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!
The movie Kingdom of Heaven starring Orlando Bloom happens to be one of my favorite movies of all time. I have decided to rename Papadoom to Balian and Mooruku to Sibylla.
The time has finally come to rename these 2 babies and they are suppose to be tattoo-ed anytime now but I have yet to get 2 more digits that I need so tattooing just have to wait a little while longer.
I don’t feel so well today so I am not gonna crack my head for new names too. I’ll just put that idea behind my mind and will get to it soon.
Here’s some photos of the 2 cutie pies…
Mooruku's side profile
Looking really cute!
Will get better in time...I hope...LOL
Papadoom's side profile
Front, I am loving it....
My favorite photo of him thus far
Hope they grow into their ears. That would be nice…
I was at Jaya One today for the Pets Day Out event. A big congratulations to the organizers for doing a great job bringing pet people together. I saw many scorpions, tortoises, snakes which are among the exotics besides from the regular dogs, cats and rabbits. I was there to give my little moral support to Pet Epicure and their “cats for adoption” drive. For those who are interested or know people who might be interested to adopt cats, please drop by Pet Epicure’s website. We were in time to watch the dog obedience demo. I think the Silky Terrier deserves a super obedient award.
The only thing that I didn’t like about the event happen to be the deplorable sight that I witnessed in one of the booths where more than 20 baby rabbits were cramped into 3 feet cages each and a cage with some underage kits. I thought they look rather underage and felt pretty fed up to even take photos of them. So much has been said and I believe enough have been said. I later obtained these photos from a friend who happen to be there as well.
These are probably 2 weeks old (max) baby rabbits and probably from larger mixed breeds.
Look at the white/gray one. You can roughly tell that it is underage because its fur has yet to “fluff” up. And as a comparison, here’s Mooruku at Day 12, you can see a little similarity:
The bigger one right in the centre is probably the only bunny that is almost 6 weeks old
Please note that I am not trying to defame anyone. Just for awareness purposes as it will do both buyers and sellers good in the long run. If underage bunnies die in the hands of the buyers, it would give the sellers a bad name so I believe it is a win-win situation to get everyone educated and thus saving innocent lives too.
In TLR on the other hand, I weaned Mooruku and Papadoom off mommy at 7th week this weekend. They both now have their own space to grow up. They binky all the time and the cages make them look really tiny.
Papadoom being inquisitive!
Cute!
And what do I get? She showed me her BUM! She ought to see how those poor little bunnies get cramped into a 3 feet cage!
I am still very dazed from the exciting weekend. Since the show, the blog stats has skyrocketed. I am receiving so many congratulatory text messages and emails . Thank you everyone for your kind words. The inquiries for my rabbits has skyrocketed as well. Please know that I am still the same old guy that does not bite. The sales policy stands but I have nothing to offer at the moment. Sorry for that shortcomings. Am really glad that I am finally seeing some fruits of my labor after 2 years (since 2006). I don’t mean the number of sales but the knowledge and awareness of this breed is finally growing.
Truffles is back to his old self. Being a mischieve like the usual. Begging for food this morning and I just love his cute face!
I just realized that he was a singleton and his mom Holly Hope was also a singleton. It is not easy raising singletons but it is very fulfilling! I never imagine getting even a ribbon before this but miracles do happen sometimes. I am proud that Truffles is from my own breeding and it was really fun having this little guy! Just like to post on his development so far with some past photos:
I came home late last night and as I was doing the usual clean up, I placed Truffles up on the grooming table. And I got this photo:
The 1st Malaysia Rabbit Show is to be held tomorrow and I thought it would be nice for him to be in just for the fun of it. Not to win but just to let this little inquisitive rascal have a go at a show. I certainly did not intend to win at all. So I called up Nico and asked if she could register him together for me since I have some errands to do in the morning and afraid I was going to be late for the show. A big part of me wanted my daughter Beth to be there just for the fun of it. Unfortunately I had to leave without her and my wife because she needs her usual nap in the afternoon.
Nico - she helped register Truffles for me
Showing me the butt in disapproval!
The contender: If it wasn't for the heavy molt, Truffles might have lost to this guy!
Little Truffles being naughty and perky!
So here I was passing Truffles over to the officials to be weighed. At 5 months old, he weighs 1.2 kg which was way below the 1.6 kg mark. There he go unto the show table!
From what I gathered, there were only 4 breeders/owners showing Holland Lops. There were roughly 20 Holland Lops separated in 4 groups namely Solid Buck, Solid Doe, Broken Buck and Broken Doe. There were no classes for juniors so Truffles joined the Broken Buck category.
Being Judged by Christina
A very well behaved Truffles with his proud owner snapping this photo
Photo courtesy of RSF
Before I continue with this long story, please allow me to give credit to Beh & Yo Rabbitry, Pet Shack, Pet Lover Centre, Jaanu & her bf, Bebee & her bf, CocoJune & Nico for putting up together this well organized rabbit show.
Down to top 10!
I must say it is a good start for the Malaysia rabbit market in general. I hope next year we’ll have ARBA sanctioned show. But the best part of it all is that I met a lot of nice people and it was all the friends who came. Darma, thanks for making the effort to come. You really helped me a lot today!
Friends are all we need in a show!
We finally met up!
Very proud of the HLRSC t-shirt Aunt Karen bought me! Love it! Always helping me keep my head held up high! I met so many new friends. I hope all of you are reading this now. Thanks for striking a chat with me. Really appreciate it.
So let’s see what I won. Beside the trophies and ribbon, I got free vouchers. Let’s calculate how much I won in cash value (we were shopping after the show). You see, I always believe in sharing the win with fellow friends. So this was how I shared out the winnings:
1) I had $300 myself
2) $150 to Miss Nico
3) Bebee conned me off my $200 (just kidding!)
4) Darma went home with $200 worth of Oxbow product
Please correct me if I am wrong guys! LOL!
I am just too lost for words at the moment. There are so much to write but I just can’t find the right words.
The score card
The judging was long and there were quite a number of nice Holland Lops. I wasn’t too interested in the rest of the breeds so I did not keep track of all that is happening over that end. I was very surprised when Truffles was transferred to the main stage and later announced as Best In Group for Broken Bucks (no junior group). Christina requested the breeder to come forward and so being an abiding person, I followed her instructions and went up on stage. I shook hands with both Kenneth and her and introduced myself. Christina seemed to look surprise to see me. Then the Best of Breed was announced and I did not think of it too much. Then Truffles got called for Best Opposite Sex of Breed. I thought that was the last.
The Winners!
Best of Opposite Sex of Breed
My head almost pop when I heard he got BRIS!!!! That’s Best Reserve In Show baby!
Can someone send me a clearer photo please?
Best In Show. A Broken Tort Senior Doe. I was quite tickled when she gave Christina a little bite while she was judging. And Christina had to give her a little tap on the head.
Glad he poses naturally...
Did not believe I won until I saw this photo!
The win was a sweet one for many reasons. Truffles is the best kit produced in my rabbitry to far. That makes him my own breeding. Winning with my own breeding is something that I would like to practice and it is a principle I would like to stand by. Truffles is only 5 months old and getting a BRIS is super cool! And thinking that I almost sold him earlier really made me felt lucky! Everything happens for a reason! Sorry for all the exclamation marks! Too excited!
Beth was still in bed when I came home. I showed her all the trophies and ribbon while telling her it was suppose to be her receiving them. She just smiled and said “Beth CHAMPION already, YAY!”
That's MINE!!!
All mine!!!
In the end, I just do not know how breeders in the US could withstand all the waiting. My back almost broke!
My boy posing with the "loot"
Enough posing already!
Thanks to Oxbow for the 2 months supply of Hay & food stuff!
I am adding in more details as I recall how this wonderful day went by. I am seriously looking forward for the next rabbit show. Christina mentioned to both Darma & me that she’ll bring along her good friend Randy Shumaker (if I remember the name correctly) whom is an ARBA licensed judge to come over to Malaysia and also hoping to get the show ARBA sanctioned. That would be lovely.
Someone wanted to have a look at Truffles today so I woke up very early and started packing. I figured that it would be nice to bring Skor along. I promote ethical breeding and I believe showing at least the father of the kit would be the best thing to do. If I could, I’ll pack Holly Hope along but she’s having yet another “Honeymoon” with Clark at the moment.
Looking at these 2 fellows is super hilarious. They are so identical. If you have ever heard of the “Clone Wars”, then you’ll understand what I mean. It is amazing how Skor’s genes was stamped onto little Truffles. It made it all seemed as though Holly Hope was just a host or surrogate mother.
Who's Who?
It is proven that young bucks have a zest for life!
Today was the last day that I have this DSLR camera with me and I figured that I better make full use of it before returning it to my cousin. So here are all the photos with caption. I need to get this post up before I leave for the appointment.
Skor boy!
The trademark pose!
Molting mad!
Jungle Rule #1: Ask permission from the Bamboo-god before trespassing
Always be courteous before showing off his true colors
Am I Cute Or What?!
Taken in between zooming all around the garden
Inquisitive As Ever!
Something's cooking...*Slurp*
Here’s a few for the album. Father and Son portraits:
Told ya they are like clones
Almost identical markings!
My Dad, My Protector!
Really had fun capturing these moments. They are such well behave bunnies I could do it all by myself. LOL!
I hope everyone’s having a great Sunday. I was contemplating whether to write 3 post and schedule them to appear for the next 3 days. But I am just too lazy to do that and therefore, write about 3 very random topics in just 1 post.
First of all, a little update on Carmel. The more I admire Carmel, the most stunning I find her to be. She is ever ready to strike a perfect show pose whenever she is being placed on the grooming table. Really love this doe tons and million. I am still very grateful for Kay’s generosity.
I absolutely love her when she does this!
There is nothing else I could ask for when I this beautiful girl and there are definitely reasons for her to be among the top lops!
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Haley is a very interesting character. I adore her loads! Sometimes I she will just sit at the cage door moving her head from side to side in deep thoughts while looking straight at me. She is such a doll to have and her actions are more of a puppy than a bunny.
Is this a puppy or a bunny?
This is the reason why I love Holland Lops sooOOooo much! They are just like puppies that do not bark!
Please don’t mind the messy cage floor. I placed a cardboard at the bottom for her to destroy. Try tearing up a cardboard while stepping on it. Kinda fun don’t you think?
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TLR started raising Holland Lops in 2006. Have I produce any Show Quality bunnies thus far? Out of all the breedings so far, I dare say that there are 2 bunnies that in my opinion deserve to be on the show tables. The first would be Eclipse from BlueBerry & Skor cross and Truffles from Holly Hope & Skor cross. To be very honest and judgmental, more work has got to be done to improve from here. I am strictly refering to rabbits of my own breeding. I do not believe in importing Grand Champs and put them on the tables.
Speaking of Truffles, he needs a more prominent crown and bigger head. On the experience point of view, he proved to me that long ears are purely GENETICS. His ears seemed to be long because he has got a slipped crown. Looking at him, I refuse to believe in “Summer Ears”. Where we are, it is over 80 degrees fahrenheit constantly. For now, I strongly believe that genetics play a great role in the appearances of rabbits. The only effect the weather have on rabbits here in Malaysia is their coat. I find them molting constantly. I am not considering airconditioning plainly because, we must breed rabbits that are highly adaptable in our climate. I must ensure that my rabbits do not drop dead the moment there is no airconditioning so therefore, it is wise to keep them healthy under the natural condition.
Side Profile
It would be perfect if I could see the crown from this angle
I thought it was a nice day to take photos of Seychel as she is coming out of her baby fur molt. Then came Beth walking pass after her “marketing” play pretend session. We all know that it takes many years of experience to be a qualified rabbit judge. I guess Beth’s starting really young. Here’s what happened in pictorial mode:
I.........want to......chor eu how to judge Honand Nop!
Mid checktion a little long...
Girl, if you wanna be a show buh nie you really have to hold your head up ai....
That's better but can you go a little higher?
The clown is a little snip...
Chum bleeders can really be a pain in the BUM BUM!
A Honand Nop's fur must have the roller coaster effect....
Why are you laughing? You think Honand Nop judging is a joker?
The ear should be thick and well fuh....
And the ears must not be 1 linch lower than the......
Oh I'm Goodness! A tatdoo
Number Two!
Good girl, Sea Shell!
In the end she concluded that although Seychel is not perfect, she loves her as much!
AwWWwwWwww....
hug tight tight!
I love you....
On a serious note, Seychel is not the perfect brood specimen but I will be using her in my chocolate project nonetheless. By the looks of it, she seemed to have the characteristics of an F1 choc Holland Lop. Whatever it is, she deserves a chance to be a brood doe.
This is a post requested by Mr. Darma. He told me that the word “tattoo” seemed to be on his mind and wanted to know how the tattoo turned out thus far. I was kind of disappointed with Truffles’ tattoo as I though his was the best.
I believe single digit is one of the reasons why the tattoo seemed to have faded. If I have 3 or 4 digits, they would be a little more legible.
Can you see 1?
On the other hand, I expected the least from Seychel’s tattoo but it turned out much legible compared to Truffles’.
Can you see 2?
I hope Mr. Darma is happy with this update and thanks for the suggestion.
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Tru-Luv Rabbitry: Quality Holland Lops in Malaysia 