WOW! Who would have thought that with a blink of an eye, it has been a good 5 years filled with ups and downs. I have learned so much along the way and there is still so much to learn!
All I want to say right now is a huge THANK YOU to my huge bunny family both in Malaysia and all around the world mainly USA, Canada & the UK! Every single one of you have contributed and generously imparted knowledge in me. Every single piece of advice fitted together to complete this 5 year puzzle. The encouragements and support has been overwhelming and have indeed pulled me through the many challenges this hobby brings.
I wish that I have done something BIGGER to celebrate the half decade mark but I feel that I owe it to the rabbits for this wonderful journey. I just wanted to take a step back to remember and reminisce the best moments in the past 5 years. Here are some of the yearly highlights that I will cherish for the rest of my life:
2007
Obtaining my first “Holland Lop” and embarking on this wonderful journey. She was a locally bred lop ear rabbit that almost have the traits of a Holland Lop. It was then that I started searching for the real Holland Lop and stumbled across The Nature Trail blog.
2008
In 2008, the Tru-Luv Rabbitry blog was discovered by the New Straits Times & Malay Mail dailies. Featured in both the dailies.
I officially became a member of the Holland Lop Rabbit Specialty Club (HLRSC).
2009
2009 is a very wonderful year for me. It started off with an importation of 4 very gorgeous and handsome rabbits. Thanks to Scott Rodriguez, Kay Miller and Teri Reymann. The feeling of owning these rabbits was phenomenal and they became the cornerstone of my herd today.
It was also the time when I first introduced my dad’s painting to the rabbit world through my blog (Rabbit Brush Painting).
Getting a gift from my dearest momma was indeed one of the best moments in 2009 (A Gift From Mommy Dearest). Also not forgetting my first HLRSC T-Shirt from Aunt Karen (Goodies Day).
Not forgetting my first home grown Tru-Luv’s Truffles winning the Best Reserve In Show at the 1st Malaysia Rabbit Show (Non-ARBA). Back then there were only a handful of rabbit breeders and the show was an unofficial show based on ARBA judging criteria. I only entered one bunny and the earlier imported ones stayed home. Not long after winning his trophy, we bid Truffles goodbye to a nice pet home (Farewell Truffles).
To end the year, my lovely friend Teri sent me two beautiful rabbits in Goodie Two Shoes and Brown Sugar (The Future of TLR).
2010
The year started off with one of the Tru-Luv kits featured in CuteOverload.com (TLR on CuteOverload.com).
We received a few more media coverage namely in The Star Newspaper regarding Pet Ethics (interviewed by Ellen Whyte) and also being featured on National TV for the very first time (The 1st TV Interview). And to top it up, it was also a very special day when my 2nd daughter was born (29th May is a very good day).
Dad and I successfully sent some beautiful paintings over to the USA for awards and for the ARBA library. Lionheads paintings in ARBA Library. HLRSC Hall-A-Fame award (Proud of my dad).
2010 also mark the most heartbreaking year for me especially when I lost Miller’s Clark. I still miss my Clark very much. He will always be remembered for his super crown!
2011
Year 2011 is by far the best year ever! It was the rabbit year and Tru-Luv rabbits were featured in almost all the dailies during the Chinese New Year season (The Star Newspaper). Even in the bangsar shopping mall magazine – Retale Magazine. There were more interview and media coverages.
It was also the same year that TinyCritterz.com was established to offer small animal lovers especially rabbit lovers a platform to purchase good products.
One of the unforgettable events for 2011 is the arrival of 8 new Holland Lops to Tru-Luv Rabbitry. They have been the foundation stocks since and have brought about a lot of improvements to the herd. I am forever grateful to my wonderful Holland Lop family.
Dad’s was commissioned to paint for the HLRSC Nationals awards.
An idea of visiting the USA to attend the 88th ARBA Convention was conceptualized back at the end of 2010.
The ultimate highlight for 2011 was definitely the 88th ARBA Convention at Indianapolis. I still have no words good enough to express the feeling. The memories will be forever be in my soul for the rest of my life. It was definitely a dream come true for me.
Some of the posts I wrote about my experience at convention:
- Reporting from Indianapolis 2011 ARBA Convention
- The Amazing ARBA Convention Experience
- Goodbye 88th ARBA Convention
- 88th ARBA Convention through my lenses
As a closing note, I would like to reuse a phrase that came to my mind the night before I left Indianapolis and it is a statement I hold close to my heart.
Tru-Luv Rabbitry: Quality Holland Lops in Malaysia 