Tag Archives: holland lop

They Are Just Animals

Nothing beats spending time in a room with free roaming rabbits while taking turns to groom each and everyone of them on a Sunday afternoon. That was exactly what I did about an hour ago. The dustbin is now filled with fur, nails and whatever in between. Today was a little special because Faith gave me a little bunny hug. She likes doing that all the time. I was just sitting down with her on my lap after giving her a pedicure and manicure session. I believe she was thanking me for loving her and spending some “quality time” with her so she decided to stand up and with two from paws on my chest, gave me a peck on my neck. I hugged her in return and I could feel that she appreciated that very much. She’s a gem!

As the bunnies roam free and having each other for company, I went about grooming each and everyone. When it was Murdoch’s turn, a thought suddenly came over my mind. Something, somewhere and somehow spoke these words – “How can I make this bunny delicious?”. A great shock came over me and I was awoken by that thought! I do not think I was hungry after having had a good packet of Chicken Rice for lunch.

Chicken Rice….hmmmm…..

What makes Chicken Rice okay and Rabbit Rice not? I am sure some of us know that little hare that hangs over the fire and that could easily replace that piece of chicken in your Chicken Rice?

Just to clear the air and let my dear readers know that I have nothing against meat eaters or vegetarians, those who cannot eat certain meat due to religious obligation or those who have preference for exotic meat. I am writing this piece while trying to reason how one can make a smooth crossover from a Chicken eater to a Rabbit eater or from a meat eater to a vegetarian. Perhaps I am just writing this “just for f***s”, and in short just for the fun of it.

Personally, I do not think I will ever swallow a piece of Murdoch, Faith or Dimsdale for the matter. I believe everyone can relate to me that when you give a pet a name, it has an identity and becomes a part of the family. I cannot bring myself to “cannibalizing” my own family member. It is just weird don’t you think saying, “I ate little Houdini last night for dinner” and your friend goes, “You ate who!?”. Just too freaking strange…

But in all seriousness, what difference does it make eating Chicken? Just because you do not know the name of the chicken how does it make one feels okay to eat a chicken drumstick? I believe that we do it so often that we do not over analyze what we put into our mouth. The thought of a lively chicken going into our mouth just do not cross our mind. I for one will never be able to swallow a piece of the chicken if I have seen it alive before being slaughtered and cooked (seriously!). And the way it is slaughtered will definitely make it much worse for me.

Perhaps it makes us feel better knowing the fact that “They Are Just Animals” and being a type of food source seemed to be the sole purpose of their existence. I really do not know but am trying to figure out the thought process.

Whatever it is, edible meat whether it is pork, mutton, beef, chicken (poultry) or rabbit, they are all valid food sources and the fact of the matter is, even I prefer some over others, I do not have the rights to judge others’ preferences since it is personal what one chooses to eat.

My preference in order – Pork, Chicken, Beef and Mutton. Nothing more and nothing less and please do not tell me the name whose thigh I swallowed for my lunch, thank you!

Gollum eats rabbit too!

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Thursday Bunsitive Quote

Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion. ~ Jim Rohn

 
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Tuesday Bunsitive Quote

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. ~ Ronald Reagan

 
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Saturday Bunsitive Quote

In the garden of friendship is where we cultivate love. choose your friends wisely and the love that grows will be a blessing. ~ Unknown

 
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Tuesday Bunsitive Quote

No matter how people may treat you, never stoop down to their level. Just know you’re a better person, smile and walk away. ~ Unknown

 
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Monday Bunsitive Quote

The best way to avoid disappointment, is to not expect anything from anyone. ~ Unknown

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Holland Lop & Heat Tolerance

WARNING: Unverified Opinions Blog Content. Opinions expressed here is based on author’s observation and experience reader’s discretion needed.

During my younger days, I read a lot about dogs and I am a sucker for short snout/muzzle (or in short, Brachycephalic) dogs because they are cute and captivating. Recently I have read about airlines banning certain dogs from being allowed on board airplanes due to the many problems attributed to their short snout/muzzle.

One attribute that captured my attention recently is the heat tolerance in Brachycephalic dogs (reference article). Apparently, they are prone to overheating (heatstroke, collapse & death) . Dogs as we know, regulate body temperature through footpads but mostly through panting.

How does all these translates to rabbits?

Rabbits regulate body temperature through their ears where the major blood vessels are located. In extreme heat, rabbits can be seen panting (head banging) with moisture around their mouth, nose and when it gets bad, they lick their front feet at the region around the ankles in attempt to cool themselves down through moisture on the major blood vessels in that area. How many of you noticed matted fur with saliva stains on your rabbit’s front paws?

As  you can see, both dogs and rabbits do not sweat like how we humans do.

So is Holland Lop less heat tolerable compared to breeds like the Mini Rex?

I personally believe so because through my observation and experience, lop ear rabbits with regular snout/muzzle tend to thrive better than the Holland Lop in Malaysia. Being prey animal at the lower realm of the food chain, rabbits are highly adaptable and the most obvious physical change from one generation to the next in Holland Lop under the Malaysia weather is their ear length and overall flesh condition. The rule of thumb is, larger surface area to volume ratio in smaller animal means higher efficiency in losing and gaining heat.

I have written about “selective” breeding before and not to repeat myself, it means that we breed to retain the physical characteristics that is desirable which are clearly specified in a “standard” of some sort. I have not done extensive study or research on this but if I would to apply what happens to Brachycephalic dogs the same way I would apply on Holland Lop rabbits, there is indeed one very obvious similarity between the two – change in skull structure/shape.

I recently came across a sketch picture of a rabbit skull done by Isa Cunanan. At press time, I have yet to receive any confirmation if I could use her sketch for a graphical morph to illustrate the point I would like to put forth. The morphing process helps in my opinion in explaining how the rabbit skull changes and also explain probably how the malocclusion phenomenon happens. I have decided to share the morphing process until I receive a notice that I am not allowed to use the sketch.

A Mini Rex rabbit with a regular snout/muzzle.

A Mini Rex rabbit with a regular snout/muzzle. Long and pointy ears too!

A stumpy Holland Lop with short snout/muzzle. Short and rounded ears to adhere to standards.

A stumpy Holland Lop with short snout/muzzle. Short and rounded ears to adhere to standards.

Here are the morphs (Please click on image to see animation):-

Skull structure change through selective breeding to adhere to standard:

SkullMorphOpt

Click on image to view animation.

Skull development towards Malocclusion:

SkullMorphMaloclusionOpt

Click on image to view animation.

I am not making any statement whether selective breeding is good or bad. The Holland Lop breed thrives in many locations with “good” temperature/climate. Malaysia at press time is 81 degrees Fahrenheit or 27 degrees Celsius with the 89% humidity.

Is the Malaysia tropical climate suitable for the Holland Lop to be raised as is without any temperature control?

I believe that there are many approaches that can be taken.

1. Bring anything but Summer into your home. That means, you will need to simulate Autumn, Winter or Spring within your rabbits’ living quarters. Preferable Spring because that when most rabbits in the wild tend to be prolific.

2. Leave these rabbits where they truly belong. Anywhere but tropical climate.

3. Accept the fact that locally bred will eventually evolve into a different looking animal compared to its imported counterpart.

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Sunday Bunsitive Quote

Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order. ~ David Gerrold

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Thursday Bunsitive Quote Of The Day

“Hypocrites get offended by the truth.”
― Jess C. Scott, Bad Romance: Seven Deadly Sins Anthology

 

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Bunsitive Quote Of The Day

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~ George Carlin

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