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Monthly Archives: December 2009
The Reputation Of A Breeder
As 2009 draws to a close, I would just like to explain why it is important for me to pass along my rabbits to trustworthy people. I have gone through a lot of local rabbit websites and weblogs. They are all appalling. Tons of mixes will be hitting the market really soon and on a constant basis.
Tru-Luv Rabbitry does not only carry the name Tru-Luv Rabbitry. My rabbits are tattooed and comes with a 4 generation pedigree. Together with this pedigree lies the various rabbitry names in the lineage. Not only my reputation is at stake, the reputations of all those names are also at stake.
Take for instance when an idiot (breeder wannabe) buys my rabbit and breeds it into his/her local stocks, I am sure as a marketing strategy, he/she will give the lineage a good mention too either verbally or through their incomplete pedigrees. In so doing, it only tarnishes our reputation and in the long run will hurt really bad.
Bear in mind, Tru-Luv Rabbitry and all other SERIOUS rabbitries only breed for quality. If ever something bad crops up, gone are these names into the dumpster. I believe this is the very reason why most breeders cull their unsatisfactory stocks too.
So here is what you should always look out for. Make sure that the pedigree is complete with 4 generations of rabbits listed and a tattoo on the left ear. These are but a few controls that TLR practices and I hope that no counterfeits are produced out there.
Dear breeders, our reputations are at stake and we cannot control the action of others, but at least take up the responsibility to steer the lost onto the path of righteousness!
Happy New Year everyone & everybun!
Poor Dasher
I got a little bored today and SB suggested that I go let one of the bunnies loose. I did just that and …
I come, I see...
Beth shouted, "Dad dad, take him away!"
Santa said, "Ho Oh No No, poor Dasher!"
Beth said, “Dad dad, my reindeer is wet…”
Oooops!
"Santa, I feel violated!"
Filed under Bucks
Better feast for the eyes
Did I also mention that 2010 will see better quality pictures for TLR? I have been stretching the capabilities of my Canon PowerShot A710 for far too long and you must have noticed I no longer take photos in the evening as they turn out extremely bad.
A blogger’s best friend is a good camera. My wife and I decided to get ourselves a Canon EOS 1000D code name (Rebel XS). I love the word Rebel because that’s what I am (as what my mom calls me) – LOL!
Here’s my first attempt using my new toy:
goo goo gaa gaa
squeeeEeeeezeeEeee
ho ho ho
I'll bite!
As cute as Orlando Bloom!
If there isn’t much difference with my previous pictures, then it is user’s problem ok? LOL!!!
Filed under Juniors
#1 2010 Resolution Under The Microscope
2009 brought about a great wave in terms of interest in Holland Lops. Like mushrooms sprouting throughout the nation, every lop ear rabbit is labeled as a HOLLAND LOP. Let me just share with you a photo I took at a famous pet shop on the eve of Christmas eve.
Left To DIE!
Who to blame? I say you and I, WE have a role in the death of this poor bunny. We all know the simple facts of business – demand & supply. In the midst of fulfilling demands, edges are cut to earn a little more. DISPOSABLE is what rabbits are today! Just like a novelty toy, a rabbit is so disposable because it is cheap. It is alright to have them die because there are many more available out there! At the front of this renown pet shop, it is WRITTEN big and clear – WE CARE. And it also has something seemed to be the 10 commandments of the advantages of having PETS and “teaches children responsibility” is one of them. They won’t be any responsibility lesson if the poor pet keeps on dying on the poor child!
Yes, my friends. all our hands are tainted with blood because of this LUST for MONEY. It is a vicious cycle.
2009 again saw a year of great demand for Netherland Dwarfs, Dwarf Hotots and Holland Lops. Did we fail in our execution in marketing and awareness? Is there an imbalance between education and money making? Did we not get the message across clearer than before?
Between year 2007 & 2008, we covered the basics in the local forums. We were shouting for HAY and brands like OXBOW. So we have them today.
Today, a few days before 2009 ends, I cannot help but to feel that the road ahead is much more treacherous than before. Indeed, we need to find a balance to the force. Breeder wannabes are labeling their lop ear rabbits as Holland Lop just like how once someone did that and have caught so many unaware. Ill informed men and women who are blinded by mere “cuteness”. How are we to deal with this?
You see, like the earth, we need to find balance. I have raise this point many times and I am writing it again. We are about to overpopulate our country with rabbits. What QUALITY of rabbits do we want to see in our future? Do we settle merely for what we call “PET” quality or do we strive to do better?
Many local rabbit weblogs stated very clearly that “Animals are creation of God, and we govern over them”. Yes, we govern over them and we must decide what GOOD we make of them! Even the cow has got good use for its meat! Do we allow our beloved pets to live in filth to be bred in horrendous conditions?
For the past 2 days, after a long time not wanting to visit some depressing local rabbit weblogs, I browse through a few of them and I couldn’t help but to feel really disappointed that we are indeed back at square one. We all hope that these wannabes do the RIGHT thing.
My wife puts it in very simple perspective. Everyone can afford to stay in any hotel but not everyone can afford staying in a BOUTIQUE hotel. Applying that to the world of rabbits, it would mean that everyone can own a Holland Lop but not everyone can own exclusive purebred Holland Lops!
I am indeed glad Tru-Luv Rabbitry has not bred many rabbits in year 2009 but for each bred and raised here, they are at least of decent quality. QUALITY NOT quantity my friends. Whether you like it or not, I love to brag because in bragging, someone else will find it hard to accept and in that, I hope they improve! Tolong jangan DENGKI & JEALOUS!
Stop believing hearsay about what rabbit should look like. Go get a copy of the Standard of Perfection from the organization of your CHOICE and compare that with your stocks. If they aren’t close enough, you should just stop whatever you are doing! That’s if you are working with purebred. But then again, there isn’t any in betweens because in my books, a breeder’s 1st objective is defined with only 1 word, IMPROVEMENT. Ask yourself what is there to improve in your breeding program and that will spark off the first notion of awareness. Move on to seek clarification and embrace CHANGE!
I love each and everyone of my rabbits whether they are with me or those that I have shared out with fellow enthusiasts. I look at them and my troubles go away and in my heart, I could tell the wannabes, YOU WILL NEVER BE ME!
Here’s Balian and Sibylla, bidding everyone Happy New Year 2010!
Tru-Luv Balian
At least we have bone now...
Tru-Luv Sibylla
THICK!
My dear friends, the #1 2010 Resolution for me is indeed to again EDUCATE the general public how it is like to find a responsible breeder and to avoid BACKYARD BREEDERS.
Look through my eyes, there is LIFE within me
TLR 2010 Resolutions
It is the time of the year again that we all have our personal reviews and resolutions for the coming year. Before mentioning the resolutions that I have for year 2010, I would like to review the objectives for year 2009.
And the indicators are:
BLUE -ACHIEVED
GREEN – IN PROGRESS
RED – ACHIEVED BUT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
2009 Objectives:
1 ) Chocolate Holland Lops
Had a major setback when I lost Seychel but I am sure the chocolates will pop up in future.
2 ) Continue promoting ethical breeding & responsible ownership
3 ) Making more bunny friends around the world
4 ) Importing nicer foundation stocks
An objective met and I must say a hundred fold thanks to all the help of great friends namely Scott, Kay & Teri.
5 ) Praying harder to have constant Oxbow supplies
We have another brand available and my herd no longer depend on just Oxbow.
6 ) Renewing HLRSC membership
7 ) Continue posting on a daily basis with quality contents
8 ) Continue sharing quality Holland Lops at reasonable prices to highly intellectual individuals (LOL!)
Can’t say that I have shared much lately due to less production. Not complaining at all.
9 ) To master color genetics
Took a little U-turn to fall back on working with TORTs. Color can wait
10 ) Revamp Meadow Haven
Done deal!
What year 2010 holds for TLR? Here are some of my major resolutions for year 2010:
1) Continue producing the best Holland Lops in Malaysia.
2) Working with another breed.
3) Continue moving forward faster so that the rest would keep up even faster!
4) Educating the general public and raising awareness of differences between the original Holland Lop & the counterfeit.
5) Help MROC take off to greater heights with new and lasting leadership and participation.
I’ll just stick with these 5 objectives for now.
Filed under Random Topics
Merry “Bunny” Christmas!!!
Technically, this is the 2nd last post for year 2009. I will be taking a little break this holiday season so there will not be any post till after Christmas. I believe the next issue of the MROC Newsletter would be delayed because most if not all my fellow committee members are so busy with their own vacations.
From all of us here in Meadow Haven, we would like to wish everyone the Merriest of Christmas. May all stomach be filled with great food and stockings filled with ipods, handphones and many interesting presents.
Cheers to all!!!
* background photo courtesy of Cheri Bushee (love ya mom!) of Dovehill Rabbitry
Filed under Greetings
Not Forgotten
Though there is much hype surrounding the rabbitry for the past few days, it may seemed that I have forgotten about my babies. No, I have not!
Here are some photos taken today of Balian and Sibylla:
She is looking better as each day passes. Not that cooperative this morning with a little low head mount
He is really going into the "uglies" stage
Filed under Juniors
The Future of TLR
As all of you already know, I constantly make improvements in the rabbitry and am not afraid to try out new things. For that reason, I really want to express my heartiest thanks to Teri & Stephen Reymann for sending me 2 of their finest rabbits. They arrived safely today and I just picked them up at the airport. Everyone and everybun is dead tired so please forgive me if the rabbits do not seemed to be posed well. They needed much break too after the long journey and believe me, these photos really do not do them justice as far as posing is concerned.
My Christmas has just been completed this year with the addition of this 2 wonderful rabbits! I have been toying with the idea of owning a Netherland Dwarf and I can’t resist any further. Sonshine’s Goodie Two Shoes (Tiramishu) is such a beautiful Black Otter Netherland Dwarf. She has got at the most 1.5 inches of ears!
Sonshine’s Brown Sugar (Java) is a hot tort Holland Lop babe that has really chunky bones. She just blow me away every time! And she’s a lot of personality already!
I should have uploaded this earlier!
Don't you just love her?
I love the upright SHORT ears!!!
Chunky!
Really short ears!!!
I love her, REALLY!!!
Love the crown and curve!
She's filled with personality right now!
Hawt BABY Java!
I am hugging her to sleep!
Look out for more SURPRISES coming in near future!
Filed under Juniors
Carmel as sweet as caramel
I sometimes wonder how breeders with over 30 rabbits in their barn chooses their favorite bunnies. I am very glad that each and every rabbit that I have raised and owned so far is my personal favorite in their own special ways. I feel very fortunate to have a herd of rabbits where each and everyone is my favorite. It is so hard for me to answer the question of which is really my favorite because my heart is basically equally divided for each and everyone of them.
Today is Carmel’s day out and after giving her a little brushing, I decided to take a few shots of her. I found that she is very hard to pose but if left alone, she poses very well naturally. She’ll always give me the “don’t touch me, I know how to do it myself” kind of look whenever I try to pose her.
I know it has been quite monotonous as I have been posting a lot of show pose photos of the rabbits. I thought of sharing some candid shot of her. It is pretty hard to get candid shots of her because she is such a natural poser. LOL!
My favorite side profile of Carmel thus far...
I like to squeeze her really tight!!!
Just love the crown and the cute ears!!!
Filed under Does
Tru-Luv Rabbitry: Quality Holland Lops in Malaysia 