little rough ... a little peak-ed, you might say.
He was kind of listing to his right.

Ooooh, man, what did you put in that carrot juice?
Did anybody get the license number of that tortoise?

We're not sure what happened, but whatever it was, it did not seem to agree with him. A little too much New Year's cheer, perhaps.

We submitted this picture to Disapproving Rabbits. We'll have to wait and see if they agree.

Bunny looking logo

My Mom likes yogurt, especially this kind. They have a shop near her, too.

On her receipt, it had a logo. I think it kinda' looks like a you-know-what.

It has been submitted to Rabbits Everywhere for an objective third party assessment, but from my perspective, look for it to appear on a Bunny Things page near you.

Origami Bunny (Happy Birthday, Hank)

Rose made this adorable origami bunny.
She attributed it to her friend's illustration.

I am passing this along in case you are looking for something to do, but really as a "tip o' the hat" to my friend Hank, whose birthday is today. He is the one who sent me my origami bunny made out of a dollar bill, along with the instructions link to recreate one of your own. You can see a picture on the Bunny Things page, near the end (third "BT" from bottom - it was one of the earliest contributions).

Morning traffic report - Bunny loving pile-up

I think somebunnies had a little too much carrot juice celebrating the new year...

You'll notice who the sweetie is doling out the first aid & affection
and which two have their heads down to receive.
Lucy may be getting a back massage.

Happy 2012!