Rabbit for Adoption at PAWS

Dear Malaysia Readers,

Just wanted to highlight that there is a rabbit for ADOPTION in PAWS (animal shelter-click for contact/location information). Little information is known about the rabbit. Do drop by and adopt it if you can. Apparently, the workers at the shelter has been feeding it with leaves for the past 3 days since it was sent to the shelter (can't believe its owner did not bring some food over!).

To minimize unwanted pets please please please, I beg all of you to breed responsibly and please be responsible pet owners. Most importantly, DO NOT BUY ON IMPULSE.

I was hoping that I will never need to write adoption posts but my worst fear is slowly materializing. But nonetheless, I felt obligated to help the little bunny out.

Happy Beginnings

BlueBerry's kits are exactly 8 weeks today. Since I am keeping Eclipse and Luna, Medith and Tika was due to go to their new homes.

Medith was taken by a close friend and she named her Miss Muffet. We headed to PetShack to get her a new cage and it was such a nice cage. I personally LOVE it and RECOMMENDS it for all new rabbit owners. This rabbit cage is the BOMB and I would say the most suitable for rabbits by far. It comes equipped with pee guard and pee will never leak from the sides.

Here's a photo of Miss Muffet in her new home:

As for Tika, she is now known as Tinga. Her new owners D and T together with SB and P came over for dinner. We had so much laughter together talk bunnies and some other interesting stuff. I really enjoyed their company and it was great fun having gatherings like these. To further elaborate about Tinga, I just like to show an old photo.

And...

Does this look familiar?

I must also add that nothing else brings me greater joy then to see my kits going to great homes. Today I sent not only one but 2 of my kits to bring cheer to 2 households. They are and will be great bunny owners. May Tinga and Ms. Muffet bring everlasting joy to their new owners!

Meadow Haven Is Larger Than Life!

I finally felt the wrath of Meadow Haven. Can you imagine that when a meadow has an outburst of long-bladed grass? We have these long-bladed grass growing in Malaysia that are called "lalang". They are really a nuisance if you ever need to walk across a plain filled with them.

Anyway, things have not been going too well with the entire shelving system. Due to space constraint, I found it very difficult to clean up the entire shelving unit especially at the back where the pipes are. I was contemplating the entire day for an effective strategy to execute this super spring cleaning. My wife has been complaining that I still take too much time cleaning the rabbitry up on a daily basis and asked if I could try reverting back using the bottom trays with newspaper.

So here I was after an entire day of daydreaming about cleaning up the rabbitry (literally), I started removing things and temporarily placing them in the dining area. And I was well on my way of cleaning up the rabbitry. Or so I thought. Mid way my treacherous attempt, I felt as if being choked by Meadow Haven. It is quite apparent to me that I have created a monster that I was unable to tame. I found it so difficult to remove even the first level of cages.

Trying to recall how I got the entire thing together, I realized that 2 adults are needed to put the combined cages together. And I thought to myself how should I proceed from here.

Feeling very overwhelmed, I just reach for spots that I could manage and try to clean them up the best I could.

All in all, I was only able to clean up BlueBerry's quarters and also slotted the 2 bottom trays back under the cages.

I am too tired at the moment and feeling the drag that I have got to continue this crazy exercise first thing in the morning.

There will be loads of vacuuming and wiping before all the trays are slotted back in. It is really ironic how I am still looking for the best way to have an easy to manage rabbitry.

More improvements to be thought of but for now, I need to put my head down for a good night sleep!

Update on Charl & Mo

Charl was as usual when I check on them this morning. Here's Charl in the evening:

Isn't this little fellow such a cutie pie? This is the exact look that could melt your heart.

Where is everybody?

And not forgetting, Mo:

Mo Cutie Pies?

Tails From Meadow Haven Chapter 4: Havoc

"MommieeeeeEEEeeeeeEeeee"

~thud!~

"Ouch, I feel a little dizzie mommy"

"I told you to stay still when master holds you but it is his fault for holding you up so high up for such a long time. Are you alright my dear?"

"I think so"

"Anything broken there?"

"At least I am still able to walk"

"Can you see anyone down there?"

"There's this huge black and white head staring at me"

"That must be your daddy. Say hi to him while you're still there"

"Little one, where are your patches?"

"Huh?"

"Oh nevermind, were you trying out bungee without the ropes? You may end up going there Aunt Latara went last half moon phase"

"Mommy, what is this huge thing saying?"

"Never mind him dear, do you think you can get back up here?"

"Here comes the tentacles! I am floating! WoooOOooo. Ouch! Mommy he's pinching my toes!"

"Much has been happening as of late. We got one of the clan member dead with reason still unknown. I don't need another one going to the land of no return"

"BlueBerry, the kits graduating soon?"

"Yeah, I overheard master talking about Tika & Medith going to their new home this weekend. Luna & Eclipse just went away"

"Mommy, we're here!"

"Oh, these are the kits, they have been here for quite a while and I was wondering who they were"

"Those are your kits, Skor"

"Wow, this is really my empire. I have my kit falling from the sky and I see my kits every corner I turn"

"Mommy, this giant is ugly. It has fur stuck out on its body"

"Your time will come too and it is call The Great Fur Fall"

"EwwWWww, I don't want to be like him"

Split Penis

I read of breeders showing their doe and one fine day, the doe turned out to be a buck (descended testicles). On further investigation, most often then not, the "doe" turns out to be a buck with split penis. I have always wondered how does a split penis look like and thanks to Donna Williams for sharing these photos in her PhotoBucket. These photos are not mine. I am just placing a link to Donna Williams photo album just as a reference for my readers.

NEVER BREED A BUCK WITH SPLIT PENIS!

Charl & Mo Day 17: All was well until...

The moment I reached home this evening I told myself I must take a few shots of the kits today.

After 2 hours of cleaning up, making a call to get monthly rabbit supplies and separated both Luna & Eclipse from BlueBerry into their individual cages, I picked up the camera and headed to Noobie's cage.

I took a few shots of them with mommy and their cuteness was so irresistible. I thought to myself that Charl is becoming such a cutie pie and to be honest, he/she is starting to be my heart bunny. Mainly because he/she has beaten the odds of being a small runty fellow but now fast catching up.

And all of a sudden, Charl just went POP! He/she jumped so high and in such a fast motion, I was unable to save him/her from this 5 feet plunge to the floor. I still cannot forgive myself for what has happened in such lighting speed! Felt like kicking myself to death really!

After a little dazed moment, Charl was back on its feet. I pinched all his/her toes to make sure there is still senses. He/she was walking around the cage and seemed normal. I felt its entire body fearing that something may be broken. Nothing seemed to be out of place.

This little fellow will have 24 hours surveillance tonight. It felt like a piece of my heart just got torn.

Everyone reading this, please send some prayers over here alright? Your prayers has been great help and miracle that Charl made it through the runty stage. Just need it to pass through this one more hurdle.

And so rightly said by Arwen of LOTR:

"What grace is given me let it pass to him, let him be spared, save him."

Do for the sake of doing or when it needs to be done?

I have written about many things throughout the many days and months.

Sometimes I write between the lines and sometimes not much details are shared. I believe that is because some things I do in the rabbitry is based on knowledge and experiences gained from the past.

I did not deliberately leave out the details. They are not included because I always believe in the fun of learning things through research and some effort.

Every now and then I get some question regarding my actions in and around the rabbitry.

Sometimes I felt the need to place a disclaimer note that goes "Kids, don't do this at home". I may have overlooked that not all my readers are able to comprehend what I share in this blog. Some may understand and agree what I do, some inspired to do the same and some just cannot accept.

There are a few approaches one can do especially those that find my actions new to them. It is just as simple as a mouse click away through Google. And the word associated to this action is called R.E.S.E.A.R.C.H.

There I go again writing some crap and nonsense.

Something's On Part II

I have been putting this little project on hold for far too long. Here is just a taste of what it is:

Tru-Luv Rabbitry's own Web Based Rabbit Management System! At the moment I have only completed the Pedigree Generation module. The printing of the pedigree still needs some work.

I have automated the color generation on the pedigree. As you would notice, the blue represents bucks whereas the pink represents does in the lineage. Since I do not tattoo my rabbits and there is no local rabbit organization to register them, only crucial information such as name, color & date of birth are included for each rabbit in the pedigree.

I have yet to work on the overall application "cosmetics". LOL. Need to make it more interesting and colorful!

Need to work on it so it is easily customized. Who knows, I may get some offers to develop this system further. LOL...

Recursive Dejavu

Just when I thought that I have nothing better else to write, one of my close friends sent me this link:

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=443156&view=findpost&p=19490953

Oops, doesn't that face looks familiar and worst still, isn't that excuse/reason sound even more familiar to you? How many rabbits has been neglected just because "I AM TOO BUSY"? But I wasn't busy when I got it.

Remember this interesting discourse I had not too long ago? Maybe this link can help you recall:

http://truluvrabbitry.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/intellectual-property-violation/

Many of us would have predicted that this day will dawn and we just kept mums about it. I knew exactly what will end up to my rabbit if I have sold to such a person. But no, I got smacked left, right and center with words such as SNOBBISH thrown at me. And now, who has got the last laugh?

I am not laughing at all, instead, I feel disgusted, disappointed and outright enraged by how irresponsible people are. This is the perfect example of buying on IMPULSE.

I really pity the bunny, I really do but am I suppose to clean up after somebody else? Breeders should be responsible to ensure this does not happen as well.

Something's on...

I am up to something mischievous again. Will inform in due time.

BTW, I am also very sadden by the news of many sell out in US. It is very sad what the breeders have to go through and sadder for the rabbits leaving their beloved owners.

Really really hope that things will change for the better for everyone and SOON!

There are differences

I am comparing the two litters of kits at the back of my mind today. Even Charl the suspected runt looks different from any of BlueBerry's kits. I am talking about their overall type.

I know that the number of litters and kits are still too low to make a clear conclusion. I must also mention that I love all the kits and I am just making a conclusive judgment on my observations so far.

Based on Noobie's litters (Holly Hope, Mo & Charl) so far, I feel that she throws more type onto the her kits. I could see that they are stocky since a very young age. Noobie needs a solid buck to compliment her broken gene. I need a solid buck to get more solids if I want to even out the broken in my herd.

BlueBerry throws nice color. I love how her kits turn out as they were all broken blue. If only Skor's broken gene was balanced out in this litter, I could have gotten a solid blue at least.

So if you ask me whether I will be breeding them soon, my answer would be no. I would love to get solid chocolates and to get there, I am counting on Holly Hope. Skor is known to be a chocolate carrier. Due to space constraints, I would not want to risk him with Noobie getting more charlies again so it would only be wise to try him with Holly Hope in another 3 months time.

Yin Yang Kits

Charl & Mo ladies and gentlemen:

Binky!

If you are wondering how a Binky looks like, well here's half what it is all about. I caught Holly Hope in mid air while doing her Binky.

All fun came to a halt when my wife found her having fun on the carpet. LOL..

Oops, got to go!

New Banner

Noobie: Sweetest Doe On Earth

I got a shot of Noobie cuddling her kits. I am unable to get a closer shot because moving closer causes Noobie to move about (as you can see). She really loves her kits. She behaves more like a dog than a rabbit.

Skor is free ranged!

Skor got his first taste of free range by accident last night. I left him roaming around the wet area & kitchen for the night. I wanted to put him back in his cage but I was too tired and dozed off till this morning.

I woke up remembering that I have totally forgotten to put him back in his cage. Still dazed, I rushed to the kitchen praying that he has not made a mess or chew any of the cabinets there.

I was very pleased with what I saw. He still has got his toilet habits and I could see pee in his old litter tray I left at the corner last night. But there were poo everywhere.

Since he still has got his toilet habits in tact, I have decided to have him live exclusively in the wet area. I will need to find some other place for the rest to have their run. LOL...

SEXY BACK!

Exhausted...

Flying Fur. That's all I got from cleaning up all the cages last evening. I myself was covered with fur. Prior to that I was discussing with SB on how to manage the fur problem and she did mention about breeders using fire to torch stubborn fur stuck to cage wires. A good idea that is more suitable for people with ample of working space. I for one do not have that luxury.

What I normally do is to give the cages a good vacuum after removing every single thing from the cage. The mats are soaked into buckets for sterilization and scrubbing later.

Last evening I have no time to vacuum so as usual, I got hold of the small paint roller with a long handle and started going through the pipes and cage bottoms. I was very please with the outcome (as usual). I got most of the fur caught by the roller and since they are damp, I do not get fur flying around.

BB's enclosure is the dirtiest because the kits are super poopers and peepers.

In the end, it was a really really exhausting exercise. It would be vacuum this weekend (that's if I can wake up early).

Day 11: Charl Falling Behind Mo

I am starting to get a little worried about Charl because it is very obvious that Mo is growing much bigger as days go by. Mo has started coming out of the nest box in search for milk and Charl is always seen hiding in the nest box still. I hope Noobie remembers that she has 2 kits to feed so that although Mo comes out, she should still go into the nest box to feed Charl.

The difference in size is really obvious and I hope Charl does not fall back into being a tiny weenie runt again.

Let's cheer for Charl...

Children & baby animals are the best combination in life:

Baby Beth shaking hands with Mo. LOL...

P.S.: Mo opened eyes today but Charl still got them shut

Paranoid

Molting brings fear to me because it is closely related to GI Stasis. Rabbits are vain pots in general. They keep themselves clean all the time by grooming. During the heavy molting season, they may ingest a lot of fur that may cause massive blockage if their tummy decides to take a rest.

Skor has been molting for quite some time and I have been using Furminator on him. I think last night I went a little extreme grooming him and now I see a on big balding patch on his back. Poor boy. Lucky thing does do not really mind an ugly buck and even if Skor is bald, he remains a handsome little guy.

Losing a rabbit to GI Stasis is very frustrating because it can easily be prevented unless it is part of the genetic make ups of the rabbit in question.

Pineapple or pineapple juice has been known to help soften the fur blocks in the stomach for ease of elimination. Enzymes in papaya has also been said to be of great help.

But most important thing needed to keep those stomachs healthy is a good run and exercise. I believe a joyful BINKY does help a lot too. Haven't been seeing much of those lately though.

BlueBerry x Skor Day 46

Two of them will be going to good home at the end of the month. I am holding on to 2 of them to evaluate their potential.

Also, I am renaming them due to the reason that my wife dislikes me naming our pets after humans and one of their new owners found it distasteful for me to name them after characters from Sex & The City.

Tru-Luv Luna (Carrie):

Tru-Luv Eclipse (Mr. Big):

Tru-Luv Tika (Miranda):

Tru-Luv Medith (Charlotte):

Plump Mo

Found both Charl & Mo on the wire this morning. Apparently they managed to wiggle out of the nest box. Their sizes are still comparably different and I spotted a huge tummy on Mo. I could almost recognize the tummy which I have seen on Susie's blog and it was the same one that I posted a comment asking about how the tummy got so big.

Also, I could relate immediately with her when she mentioned in one of her blogs that you can almost recognize a champ in the litter. I can see some potentials in Noobie's litter although they are just 1 week old.

I realized that there are less photos taken on Noobie's litter. I wonder why. LOL...

Shall snap some this evening.

Mo was fatter than this when I saw him this morning.

It is really funny how these 2 turned out. We have one big and the other smaller. One with almost full markings and the other filled with white. My wife relates them to Yin Yang. They also reminds me of photography where one seemed to be a fully developed photo whereas the other seemed to be the negatives.

These two really makes me laugh and I must give credit to Noobie. Seems that she could bring back to life even the smallest kit. Amazing...

There is no guarantee in LIFE

Every now and then, DEATH seemed to be knocking on our doors. It hits you when you least expect it. This is very true with us humans and as for rabbits as well.

Many of the rabbit deaths that I have encountered has indeed caught me by surprise. Often time, they have left me wondering if DEATH equates to FAILURE. Whenever I hear of death in rabbits, I seek for the reasons. Normally there will be tell tail signs before a bunny drops dead. I have been asked if the same thing will happen to other rabbits what has happened to Latara. It is just the toughest question to answer.

How can I be certain and answer for Mother Nature? It is like asking when I will die. I seriously do not have the answer. I know many people tend to play God working with cloning and all. At the end, they are still unable to answer the most fundamental question. When will their clone die?

All I know is that, as long as we are still alive, we should just cherish whatever we have. Same goes to a rabbit. As long as they are still alive, we take good care of them and if Mother Nature decides to bring them home, at least we can say that we have done our BESTEST.

Idle Sunday

This will be the single post with the most photos of my herd. I am still trying to cope and figure out what really happened to Latara and I felt that before I loose anymore of them, it is only right for me to take a "family portrait". None of the rabbits are left out in this photo session.

Just want to thank all who left comments and wishes. Really appreciate it guys & gals.

And to move on, I would like to churn up the little sense of humor that is left in me to present these photos:

While everyone's asleep:

Guess what Skor's up to?

Lastly, PEANUT NO MORE! This is little Charl today.