Category Archives: Random Topics

by | November 19, 2010 · 12:05 pm

The Reason Behind The Tattoo

Identification.

That is the only word to describe the reason why rabbit breeders tattoo their rabbits. There are 2 ways used for identification in rabbits. Firstly is the tattoo on the left ear and secondly, an identification ring on one of the legs. The identification rings are mainly used in the European countries and British Rabbit Council (BRC) breeders. I personally feel that the rings are less permanent as they can be removed easily.

As for tatoo, ARBA breeders usually tattoo their rabbits on the LEFT ear. The Registrar normally tattoo the right ear. Therefore, if you see a rabbit with both ears tattooed, then you are holding a rabbit that has been registered with ARBA. What is the difference between a rabbit registered with ARBA? Only rabbits registered with ARBA can obtain a GC Certificate and thus, you can only grand a rabbit if it is registered.

If a rabbit is not registered with ARBA, it still can be shown and obtain GC legs. As a senior, if a rabbit obtain 3 GC legs under different judges, then the rabbit can be granded if it has been registered.

I am going off topic for a little while more. In ARBA world, there are 2 roles which are very important.

The Registrar – the person that helps breeders and rabbit owners to get their rabbits registered.

The Judge – the person that is responsible for evaluating your rabbit and award a GC leg whenever deemed fit.

So why do we tattoo? Yes, for identifications. You may have many rabbits both you currently own and those that you have sold. A simple pedigree is not sufficient to link it to a rabbit. Therefore, when you have a 3 generation pedigree, it must also state the tattoo number which is the same as the number on the left ear of the rabbit.

That’s how the tattoo is useful at the breeder’s end. To identify each rabbit if there are more than 1 that may look similar. With the tattoo number, the breeder can go through the records and pull up its pedigree to trace back on the lineage.

As for the Rabbit Shows, the tattoo is very important. The Tattoo acts like our Identification Card (IC). There will be hundreds of rabbits and how do we identify our own rabbits in a place filled with – rabbits? Besides that, during a rabbit show, the judge must not know who the owner of the rabbit he/she is judging to avoid partiality and biasness. Since you cannot possibly tattoo the breeder’s name on the rabbit, most uses the conventional way of number combinations.

There are 2 types of tattoo tools that can be used:
1) Tattoo Clamp with digits
This is like the tool used in ear piercing except it has got individual digits with many small needles that make up a number. Depending on the number of digits required, the tattoo digits are fitted into the clamp and pressed on the rabbit’s ear.

2) Tattoo Pen
This is becoming a widely used tool as it is easier to write and some say is less painful for the rabbits. I personally think that the pain last longer as the numbers are being “etched” into the skin. I hope to try this one out in the near future but for now, I prefer the clamp method.

So as a conclusion, tattoo is a neccessity if you want a good identification method. It is not a luxury item as you can see. I do not charge more because I tatoo my rabbits. I don’t think it is something to be charged extra for. It is not glamorous to have tattoo. A tattoo does not make a non pedigree rabbit a pedigreed rabbit. Everything in the rabbit world right now runs in such a way that it is self regulatory. There is no one body that governs the identification of rabbits vis-a-vis to the likes of the dog world where a club issues microchip and pedigrees.

I personally tattoo my rabbit solely for the reason of identification and it goes hand in hand with the pedigrees I issue to my adopters/buyers.

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by | October 5, 2010 · 8:18 pm

Profound Feeling

I might have written something similar to this posting but I guess that is one of the advantages of a weblog – you can repeat yourself a thousand times and it still seemed to be something new. I find it hard myself to trace back what I have written in the past. A question came to mind this evening as I caught a glimpse of Clark’s picture on top of the bookshelf. What is so interesting about this hobby? I mean keeping pets as a hobby in general.

While growing up as a kid, my favorite hang out places are pet stores. Back then, I must say that pet store owners are very compassionate people. They have a lot of love for the animals that they sell. There is always a personal touch as the owners take their time to talk and educate their customers. There was this pet store near where I live where I spend most of my weekends and holidays. The owners are an elderly couple that I have kept in touch with until today.

The uncle once told me that having a pet is very interesting because most of them never outlive their owners. He further elaborates that because the lifespan of pets are shorter and the owners are able to witness the entire life cycle – from birth till death. Most of the time, we give a part of our heart for our beloved pets. Their death always causes a void in our hearts.

I am not sure if fellow pet owners agree with me but this hobby is pretty addictive. If you ever start keeping pets, you will most probably never ever life without one. This is probably some irrelevant ramblings.

Conclusion is, I really miss Clark very much. I like every part of the story except for the death part. You just can’t give them enough love that when they leave, you will feel fulfilled and the death is still unacceptable. I feel that I have not done enough.

Thinking of you everyday my boy

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by | October 1, 2010 · 11:38 am

Moving Forward

Just wanted to write a note to thank all friends near and far for all the encouraging words poured in throughout the night. Life goes on and and we do find meaning in all happenings both good or bad. For the past 3 years, there has been a lot of ups and downs for Tru-Luv rabbitry. But with the amount of downs going on, any sane person would have quit this hobby a long time ago. Thinking about it, I believe I am pretty insane.

On a positive note, I believe that feeling emotional during the death of a pet only goes to show that there were indeed a friendship and attachment involved. It is a full circle of emotions as there will not be joy without sorrow. Every beginning has an end and every end will be followed by a new beginning.

Clark’s death is not the end of him, his legacy will continue to be alive through his kits and grandkits. Both Balian and Sibylla will keep him alive. As the kits grow in the nest box, perhaps there will be a few little Clarks in there. If they do not appear now, they may manifest in a couple more generations to come.

The Holland Lop circle of friends that I have are really awesome and supportive. We all believe that rabbits can come and go in our lives but friends remain forever! I have made a couple of true friends who will always be there for me through sharing my rabbits.

And when the time comes for the circle of life to be completed, my friends and I come full circle once again. This will continue on and on and on and on and on, forever and ever…

Moving forward and till death do us part…

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by | September 16, 2010 · 5:23 pm

Sharing Is Caring

Dear Readers,

I have included new sharing feature to all my blog posts. As you can see below here, there are some icons and buttons. You can share whichever post you like on Facebook, Twitter or even Email to someone you think will enjoy reading.

Luv,

The Bunnyman

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by | September 13, 2010 · 9:17 pm

Building A Support Group

So life has been hectic for the past 3 months. With a new kid on the block and many changes does take a toll on blogging. I hold this blog very close to my heart because this is where I pour out every single thing I want to share about my life as a rabbit person. A rabbit person, why not a breeder? At this moment, I am being very careful with every single word that I use. I am extra sensitive to words for a particular reason that I will not share. Rabbit is indeed a very personal thing that I treasure because it goes beyond a hobby, it is a passion for me. Rabbit person somehow sounds milder for me. I like it that way I must say.

Never in my wildest dream 4 years ago that I would get a phone call at any time of the day seeking for advice about rabbits. I must admit that I still have much to learn in this hobby but nonetheless, I am glad that I am able to help in any way possible. I believe that will help in the growth in the numbers of rabbit fanciers locally. I really am grateful for those who have trusted in my experience and willing to approach me for my opinions. My apologies if I fall short in knowledge and availability.

I believe that we are all called to service in our own ways big or small and most of the time, it does not yield any fruit. Since this is just a hobby it does not matter to me that much if I gain anything out of it. Learning is always a 2 way process and either way, I get to learn tons of valuable knowledge.

Through my correspondences with other breeders, there has been a question raised. Whether or not breeders should entertain questions from someone who has acquired rabbits from another breeder other than themselves? This question has been raised not only by rabbit breeders but breeders of all kinds.

The shallow minded would definitely feel frustrated and question why must they clean up the mess left behind by incompetent breeders who should be responsible for passing along “perfect” rabbits. The world as we know is far from being perfect and nothing under the sun comes perfect. Though that should not be taken as an excuse, we must also understand that and in their imperfection, there are room to gain much knowledge.

In a competitive world, this seemed to be the way to be ahead but just imagine if you are only able to get answers from the breeder that you bought your pet from. I don’t think the hobby would last and let alone grow. Through the years, I have made so many friends in the hobby who are willing to share regardless. They have never once turn their backs on me. I am truly blessed in that sense.

It is very easy to turn someone with a sick bunny away by just saying “why don’t you go back to the breeder who sold you that sick bunny?”. On the contrary, we should feel good if the advices and opinions we give are able to save the life of the sick bunny. I had once stayed up till 2 a.m. in the morning to help a fellow rabbit person in distress by sharing all that I know and it felt really good to know that the rabbit made it in the end.

In the technology age today, information can travel in matters of seconds. The support group has grown beyond just rabbits. I have so many people to thank today and most I know through this hobby. They not only supported me through times of need with my bunny issues but also on life matters.

My answer to the question above is YES, we must help regardless. So rest assured that I will reply to the best of my abilities any question raised through emails or phone. And manners count a lot too whether or not inquiries get a reply.

And not to disappoint my readers who patiently check back hoping to see photos of bunnies, I shall share a few photos. After a quest of almost 4 years and still going strong, my personal favorite homegrown for 2010 are as follows:

Tru-Luv Balian

Tru-Luv Wilma

Tru-Luv Sibylla

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by | August 21, 2010 · 10:27 pm

True Love by AHMIR

Love is a universal language. Just found this nice song entitled True Love by AHMIR (the #1 Most Popular R&B Group on Youtube!). Enjoy…

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by | July 15, 2010 · 11:12 pm

The Feeling…

For the past 3 years, I have known breeders who have given up on their hobby and I still do keep in touch with them. Though we have not much in common to talk about anymore, I sometimes wonder how they feel or what would they think about their past hobby. I am sure they would be thinking along the lines of “I once had pretty nice and competitive rabbits”.

Life has been pretty hectic for me lately and it is hard to ignore the “I once had nice rabbits” thought and feeling. I don’t mean that I have since sold out my rabbits but putting myself in the possible future, maybe that could be my feeling or thought.

I really do wonder what goes through the head of those who have since left the hobby. Would they miss having Holland Lops? Would they think that it was silly spending so much time and resources on just rabbits? Or would they feel proud that they have been there and done that?

As for me, I can’t see myself there as yet but when I do, I will be proud to have done it without regrets! At least in my lifetime, I can be proud have beautiful rabbits. Heck, I still DO!

Looking at the beautiful rabbits and great breeders of the past really helps in reminding me that I should be happy to have them right now, at this very moment. It is the greatest PRESENT anyone could have!

Sizzling Hawt!

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by | July 6, 2010 · 10:36 pm

Taking A Long Break

Dear friends,

I am taking a long break from blogging. I might be posting photos from time to time but I will not write any interesting article for the coming months.

I am sure that there are some interesting posts in the past that you would like to go through under the archive (on the right hand side). They are sorted by months and also categories.

All the bunnies at TLR are well.

Hope to be back on writing interesting posts soon!

Sincerely,

The Bunny Man

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by | June 19, 2010 · 9:43 pm

A Good Story For All Of Us

When we give life to toys, there will always be a story to tell. So it is with each and every one of our lives. Every one of us has a story to tell. Whenever I watch a film, I somehow try to derive at least a  moral value out of the story told in it.

The most touching part of this story for me was when Andy passed all his toys to Little Bonnie. Andy wanted someone to take good care of his toys and trust that Bonnie was the right person. On the other hand, the entire movie was about how the toys wanted to find a good home.

I know of some adults who reminisce their childhood so much that they start collecting action figures that they once had as children (and especially those that they regret destroying).

It is not any different if we would apply this story to our beloved pets. Like the toys, they are unable to tell us what they want or prefer but it is totally up to us the human to decide for them.

Most of the time our pets may live longer than our short lived impulse. Most of us only have love that can only last as long as the cuteness of our pets. Thereafter, most of our pets’ fate would be like Lotso’s.

There are also cases where our ability to care for our beloved pets may be short lived in situations such as relocation, a more demanding job or moving into a new place that doesn’t allow pets. In those cases, we really need to ensure that we find new homes that are similar if not better than their current ones.

What I am trying to say is,  LOVE your pet like a toy that matters and means the world to you! Even if you have to pass them down to someone else, find a good owner for them that will do the same.

May you and your pet make a good story together.

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by | June 16, 2010 · 3:52 pm

Inquiry 101

I am getting a lot of inquiries lately but sad to say, I ignored most of them. Much has been said about Malaysians and most of the remarks were that Malaysians are very polite, courteous and friendly. I have to disagree because many these inquiries that I received lately put me off badly.

I found that people no longer have the courtesy to introduce themselves. Again, I am not trying to be arrogant here but at least, a simple introduction would be appreciated.

How would you feel when someone emails you and say, “How much is the XXX, send photo and price”?

HelloooOOOOooooo….Do I know you?

Let us not forget that we are all POLITE, COURTEOUS and FRIENDLY people. We are brought up with good values. So let’s stop acting like uneducated people.

This is a community service message, in support of HAVING GOOD MANNERS!

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