It would not do the wonderful year 2011 justice leaving this site with a slight negative note in yesterday’s post. Besides, it is the Christmas weekend and we should all be jolly and happy. Perhaps I might have generalized a little too much and that might have placed my own countrymen under an undesirable light. I believe the problems that I have highlighted in yesterday’s post are not isolated and exclusive to where I am only but it happens everywhere and in everything (not just in the bunny hobby).
Symphony has grown so much and this is her 2nd Christmas with us. May all bunnies be healthy during this festive season!
As much as there are undesirable situations, there are also much hope and good in this world. In year 2011, I have found a couple of good breeders to work with and I am happy that most of them have grown in both experience and knowledge. I thank them for placing their trust in me and allowing me to share with them the real reason behind this wonderful hobby. I am happy to see them doing well now on their own and we are on the journey to producing very nice Holland Lops!
Hope & Luv the theme for the season!
Year 2011 have been a blast and the reason for the season remains as (plainly) LUV!
Here wishing all my beloved readers The Merriest & Jolliest of Christmas filled with LOVE and PEACE in the presence of friends and family!
Dimsdale wishes everyone a wonderful holiday season!
As the year 2011 draws to a close, I would like to just take a step back and share my observation of the “bunny situation” here in Malaysia. We all know that 2011 is the year of the rabbit. Due to that reason, there has been an influx of rabbit experts that has mushroomed right before the Chinese New Year. Seeing how disposable pet rabbits are, many has taken it as an opportunity to make some quick bucks (money not rabbit gender). We can even read in one of the local dailies that Malaysia has more than 50 breeds of rabbits but at the end of the day, I could only see one – mixed breed. I mean we do have pure breeds that comes with pedigrees but many do not even know what a pedigree is.
I am sure most of you have heard of the term “One Hit Wonder” before. One Hit Wonders often cause euphoria when they appear in the market out of a sudden with something catchy but as fast as they appeared, they usually disappear leaving behind a trail of havoc and huge mess! There are a few like that in the rabbit market and I believe many has fallen victim. Examples are those who issue fake pedigrees just to increase the prices of rabbits, using a different stud rabbit from the initial agreement, selling average rabbits for top dollar stocks and much, much more! It is a huge mess I tell ya!
These One Hit Wonders also became expert overnight claiming to know much just because they are good at using the bunny lingo (they actually do not even understand themselves). Suddenly we have experts started using terms like DQ and slip crown and the best part is, every rabbit has a slip crown according to them! Lucky for me, I can sniff a wannabe from miles away!
Not only they leave a huge mess in terms of rabbits, they also have a cult following of misinformed bunny owners. These blind leaders not only lead the blinds but, they poke out the eyes of those with perfect eye sight. I guess those with perfect eye sight deserve to be blind anyway for easily fooled by all the sweet “rubbish” talk.
Then out of a sudden, everyone started looking for “Show Quality” rabbits. I just feel like as if, this whole bunny world is filled with parrots instead of real human who love rabbits. When asked about the definition of Show Quality, the answers came in all sorts. Show Quality according to them are “imports”, “they look fat and chubby”, “pedigree rabbit”, “they look like bulldog” (super parrot) and “they are very cute”.
Honestly, I have no patience to deal with One Hit Wonders and their cult followers because I found that many will not be in the hobby long enough to have an objective with all the “Show Quality” rabbits that they have acquired. Why would I want to waste my time and rabbit on someone who will not be in it for long term? I do not like to deal with potential abandonment cases.
So as the Year of the Rabbit comes to a close and now that we are awaiting for the Year of the Dragon, what happens to all these One Hit Wonders?
As I was having dinner with my family, an image came to my mind and since my father is a good artist, I told him of the image I had in mind. After dinner, we spent 2 hours in his little art studio and we came out with the following painting.
Enter The Dragon
Ouch!
As a conclusion, I hope all these One Hit Wonders will now start playing with the Dragon and get flamed on the BUTT!
Christmas at Tru-Luv Rabbitry will not be complete without some “Christmasy” photos. So I rounded up some of the buck in the rabbitry for some photographs. Hope you like them.
Every year, I look forward to having little baby bunnies born on Christmas day. This year like any other, none of the does cooperated and thus, we will not be seeing pinkies on Christmas day. But, Tru-Luv Rabbitry has 2 little additions early this morning and I am so filled with joy that I am unable to sleep. It’s 2.30 am on a quiet chilly Saturday morning right now that I am writing this post. It is always nice to see little pinkies and it has been quite a while since we have any kits born here. On the happiest note, I would like to present to you the last litter for 2011 here at TLR, Tru-Luv’s Hope and Tru-Luv’s Luv…
Hope and Luv
And with that, I would also like to wish all readers and friends….
the Happiest, Jolliest of Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!
In a couple more weeks, we shall be bidding farewell to year 2011 and on 18th June 2012, Tru-Luv Rabbitry blog will be celebrating its 5th year anniversary. I cannot believe that I have been in this Holland Lop journey and blogging about it for 5 years already!
My all time favourite comment that I have received so far is – “You’ve come a long way, Baby! – Laurie Stroupe (9/3/2010)”. I do not think I will be here without the support from all the hardcore defenders/warriors/enthusiasts/hobbyists/partisans/true breeder of the Holland Lop breed.
I never fail to admire the many different styles that breeders distinctively breed into their Holland Lops in the USA and like them, I too have an idea of a distinctive style that I would like to have in the Tru-Luv line. Even in the USA, the Holland Lop lines goes way back to a few pioneers in the breed and what we have today are derived from those lines.
This year, although I have not been breeding my rabbits as much comparing to previous years, it has been quite a successful year for me as far as my goals and objectives are concern. Despite my busy schedule, my rabbits were able to produce a few litters and most of the kits has been pass along to fellow breeders and good pet owners.
What is left of all the litters produced in 2011 are only 2 that has the distinctive style that I would like to keep for the Tru-Luv line. They are not perfect but as time goes by, there will be improvements. The style that I like in my Hollands starts at the head. My emphasis for my perfect Holland Lop would be a huge/massive head and I like the “fierce” and “Don’t-mess-with-me-kinda” look. I like to see stumpy front legs and they must not be crooked/ski-boot style. I hate looking at a Holland Lop from the side and see its front legs folded like an “L” and my preference will be the same if I happen to keep Netherland Dwarfs. I would prefer to see a Holland Lop with straight front legs that firmly touches the surface of where it poses just like the huge legs on an elephant. I would love to see very prominent crown that starts right above the head just like how the SOP suggests but I believe there is still much work for me in this department. The overall body type for me should of course be as per the SOP and the hindquarters must always be “bootylicious”. I would like to produce a Holland Lop that looks massive even when it is bald – “sheer bone”.
I must admit that there is still much work to be done in order to satisfy the SOP entirely and at the same time establishing the style in my Holland Lops. The question is, did I achieve anything that is align with my goals in year 2011?
I prefer more bone than coat on a Holland Lop
"Small in size MASSIVE in look" is what I want to strive for in my Holland Lops
It’s snowing here again (the blog) and December is here already. It is always the happiest month for me and it is also the time for me to recollect all that has happened. It is the time to recall all of the achievements in year 2011. New resolutions to be made just before 2012 comes. Here are the highlights for Tru-Luv Rabbitry in year 2011:
1. Media Coverage
Just before Chinese New Year, I was busy being the chauffeur to the bunnies. They were under the spotlights and cameras for various magazines and local dailies. I enjoyed all the interviews and happy to be able to introduce the Holland Lops to the general public. I am very proud of all my rabbits.
A few friends put together the most beautiful group of Holland Lops to help me improve my herd further. Thank you very much Momma Cheri, Karen & Dale Bailey, Sydney & Harley Butler, Robin & Josh Laymon, and Shari & Sam Albrecht.
3. Friends, Fun and Wins at Malaysia’s 1st & 2nd ARBA Show
Had fun hanging out and sharing the “show” experience with friends. Collectively, we took home 3 GC Legs and one of them was a BOSB under Randy Shumaker! We share the joy together as friends!
No words can express the experience at Indy. FRIENDS, FRIENDS, FRIENDS! It gave me reason to miss many wonderful people in my life. I only have friends to thank for this trip because through their generous support, I was able to get myself there! I will never ever forget the wonderful time spent there!
I look forward to get things moving with this association. At the moment we are pretty inactive but it is definitely a platform for all rabbit lovers to gather and have fun. I believe we will be organizing something “soon”.
6. Building a community of responsible and reputable breeders
“Saving One At A Time” is the motto for the few of us who believe ethical breeding is possible here in Malaysia. We uphold honesty, “sharing is caring”, strive for true quality and not quantity and leading by example. We strive to help and nurture the hobby especially among the new hobbyists and especially the younger generation. In our quest, we are reminded that there need not be many of us just like how “quality is much better than quantity”. I am happy to be able to share with a group of trustworthy breeders who are constantly working to produce the best through proactive research and sharing. The good friends in the hobby makes it all worthwhile even though time is not always on our side.
7. Quality Not Quantity
Coming to the 5th year of working with the Holland Lops, I am glad with the progress of my herd thus far. I do not find myself breeding a lot but with a few litters in year 2011, I am able to produce some very cute animals. I am very pleased with the fact that my rabbits are making individuals and families happy all around. I am proud that they all have a purpose, to brighten up households. I feel blessed to have found wonderful owners and am very grateful that they have found me too.
8. Stay tuned
There is still a highlight and achievement I am anxiously waiting for before 2011 come to a close. At this point of time, there is no confirmation if it will appear but I have promised not to disclose until it happens. I sure hope to materialized and SOON!
It certainly has been very quiet over here. It has been hard not being able to find time to think about good contents to write. I guess in everything that we do, there tend to be the quiet moments. These quiet moments may be an indicator of an impeding change be it a minor or major one. Tonight I would like to write about how this hobby has carved me into the person I am today.
I witnessed first hand how competitive this hobby is when I attended the ARBA Convention last October. At the back of my mind, I tried to imagine myself as 2 different characters – the exhibitor and the rabbit. Being the rabbit I was scared, a little stressed out over the commotion and perhaps a little anxious whenever an unfamiliar face picked me up and place me in the judging coop. As the exhibitor on the other hand, I was proud knowing that I have my best rabbits with me, my expectations were high and my heart pounds each time one of my rabbits stayed in the judging coops a little longer only to have my hope dashed when they each get sent back into their coops merely finishing top 20.
Then reality hit me and taking a step back, I realized how much I enjoyed being there amongst my friends. I did not have any expectations nor the stress of seeing my rabbits go off the table first or last. I believe even if I did have something to show, it did not matter to me at all because my priority was different. My presence is there only for one and one reason only, to be with my friends.
I feel that I am starting to take this “sport” a little less seriously. Not because I do not have the nicest rabbits but more of trying to answer questions like “What am I chasing for?” and “What is the point of this?”. Another question that I am finding it hard to answer is that, “Why am I breeding something to fulfil someone else’s liking?” and “Why can’t I breed something that I like and to hell with what other’s think?”. Yes, there is a standard to follow but the person who evaluates your rabbit already have a predetermined idea what he/she is looking for in his/her ideal rabbits.
And as you can see that there is already so much dilemma within oneself, where in the world do I have the time to even bother about someone else? This also makes me wonder how and why some individuals can find so much time doing something that is not solving his/her problems within his/her own boundaries.
Am I being a sore loser or this is self consolation? Honestly, I do not care at all what is said or thought about me. I have gained so much self believe while I indulged myself in the great company of wonderful people. I can finally say for certain that it is not the external that defines me but rather I am defined internally. I am not sure if this is maturity but I am sure there is an evolution brewing within me. It is like I have finally grown from Quiksilver to Versace or a Sedan to a MPV.
Could it be from Holland Lops to the Checkered Giants?
I prefer to think of it as GOOD Holland Lops to BETTER Holland Lops IN MY OWN DEFINITION (and within what the SOP permits)!
My Holland Lop, In My Own Definition
DISCLAIMER: This is totally an expression of how I feel at this point of time and I do not represent any association, club or individual. Please be reminded that this is my personal space and you are a visitor to this space. I do not assure happiness at your end as I am responsible for what I write but not for what you understand.
The 2012 HLRSC Nationals will be held in Washington next year and in their effort to raise funds, the Northwest Holland Lop Club commissioned my father to paint a picture of a Holland Lop. The painting is 15″ x 12″ in dimension. A raffle is like a lucky draw where people who are interested will purchase a raffle ticket with the lucky number. A draw will be made at a specific time and in this case I believe it will be on the 3rd of December 2011 at a Rabbit show in Monroe.
Dad & I would like to wish the Northwest Holland Lop Club all the best in their effort to raise funds and may the Nationals be a huge success!
Here are some information posted on the Facebook page:
If you are not attending either of those shows and would like to purchase a ticket, please message Tiffany Field privately here on Facebook or send an email to tigger03@gmail.com and she will give you her mailing address to send payment to. As soon as she receives payment she will send you an email with your ticket stub numbers and/or send you your half of the ticket stub if you so choose.
I finally have the time to just sit down and feel like blogging tonight. It really has been a while – more than 2 weeks since my last post. 2011 ARBA Convention was so phenomenal that I could still feel the excitement resonating until today! Truth be told, most of my time was spent with friends and recalling my memory, I do not remember playing with many rabbits there. Mainly because there were so many friends to catch up with and secondly, it is not nice to open the coop doors and touch someone else’ rabbit(s).
Since the convention, many interesting things has happened. One of which I just found out is that my tribute video received an honorary mention in the latest ARBA District 8 newsletter. Thank you Amanda (the webmaster) for the honorary mention. It really means a lot to me.
Today is a happy day for me. Although there are still much work to be done here in Malaysia, I get to see some nice Holland Lops being produced locally. Nothing makes me happier than to know that rabbits from my previous breeding are producing well for others.
On that note, I must mention that I find joy in working with people who are on the same page as me. I like to work with very independent people and those who are very intuitive. When you find such people, you will realize that there is a “quiet understanding” (persefahaman). Without saying a single word, they are able to continue the effort in achieving the goals that you set out to achieve. Their objectives are so entwined and interwoven with yours that you can pass them half of your herd and they will produce exactly what you have in mind or even exceeds your expectations. I am glad to say that what I just mentioned is not what I wish but it has and is happening right now. The one lesson from all my beloved friends in the USA that I will take to the grave with me is “GENUINE GENEROSITY”. I have written about “PAY IT FORWARD” and in order for you to pay it forward, you must have “GENUINE GENEROSITY” which can be equate to “LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY”. That means to give (and freely give) without expecting anything in return.
I am glad to have a couple of comrades in this hobby here in Malaysia. To be honest, it was very tough to work alone and at the end of 2010, I doubted and prayed really hard that this hobby will not only grow within my own capacity but also I shall be blessed with fellow Malaysians who are on the same direction as me. God has indeed answered my prayers. I have a lot of respect for my comrades because they are very sensible and are able to reason very well. They are able to set apart genuine breeders from those in it for the fast bucks. That is a good thing because it keeps them (or their pockets) safe. Another thing I like about them is that they are able to evaluate the quality of a Holland Lop pretty well based on the SOP, which is a skill they need to continue improving their own rabbits.
Universally, since we are all on the same page, the objective of improving the Holland Lop breed is moving ahead almost in auto-pilot mode. Everyone knows what they want/need to achieve and they know exactly what is to be done to achieve those objectives. That is very different with those who merely put a doe and a buck together without a clue what they are doing. I guess they don’t need to know what they are doing as the only thing they need to tell their (oblivious) customers is the figures after the $ sign (Ka-Ching!). Geez, not everything in life is about ROI (Return On Investment).
I am very grateful for my comrades because I am able to share and sometimes be reminded of certain details that I might have overlooked. The feeling that I can count on someone when I am in need of help is very reassuring. Though I hope the number of these comrades would grow but with just a handful, it is quite sufficient and it does feel like we have a little mini ARBA Convention going on here in Malaysia.
Well, I am no expert in soccer/football because while others are busy watching the EPL, I am busy breeding my rabbits. But I do know that in life, we do have to work together as a team and each one of us play a role in ensuring success. In soccer/football, the field is where the players test out their ability to jive with other players. In this rabbit hobby, our playing field is indeed our character, principles and will power to do what is RIGHT!
A Time, Space and Moment where you need not explain why you like Holland Lops!
The future is looking bright for these 2!
Thank you very much my fellow comrades, you know who you are!
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Tru-Luv Rabbitry: Quality Holland Lops in Malaysia 