Today being Christmas, I received a very special present from my god son and god daughter. They know that I love rabbits and gave me Apple flavored Milk Candies from The World of Beatrix Potter. Luv them to bits and pieces both the candies and my god children!
On to some less serious stuff. I cannot believe that we’re entering the 7th year of Tru-Luv Rabbitry. As I strive for improvements while enjoying the hobby, it has been quite a wonderful year for the rabbits and myself. The highlight this year has got to be attending the 90th ARBA Convention at Pennsylvania, USA.
During the holiday season, I also reminisced the wonderful time I had at the 88th ARBA Convention at Indianapolis, USA. I wrote a much more interesting post back then and you can read all about it here – 88th ARBA Convention Through My Lenses.
Year 2014 shall be a year we go back to basics. Firstly, I hope to write as often as I can so that our avid/loyal readers will once again enjoy revisiting and reading the contents. I will try to be less intense and vulgar (try my best that is). The level or sarcasm should remain because that adds color while I get to release some creative juice.
2014 will be a great year for Tru-Luv Rabbitry. I would like to thank everyone for visiting this weblog. I personally am very happy that it is still very much alive and kicking. We have just renewed the “dot com” domain for another year.
And with that, I would also like to wish all readers and friends….
the Happiest, Jolliest of Christmas and a Wonderful New Year 2014!
WARNING: This post contains explicit content. Reader discretion and parent advisory needed!
The Back Scratcher
In case you do not know what this is, this is called a Back-scratcher. Whenever you have an itch at the most bizarre and unreachable locations, this tool can be of great help.
It is one of the tools in this world created for Self-gratification, which the Free Online Dictionary defines as “the act of giving oneself pleasure or of satisfying one’s own desires.”
In the local common lingo, it is called “Syiok Sendiri” and for those who find it hard to understand, another term everyone should understand is called “masturbation”. Do not get me wrong and forgive me for being crude, I must confirm that rabbits do not masturbate. However, I cannot say the same (or guarantee) for rabbit owners though plainly because there is just so many ways rabbit breeders can satisfy their pleasure seeking for victory.
I am sure it is hard to read between the lines on this post but every once in a while, we need the Back-Scratcher.
It is quite similar with a past post I have written about selective breeding versus natural selection. Selective breeding seemed to be human’s way of tweaking nature into freaks and usually against natural selection where animals morph into hardier beings based on their adaptability towards the current environment that they are in. One thing that is for certain is that, animals with short nostrils or muzzles suffer more in warmer environment. They tend to overheat faster and we can see how this physical trait can change rather quickly. Changes to physical traits can be quite obvious in animals as they go down the food chain. Rabbits being animal of prey must adapt faster to survive when environment changes and we see that locally bred dwarf rabbit breeds lose their short muzzle as fast as just one generation. Well, maybe it could be a coincidence, maybe an obvious fact or even could be an inaccurate observation.
Like the dogs, physical characteristics of pedigree rabbits are also governed by the so called Breed Standards which are changed every few years depending on which standard one subscribes to. The different standards itself do raise doubts if there is really a true standard at all. It is a very contradicting argument at the end of the day and it is better be left to “agree to disagree”.
And so I wonder…
I wonder if physical characteristics or beauty ever equates to health and vigor. Based on my observation, I strongly believe that good looks almost never equates to health and vigor. By good looks I do not mean when the animals have beautiful and shiny fur because nice fur do tell us that the animal is rather healthy. On the contrary, if an animal have all the physical traits as suggested by the standard, it does not really mean that the animal in question is absolutely healthy and adaptable to harsh environment.
I also wonder when will the changes to the standard of perfection stop because my mind cannot stop asking why change what is called the standards? In other words why should the standard be changed when it is already perfect?
The problem lies in our human perception. Our perception of things changes all the time and with it so goes the standards that we set.
As per the article shared at the beginning of this article, the dog breeds mentioned has been pushed to the brink of destruction. It was because of what we humans perceive as “standard” that has brought about the destruction of the breeds. We keep on changing to suit our tastes. We keep on changing so that we do not lose followers. We keep on changing so that more will find the hobby more favorable. We keep on changing to stay ahead. We keep on changing to stay profitable. We keep on changing so that we can stay where we are while others follow. We change to suit ourselves like how we justify a wrong is right.
Just imagine that nature is moving ahead while we humans try to work towards a totally opposite direction. Many things can be said about why I am writing this article. I am neither for nor against the breeding and creation of pedigree animals. Everything must be done in moderation. And I am just “writing out loud” what I currently feel and think about the subject. I tend to ask questions rather than following blindly what others do.
The latest debate in the Holland Lop world is about changing the breed standards to cater for a more colorful range in the breed. If you have been following this blog since the beginning, you may have noticed how I was really gungho about achieving the “Standard of Perfection” in my rabbitry but after observing the many changes that has taken place and those changes that is going to take place, I started to question the main objectives as to why I should subscribe to the changes.
It is very simple for me regarding this color topic. A good rabbit remains as nothing but a good rabbit. Color has got no importance if a rabbit is healthy and represents the standard perfectly.
There is nothing wrong with the standard at the end of the day. If there is anything wrong at all, in my opinion it is the mechanism of judging! If a boat is found to have a hole, do we keep on scooping water out of it or do we patch the hole?
Changing the standard will not eliminate human errors, human weaknesses and human nature like favoritism, influence and politics. Just like how the standards are never perfect in the first place and that we find the need to change them.
It is high time we go back to basics and realize the objective of the standard – to produce not only (physically) beautiful animals but healthy ones as well. It is time to tell ourselves that nature decides and we are only stewards.
When Noah was asked to gather a pair of each species into the Ark, I wonder what was the criteria and what was the standard of perfection given. I believe that it was two of the healthiest he can find to help each species survive the great flood.
Noah sure did not choose two flat face lop ear rabbits to begin with…
If you enjoy this weblog, please vote for us at http://www.blogrrr.my/nomination.html. Since there is no category for Pets, please select “Personal Blog”. And as for URL, please copy and paste truluvrabbitry.com.
For the past few years, this blog would start “snowing” and when that happens, it means that Christmas is near. Besides from Christmas photo sessions, another Christmas tradition here at Tru-Luv Rabbitry is to get December babies. It brings a lot of joy to the heart seeing nest boxes lined with fur and warm babies in them during the rainy December month in Malaysia. Each year we try to get Christmas day babies but to date, I do not remember having such good timing.
However, this year we are happy to announce the birth of a couple of special 1st December babies. We hope to see them grow up into healthy and beautiful bunnies.
Always nice to get babies in December.
On the other hand, we would like to help re-home a few Dwarf Hamsters. These cuties were abandoned and now looking for homes to adopt them. If you or any of your friends is looking for little hamsters as pets, please feel free to call Mr. Brandon at 017-3211083. They are in healthy and good condition.
Death is an inevitable event in both humans and animals alike. Throughout the years, I have experienced and felt the sorrow of losing my pet rabbits. Every pet owner will go through it because we usually outlive our beloved pets. The pain is harder to handle especially with those we have bonded for a number of years.
How do I usually cope with bunny death?
It was really hard for me initially but I have found a way to console myself. Many people believe in the Rainbow Bridge – a paradise for dead animals they say. I do believe there is a paradise for animals when they die. I believe that beyond the Rainbow Bridge, is a place where each dead animal finds a forever human companion.
I imagine everyone in heaven have a pet of their own. Every child in heaven have an animal keeping him or her company. It is the most wonderful thing anyone can imagine.
The pet and its human companion is inseparable. It goes wherever the human soul goes even though there are no danger in Heaven. Sometimes, a human soul can have multiple pets. There are no cages or “rabbitry” in Heaven so to speak, and every bunny is free to roam safely.
Each time I lose a bunny, I would console myself knowing that someone up in heaven will be receiving another beautiful companion.
On another (totally unrelated) note, there is a new movie entitled “Frozen” that is being screen in the cinemas. I highly recommend it for both young and young at heart. I am recommending it because I am quite bias in the sense that the words “True Love” were two frequent used words and that is exactly what the movie is all about.
Rabbit Nutri-Drops is one the best supplements available and have known to save lives! While it can be used as a remedy for rabbits going off feed, it is as effective when used as a daily supplement.
I personally wish I had this wonderful supplement when I first started raising Holland Lops so that I could have a chance to save my favorite bunny from succumbing to G.I. Stasis. Since I have found Rabbit Nutri-Drops, I have saved numerous rabbits in my rabbitry and by making it available to fellow rabbit lovers, it has helped numerous pet rabbits recover and stay alive.
TruLuvRabbitry.com consists of static pages and articles posted in chronological order. To date, I have written 1,349 posts on this site. Though I love to keep a journal of my journey in this hobby, the only issue I have with chronological blogging is that readers tend to miss some posts if they do not visit the site often. In this post I will share some of the top posts and my favorite posts written throughout the years.
Readers’ Favorites:
Here is the Top 5 list of posts and static pages that are most frequently read by our readers:
These are but a few of the many articles written based on my thoughts, opinions and observations. Again, they are my own journal that I shared publicly and some may raise serious debates, disputes or mere interesting discussion topics. Either way, I hope my readers especially those who have just found this site and started following the newer posts, will take time to browse through the archives which date back to year 2007.
I just wanted to inform you that I have received the package and I'm utterly thrilled and satisfied with the service. Keep it up! :) - Grace (TinyCritterz.com customer)
"Hi Tim. My three bunnies will attest to and endorse "your" Timothy Hay! And my wallet THANK YOU ;-)" - SC
"I really appreciate you helping me out even though Jackie was not bought from you!" - Maggie
"Just wanna say thank you!!! :)" - June
"You are my mentor and idol. I know this amazing creature through news article about you and your bunnies" - Siti
"I'm really grateful and excited that finally, there is someone out there who truly cares for rabbits. Thanks so much for doing this" - Hani
Tru-Luv Rabbitry: Quality Holland Lops in Malaysia 