Thursday, October 31, 2013

PLEASE - Do NOT release a domestic rabbit outside into the "wild"

Domestic pet rabbits do not have the coping skills of wild rabbits to find water or food, avoid predators and parasites, or otherwise survive in the wild. This is not re-homing or being kind to your rabbit - it is animal cruelty.

Letting a bunny go into the wild because you don't want it anymore is a most painful death sentence, except for a lucky few "survivors" with an incredible will to live - warrior rabbits. And they only survive if they are found in time by caring rabbit-savvy volunteer rescuers, like those from an HRS chapter.

Nala is one such warrior rabbit.

Read her story here and updates about her progress are here.
There are NO GRAPHIC PICTURES of Nala's injuries - UNLESS you click the well-labeled link to a third page.

The Blissful Bunny is auctioning off a bunny bed and a bunny boat through 11-07-2013 with the proceeds going to help pay for Nala's care. Go to their Facebook page for pictures, current bids and details.

And of course, you can always donate to GHRS here.




Wednesday, October 30, 2013

A Halloween Bunny Tale

Found at: http://www.larping.net/bunny/SFR.html

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.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Vancouver Art Co-op a Bunny-Rich Environment

This Vancouver art store had bunnies in many different forms by various artists. Thank you for allowing RR to photograph all things bunny for the blog. There was lots of non-bunny art in the store, but, as you know, this is a bunny blog.









  


Monday, October 28, 2013

Bunny Monday Meme*Day (Zed's Dead)



If you do not know to what this is referring, you do not now and have never had a bunny.
Or you were warned and are the best bunny-proofer alive - it could be your profession.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Bunny pumpkins for Halloween

Carving a pumpkin for Halloween?
Here are a few "Boo! Bunnies" for you

A classic lop image
Another approach to bunny pumpkin carving

Don't forget "EB" - the Energizer Bunny

Happy Halloween!

Additions:





Thursday, October 24, 2013

Another time in the princess bed ...

Another time, all three atop the Princess Bed.

As has been said many times, Ethel (all white) is
"Most Likely to be Grooming Her Pen-Mates".


Lucy and Bunya are content to lounge together,
awaiting Ethel's ministrations.
(And somebody, named Lucy, needs her butt brushed.)

(Princess Bed is one of many wonderful bunny things we have from The Blissful Bunny.)


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

One day in the bunny princess bed ...

... there were 2 princesses, the sisters, Lucy & Ethel.

They were so cute, lounging against each other ...
a very popular pastime for Ethel (all white), finding a pen-mate to lean against.

The first picture was through the pen fence,
because Lucy is apt to move at the slightest provocation.
Actually, provocation not required.
She just has to think you are moving in her direction,
or that you might pick her up.
Here again, she did not disappoint.

Lucy giving her "Leave me alone" stink-eye.
Ethel with her "Huh, what's up, whydya' move?" look.

(P.S. Princess Bed is one of many wonderful bunny things we have from The Blissful Bunny.)

Monday, October 21, 2013

Bunny Monday Meme*day (Vet #)



It's not that the vets aren't nice, because they are, but the bunnies do hate car rides.
Of course, the poking and prodding probably don't help.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Bunny-Human look-a-likes

It may be similar features or maybe attitude, but every so often, I run across a bunny who reminds me of someone ...

Alfred Hitchcock
Teddy Roosevelt
Edward G. Robinson
Groucho Marx
McKayla Maroney
Another one is here.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Buncam suspension

The buncam will be out of commission for a while (like a few weeks).

The bunnies have requested new paint and carpet (lost to flooding a while back, but that's another story). To accomplish this, the computer will be moved and the buncamera cord will not reach the buncomputer, among other things.

In fact, the bunnies will spend a good portion of the time away from home so they will not be breathing in the fibers and fumes. So, you would be watching an empty pen (which you might do anyway if they are in their hidey boxes).

You won't see much of a change in their pen. The improvements will mostly be in the area they run around in when they are out of their pen.

(When they return, we may need a vacation.)

Will post when it is back up and running.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Disaster preparedness for your pet

When a disaster is imminent, you may not have time to think of all the stuff you need to pull together. Here are some resources to help you plan ahead - for you and your pets.


From the Humane Society:
Make a Disaster Plan for Your Pets
Pet Disaster-Preparedness Kit

Here're some sites for you (so you will be around to care for your pet):
Plan & Prepare
Prepare Your Home and Family
Prepare Your School
Types of Emergency
CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response

(Hope you never need this ... but better to be prepared and not need it.)

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Bun, James Bun. Or Lucy thumps at Goldfinger

Lucy was chill-axin' with us, all comfy, just watching some tube.


Then one of the classics came on: 007 ... Goldfinger!

Lucy in her post- and pre-thump stance

Something set Lucy off at the beginning of this movie and three of her thumps were caught on video. Usually, they are so fast and discreet (the movement, not the noise), we can't even spot who thumped. I wasn't even sneezing (typically, Ethel's trigger to express her extreme disapproval).

Lucy does kind of have that polished black tuxedo and crisp white shirt 007 look, though.

What's not to like ... Great movie? James Bond/007? Sean Connery? Shirley Bassey?
Sorry, Lucy, we will have to agree to disagree about this one.
*THUMP!*

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Bunny vet visit

We noticed a spot of powder or crystals in the bunnies pen. This can be from urine, calcium when bunnies are not drinking enough. All three had been observed drinking, but someone wasn't getting enough. Some strategies to get them to drink more include: flavoring their water, pushing fluids or sub-q fluids. (Make sure you have detailed instructions and know what you are doing in all three cases.)

Since we were so close to their
regularly scheduled wellness checkup,
we went ahead and scheduled it for all three.
Detail - Somebunny
needs to drink more water.

And the ears shake from the minute they are in their carrier.
They know they are going on a car ride, which they hate.
Here, they are settling down a little in the vet's office,
and Bunya decides Ethel would make a good chin rest.

(Put carpet in your pet carrier to give the bunnies traction.)
Mister B gets weighted in,
insisting the vet tech get her thumb off the scale,
because he doesn't weigh anywhere near 5 pounds.
Miss Ethel is timid but pliable.
Miss Lucy gives us her weight
and a healthy dose of her scorn,
somewhat mitigated by those gorgeous big blue eyes.

Lucy gets probed by aliens.
She loved this. They all did.
Actually, checking a bunny's ever-growing teeth
is an extremely important part of a check-up.
The teeth can be the cause of a number of bunny health issues.
Once home, Lucy retreated to the favored hidey box,
to make sure we understood she was ticked-off.

All in all, three healthy bunnies, for which we are thankful.
(And pushing some extra fluids.)