Haute Wooly Couture

Welcoming 2012

2012-01-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

2011 has been a busy year for I know all of us. A lot of good and some bad as well, I think myself and my friends and family have managed to hold ourselves together decently through a lot of tough times last year. I've continued to change a lot for the better and hoping to make a come back to blogging, and maybe even showing rabbits again, probably sparingly.

I guess my views on bunnies & life in general have changed a lot not only over the past year, but couple of years. I've had a lot of personal struggles I continue to work with daily. Rabbits have been on the back burner for a long time. For longer than I could give you an actual approximate time for.

Besides kind of falling off of the face of the earth, I think rabbits are a lot different to me. They are just a hobby I enjoy and nearly, that's just about it. Having a conversation about rabbits just doesn't come natural anymore. If someone has to talk about rabbits with me, I have to force myself to "get into it". I like the connections I've made with a lot of my bunnies friends past and present, but I've strongly come to the realization is I like these people way more than because of bunnies. I want to talk about their life, and joke around with these people. I have had no drama to contribute, and am so very out of the loop on what is even going on in the bunny world. Because this realization has concluded that even paying a little attention of the "dirty side" of it is just too much energy that I don't have to spend on my daily life.

Blogging is something I used to enjoy and then it became a chore. My life dramatically changed a day in work where I had saved a little girl's dogs life on just "another day". I guess, all the assisting I do I have a strong influence to a lot of peoples pet's lives, something I do everyday is save pets, nurse pets, offer pet guidance. The feedback from the community and the gifts and words I have all received have all been worth it. I've come to understand people and their pets more than I ever have. To such acceptance to such a high extent of just understanding how unfair life is. A part of me has died a long time ago, and it's not the caring or compassion, it's the lack of it in people's actions or words. That being said, sticks and stones may break my bones, words will never hurt me. I have learned to laugh and I would consider myself one of the most light hearted people I've known. And no matter what, I'm perfectly okay and never have to worry because drama or smack talk just is not even relevant to my life.

I hate saying it though, I find a lot of connections through rabbits all about the dirty laundry. It's pushed me away from showing, but not from attending rabbit shows. But showing is not what matters because all I really admire is the presence of my friends I've made through the hobby that any second I could lose. Travelling all the way to Indiana and back, road trip style, was not about rabbits. I ended up not showing, but went because travelling and friends is what I love more. Rabbits have given me much opportunity in life to embrace what people, animals, travelling, all have to offer. I was asked too many times, "how could you come ALL this way and not show anything?"

To be honest, lol, my budget wasn't fit for showing a lot. I had a few I wanted to enter, but a few hours before entry close I was in bed tired from a long day at work I was too lazy to do it. Showing bunnies and travelling over 5,000 miles round trip was NOT what made the trip worth while. It was the beautiful land I got to cross, being stuck hours in a car talking until the cows came home and watching out the window just admiring existence as I just fell asleep as my copilots discuss rabbit genetics or what have you. THAT is exactly what made the trip worth everything.

Anyways, I have a real blog developing coming to a monitor near you. I've had a lot of people ask for me to write again, but I think most of it is about the pictures than the relevance of what I have to say about them. I guess I just really like hearing what people have to say and I know sometimes I talk to much and have in the past (or presently now?). That being said the past couple years have really been spent absorbing a lot of information and understanding into life and my contributions would have been a mess of minds. I hope 2011 treated you all decently, and 2012 maybe more remorseful than what I've seen a lot of peoples year gone. Nobody even seemed excited about '11 but I see such a positive reaction to what this year could potentially hold.

I just see it as another day and will continue to muddle along my day off. Trying to get my website back up and together. ;)

Take care everyone!
Susie Cederlof
Haute Wooly Couture

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T17:27:00.001-07:00

Value life and thank those who have allowed us to.

Have a good week,
Susie Cederlof

Awful Cute Around Here Lately...

2011-04-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

Spring is in full blast and I am having baby bunnies coming straight out of my ears! Other than this morning's havoc of freezing kits, everyone seems to be having decent sized litters with good health (I'm seeing a lot less peanuts, larges, and max factors. But I am now knocking on some wood!) in the litters being born this season.

Though one thing I am noticing is that the more adapted the rabbits have become to our beautiful Northern California- Delta & Bay Area climates, the more stressed they seem in colder weather rather than hot. I see a lot of depression in my bucks and really lazy building when in comes to nests in the cold months. In fact, just this winter I was housing a rabbit in my room (which I never do) for what I am pretty certain was depression. I didn't think he was going to make it but just the first couple nights inside, warm, and lighted was a dramatic change into a whole new rabbit again. Strange!

This morning I was able to revive 6 cold kits out of 8. The two, most severe, were the ones who did not make it. I have a hard time with hypothermia in kits and I know the process of warming must be very gradual to prevent shock. I seem to do a good job and they'll start kicking and talking again pretty well and then they seem to crash. It's rather heart breaking and nearly brings tears to my eyes every time...

...getting off of the sad moments. I currently have 22 healthy kits ranging from newborn to 6 weeks of age! It's pretty exciting and I have a lot to say as pictures come! :)

Right now I will share my oldest kits, whom are out of Wonder's HALO X WWR Vixen. There are 3 Blacks born, 2 bucks & a Doe. I actually have 3 does out of a total of 17 sexed bunnies right now, I am super over run! However, I am keeping the buck in this litter because I think I might like him more than his sire and I am not ready to let the dam go yet so I am deciding to sell the little doe. The other buck is of pet quality so I don't have any photos of him yet.

Little Junior Doe.

Junior Doe again, she is so precious!

HAUTE MACHIAVELLI- Black Junior Buck

I have found my long lost love for my favorite color group... self! These blacks are so pretty and I am excited to keep the buck. I might show him in the next couple of weeks!

Here they were a couple weeks ago...

So sweet, right?

It seems it's been a rather lushful spring for many this time around. I love and look forward to much more pictures! And not just for bunnies... just this week I have seen 3 litters of Labrador Retriever puppies come into work. 1 litter of 11, 1 litter of 10, and another litter of 8. That's a whole lot of love!

Here's to the weekend!

Susie :)

Back from the WCC in Reno!

2011-04-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun weekend in Reno! I ended up with taking 2 woolies to show, only entering the Nationals and Specialty shows. I got both my rabbits up for nationals but only one up for the specialty. I had clerked for the nationals show and I could definitely say that there were some BEAUTIFUL rabbits up there! I was most particularly fond of the nationals BOG AOV winner, a Black Pointed White Senior Doe. She was a beaut!

Other than the showing, I was really happy to spend a weekend with my best friends and meet new exhibitors. It's so hard when you only have a few days to catch up with tons of friends from all over the states in such a short time, I could have used at least 3 more days to hang out with everyone.

Sadly, I didn't have a camera on me, so I didn't get any photos! But on our way over from California to Nevada we saw plenty of snow. The host hotel was great and outside our hotel room was a great view of Reno and the moutains covered in snow. The weather was perfect even thought none of us really had come out much the entire weekend. On Friday night, Katie, Chloe, Lauren & I went to Johnny Rocket's at 1 am to grab some grub. It was such a blast watching people line dancing and having way too much fun! I think the 4 of us want to take classes so next year we can go back and dance to some good country music. :)

I ended up buying 5 rabbits for my herd. I got a trio from Melani F. in Southern California to hopefully help roundness of hindquarter in my herd. They are going to be great assets and are perfect for line breeding! I also bought a Pointed White buck from Desi D. from California as well. The buck's sire was bred by me and comes out of WWR Pee Wee & Wooligans Party Girl, my old stuff!!! This buck is SO adorable and I cannot thank Desiree enough, she is so sweet and I was happy to see her again! I also picked up a Harlequin JW doe from the Maki's who is a powerhouse ready to make plenty of babies. And thanking them for also loaning me a carrier to bring all these buns home. *shy*

I did however take photos of a few of my new bunnies! Still working on getting photos of the rest. :)

Sundew's Moonfire - Seal Junior Doe

Sundew's Luck of the Draw - Siamese Sable Senior Buck

BBR's Love Bug - Blue Pointed White Senior Buck

We currently have 18 Jersey Wooly babies on the ground with more coming soon! I'll get photo's up shortly. :)

Hope everyone had fun this past weekend!
Susie Cederlof

Once Upon a Picture Blog

2011-04-10T19:19:00.001-07:00

This weekend is the Jersey Wooly & American Fuzzy Lop Nationals (as well as others and West Coast Classic) in Reno, Nevada! This will be the first show I have shown at in over a year, and at that, a decent traveled one.

Recent thinking had gotten to me, I was very devoted to my blog with photos of traveling near & far for either rabbit shows, rabbit purchases, or just to see friends! I'm hoping to really pick that back up this year and will start with photos of attending the national show in Reno this year.

I currently have 5 litters on the ground with a total of 17 babies! WOW! Haven't had kits in a year so things are really exciting lately. ♥

Here are some current new photos;

WWR Jankenpon

Lil' Bit Farm's Harlequin

WWR Dirt

A young Opal kit we currently have!

WWR Sango

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Reno! I entered 2 rabbits, my best in his prime just started blowing his coat out today! Oh well!

Safe travels,
Susie :)

Did you know...

2011-03-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

...that we are on Facebook? Keeping with the trends and using a friend account as a photo/update stream. Be sure to check it out at http://www.facebook.com/hautewoolycouture !

DTL's Simca ; read more about her here.

We are anticipating litters due next week!!! I hope I at least get something! I have lost my palpating skills over the winter...

Susie

The Act of Consolidation for Quality?

2011-01-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

No excuses for my absence right now, let's continue. :)

It's a question that is being more commonly thought as the process of developing my base of colored Jersey Woolies & American Fuzzy Lops. As I humble along, I only have so much base stock of a certain variety, when is the time to venture further? Do I even combine color stock with my 'main' herd? What are the pros & cons and this can develop quite some controversy when it comes to developing a color and showing rabbits.

Developing Tri-Color Jersey Woolies & American Fuzzy Lops has so far been a longer road, especially trying to get babies of these varieties on the ground. To succeed with this color I will need to focus on my color combinations to produce the variety I am aiming at. Though, with every case, a color of a kit will always be a gamble, depending on the colors of the parents, what they carry, and what we do not know they carry. I cannot breed two of the same color together and expect just that. It simply isn't that easy, and especially when you are trying to genetically target a color you want, the Bunny Gods aren't that nice! ;)

As this adventure develops there are a few common questions I am being asked. There are a handful of people interested, and quite a bit of support in my determination in the development of this color. Let me get question 1 out of the way;

My main Tri-color project Jersey Wooly buck, a Harlequin from The Maki Family (DTL Rabbitry) in Northern California.

1) Are you getting the COD (Color of Development) on this variety?
Ans: Unfortunately at this time, I do not have too much of a core of this variety developed quite yet. I must admit my starter animals for both breeds are quite define in type and I think that they will get me further for what I am beginning with. Until then I do not feel it is appropriate to hurry and get the COD on this variety for these breeds just yet until I am a little more 'set'. Once if I do obtain the COD, I won't have much time to waste, so I'd rather not rush into something while aiming at the hip.

This color may only take a couple years to develop or it could possibly take 8. Either way, I feel very strongly into taking it a tad slower than some may want by making careful decisions for my own main show herd and my color projects. A dilemma I face now is weather or not I want to breed into some of my main show herd. This could raise conflict in how another breeder feels about my decisions in the development of this variety or ethics as a show breeder. Here are a few reasons why...

a) Breeding a 'stray' unshowable color into a showable color is wrong if you get showable colored kits, and wrong to sell these kits.
Breeding a Harlequin colored rabbit is my given choice if I want to breed into my main string. With being, there will have to be a much more strict selection in my culling process into taking these second generation kits back into color, for color. As for selling these kits, I have decided if I do take this route, they will not be available to the public for my own protection of my breeding ethics.

b) I might be genetically manufacturing colors with incorrect genotypes (or something along those lines).
Yes, if I breed a Tri-color to a Sable, I could very well get some weird colors, a strange variety, and rabbits whom may be the correct color I want, but carry the wrong or unwanted genes. This will again resort in a stronger culling process needed. However, I think there are some good advantages of this. I believe it may be a decent start to a beginning of a project, as it could advance type easier or faster. It could also add genetic diversity, and a wider span of choices to breed stock to for second, third, fourth, and so on generations. As it will take many generations, anyways.

c) ...and again genetic experts think it is wrong.
Now, I do not consider myself a genetic expert but I can put two and two together and make some sense of it. I think this comes down personal genetic ethics, because ultimately at the end of the day the rabbits are my personal hobby, and my choices and decisions are my own in how I take up advancing my herd and/or color project. Oh, and they are just rabbits (and colors!)

My primary buck for the American Fuzzy Lops, a Harlequin Fuzzy Holland buck from LeAnn Caraway & Melanie Price (Lil' Bit Farms) in Oklahoma.

I am just as serious as I am realistic with the color project. I feel very obligated to think out and spread what knowledge I obtain in this process, and it is a long way from here. Too many times I have seen many disappointments from fellow COD holders by not putting in their best, or trying to venture off and gain some sense of individuality and heroism by developing a color themselves. Sadly, you'll see them sink when they won't take offered help, or easy precautions before final presentation. I could honestly say this will be a team effort and I already have a couple of well trusted, strong minded, determined breeders who are willing to take part and are on this case, too. It can't get any sweeter than that!

2) Where did your stock originate from the start?
I cannot 100% answer this question correctly as far as my Jersey Woolies go. I obtained my starter herd from DTL Rabbitry in Northern California who had a litter of mystery colors. A pedigree only goes back so many generations, and the lineage shown makes the pedigree questionable on what it "really" goes back to as far as it's 'purebred' status. We suspect possibly Lionhead. But I also cannot deny I have seen a couple of Tri-color Dwarfs in my time, and also "in the day" (WAAAYYY back y'all!) there was a breeder who DID raise Tri-color Woolies! Genes can be hid back several generations.

When it comes to the American Fuzzy Lops, I have been ever so lucky to be hooked up with Fuzzy Hollands of these varieties to build base. Who's to say it wasn't Tri-color Holland Lops to be crossed into Jersey Woolies? Who really knows! :P

3) I would love to obtain this variety & would love to purchase one of from you.
Right now the project is in the midst of emerging, and while I am holding a subtle waiting list, the only animals from this project I'd be offering for sale will be strictly pets (if any) until I feel comfortable enough to get my supporters involved. This is another protection towards my ethics of breeding. Rabbits deemed unworthy to the breeding program will be culled, this is a project and will be a process folks, I don't want to screw myself out of this & don't want anybody to think this a scam for money or attention. (as sometimes animal breeders try to do).

I'd be happy to help answer any further questions or information regarding this and continue to post the progress, I won't forget pictures either. ;)
Take care,
Susie Cederlof :)
Haute Wooly Couture

P.S. We have a new website link; http://www.hautewoolycouture.com/

Get Tim to ARBA Convention (2011)

2010-10-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

My good friend Tim @ Tru Luv Rabbitry in Malaysia has entered a contest for prize money in hopes to make it to the 2011 ARBA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

http://truluvrabbitry.com/2010/10/22/get-us-to-arba-convention/

Please follow that link above for quick easy steps to vote for Tim in this contest.

Thank you everyone!

Happy fall weather...
Susie

Hope you don't mind Tim ;-)

Fancy Tattoo?

2010-07-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

This evening I decided to do some tattoos. I was thinking of what to do to "trademark" my bunnies, as some do, by putting their initials before a number or the first letter of their rabbitry name before the name. I thought why not I do something a little more unique, a little more 'high fashion' to go along with my rabitry name (Haute Wooly Couture), and spice up the first initial of the rabbits name in it's tattoo?

I did a few tattoos, making them a little special by adding a little extra size and curve to the beginning initial. Then I came down to a doe who I hold very special to my heart. I knew then I had to go all out on this one! :)

Since this was my first dramatic tattoo, I was quite nervous. I was practicing the style I wanted to used for the letter on paper, and finally went down to do her ear and wrote it out with a fine point sharpie. I have never done this so I was wondering to myself, "Am I going to forget my place, am I going to get lost?"

I finally started it out and as usually, we have a squirmy rabbit. I made the M first before I went to the design on the side, JUST IN CASE I changed my mind or felt I wouldn't be able to handle it. I decided the bunny was not as wild as she could be and to finish what I had started!

I was shaking the whole time. I'm sure my nervousness didn't make my bunny feel very comfortable. But we made it out! And alive. I free handed the last of the letter "EEKA".

So here it is, the finished product!

And here are a couple more designs.

Please, though, you may not want to try this at home! Honestly, I do not know if this is a DQ or not on the show table. I was told by one that this is illegal so I might have to contact ARBA to find out? We'll have to see!

It's been a busy past week. My job got promoted from a Vet Receptionist to a Vet Assistant/Technician. I've been working all week! It's been a lot of fun. I've seen a lot of things I'll never forget!

Have a nice week!
Susie

Corralitos & Watsonville Show Weekend

2010-07-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

We had fun time in Corralitos and Watsonville this past weekend. Corralitos we just had shown up to visit since our specialty had be cancelled. Watsonville was our show day.

We did decent. Not as well as I had hoped, but we had brought some pretty molty rabbits. The numbers were good as well as the quality of the competition. Considering we were missing a couple of our 'normal' exhibitors, you guys missed out on a good show! :)

Congratulations to the BOB/BOSB winners, as well as everyone else. In show A Amy M. won both BOB & BOSB with her AOV's. In show B BOB went to Carol G. with her Broken Senior Buck, and BOSB to Amber H. with her Self Junior Doe. It's not too common to see a Junior go that far, way to go!

For those who haven't known, I have switched my website address to: http://hautewoolycouture.weebly.com

Simply, why I have done this is the time I put into HTML is too much to keep up with. Yesterday I had worked my first day on technician side at my vet clinic, it was a 10 1/2 hour day.

Well wishes!
Susie :)

Summer Babies

2010-07-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day!

Half-way of 2010

2010-07-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time but reasons are legit. Things started to slow down for a few shakes and have picked back up into full swing over the past week. Today I am writing this blog as my boss & family are on vacation for the weekend, and I'm not having to work! It feels unusual, but it is great to use this time to catch up and do some chores around the house. Hopefully clean cages this evening, maybe.

We've had a successful breeding season thus far.

Baby count this year(as of now or live to weaning):
Netherland Dwarfs: 3
Holland Lops: 2
American Fuzzy Lops: 6
Jersey Woolies: 25
Total kits: 36

I don't think I have shared much about my Netherland Dwarfs or Holland Lops. I currently own a pair of Holland Lop does, and a small handful of Netherland Dwarfs. I love the Netherlands a lot and having a lot of fun with them!

They remind me a bit like the Jersey Woolies and Fuzzy Lops combined. They are calm when holding them like a JW and excitable in their cage like a AFL. They take good care of themselves and also tend to mind their own business. I like them, they are different and their trays are SO easy to clean! :)

I also did rather well at Solano County Fair! It was a lot of fun with my buddies and so laid back. The weather was great, though it was much hotter at home. Most days we only went to check our animals and go back home to keep watch our others. It was a blast.

Melanie, Nikki, me, Stephanie

I was so proud of my favorite fair friends (above). They did such a great job with their animals and showmanship!

My results go:
FFA Advance Rabbit Showmanship; 1st
FFA Advance Poultry Showmanship; 1st
BOB Jersey Wooly: WWR Sango
BOSB Jersey Wooly: WWR Little Steps
BOB Netherland Dwarf: C&M Mickey
RBIS goes to my Jersey Wooly doe, Sango! :)
and also FFA Advance Master Showmanship Champion

It's been an interesting past couple months here, little good and a lot of bad, but that is just how life works sometimes. Just gotta keep moving forward!

Have a fun & safe Independence Day!
Susie :)

Convention Hopefuls Pt. I

2010-05-24T23:22:00.000-07:00

With lots of babies around here, I can't help but share some of our "Convention Hopefuls" We are currently working on a new website and hope to have it up in the next month or so. Things have been so hectic these past few weeks. Between fair, triple my hours, and my aunt being in the hospital. Unfortunately, she passed away last Saturday and we are still cooping with our loss. It's a hard thing to go through.

I think sometimes bad things happen in inspiration for better things to come. Sometimes one doesn't realize how precious life can be and how quickly it can be snatched away from you. When you realize things are bad and only getting worse, the best thing to do is stay positive. With hope there will always be dreams. Dreams there will always be reason, and most likely in a better hope for happiness.

Most situations have a purpose in the end. And some just happen because it is the way life is. The doctors said when they took the breathing tube out of her lungs, she wouldn't be able to talk again. A few days later, they said she would die. A couple days after that, they removed the tube, and she replied with, "WHOA!" That day, we talked with her for a few hours. She told us she was going to beat this cancer. And though, it was terminal, I believed her.

I though her body won't be with us I know she hasn't gone. She's the strongest woman I know, she didn't go down without a fight.

On brighter news, here are a couple babies who are really cute at the moment. I believe they are 6 weeks old and maturing quite well.

Take care.

Susie

Baby Nethies

2010-05-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

How could you not LOVE? ♥ If you can't, you're crazy. LOL.

SO EXCITED!!!

2010-05-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

What a great round up to the Dixon May Fair this year! It had been a busy week. Tuesday- arrival & set up. Wednesday- rabbit show & showmanship. Thursday- poultry show & showmanship. Friday- round robin showmanship (rabbit, chicken, cavy). Saturday- BREAK. Sunday- awards ceremony & break down.

This year I won 1st in my class for showmanship, it made me legible to compete in the round robin, supreme showmanship for small animals. Actually, this is more of a requirement with winning, as typically if you decide not to compete, you forfeit your placing, which is 1st/2nd place.

I LOVE round robin, and for the past 5 years or so have competed in at least one or the other at Dixon May Fair/Solano County Fair. My first year doing round robin (as a junior) I took 1st/Champion. Since then, every time I competed I always came so close, but ended up in second placing. Since I may close my fair years this year (I can still do next year if I really wanted to), I felt very pressured to do well then to wing the chicken & cavy showmanship like I have in the past.

On Thursday night I was up until 3:30 studying chicken & cavy showmanship. I was reading on all the body & wing anatomy on a chicken, diseases and such on cavys. Both I was gathering as much information as possible to take with me into the show ring.

Well, all that studying paid off! I got all my Cavy questions right (4/4), and only missed one question on the chicken (3/4). As for rabbits, I took too much time on the examination and our 5 minute time went up, and was unable to answer any questions. I thought this was the end of me.

Last night we went to the awards ceremony which they have never done in the past. They usually tally up the scores then, and hand out awards. That night until Sunday at about 4:00 the anticipation was eating me alive, I couldn't wait to hear how I did. I just needed to know.

We all lined up in the show ring and placed 4th-1st. When they went through and didn't call my name at second, I felt so relieved more then anything. They called my name for the Dixon May Fair FFA Supreme Small Animal Champion and I was pretty happy! YAY! :) I was showing as an independent, which is even more exciting because we usually get booted to the back of the line. TEAM UNDERDOG, GO! :)

Me & my awards.

It's been 7 years attending the Dixon May Fair. This place is my second home, has evolved me into the person I am today. I have learned so much, and I continue to every year. It may not be as it used to be, but I do take it as it is, and I know for many years, even without my showing I will be there. I've taught my competitors, and I've taught my friends, and now that I am growing up, I'm hoping the ones who pursue it take my place. I have so many kids who look up to me, and it makes me feel happy and believe myself. I try my best to help anybody who needs it. I feel it has been the number one thing since I started in 4-H. Helping & teaching others to be the best they can be. I know they will continue to shine.

Left to right, Sarah (4-H Junior Supreme Showman), Melanie (4-H Senior Showman) & me (FFA Senior Advance Showman). Melanie is a good friend of mine and Sarah is just a sweetheart! I'm so proud of them both.

What week! I have to go back to work today and have a busy week with that & watching Zeus. Sadly we lost a couple of babies this weekend to enteritis. I hate that! :( It's a horrible death process. :(

Have a good week everyone!
Susie :)

Tons Going On!

2010-05-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's been over a month since I've had the chance to blog, and even now, is a bad time to blog as I am SO busy!

I currently have a total of 22 baby bunnies between 8 litters & a wide variety of colors. This has been keeping off the computer on top of work, rabbit shows, and other various things. :)

A very promising AFL Junior Doe

Right now I am exhibiting my 5th day at fair, and tomnorrow will be my last. Tuesday was check in, Wednesday was the rabbit show, Thursday was the poultry show, Friday was Supreme Small Animal Showmanship "round robin", today I'll be going a little later to check on bunnies and finally have a chance to see the other exhibits & livestock.

I entered 7 rabbits, but only got to bring two, my Broken Magpie Holland Lop, "Puck" and my Broken Chestnut Netherland Dwarf, "Mickey". Mickey took 2nd place Senior Buck ND in a class of 7. I won my Showmanship class in Advance FFA as an Independent. My Astroloup hen got 2nd place and I also placed 3rd in Advance FFA Poultry Showmanship as Independent. Strangely this was only my second time doing Poultry showmanship, and I didn't get dead last! :P

As for Round Robin, we are all awaiting results until Sunday (tomorrow). Fun stuff! The anticipation is killing us all. Everyone did so well and I wish my fellow competitors good luck!

So, yes, I have been on the run. I attended the Stockton show last weekend, but did not show. I also attended the West Coast Classic the weekend before in Monterey, CA. We did pretty well. I showed my Broken Chestnut Netherland Mickey and he got his first Leg in show A! Super exciting. The bad news on him is, while exhibiting him as fair, it appears an accident happened and his toenail is completely missing. It appears as if it won't grow back. It's a bummer since he is developing so nicely, I was hoping to Grand him out...

C&M's Mickey at the Beach

This is just a quickly, hope to have more opportunities to blog soon, but who knows where I'll be next! :P I'll surely make a blog with my showmanship photos when possible.

This is a photo of my Fuzzy Doe, "Madalyn" and I at the beach in Monterey.

Have a good weekend!
Susie :)

Wooly & Fuzzy Beebs

2010-03-29T13:39:00.001-07:00

After 8 long months of no babies (besides one kit that was out of a pre-bred purchased doe) we have 4 Jersey Wooly and 3 American Fuzzy Lop kits in the nest box.

American Fuzzy Lops: Lucky Lop's Capone (Brkn. Tortoise Shell) X WWR Olga (Blue Tort)
2 Torts (Madagascar) & 1 Blue Tort

Jersey Woolies: JG's Paco (Sable Point) X Skyview's Brittany (Smoke Pearl)
3 Seal (possibly Blue based?) & 1 Siamese Sable

These are only two of the kits. Comparing color. The kit looks more "blue-ish" based, but as they get older they look more of just regular Seal. I'm unsure, but when they get their wool we will be able to surely tell. :)

We have more does due next week! Jersey Woolies & American Fuzzy Lops. A lot of these kits will be available for sale.

If you haven't subscribed to my other Blog, Haute Wooly Couture please feel free to click this link and hit "follow" at the right hand top corner of the page. :)

Wishing everyone a merry week...

Susie :)

Haute Wooly Couture

2010-03-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

This is my new side blog (but am sure it'll soonly become my "main" blog) of my Jersey Wooly color project. I have a lot in store for it and am very excited to say the least.

http://hautewoolycouture.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to subscribe/follow Haute Wooly Couture. It'll have active updates on cute colorful fluffy things as well as the building and learning process of my adventures. I'm planning on posting another time this week as well as a bigger post on Sunday.

Hope to see y'all there! :)

Susie

R.I.P. Lil' Bit Farm's Bjork

2010-03-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

We had a very sad day here yesterday. We lost a very special bunny to us and was surely my second favorite Fuzzy Lop doe. Lil' Bit Farm's Bjork.

Bjork was 2nd place Solid Junior Doe at ARBA Convention 2009 in San Diego. She'll hold a special place in our hearts.

Such a lovely doe... we'll miss her little qwirks. :(

It's a Magpie Obsession

2010-03-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

It's about time my "secret" comes out. By the title, yes, I love me some Magpie right now. And nope, nope not of the Harlequin rabbit breed! JERSEY WOOLIES. I'm in love with Magpie Jersey Woolies!

Who know such a thing existed? Well, I surely didn't when about a year ago I got an email from The Maki Family in Redding with some pictures of some unusual colored... Woolys. Apparently, Harlequin and Magpie. (check out their website here)

I feel in love and of course had to pester them for my OWN colored Wooly. :) A few months ago they emailed me with a Magpie Wooly doe to send me. Yes! I picked her up a couple months ago at the Santa Rosa rabbit show from Teri.

I fell in love.

Above is DTL's Simca - who is a Sable Point Magpie Vienna Mark. Festive!

So you probably wonder what the heck I'm going to do with this rabbit? Well, Sarah sent her bred. She had a litter, and inside we have a Sable Point Magpie, and a Tort Vienna Mark. I lucked out. The Magpie we got may be Sable Point, but it has a perfect vertical on his face, and 3 distinct bars on his body and is relatively clean! Exciting!

Oh, so cute!!!

As if I couldn't get enough, I also contacted Creator's Critters in BC Canada for a Magpie HL Buck she has available. After much planning and much help, I was able to get him down here! Thank you Serri Evans, Vern Marchetti, and Tricia Hill for ALL your help! You guys are awesome, I'm so happy he's finally here in California. :@)

This is Creator's Puck, a Black Magpie HL Junior Buck. I had to name him something Canadian-related! hehe :)

*phew* I bet you readers are feeling a bit, overwhelmed perhaps? I would have to say I am too, slightly. I have big plans, and am very excited. I hope to pull some Harlequins/Tri Colors out of these guys too. :)

"Everyday I want to try something I have never tried, go somewhere I have never gone, create something I could only dream of and learn something I never knew." -Audrey Kitching

Have a good week,
Susie :)

Big BIG Kitties!

2010-02-16T21:06:00.000-08:00

Nope, not baby bunnies. Felines! Today was an interesting day. I usually walk to work, it's only a 10-15 minute walk across town. Beautiful day, everyone was friendly, flowers were blooming. I walk into work and before I set down my things, my mom & co-worker told me to look behind the counter. I thought I just saw a medium sized dog but boy was I wrong! A 25lb male Savannah cat on a harness. I've only seen the owners kittens come in. Here was her biggest cat, who is a F2 from a pure Serval.

This is "Trouble".

Here I am posed with Trouble. I'm having trouble. LOL.

Check out her "Cattery" at Savannah Island.

We have two JW's currently in the nestbox. They were born 2/13/10. One is max factored, his nose is really funny shaped, I'll have to get pics but he is very healthy other wise. :)

It's warming up a little, I'm enjoying it!
Susie :)

Waiting Game...

2010-02-11T14:50:00.000-08:00

We are patiently awaiting upon babies at the moment... it's been 5 1/2 months since we have had a litter born, and the anticipation is killing me!

Simca was due the 10/11 of February. I think it is funny when we breed does on two or more days, they always have them at the latest date when you wish they'd just have them the day before. :P Eh, I don't care, as long as they are born fat & healthy. I'm really crossing fingers.

I've currently spent the past few nights with one of the animals I pet sit, Zeus. He's a really cool "dude" and a total blast to be around. A big furry boyfriend who doesn't talk back! LOL. ;) I took him by work today so I could run to the post office a couple blocks away. He sure is a hit, and pretty easy to control for the most part, aside that he is 160 lbs and I'm only 100 and 5 feet tall, even!

As I was walking home with him, I started watching the other pedestrians and even vehicle's drivers, one person about broke their neck driving while their eyes focused on Zeus. I was wondering if I could ever get in trouble for "distracting" drivers if a cause of an accident? I almost about saw one happen with this kid driving. Not good.

I currently have a few American Fuzzy Lops available for sale. Lucky Lop's Abraham & Hobb's Malakai could be found on my website on the "bucks" pages. I also have a SSD and a BSB available. Just making room for upcoming litters. :)

Here is my Broken Junior Buck, almost Senior, Netherland Dwarf C&M Mickey:

It's beautiful here today, about 60*F, a little chilly but I'll take it!

Have a good weekend!
Susie :@)

First Show of the Year!

2010-02-07T15:13:00.000-08:00

We've attended a couple shows in attendance so far, but yesterday was our first show for 2010, in Stockton, CA.

We showed 3 rabbits;

Jersey Wooly Youth A: WWR Sango, 1/2, BOG
Netherland Dwarf Youth A: C&M Mickey, 1/2 BOSV
Am. Fuzzy Lop Open A: LBF's Madalyn, 1/11, BOSV, BOSB (LEG)

Jersey Wooly Youth B: WWR Sango, 1/2, BOG, BOB (LEG)
Netherland Dwarf Youth B: C&M Mickey, 1/1 or 2, BOSV
Am. Fuzzy Lop Open B: LBF's Madalyn, 4/11

I was very excited for Sango, she didn't make it to Kentucky to be shown and this is her first time out since I put her into production from there. Her daughter is Rice Ball, who I recently posted. I re-did that cross and hope she took. She'd be due the 16th.

I also picked up an Opal ND girlfriend for my Broken Chestnut buck, Mickey. This is just a breed to play around with, I'm very excited. I got her from Chris & Mariah, they are both such sweet people!

Besides picking up a new Dwarf, I also picked up my new cages from KW! I'm so excited. We are in the process of replacing old cages, into new matching ones. Don't you wish they stay shiny like this forever? My Silkie hen Cindy wanted to be in the photo too...

I'm gone sometimes for 1/2 the month, this gives me little computer time and do most of my connections through my phone. I have a couple clients for pet/house sitting; this is Tucker & Lola who I was watching last week...

Susie

Hips Don't Lie

2010-02-04T15:12:00.000-08:00

LeSage's Shakira - Registered with 16 G.C. Legs, 2 BRIS.

Susie :)

Don't Wake Me, I Plan on Sleeping In

2010-01-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

It's a sad thing to announce, but a relief to say that 3/4 of my Jersey Wooly herd has been sold. I am keeping 8 woolies, my best, and will go from there. I have 3 lovely buyers on the east coast (who have bought rabbits from me before) and I'm very happy they took up on my herd. I wanted them to go to the best homes, as these guys are my babies, my fur kids and do mean a lot to me. Thank you guys. :wub:

There isn't much to blog about in the rabbitry. We've had a rough and very cold winter. I'm patiently awaiting spring!

WWR Rice Ball - Broken Blue Tort Doe (charlie marked)

Susie

Happy Holidays

2009-12-17T11:29:00.000-08:00

It's been some rough times here in the rabbitry. I hope everyone is doing well. Have a good holiday, safe travels and a happy new year!

Susie

Check Out Latest "Trend"

2009-11-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

It's the new Rabbit and Cavy Directory! Whitney Post of Imagination Acres Rabbitry has worked on it hard and is now up and running as of yesterday! Thanks Whit for all your hard work put into it... it looks great!!! :)

The Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Index

Be sure to go sign up! :D

Susie

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits

2009-11-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

I secretly have a pair of Netherland Dwarfs. I just picked up this Broken Chestnut buck this past weekend from Chris and Mariah of C&M Rabbitry. They were extremely helpful and friendly, and am very happy with my purchase!

I saw this buck in the cage even before I saw his sale tag. Oh he was sold. I had to call my mom before she left home to bring some of my money, LOL!

I have yet to name him, he is molting his head, but I still think he is going to be very handsome, thank you Mariah and Chris! :)

This is my Vienna Mark doe from Teri Reymann... Sonshine's Jane Fonda. She is a beautiful girl too... can't help but love those markings! :)

I think Conker's should come out to California and make some super hot Blue-eyed White babies. hehe. ;)

Here is Jankenpon... about... 10 weeks? I'm really liking this boy! He's starting to go into his uglies so we'll just have to see what the end result will be.

I have a REALLY busy week this week... I'm going to be all over the place. :)
Susie

Your Hobby

2009-11-12T14:41:00.000-08:00

I've dealt with much crap from the rabbit world, as does any breeder. I think when it comes down to competition of something we love, politics can get nasty.

I've outgrown stupidity and drama, and at the age of 17 years old, my eyes widen at the attitudes of some breeders (adults). This blog I won't write about the drama. It doesn't matter anyways. Why waste your breath on something that is worthless?

People will do anything to try to tear you down, manipulate you, any cheap thrill to make themselves look better. I've come to realize that these are not my problems, but theirs. I once heard, "If you can't think of anything somewhat true to say, your insecurities will get the best of you."

This is my hobby. My rabbits. My breeding program. Nobodies opinions really matter when it comes down to the bottom of it. Hey, I love my animals and I like showing them... and I think that is all that matters.

Take care.

Home From Convention

2009-11-08T21:29:00.000-08:00

We are home and safe from Convention. The bunnies are settling in well. It was a good week but have come home to much crap from another rabbit exhibitor. I can't find the words to write anything good or happy about this rabbit hobby... I'm utterly sick on what has been happening.

Quite often I go into full on rants of the garbage I face from showing my animals... I don't know if it is really appropriate. This is my blog, and these are my rabbits, but right now, I'm just too upset on why some people feeds off of tearing others down. Maybe it's their insecurities getting the best of them. Maybe it's just a cheap thrill.

Hope everyone is home and safe... bunnies doing well with good results. You can see mine on the homepage of my website.

I'll try to blog soon...
Susie

Convention Coming Soon

2009-10-21T18:41:00.000-07:00

This month is flying by and I'm starting to feel the stress of Convention coming way too quickly... I'm excited but it's always nerve-wracking, leaving home, and this time we are going to have to hire a care taker. Always scares me, cause I'm the only person who cares for tends to my rabbits. I didn't breed any does because we've had experiences of does who abort their babies when strangers come into the rabbitry. I even have yelled at my brother cause I don't want him in there, nor making tons of noise around there.

I want everything perfect by the time Convention comes, but I'm freaking out on where I'm going to find the time. I think I'm going to have to call off work though I really need the money. Wah. What to do! :(

Will be blogging again soon...
Susie

So Cal Photos (part III)

2009-10-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

These are mini parrots, called Parrot-lettes. They can live up to 30 years and be taught how to talk/sing with much hard work!

And that is it! How you enjoy. :)

Susie

So Cal Photos (part II)

2009-10-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Teri and I in Julian, CA.

Town of Julian.

Rob's sheep.

Susie

So Cal Photos (part I)

2009-10-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry these photos are late! These are the photos I took last month when I traveled down south with my lovely friend, Teri R. of Sonshine Rabbitry. We had a ton of fun, picking up/transporting rabbits. We went right through L.A. and around through Julian, CA and into San Diego. After we had picked up 20+ Californian rabbits at Rob Fender's beautiful home in the mountain desert, we met up with the Coplin family to pick up a few more and went out to lunch with them. It was tons of fun and they are wonderful people with such pretty bunnies!

These photos will not be in order, but please enjoy! :)

L.A.

Mrs. Teri is the #1 Starbucks junkie! :)

Entering the grapevine.

And as usual, more coming in future blog posts! Check out the next few days to get the whole album. :)

Susie

Late Night Fuzz

2009-10-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

When you're in a picture taking mood- you're in a picture taking mood. *Rarely* ever do I post photos that we're taken in my barn, at night, or with flash. Especially all three. LOL.

Well you're in for a treat! Tonight I just needed to snap some pictures, I couldn't resist. Well, they don't look terrible for just snap shots but I'm sure I'll be retaking them this weekend and get these buns all groomed up.

I do take photos every once in a while like this *just* to have on hand, just in case. The world NEVER sees them though, I think they are repulsive to my taste in my own photography. But which portfolio is perfect? ;P

Hobbs' Kirara "Kee-la-la" Fawn Junior Doe

Philly, a Broken Opal Junior Buck who is in his uglies.

Lucky Lop's who I need to rename, Blue Tort Junior Buck.

Lucky Lop's Claudio, Chestnut newly Senior Buck.

As you can tell, everyone is still working on coats. I'm lovin' the heads though!!!

Eh, heck, lets throw a Wooly in here. :P

Jankenpon, 7 week old Opal Buck.

Hope everyone had a good week. TGIF! (I'm feeling better.)

Susie :)

#6 2008-2009 AFL of the Year

2009-09-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

My little Twin Elm's Independence Day! I'm so happy and quite proud of him! He was such a great find and I truly thank his breeders; Patricia and Adrienne Terry of Twin Elm's Rabbitry for letting me own such a fine buck.

Since his most recent photos have been quite repetitive, I'm going to share an old one.

Indy giving Hobb's Meena a kiss, was to be his future girlfriend. R.I.P. Meena!

Speaking of Meena, I think of her quite often and really emotional about her. She truly absolutely stole my heart. She was such an amazing bunny, always so happy, she was quite sunny all the time. ♥ Miss her a lot.

Yay for Indy! :)

Susie

Beebee Woolies

2009-09-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

To cheer up this dump-bucket of bad feelings the last few blog posts... how about some baby pictures?

Sable Martin Buck
(Caudill's Slim Shady X WWR Raquel)

Black Buck
(Caudill's Slim Shady X WWR Raquel)

Opal Junior Buck
(Wooligans/WWR Ro Sham Bo X White Oak's Blue Belle)

I hope everything starts looking up. When things do life quickly takes them away from you. Thanks everyone for the blog comments, you guys are AWESOME!!! I was very very excited for my fuzzies this last weekend. There were a bunch of nice fuzzies up on the table, it meant a lot!

Susie

Stockton Show Yesterday

2009-09-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

I could say "I'm Sorry" for my full on rant yesterday, but not fully sure if I'd mean it. I feel quite bad that I went a little batty on how I was feeling. I was having a rough day with all the drama I am circled around when I show my American Fuzzy Lop rabbits. I feel quite guilty that I didn't have time to chat with Angel but did get a few moments to talk to Amber... that was nice. Amber is such a wonderful person, and so calm and serene with her words. I also got to chat with Danielle which was nice, she isn't crazy either. I really miss my Jersey Wooly group. I get so caught up with the Fuzzies and feel so pressured to know what is going on every single moment cause more than half of the time it isn't any good.

I did well with my bunnies yesterday. Especially my American Fuzzy Lops. Results go like this:

AFL Show A:
Lil' Bit Farm's Madalyn- 1/6, BOV, BOB! (1st Leg)
Lil' Bit Farm's Bjork- 1/2
Twin Elm's Independence Day- 1/3, BOV, BOSB! (6th Leg)
Lucky Lop's Abraham- 2/3

AFL Show B:
Lil' Bit Farm's Madalyn- 2/6
Lil Bit Farm's Bjork- 1/2
Twin Elm's Independence Day- 1/3, BOV, BOB! (7th Leg)
Lucky Lop's Abraham- 2/3

JW Show A & B:
LeSage's Cracker Jack- 1/1 BOG
Skyview's Brittany- 1/1 BOG

I'm quite excited and very proud... I want to thank everyone who congratulated me! (especially if you honestly meant it!)

I find it HILARIOUS that I am congratulated when competition isn't ones problem in the matter of youth/open. However if I were in the open competition and had won I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been congratulated! Or, in such a happy manner. I'm not going to go into details, but THANK YOU Jenny who meant it and then called me to tell me the rumor of her being "mad" that I won (which I barely believe in the first place cause it didn't add up) was actually a rumor. I didn't think about it much until she did call me about it!

Twin Elm's Independence Day

Lil' Bit Farm's Madalyn

Thanks to all my understanding friends... it's too bad I feel really scared about mentioning the things/sicknesses I did below, because people interpret things the wrong way... though I have come across those problems in my time, none are a present problem. And hopefully never again a future problem.

Susie

No Tea No Shade

2009-09-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

First off, a HUGE Happy Birthday to my best friend, and partner in crime, Katie! Today was the Stockton show and she came to celebrate her birthday with us. It's too bad we didn't have cake and ice cream, but, both probably would have melted. Today was the hottest rabbit show YET I've been too.

This is where things get ugly. I'm quite the humble person and through many years of hurt and depression, I try and learn not to take people and life personally. Though, it doesn't completely make all my problems go away, it does relieve my stress which is HUGE deal too... I've very stress prone and get ILL when it is too much.

I've shown rabbits for 6 years, breeding for 5 years. Though, maybe the first couple of years I was a complete "newb" as you would call it, with ugly stock and didn't have a chance on the show tables. These were Jersey Woolies, and 3 1/2 years ago I got started in American Fuzzy Lops and it was quite a shock from there. Though, it was about a year until it really kicked in.

My blog used to be a very open place filled with lots of happiness and sadness. My blog is not solely based for advice but lots of experience. You can see my herd grow throughout this blog and the accomplishes I've made, and too the mistakes. We either learn through our own or understand by others. Not everything was picture perfect until I posted about a complete devastation that had happened in my rabbitry, a mistake I had made, something I was surely ashamed of and VERY upset with myself about. As an open person, I felt explaining it out on this blog can avoid the same mistake in the future for other people in the hobby. I got attacked as if I had put this upon my animals and I wanted to hurt them even though I was hurt most of all. I decided that MAYBE blogging about the stuff that DOES happen to everyone one time or another to a rabbit breeder or what REALLY goes on in a rabbitry in not a good idea. I love writing and felt like a part was taken from me, but, it may be protecting my safely. Those HRS people are pretty psychotic...

Well you know what. Screw that. I've had my last straw in this stupid rabbit world and trying to hide SO much. From now on, I'm going to tell you guys EVERYTHING. How about we talk about the crappy exhibitors we have to show with and their POOR attitudes? What about snuffles? I'll tell you how to SAVE a rabbit with fly strike. We've all been there but secretly we all act like we are perfect and don't have bad situations stumble upon us. When did we become such BABIES when it comes to the truth? Why can't we just listen, and maybe not judge each other, or bash each other, or even stick up our noses like somebody is better than the next breeder.

I BREED RABBITS. And with GOOD, comes BAD. I don't care what anyone says. I've been in this for 6 years and I've been lied to, cheated, stolen from, I've been shit talked on, I've been used, I've had rabbits die, I've had snuffles, I've had rabbits eat their babies and I've pulled out stuck kits from does. I've been ALL the way around the block, and though it sucks, I don't think its ever going to not happen again, but hopefully I can prevent it. And heck, my rabbits have even had matts more than a time or two.

We all keep on the DL when it is something we really don't like talking about or are embarrassed to talk about. I always wonder, how does this do any good for anybody? I cannot help but think about Katie and Timothy as I write this blog now. I remember the first time I really TALKED about snuffles for the first time with other breeders, and still many were not wanting to say much! Katie posted on Rabbit Habbit a thread telling people to speak up about this deadly disease. It did not mean she, or I, or anyone who spoke up had snuffles at the moment, but it was just a hopeful thread that could give others heads up on the virus and share what we have experienced/believe. Maybe even one day work together and gather this info as whole and find a cure? We're all pansy's when it comes down to the situation. No tea no shade.

Timothy recently posts pictures of two kits who are deceased and I give him props for that. We as humans are so stingy and pretend death doesn't happen. We pretend bad doesn't happen. My heart goes to him for his deaths and have been in the SAME place. I used to share my dead kits too! Max factors, fetal giants... deadly situations for the kits and even sometimes the birthing doe. We are just screaming, WARNING!

This blog has gotten WAY too long, and I hope you guys all understand where I am coming from when I write this. It's been a long day, and too often I forget this is my blog, these are my rabbits, and this is what I love enjoying. If anybody has a problem, please feel free to ask me about it or simply unsubscribing to my blog.

Please excuse my anger, but I'm tired of hiding the truth.

Oh, and how about some CUTE to cool us off now? AWWW... Lucky Lop's Fiona Apple.

Susie

Welcome Back Katie

2009-09-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

We all go through rough times, and usually having to make tough, unwanted decisions that are best for the time being. Sometimes, it's not for a long time, sometimes it is, sometimes it's permanent. But love always finds it way back to the heart it's meant to be in, and I'm happy to hear Katie will be back into the rabbit hobby, showing her animals.

Formally known as "Starlite Rabbitry", Katie has changed it to "Kagee Rabbitry". Her new blog is: http://kageerabbitry.blogspot.com/ and don't forget to change your bookmarks and subscribe! :) She states her old blog posts will remain on her old blog.

Welcome back best friend! :)
Susie

Prayers For Lauren

2009-09-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

The infamous Lauren of Lil' Bun Designs and her family have taken a hard hit and loss in their lives. Please everyone send many thoughts and prayers to her and her family to make it through the toughest of times. Through this, I am sure that her business will be set back for the time being.

http://wabbithost.com/
http://conkersbunny.blogspot.com/

Love you Lauren and thinking for you.
~*hugs*~

Susie

Getting Least of Credits

2009-09-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

It's been over 3 years since I owned my first American Fuzzy Lop rabbit. It was a long, pretty rocky road at first. I had the hardest type getting my own animals bred and simply was not competitive enough. Like any herd, mine needed much improvement, and that's what I went after.

Within that year, Katie and I did a split shipment from Michigan of Fuzzy Lop rabbits. Don't get me wrong, we got a handful of pretty nice rabbits, but the few last minute add-ins from the other breeders we're not what we were going for, but decided to hold onto them anyways.

Eventually, that kick dwindled down. I got babies from my does, Kismet's Conejita(who still lives in our line) and Kismet's Sia, however I sold the one kit I did get from her(who was a really nice buck) and sold them both in a herd reduction.

It was until two years later, a bright idea came up, and I wasn't the one who came up with this idea... LOL. At first, I was still kind of "new" and was a little skeptical, but said, "Hey, why not!"

Within two months, there we were, pulling into Leslie Hobbs' driveway... over 700 miles away from home. It had been a long journey, but Katie and I ... we were QUITE thrilled... this was it. This was the type we liked. I brought home a trio, and Katie brought home two trios. At a point, I didn't know if I was coming home with anything, because I wasn't that into it. The pair I brought home directly from Leslie we in some of the first few cages when you walked in, it WAS loved at first site.... :)

Today, I only have one rabbit from my original string left here, and little of the old like I had. I really wish that would have worked too, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.

In life we constantly grow. And as we grow, life does not wait for us. Dreams we must chase. Paths we must take to get on the right track. As humans we do make mistakes, and sometimes, we must be willing to sacrifice to make them the way we want them and right. That is why I encourage anybody, who doesn't like where they are at, is to adventure and start over if you have too. It's all part of learning... and almost all of us have learned this in this hobby. Sometimes, it takes a couple/few times to make it right, or the way to want it. I completely understand liking/wanting different TYPE STYLES. They do exist.

Twin Elm's Independence Day- a Broken Orange Senior Buck I had an eye for at Convention last year in Louisville, Kentucky! He somehow ended up with a FOR SALE tag, and I about died... I think it was meant to be! <3

Follow your dreams! And as a dear friend told me last night, "This is your hobby, not theirs." applies for everything, and gives me encouragement to share these photos. Hope you enjoy. :)

Susie

Fall Quickly Approaching

2009-09-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

Oh summer, where have you gone? Not only was summer quick to come and go, it wasn't much of a summer in the first place. We did have hot days, but very few. It was a cool summer though, I'm not complaining, for the rabbits, that is!

I will be at the Stockton Rabbit Show on September 19. Can you believe it, it's been 5 months since I last attended an all breed rabbit show in California! The three that I did attend in the past five months were Jersey Wooly Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, the Summer Wool Backyard Show in Portola Valley, CA and the Benefit Show for Kevin Rudolph in Monroe, Washington. It seems like it has been forever, no wonder.

Other than that, we do not have much going on here. Lots of molts and out of condition bunnies, sounds the usual. Ro Sham Bo came inside to play with my niece tonight, too cute. He is such a great rabbit and does a wonderful job at stealing peoples hearts. His coat is about to blow out. Don't think it'll make it until this weekend. He probably won't be going to convention. :(

I'm obviously not patient enough. Look at this buck I had been trying to sell for months? Gorgeous! I should keep him around, been thinking about it, but I'm really trying to keep my numbers small. *sigh* What to do... what to do...

I have many idea coming up for this blog. I know, I always say this! It's been busy and I think it's going to continue to get busier. I need to jot it down though, too often do I forget things.

I miss my rabbit friends. Just thought I'd let you know. LOL.

Susie

sigh

2009-08-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot going on here lately. School back in, more work hours, other life problems that come about when you grow up, friends, family, pets growing older too. Everything seems so new, and now, 4 months from graduation I'm having to look into my future now, needless to say, it's quite time consuming.

Convention is quickly approaching, I don't think I'll have much to show but it should be a fun experience. I look forward to meeting many friends kept in touch with over the internet. Rabbits are a wonderful thing and have guided me to some of the best friends and most inspirational people, taken me the coolest places and making me the person I am today. This isn't nessesarily a "crazy" hobby as many people may put me in for owning 50 rabbits and ((SHOWING?!!?)) them?! Simply, my rabbits are more than just rabbits.

I have two new litters on the ground...

Sire: Caudill's Slim Shady (REW)
Dam: WWR Raquel (Brkn. Black)
Born: 8/16/08
1 Sable Martin, 1 Black

Sire: Wooligans/WWR Ro Sham Bo (Chestnut)
Dam: White Oak's Blue Belle (Blue)
Born: 8/19/09
1 Opal

As for... Sable Martin?! I'm not sure where that came from! I'm just calling it a "fluke". Shady's sire is Chestnut, ans his dam is REW. Raquel's sire is Brkn. Seal, and dam Black. I assume Chestnut and Seal met up along the way, had a little chat and hooked up. Too funny. Here is a photo:

I knew something looked fishy about his color on day one.

On a color fluke note, I'm still so blown away on my cross between an Opal and Broken Black Otter, and getting a Blue Tort. I try and question myself, and recently I wondered if it was maybe fawn. Honestly, it looks like it *could* be and to me, would make more sense, but it is just very vibrant orange/tort looking. Especially on the back. I might do that same combo again just to see what happens again, LOL.

WWR Riceball - broken blue tort junior doe

I'm thinking about attending the Crescent City, CA show on 9/5-6/09. It's very far up north on the coast. Sounds interesting, and you know me, I'm a sucker for new travels. Will have to think about it, but that's another loss of 2 days at work.

Susie

Washington Photos (part VI)

2009-08-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Markies first bath.

Mt. Shasta

Can you tell I just absolutely adored Teri's new puppy?! It's too bad I couldn't bring one home for myself, I thought about stealing hers! LOL <3 Congrats on your new little guy Teri! :@)

That's that... enjoy!
Susie

Washington Photos (part V)

2009-08-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Clear skies, green grounds.

Teri's Markie again. He is a very cute little guy.

Leslie's Kitty, "Kaine"

Leslie's dog, Dozer eyeing Marky's puppy food. LOL

Shakira

English Angora at the Rabbit show.

Washington Photos (part IV)

2009-08-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Donna and I.

BIS English Angora

BIS English Angora and her owner, Marcia.

Donna and her RIS win.

A satin on the BIS table wanting to break out.

On the road again...

Many green trees on the way up!

Teri's new puppy, "Markie Mark" who she picked up from Scott in Washington.

A silly Sable Point Doe.

A fire we saw on the way home. We actually saw FIVE! We assumed, they must be controlled.

Washington Photos (part III)

2009-08-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Two very pretty Holland Lops

Shakira looking pretty in her show carrier

Donna with her BOB and RBIS Holland Lop, "1111"

Holland Lop judging.

Showroom pictures.

Washington is known for it's overcast weather. Didn't rain, but looked like it wanted too. :)

All of our transport cages out.

Seattle tall buildings.

Seabass again. He is such a goober!

Washington Photos (part II)

2009-08-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

My Fuzzy Lop doe, "Lil' Bit Farm's Madalyn"

Shakira being judged.

Broken Black Fuzzy Lop Junior Doe

Jersey Wooly judging.

Todd Naragon judging ND Specialty

American Fuzzy Lops

Holland Lop Specialty being judged by Eric Stewart

Best in Show Table

Broken Blue Otter buck owned by Carrie Campo.

My good friend and mentor, Leslie Hobb's and her new french lop buck "SeaBass"

Washington Photos (part I)

2009-08-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Black Butte

My Chihuahua "Buzzie" in the back of the truck in Redding waiting for Teri.

Mt. Shasta

Teri and the transport cages at our first pick up stop, where we got 5 lionheads to deliver in Washington.

Portland, Oregon.

Donna's French Lop Buck zonked out in his carrying cage.

Teri's REW Netherland Dwarf buck who won BOB in the all breed open show.

Playing Catch Up

2009-08-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hey all-
I have a no excuses for why I have not been blogging the past few weeks. I simply have not have much motivation too. I've been feeling overwhelmed and wasn't going to force myself to do it. But today I'm feeling better and I'm going to say what's going on, and as well get the long awaited photos up. I could only imagine how terrible this blog must be for anybody with dial up. If anything, my blog is always full of photos, if I don't have photos to go along with a blog, I always feel that is is "naked". I love sharing the pictures I take in this hobby, must be because I love when people share theirs too.

Solano County Fair was a lot of fun. I won 1st FFA Senior Showmanship as an independent, close 2nd FFA Senior Small Animal Round Robin, BOB Jersey Wooly, and best rabbit bred by owner. The fair had a good amount of rabbits, at least 100. I loved hanging with my friends, there were so many good times.

I just got home from the benefit show in Monroe, Washington for Kevin Rudolph. I went up with Teri of Sonshine Rabbitry I met many great people and saw many faces of those I've only met once or twice. It is very refreshing coming home from an out-of-state rabbit show. I always am overcome with new revisions and ideas, being very inspired. It was good to get away from home for a little bit- and a rabbit show at that. I met Donna of Snowberry Hollands in Canada, who is a member of Rabbit Habit I have chatted with for a few years. She is such a great person and so kind hearted. Donna won Reserve Best in Show with "1111" a Tort Senior doe she bred herself. She is truly gorgeous. The Holland Lop exhibitors are so sweet, very educated and have such pretty bunnies. I also met many of the Rudolphs, and Kevin, who you can understand no wonder why everyone would put together a show and attend a show like this for him. He is such a great guy.

Rabbitry wise- we have several does due in the next coming weeks. We have a handful of juniors, as well as a couple younger kits. An opal Jersey Wooly doe, a broken blue tort charlie Jersey Wooly doe, and a broken opal Fuzzy Lop junior buck. The Brkn. Blue Tort I think was a genetic spoof. I did not know there were tort in my lines. I may re-do that combo to see what else may be there. ;)

I picked up a few more REALLY nice Fuzzy Lops from Leslie of Hobb's Habbitry up in Washington. Leslie is like a family member and so welcoming to her home. Thank you Leslie for the bunnies and letting us stay at your home a couple nights!!! I'll be sure to get photos of them soon. :)

Hobb's Tacoma- a blue tort buck from my first pair of fuzzies from Leslie

Now to upload photos. I will back set the dates on the Fair photos so they should be below this post. Hope everyone's staying cool through these summer months...

Susie :)

SCF Photos (part III)

2009-08-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

Cow and newborn Calf.

Market Sheep.

Another very cute Llama. They had an Open Llama show.

My friend RaBecca's Blue Jersey Wooly lying on his back.

A 4-H club put on the costume contest. I thought this was cute, a photo of a chicken dressed up as Snow White.

The public found Ro Sham Bo as a favorite, I had many people come find me to ask about him, told many times, "He looks very different" and "must have a lot of prizes". You don't have to be a complete rabbit person to tell the difference from a pet/show rabbit. ;)

Hope you enjoy. :)

Susie

SCF Photos (part II)

2009-08-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Me doing rabbit showmanship.

Me doing chicken showmanship for small animal round robin.

Cavy showmanship.

My friends Ashley(right) and Michelle(left).

Keelyn judging breed.

Ro Sham Bo and I.

SCF Photos (part I)

2009-08-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

This is goat showmanship. During showmanship you must always be behind the goat wherever the judge may be. That is why the showman on the far left is on a different side. The judge is standing back in between him and the showman in the middle.

These two showman are brothers.

Chelsea with her market goat.

And this is Sarah and Garrett, also brother and sister.

Poultry coops.

My friend Nikki, who shows Mini Rex and Holland Lops in the "Splash Dogs" competition.

Ro Sham Bo

Baby piglets nursing.

Llamas

Horse Race

Keelyn Hanlon was the rabbit judge for both breed and showmanship classes.

Live From Fair (#4)

2009-07-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

He's here! How amazing! A little boy... he's about to stand for his
first time.

Susie :)
(P.s. Sorry for the poor photo quality from my phone! :(
--
Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

Live From Fair (#3)

2009-07-26T13:07:00.001-07:00

I'm currently watching a momma cow give birth. Very interesting and
learning a lot. Momma cow will reposition herself several times in the
birthing process and it takes quite a while. Just said in the next 30
minutes to an hour the calf should be out, up and nursing from it's
mother. How neat!
--
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Llamarama! (SCF Live #2)

2009-07-25T19:45:00.001-07:00

I'm watching rabit judging right now and behind us are the show llamas
being exhibited for the open llama show. Pictured:
1) llama looking around the barn
2) a few pens of llamas come in two for company
3) just bathed black llama with owner and circle of llama club friends,
just like rabbit shows, it's not just about showing rabbits but visiting
with friends!
4 & 5) more llamas!! :)

I have more fabulous news, but will save that for later with pictures.

Susie

--
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Prayers for Dana Cole

2009-07-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

Those of up on California Rabbit Shows may be following the situation of our fellow rabbit show-goer, Dana Cole. Dana raises some of the best Lionheads in the nation and is an extremely nice woman. She takes huge pride in her bunnies and excellent care for them.

For the past couple weeks, she's been in the hospital under some sort of a coma(what I assume) and haven't been showing much improvement. We've been keeping her in our thoughts and prayers, for her, John, her family and friends, bunnies too.

Here is our last update:

Hi Everyone

The update on Dana is not the best

The Doctors sat John down today and told him he is being to optomistic, Her Lungs are more inflammed today. Please send out to all your friends to put Dana on every prayer chain we can we need to Pray real hard for her Recovery. things are not looking very good. I will be going to the hospital tomorrow to see her and see how things are doing I will let everyone know what I find out tomorrow.

talk to you all later

Tammie

Dana has a website. You can see how dedicated she was here: http://www.colerabbits.com/

Please keep her and her family in your thoughts, and prayers.

Thank you,
Susie

Live from Fair!

2009-07-23T00:04:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from just a few moments ago. We will be at fair all
this week, until Sunday. We came in Monday evening, Friday is our show
day.

Susie :)

--
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More Juniors

2009-07-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

There are a few types of blogs. Ones that inform and ones that share. Or both. I've had a blog for a couple years now I believe, and most of it has been sharing. I share photos, happenings, show information, general ramblings that go on in my own rabbitry or shows. Sometimes I'm quite saddened that most of it is about "me, me, me" as I could say, but honestly, it's hard for me to think of something, and just write about it.

I'm a hands on talker. I love educating through life and doing the best I could to explain something. Through the last couple years I've actually made educational videos, but I never have the confidence to post them for people to view. I think I'm going to have to change that.

Most who have met me at shows know the kind of person I am, I love to look and opinion things, and for questions, I give full throttle answers. It's like I don't go away or shut up, LOL!

I'm always encouraging people to ask questions. I'm not going to say, "There are no stupid questions." because there IS, (lol) but its the manner of asking the question is what makes it not stupid. I was once told by my favorite teacher, "A smart person asks questions." because it IS completely true. How will you ever know if you never ask?

I generally don't have enough time to respond to email just question based. Emailing is such a pain in the butt, but I do respond to comments. If a question is asked through my blog via comments I usually answer it there, and sometimes, if there is a link to the questioner's other blog I will got there and post it. Sometimes I answer it later at a show, or through facebook, aim, etc.

If anybody has a topic they'd like me to discuss, all power to you! Just post it in the comment section and I'll do my best to answer it. Sometimes questions I get create new blog ideas, I love sharing with people about my hobby.

With that being said, I plan on taking a video I may about wool and quite possibly posting it here. I haven't heard anything yet on the JW Proposition Vote, so we'll see how that is.

Last but not least here are some photos of my current Juniors:

JG's Pochahontas - REW Junior Doe - 7 weeks
(Reilly's/Brightside's SP X BlueStar's Candy)
This little doe as well as her two siblings below are offspring of a doe I bought bred by DayKota Moat in Wisnconsin. Check out her website here. Pochahontas is a nice little doe, she has a great body and fabulous wool.

JG's Paco - Sable Point Junior Buck - 7 weeks
(Reilly's/Brightside's SP X BlueStar's Candy)
Very cute little boy with tons of personality. Pretty good Sable Point color too. :)

WWR Candice - REW Junior Doe - 7 weeks
(Reilly's/Brightside's SP X BlueStar's Candy)
Candice is a bigger doe but HOLY MACAROLE is she nice. She's going to make a fantastic brood doe someday. Rock solid body and "too much" wool!

WWR Rowynn - Chestnut Junior Doe - 7 weeks
(WWR Alladin X WWR Estrella)
She's still very tiny but promising.

We have a few more babies growing up, as well as a handful of does bred! I'm so ready for convention! :)

Susie

Four Sable Girls

2009-07-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

Sisily X Ammadon babies- we ended up getting 4 Siamese Sable DOES. It's a tad hard to tell them apart, and a more challenge of which one to keep.

WWR Evelyn

WWR Emelia

I decided to hold back two, Evelyn & Emelia. One will be available at Convention.

The first two are availble now as pets only. I only take serious inquiries, ESPECIALLY on pets. So if you are seriously interested, you can email me at hellozoozi@live.com if you do not hear from me, please leave a comment back to this blog. I hear my email doesn't get emails sent all the time.

This is the same cross as my Estrella. I hope they turn out just as gorgeous, I'm sure they will.

I have fair tomorrow, I'm still not decided if I want to go or not. We'll see.

Susie

Mom's and Babies

2009-07-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE when mothers like taking photos with their young. Here are a few cute photos I captured the other day.

WWR Estrella with her two kits, the Chestnut is hers and the REW is a fostered Candy baby.

BlueStar's Candy with her babies. A REW Doe, Sable Point Buck, and a Sable Point Doe.

Hobb's Katie with her little youngster, "WWR Philly" a Broken Opal Buck.

Take care!
Susie

Portola Valley 2009 Photos (part III)

2009-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Kevin judging a REW.

English Angora Exhibitors.

Very pretty fluff balls.

Carol judging BOB Jersey Woolies.

Broken Tort Fuzzy!

Those Silly American Fuzzy Lop exhibitors!!!

Me holding Betty's English Angora, "Chu's Susie". This is the third "Susie" I've ever met. The first being a friend in highschool, secondly Jenny's bunny, and third, Betty's multiple winning doe, "Chu's Susie"! Thank you Betty for sending me these photos and letting me hold the little lovely girl.

Check out Betty's blog for more photos: http://ncag.blogspot.com

Susie :)

"Garage" the Kitten

2009-07-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, we found a kitten locked up in our garage. He obviously wasn't properly taken care of, as well as skittish, from the start I started holding him even if he wasn't very fond of it. Very quickly her didn't seem to mind.

We took him down to our vet clinic and had him tested for Feline Luekemia, and unfortunately, he tested positive. Idealy, in this case you euthinize him. Personally we didn't want to, so we set him up for a night to wait until doc got in in the morning to see what he would do. I'm a person who lets life take its course, and what needs to be done, needs to be done. I'm not really a cat person, but for some odd reason, I couldn't get this little kitten off my mind, I just really hoped doc either got busy in the morning or considered trying antibiotics.

Next day we get down to the clinic and talk it over with doc. Doc said we can give him 4 weeks and see if the Luekemia "Negs" out, as sometimes kittens will "shed" the luekemia and it turns negative. Luckily, we are giving him a chance, the sad part is we really don't know what happens after this, if he doesn't shed the disease.

We cannot keep him, but he surely is cute. If he doesn't go negative, if we rehome him, he's going to have to go to a special home and be a single cat. He is sooo much better than when we first found him, extremely playful and VERY loving. I just love him to pieces! Let's home things change.

He loves puring and making buscuits. So adorable.

And just to throw this in here, here's a picture of a little baby pug named "Pugsly" and I. :) I'm thinking about sharing photos I take at the vet clinic, what do you guys think?

Hope everyone is doing good, times appear to be hard. :(
Susie

Portola Valley 2009 Photos (part II)

2009-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

More Carol judging Jersey Woolies- she did a great job and took her time. :)

Ro Sham Bo bored in his show coop.

Melodye clerks while Carol judges, Amy bringing up an AOV junior doe to await judging.

Kevin judging for show B, checking over an AOV.

English Angora, blowing in the wind.

Susie

Portola Valley 2009 Photos (part I)

2009-07-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

Ro Sham Bo chilling out in his show coop.

Carol judging Jersey Woolies show A.

Carol judging while Kim and Angel look over the control sheets.

Kim from IL judging Open American Fuzzy Lops while Marian clerks.

A gorgeous Broken dark Tort in Open American Fuzzy Lops.

Susie

Portola Valley Summer Show

2009-07-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

We had a fun day at the show. I didn't have much to show and all I brought were bucks. Currently all of my does are either on litters or molting. What can you do, it's summer!

We got there an hour late and missed on class for woolies(Tan Pattern Junior Bucks), and an add on since I wasn't able to bring my Shaded Senior Doe, Shakira. I brought Caudill's Slim Shady(Self Senior Buck) as a replacement, as well as the regular line up of Wooligans/WWR Ro Sham Bo(Agouti Senior Buck), WWR Aladin(Agouti Senior Buck), and White Oak's Seshomaru(Self Senior Buck).

Placings were all pretty consistant. Ro Sham Bo was 1/2 and BOG all three shows, Aladin 2/2, Shady 3/3 in the two shows he showed in, and Seshomaru 1/2, BOSG, BOSB in show A under Carol Green and the next two shows 1/3 BOSG.

I did bring one fuzzy, Abraham, and he was First BJB both shows.

Most of all, it was a super fun show. The weather, food, friends, rabbits were all wonderful. :)

Here we have Sesh and Ro Sham Bo.

Susie

Philly

2009-07-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

Hobb's Katie(brkn. opal) X Hobb's Tacoma(blue tort)

Little broken opal buck, who's name is WWR Philly.

He's completely adorable.

I will get the Summer Show pics up ASAP. They are on my facebook, but photobucket is such a hassle anymore... the new uploader they put up for some reason doesn't really work all the way through. There's a lot going on right now. Found a kitten in our garage yesterday as well as a 3 week old baby Jack Rabbit... what's next?

Susie
WWR

Fuzzy Lops

2009-07-08T23:09:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
My best friend Katie, of Starlite Rabbitry is selling out of her American Fuzzy Lops and Lionhead rabbits. I went over to her house this evening, and as always, she has superior stock. I highly recommend emailing her if you are looking for/interested in either breed.

Though it is completely sad, I think Katie is making the best decision for HER, and that's was makes me happy. Sometimes you have to let life take its course without the obsticles. I don't have much to say, but I do want to say I respect her decision, and even though it is still sad, it's all going to be okay.

You can email her for a sales list at: kagee2003@aol.com

Katie's website: http://www.starliterabbitry.com/
Katie's blogger: http://starliterabbitry.blogspot.com/

Please keep Katie in your thoughts as this is a hard decision, this ISN'T *just* Starlite Rabbitry selling out, so respect and be kind!!!

Thank you,
Susie

JellyBean's Visits the Babies

2009-07-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

It's been pretty hot here in Rio! The weather has been topping about 104* Fahrenheit. With temperatures like this, we most surely bring in the babies.

I brought them all in a big blue tupperware tub that we usually store hay in. Our cat JellyBeans watched them closely, and I watched her closely too, to make sure she wouldn't harm the babies.

I turn my back for a second, and when I turn around, I see she vanished. So I look inside the tub, and there she is, lying with the babies! She wasn't touching them or trying to eat them, simply just hanging out with them.

Pretty cute!!!

Stay Cool,
Susie
WWR

Randomness

2009-06-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't had too much to talk about lately. I had several does due and I got a whole handful of peanuts. Usually, they don't hit me too hard but everyonce in a while- they do. It's sad to see a life born fated to death. I've tried many times to "save" a peanut, trying to get it to nurse more often, but it's never failed that the kit eventually passes on.

I wonder sometimes- why is it that way? A peanut is clearly a bunny with the "double-dwarf" gene. When I see a peanut born, I think of it something like a preme? Why is it do hard for a baby bunny to strive for life where a premature baby can? It just gets to me. I do think though that the few "peanut surviors" on this planet (hey, who says a peanut CAN'T survive? I think anything is possible!) are still doomed to early deaths. Poor things just don't look right. They surely are cute, but just not healthy. I've had a few survive to two weeks old. Until their death they just flush out.

Michael Jackson passed away yesterday. He surely was a king of music. Whether he was the best musician ever or bad because of his allegedlations, I think MJ still had an outlook on a brighter future. Just like all human beings, I think all of our intensions are for the good. I must say, I'm pretty shocked. Last I heard was about him trying to get his life back on track... maybe he rest in peace and soul live on through his music for future generations.

On a brighter note, we have 1 Broken Opal American Fuzzy Lop baby in the box! Totally cute and looks like we have a winner. ;) This kit is out of Hobb's Katie and Hobb's Tacoma. I'm so excited to say the least! This is my first Tacoma baby. He is a CHUNKY blue tort buck I got from Leslie a couple years ago.

BIG head, short round well filled body helps me determine a kit good or bad at newborn ages.

Candy's babies have come in a 2 REW does, 1 Sable Point Buck, 1 Sable Point Doe, and a Broken Sable Point Buck. The Broken has been a smaller kit since birth, and is looking to dwindle down in size and health. I'm thinking I'm going to have ot give him critical care and hope for the best. Raising rabbits has it's ups and downs!

Several photos are coming from my phone as curently I don't know where the camera is. Sorry for the poor qualities!

Sisily's kits come in as 4 Siamese Sable Does. Too funny! I also have one Chestnut kit from Estrella, who is also a doe. I have a feeling next go round is going to be a buck boom.

I also thought I'd give an update on our dog, Rabb. Few months ago he was severly sick and had many seizure episodes. In treatment he starting acting rabid and we didn't really know what was going on. We started him on phenobarbatol and has gotten MUCH better. Not only is he not sick anymore, he also is a much happier dog! He used to have a standard chihuahua grumpiness attitude but is so much happier. Doc thinks that his brain was swollen and thats how he was crazy and vicious. Having little hope is so sad for a best friend. Eats you up inside.

Last but not least, I'm currently drinking Chai Tea and Soy Milk combination. Does anybody else drink this?! It is so yummy! It tastes like pumpkin pie... Leslie H. of Hobb's Habbitry brought it up last visit. I was so excited when I heard that! You don't have to drink it with Soy, Leslie uses regualar milk(it calls for it anyways) but I prefer soy. The Chai Tea is a mix called the The Original Oregon Chai Tea Latte Mix. Nom nom. :)

Today is slightly a better day for me but I need to get ready for work. I hope everyone has a fabulous afternoon. :)

Susie

Likeables and Unlikables

2009-06-25T02:15:00.000-07:00

Tagged by Timothy or Tru-Luv Rabbitry. :)

Likables and Unlikables -- Those tagged must list down 5 of their most unlikable and 5 most likable things/events/happenings in their bunyard or rabbitry.

Likable:

1) Roadtrips, long show weekends, far away destinations.

2) Huge classes of Jersey Woolies exhibited by several breeders.

3) Watching a rabbit go from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan.

4) Homebred stock doing well for yourself and/or the exhibitor you sold it to.

5) Meeting exhibitors and making new friends. As well as meeting NEW exhibitors or when new exhibitors join the hobby/breed.

Unlikable

1) Poor sportsmanship!!!

2) Ignorant exhibitors who treat others poorly/rudely.

3) Large DOA kits.

4) Exhibitors/breeders who take advantage over others.

5) Those who unaccept opinions, or rules in your rabbitry and try and cram their own down your throat.

I would like to tag the following bloggers:

Starlite Rabbitry
Keep's Rabbitry
Silent Springs Rabbitry
Lil' Bit Farms
Imagination Acres

Stay cool!
Susie

I Couldn't Resist

2009-06-20T13:15:00.001-07:00

...but share these photos!
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Little Chestnut

2009-06-16T18:35:00.001-07:00

Today here is the little Chestnut who from day one I suspected to show
promise. She is very curious, at 2 1/2 weeks old, I finally feel
confident to share how cute she is. Those who have me on facebook may
have seen her photo on my blog at a couple days old, where I claim she
is my winner in the batch of 10 babies among 3 different does.

The longer I breed rabbits, the more I learn. Some do not believe how
you can see promise in a new born kit, but I have met few breeders who
study this too.

Here is the chestnut pictured with her REW foster sister at about 7 days
old. Please excuse the picture qualities, this is being sent from my
phone. Hopefully, this post comes through okay! :) This is a new option
I signed up for and have yet to use it. It may be good for blogging
while on the road/showing, and connect you with photos as they come. :)

Susie
WWR
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Recent Losses

2009-06-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough take in the rabbit world. We've lost two "big-time" icons, Brian Hartzell and Mr. Bob Whitman.

Though I did not know Bob personally, I have seen many of his books with KW Cages at rabbit shows. I often flipped through. He was a wonderful author and very knowledgable person from his writings.

I did though, know Brian. I first met him at AFL Nationals 2007, in Monterey, CA. I remember the first thing I told him was "Your so famous!" He was very nice, and very educating. I clerked for him the whole day, and taught me how to judge several breeds, what to look for and what was nice. He was such a cool guy, and shared many laughs.

Brian raised Jersey Wooly and American Fuzzy Lop rabbits, I've never seen such good consistancy. His rabbits are excellently typed, and they prove themselves on the show table. Brian was consistantly 1st in Sweepstakes points, with thousands upon thousands of points.

I didn't know him as well as many others, but I do know him and his mother were very close. My thoughts go to her and his family and friends. Brian is a Legend for both of his breeds, I don't think anybody has perfected any breed like Brian has for his own.

Rest in peace, Brian. We will surely miss you.

I also want to take a moment of silence for my lovely friend Christina's fuzzy lop, Gingerbread's Bobbie, who to has passed away. She can be seen on Christina's website, which explains why she was such a special bunny. Hugs to Christina and her mom Tausha.

It's been a long long depressing week here. Aside our rabbit friends, rabbits, and everything else going on. I just can't find many words to write.

Susie
Wooly World Rabbitry

Candy Babies

2009-06-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

We have a few flavors in Candy's litter. I love looking at the little rainbow in her box.

Looks like a Sable Point, Smoke Pearl, REW and Broken Sable Point.

Squishy face.

Candy also has another REW, but was fostered to Estrella with her singleton chestnut baby.

Susie
WWR

Mimic A Stranger

2009-06-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Last February, at the Turlock show my lovely friend Teri of Sonshine Rabbitry let me take home a little Netherland Dwarf, black buck. His name is Sonshine's "Mimic A Stranger" but I usually think of him as JB, his ear number.

Dwarfs were my second breed years ago after getting real show Woolies. I had a few. I had a doe who was too small and a tragic death of my other doe, "Roxy" who suffered from a brain tumor. That was very hard on me for my age and I decided dwarfs were not suited for me, and then I sold my buck.

Over the years I have anyways been the one to watch them from away, with much love. I decided to bring Mimic home because I couldn't deny Teri's offer. I'm glad I did. I really like him a lot, he's kind of cool! :)

Mimic won his division at Dixon May Fair. There was a good number of animals. I let a friend of mine stud him to her Tort doe, and they are due for babies around the 10th. Exciting! :)

Susie
WWR

Show, Breeding, Pet

2009-06-02T23:53:00.000-07:00

The question is, Show, Breeding, or Pet? Every breeder may have a different set guideline to determining which animal falls into which category. These have been something I have never really set in stone into recently, where I created a new guideline of animals who earn their hole in my rabbitry. Since space in my rabbitry is limited, a rabbit that occupies my hole is with honor.

I've cut my rabbit size down in the past year, mainly to my stress levels, as well as school, work, and everything in between. When my animals are put on my "back burner" in my head, that's when I tell myself to "cut down". Cutting down isn't just selling rabbits, it is really a whole new refocus every time. I evaluate my herd. This last time I have re visioned my herd I had every color group, and many picks of litters, but still they did not meet up with either of their parents qualities. They may have parts I need, but when space is limited I tend to find that part somewhere else and keep the "overall" typey rabbits.

When determining kits I determine usually the pet quality ones as young and 3 weeks. I usually do not compromise with their type for the shows tables. These pets are labeled as "Pets" which too, can be culls, which are used for another purpose than a person's companion. Such as meat, usually for rescues for other animals in needs, like Raptors. The pet market is sometimes little for a rabbit breeder. I have had many struggles with "pet people" as some can be very difficult to get by. Some do not truly understand the aspects of keeping a pet and usually in the end they back out and purchase an animal from a pet store. It shows lack of patience and understanding and is very frustrating to rabbit breeders. MANY of us feel our "culls" have much better lives and of fulfillment as to helping wild animal rescues, and zoos. Many of us do not like to do it either, but it's still responsible as in a way of fulfillment of life, and controlling the pet population.

Now, this is the tricky part. Breeding/Brood quality animals. These arrange in many different categories, types, and styles. Rabbits that are considered "Breeding" to me are rabbits who do not meet my standard of a show rabbit. Brood is a rabbit that is to be used for breeding/has been used for breeding, sometimes with them follows a show record. Breeding rabbits may have minor faults, but good parts too to help the breed in development. Some have disqualifications, such as mismatched colored nails on dilutes, wrong under colors, or large size. Most breeding rabbits ARE showable, but I do not consider them to be the top crop as I'd call them. These can be listed as "Show/Breeding". Disqualifications should be noted to sale, as many do not accept them. These are "Breeding" quality animals. "Brood" will usually be a senior, does specifically, who are either breeding age or have kindled kits before.

Show quality is simply that. Not all show quality animals can be guaranteed at time of sale, especially with junior animals. Show quality is the "top crop". These animals are animals we wouldn't mind holding up for ourselves, such as showing. Some animals are sold with show records, such as legs or grand championship. I feel show quality isn't just a sale for a showable rabbit, but yet a mark of your herd, and should feel like good promotion. Show quality animals are usually more expensive, due to the expectations. Though, some may be lower priced for different lines that may not be fully grasped development wise. As a breeder, I'm very iffy when selling my show animals because when I'm selling them as show animals, that's what I want them to be, are show animals. lol.

There may be a couple other categories according to ones herd. Some may use, "4-H Rabbit". This is a VERY confusing "category" to many. Because that it can differate from the rabbit being showable, or having disqualifications, it should be made sure when buying a "4-H" rabbit it is what you are looking for, what makes it a "4-H" rabbit and what is wrong with it. If I did have a 4-H category, it would be for "Show/Breeding". Some 4-H members do not care if the animal is quite showable or not, or, do not want to pay a higher price for just a "4-H" project animal. This can be a frustrating thing, and a warning sign to be taken with precautions. I've had people look specifically for a "4-H" rabbit, NOT a top show quality rabbit and NOT a pet quality rabbit. The in between, but with a good personality and can be used for showmanship. As well as sometimes those may get what they ask for, if they don't win Best in Show, they get upset. It's hard understanding what people exactly want sometimes.

A term that some may use to the "Brood" category is "Proven". As well as everything else, it differs person to person. Proven to me can't be sold guaranteed, but it pretty much has gotten a guarantee in you own herd, meaning for does; they have successfully raised their own kits, good mothers, out produce themselves. Meaning for bucks; out produced themselves, good sized, healthy litters, and good breeders. Some use "Proven" in the show category, I guess meaning they have "Proven" themselves on the show tables. I tend not to use either, for either purposes, as breeding differs from the stud or doe combination wise, and judges differs from judge to judge.

Again, all breeders have different standards for their own rabbits and herds, but these things mentioned above can create a good handful of questions before purchasing an animal, especially if you are a newbie. :)

Susie
WWR

Baby Kits and JW SOP Discussion

2009-05-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

After a long 30 days we finally have kits born here. Looks like we will be having a soft of a "baby boom" for our Convention Juniors. This is the first "set" who were written down to be due the 29th. Here's what we have so far.

Dam: WWR Estrella, Siamese Sable, 1 Leg
Sire: WWR Alladin, Opal
1 kit born 5/30/09
(Estrella still has kits in her, hopefully she has the rest soon!)

Dam: WWR Sisily, Black Pointed White, 4 Legs
Sire: Thumperhill's Ammadon, Seal, 5 Legs
4 kits born 5/31/09

Dam: BlueStar's Candy, Broken Siamese Sable
Sire: Sable Point Buck owned by DayKota Moat
5 kits born 5/31/09

Fabulous! A total of ten babies so far. I see I am going to be overwhelmed in the next few weeks. I'm glad though my does are pulling through. These are our Convention hopefuls~! I already see promising structure to a few of them.

The Standard Proposal Changes continue to be discussed on the Yahoo Groups JerseyWoolyList. Many points are being made in many different prospectives.

I am not going to direct quote anybody, simply for respect.

1) Jersey Woolies years back had more point on head then body. While the Jersey Wooly had good heads, they did not have good bodies. The points standard was changed to arrange more point on body, and less on head. As we got our bodies, we started loosing our heads and ears, therefore we want to give the JW those points back for head/ear for consistency.

As only a breeder of five years, I did not know this. This makes it a tad more understandable, by not completely. Consistency isn't just handed to you. No matter what you try, people have their own beliefs and standards to what is true. Some people use brood stock, some people do not. Some people use "parts" to fix their faults, and some people do not. Regardless of this, many breeders do market and exhibit their brood stocks. This continues the cycle, helps some, and too, sometimes win on the tables. I feel exhibitors are upset when a animal with a brood head set wins on the table. In that case, find out what makes that rabbit better and do something about it. If it wins on its body, when maybe it is saying something...?

Secondly, I do not think our bodies are overall good enough to take this step. Heads/ears can be fixed in one generation. Bodies not quite.

2) Judges picking rabbits who should not have won.

I change this into a different topic because I stand up for the judges. I feel every judge trys their best and all have the intention of picking the right rabbit. Every judge judges different, and comprehends the standard differently. A very good point was given, "Several judges could all be in a conference room and given all the same information, but it does not mean they will all apply it the same." Which is very true, since we are all human. Some judges give juniors the benefit of the doubt. Some do NOT compensate with their size or flaws. It all matters on the judge. Here in California we NEVER see a "rabbit who shouldn't have won." Maybe we have good judges, maybe we are just forgiving and understanding to taking a loss, or both. I feel if it really is that big of a problem, ask the judges "Why" that rabbit won. More than most of the time, it gives you closure if it really is that bad. I understand how frustrating it is when there IS a bad judge, I've had them too! You know, the ones that practically fall asleep while judging? I think I could pick a better wooly hidden under a set of pots! LOL.

I think a lesson I've learned in judging is not to get so discouraged in judging. Whatever happens, happens. I trust my opinions first and formost, and then the BREEDERS in my breed THEN the judges. If I don't agree, then I don't agree, and I just keep value to my own herd. I feel many other states do not have as friendly of exhibitors and breeders as us in California. So maybe you cannot get another breeders opinion or even want one. I do not know.

3) Judge's Education

Some fret when they see a judge going over a SOP prior of judging. I used to get confused too, wondering if they really do know what they are doing. When I look at the bigger picture most times they do. Randy Shumaker, is a very well known, high respected and favorite judge from MANY all over the Nation. There is no clue why he isn't. I respect, and really absorb what Randy has to say while his judging. As my favorite judge, I trust his opinions most. I've seen him look in his SOP more than enough times! :) And its never been bad, hey, don't we all check back in our SOP from time to time? I can only imagine what is like for an ARBA judge, I would be too.

If you disagree, from my understanding, it is okay to talk to a judge after judging about how they are judging(don't quote me on this, LOL). It is not okay to fight with a judge about their judging. I prefer questions to be asked after because not only is it against the rules, but it is also halting the judging. Not only does this annoy the judge, it too annoys your fellow exhibitors.

It is becoming more common for Judge's Ed. meetings at some ARBA Shows. I think if this is a serious problem, contact ARBA or your local rabbit club and try and set one up. You see them more at "bigger" weekend shows, like state/mini conventions.

Just a few of my opinions on these matters. I hope everybody is having a good day~

Susie
WWR

Wool, Wooler, Wooly!

2009-05-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

For a while, I have been meaning to do a post like this. It happened to fall hand in hand with an advice thread on a Rabbit Forum and the JW Propositions made against changing our wool standard.

Before I get too rattled up on the JW Props again(LOL!) I do want to thank EVERYONE who has sent me emails, comments, and suggestions on how they feel about mine and their own feelings. As a very open and honest person I do not degrade anybody's opinion, I'm just very happy to hear other outlooks and understand other sides, there is very much going on! I respect those who have come forward on their views. Situations like this can be very touchy.

In this post I am not going to proceed to much more on other opinions and what else I have failed to mention. There is so much I have to say, and so much more others have had to say, it really is a big topic and concern in my opinion. This topic is so much more than "meets the eye".

(EDIT: Please excuse if there are misspellings, I currently cannot get my spell check to work, LOL!)

So, wool! Now, I don't have an SOP next to me currently to site anything(I would have loved to site more things in my last post) but will like to add this link here for an article on wool. It is nicely put together explaining the wool transition, and notes wool factors that apply to different varieties.

Jersey Woolies highest percentage for wool points fall under Texture. Texture is the feel to the coat on your hands and fingertips. Wool is to be coarse in texture. A way I explain this is "harsh to the hands". Faults can be on wirey textured coats(usually too coarse) and soft coats(lack of texture). A Jersey Wooly can be DQ'ed for too soft/cottony of a coat.

Here is a buck with very good texture and good guard hair. Guard hairs are what protect the underwool which can prevent webbing or matting. Good texture/guard hair can sometimes determine a correct JW coat, which should be easy and care free.

In most cases, with good texture takes away another property. Length or density. This animal has good length, and lacks in density.

A chestnut doe who lacks in length but has good density, and good texture, which is common for this variety.

A chestnut newly turned senior buck with a soft coat. Appears "cottony" to the eye. Feels cottony too, has little or no texture at all. This is common for Junior coats on Juniors, however, if he molts and he still has a cottony coat, it is an extreme fault. Seniors with extremely cottony coats may be disqualified.

Silky texture is a fault. I've found animals with silky texture to have more "sheen" to the wool, which makes it look healthy and shiny. Texture is comparable to human hair.

Density takes second in the priority list. Density is the thickness of the coat, and should be evenly distributed in all areas. It should be thick and lush, "full of life" and not thin or open. Molts or transitioning coats can affect the density of a coat(downfall), and what I've found if grown in different seasons(for good or bad). Density is important, without the wool can be dull and drabby.

Here is a REW Buck with very good Density. He does have texture, and pretty good length overall for that combo.

It feels as plushy as it looks.

A Black Buck with lack of density. Very thin coat, short underwool. Does have decent texture and presense of guard hairs. In my opinion this is a poor JW coat. It lacks life, very boring.

Crimp can sometimes play with density positively. I have had judges look for crimp in terms of judging for wool density.

Last but not least, Length. Length is the measurement of the wool from the hair shaft to the end of the hair. Though being least important, it is a wonderful thing to have. I am a sucker for long wool, specially does, I think it is very pretty. Too little wool can be disqualified. The longer the wool, the better. I do find longest wool does not have the best texture, and this is a very important role that length needs to protect the coat from webbing or matting. Though length is good, it is least important, and if it doesn't have the important bases(density or texture) it doesn't make it any better.

A doe who is currently pregnant so please excuse her pose. She has very good wool length. Good density, and decent texture, however I wish there were more distrubution of guard hairs to protect her undercoat from webbing. She requires a little more grooming than other woolies. (not bad though)

Presense of guard hair, but not quite enough with the amount of wool she has.

Transitioning coats can create all kinds of confusion. They can have good density on the sides but not over the top. Soft wool on the hips but coarse just above on the hindquarter. Juniors with junior coats can appear soft in texture but have grown their senior coat inbetween and have good texture. Molting rabbits can have long wool over the top and not over the sides. Points are deducted from coats like this for inconsisitancy and uneven-ness. Simply, it is not a over all finished coat for competition.

Blue doe who had an incomplete molt and soft wool is left over her flanks.

Sable doe with a chewn coat, showing the undertone of the Sable variety, which is slate, and in this photo appears greyish white.

Opal Junior Buck transitioning out his junior coat, which is the cottony fluff over his midsection and hindquarters. You can see the coarser adult/senior coat in his front end.

Baby and Junior coats are two differnt stages for me. Baby coat is where I determine the future development of their senior coat, where it is even and easier to care for. Junior coat is the second stage that can start setting in as early as 12 weeks where it turns into soft cotten that can be easily pulled/plucked out when transitioning. Most breeders try to ignore the yucky fluff of the junior stage, and are rarely shown on the table due to immaturity, and sometimes judges lack of understanding this awkward stage. Not all baby coats turn out like their appearance in baby stages. When this happens, you understand you breeding line a little more.

A black junior doe who is nothing more than soft wool. Though she does have a poor coat in this time, the judge gave her the benifit of doubt that show day and she won her first leg. A coat like this on a older senior should not be permissable.

A baby coat appears more silkier. It has texture, density, and length, all should be pretty even in this stage, and is something to keep in mind while waiting upon a senior coat, and when that is fully finished if it meets expectations.

As my post concludes, wool is very important based upon our breed. It's the icing to the cake. (and what is a cake without the icing? LOL) Some things stated above may just be my opinion, and may apply differntly to other breeders herds or opinions.

Take care!
Susie Cederlof
WWR

NO on JW S.O.P. Changes

2009-05-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

RARELY do I get caught up in politics. I'm not one to fight, and usually just let things go the way they go. Today, I received my voter's ballot for the "Proposed Standard Changes for the Jersey Wooly" and I, am pretty fired up if you may say about these changes to be brought upon the next edition of the Standard of Perfection.

I'm very open minded, and respect the proposition but DO NOT agree with it. Let me first get this out there, I've never once myself, or heard any other person who was unsatisfied with the Jersey Wooly Standard. Secondly, I didn't even know this was happening! I almost feel this done all behind my back by our club about this situation. Maybe this is none of my business, but as a Club Member of several years, I usually hear about this discussion before hand, something by someone somewhere, it doesn't matter, but to where I am prepared. This is so out of the blue, so unexpected, and so unnecessary.

Simply, the reasons stated for these props are NOT reasons good enough. (for me, at least)

Let's talk from my letter up to down. Front side to back.

1) Point Allocation

I'm not going to type the whole document, but I will tell you what is being changed. General type is being changed from 58pts to 63pts. Body stays at 30pts, but the head goes from 16pts to 18pts, ears 10pts to 13pts, and eyes, stay the same at 2pts.

Our wool is having 5pts taken away, from being 27pts to 22pts. 5pts doesn't sound like much, but we're talking a wooled breed here. This is where it really tears me apart. Texture goes from 14pts to 13pts, density 8pts to 4pts, and length stays the same at 5pts.

Before I get carried away, I note Color(10pts) and Condition(5pts) stay the same.

OKAY. Time to dissect! I'm going to jump my buttons on WOOL. As the breed being a Jersey WOOLY, I believe the rabbit should have wool, right? Let me get you break down on wool. Texture is the feel to the wool. Density is thickness(as in having a "thick" or "thin" head of hair) and length is obviously how long the hair is from the hair shaft.

2) Texture

I've been breeding Jersey Woolies for 5 years, with how devoted and how far I've come, I'm proud to say I've been breeding for 5 years. In those 5 years, you learn things. You can't have everything. You can't have a rabbit with completely long ears and expect to have a super short body. You can't have short length and WIDE width. It's the same with this wool thing, you can't have WOOL without the soul properties of WOOL! If you take away our density, and still together with length the texture blows it away, you don't have wool. I'm sorry, you don't. Just imagine a rabbit winning with NO underwool and decent length? Just because "Sure! It has great texture!" doesn't mean it's wool. It's HAIR. Zero density is HAIR. Focusing on texture doesn't help with it's second hand partner length!

The REASON given is because Matting and Webbing is being mistaken for Density. YES, then just reword the section. This is NOT a valid excuse for giving our wool points to head/ear because they need to be more "uniform".

3) Density

Reason: To many juniors fault juniors on having softer coats than seniors(which is likely for the breed.)

They want to put words in the right category(which I have nothing to argue about, it's proper) and want to add a NOTE stating Juniors may be premised with softer coats, but should show evidence of guard hairs.

Now we need to back up a little here. A) Soft coat IS a texture, why is this under density? B) This does not defend density nor texture. Note this under texture, and I'm fine. Why doesn't it defend either of those? Because, if you take away our density for texture then your asking for more texture. Senior or not. Does not defend density because soft coat is a texture.

4) Ear Description

This is where some of our wool points(that we didn't have very many of in the first place) are being put, as well for the head.

Reason: Supports the point change on the ears.
(stated earlier because it "needs to be more uniform" from section #1 but I wrote it in #2)

This isn't validated enough for me. It needs to be more "uniform". Here's our dictionary definition, since, I want to be sure I fully understand this okay.

DICTIONARY: Uniform- adj.- identical or consistent, as from example to example, place to place, or moment to moment: uniform spelling; a uniform building code.

We want, WHAT?! Consistency? We're talking head and ears. Failing to mention what kind of consistency we are supporting. Do we want our herds to be more consistent? Do we all want our ears to look the same? Do we consistency as in short head, short ears, short body?

I assume it would be my third guess, but doesn't quite defend WHY we want our "heads and ears to be more consistent". Of course, we want every wooly to be consistently as good as the next, but it doesn't go that way, that is why we have competition and we work harder. I believe it is a FAILURE to correctly proposing the change. If someone can make sense of this change, please tell me kindly, I'd LOVE to hear...

Side note: No reasoning further given for the Head.

5) Chinchilla Coloring

REASON: Proposed change to Disqualification.

REMOVE: "lack of slate undercolor"
(meaning lack of slate undercolor is no longer a DQ!)

I have two feelings on this. 1) I've never heard of in any breed where it is okay for a Chin to lack slate undercolor. Those chins that have white undercolor will now be showable. 2) I would love to see that other colors rather than slate undercoloring, such as chocolate/sable should be disqualified. This is a serious problem and I see too many Sable Chinchillas being passed as "Chins" and sometimes noted with "poor coloring". Each time one wins, I see more up on the tables the next show season! This is not a fault, but a DQ, because Sable Chinchilla is an unrecognized color for the JW under the ARBA SOP.

6) Wool Length Grammar Change

REASON: makes the wording flow and the description more clear.

Okay, cool with me! I'm fine with rewording somethings, sure, they may help. However, "Short wool resembling hair"... I think we might start seeing a *tad* more of that up saying these proposes are passed.

That is it. My end conclusion is this. We're trying to make the Jersey Wooly look more like the Netherland Dwarf.

I'm going to first off say, I have NOTHING against Netherland Dwarfs, whatsoever. I believe in TYPE over pedigree, and if a Netherland Dwarf makes us a better Jersey Wooly, than so be it. I think Jersey Woolies descending from Dwarf lines are more consistent type wise, and a lot of it being for the good.

But, the downfall is that, that's trying to breed something it is not. I like the Jersey Wooly the way it is. I see rabbits with desirable heads and nice ears win consistently on the tables. Why are we making this a problem? I would feel the same way if they tried to make our Woolies look more like a "Classic" styled wooly. A lot of people do prefer this "look" and still do consistently well on the tables without that dwarf-look factor.

The wool is what gets to me most. I will be repulsed with seeing a rabbit lacking underwool(where is where like, 98% of our density comes from?) because the other one had more texture. (Texture + Density point combined together is still far off from equaling to Texture!) This is not good.

Please, please understand my out look on these propositions. This is my opinion, I know not everybody will agree with me... I respect your opinion, so please respect mine. I'm simply supporting "NO on 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5."

THANK YOU.
Susie Cederlof (YOUTH)
Wooly World Rabbitry
District 2

Tagged!

2009-05-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hehe. Timothy of Tru-Luv Rabbitry tagged me in "You're IT" tagging. So here are rules provided.

* Tag and link back to the person who tagged you.
* List 6 (un)important things that make you happy.
* Tag 6 bloggers and let them know they’re “it”. We all feel this blogging community to be one of inclusion and friendship.

Here is my list of "Un"important things that make me happy.

1) rabbit shows, rabbit friends, helping others, congratulating those who win honors, just because it's all nice.

2) tall buildings, traffic, airports, diversity(culture, race), and crowds of people.

3) adventuring, alone, with friends or family, rabbit related or not. I love trvelling, meeting new people, making new friends, and learning!

4) sprinklers brushing up against your window on a hot summer day, in a quiet home relaxing.

5) working. This isn't a nessesity for me yet, but it's something I truely love doing and makes me very happy being at work, working with clients and their pets.

6) talking about another's culture, religion, or how they grew up and what it's like where they are from. Of course, with those who can handle and accept mine or other's personal beliefs, especially in religion.

And now for 6 people to "tag".

1) Starlite Rabbitry

2) Keep's Rabbitry

3) Silent Springs Rabbitry

4) Imagination Acres

5) M&G Rabbitry

6) Lana's Hip Hoppin' Rabbitry

Thank you Tim! :D

Susie Cederlof
Wooly World Rabbitry

JW Nationals 2009 (day 4)

2009-05-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

I'm ready to go back home. Home sweet California, here I come! Amber and I wake up early and head off to the airport. She drops me off, it's so funny waving your friends goodbye going home. I told her, just like I had told Katie the day before, "Guess I'll see you some time back home!"

I arrive back in California at 11:30am. I took a few photos along the way.

Places of the earth where people don't live, scary!

The snow-capped Rockies!

Sacramento!

HUGE Congrats to Amber for winning BOSG Broken at Jersey Wooly Nationals 2009!!! Woo hoo! I believe Angel won BOSG Shaded, so congrats to her too!!!

Susie :)

JW Nationals 2009 (day 3)

2009-05-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

This morning, is the most exhausting morning of my LIFE. I could barely move, I was truely a walking zombie throughout the day. I actually went outside and sat for an hour because I was so so so tired. lol. We basically just hung out in the show room all day. Katie had to leave early, so we took her back to the airport. Eventually, at the end of this day I kind of perked up a little. We went to Best Buy and hung out in our rental car chatting for the longest time, and then we remembered why we were there... to get a phone charger. :P On our way back to our hotel we picked up some food at the Wendy's across the street. Amber and I layed on my bed and watched the movie, "Mama Mia!". It was such a cute movie and made me really happy, don't you just love Abba! We got bored, and drove to Target where we bought a few things. That was a ton of fun.

I quickly fell asleep that night. lol.

Terrible lighting.

Cutie lionhead.

It was lionhead nationals, too. There were over 750 lionhead entered!!!

REW Mini Rex unsure of it's identity.

Tri-color French Lop.

Lionhead drinking water.

Randy judging Lionheads. Randy was really confused when Katie and I had shown up to the table. There were many other CA exhibitors with Lions watching the judging(3 or 4). He double takes us and asks, "Your from California right?!" LOL! Yes, we are. He says, "okay just making sure..." like he was confused of his location. Katie and I got a kick out of it.

Susie

JW Nationals 2009 (day 2)

2009-05-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's early. It's dark. And we're tired. It's 2:00am Calfornia time, what do you expect? We move around the room like zombies, take showers, and head off to the show room.

There's not much to say here besides that it is a HUGE show and so much going on at once!!! Woolies are on the tables everywhere and so much confusion. I wait for my one Wooly to get on the table... I'm suprised I didn't miss it! LOL. Some of the exhibitors were rather nice, but some were rather stand offish. I was a little bummed with the attitudes of some people but what can you expect! It's competition. I, being very bubbly and nice, really puts people in a bad mood or something. It was best off I didn't talk in the show room... I usually don't let things like that affect me, but it really hit me hard like a bag of bricks that morning, I was then "ready to go home." Enough about that, anyways, Katie really cheered me up. I'm really glad she was there, I was really appriciative that Amber and Angel were there, us CA peeps gotta stick together!

I loved the quality of most of the animals there. I really can't wait to bring a BUNCH of my own woolies to Convention this year! Finally, it's my chance to not be limited to a few, who usually end up molting or out of flesh condition from harsh travels. It'll be fun. :)

Amber's buck, Flapjack.

Chillin' like a pancake Holland Lop.

Amber and Angel.

The baquet was a blast, however, I did not get any photos. The food was great and it was in a great location! Part 3 tomorrow.

Susie

Jersey Wooly Nationals 2009 (day 1)

2009-05-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

My second flight ever, and my first flight alone. Katie gave me tons of advice on my first flight when we went to Kentucky. During our trip back home from the West Coast Classic, she assured me of a lot of things, "everything will be fine."

I wake up and mom and I travel to the Airport in Sacramento. I get ready, wave mom goodbye, and on my way to figure the whole thing out myself. I'm very happy Katie showed me what to do, it made things SO easy and SO quick, I felt like I had been doing this for years! I find where I'm supposed to be, and I wait. During this wait, I texted Katie, my mom, and another friend of mine. Katie called me and it was rather sad... a bunny trip without Katie?! I felt like backing out, I was so guilty, I told her, "You should come, my plane hasn't left yet..." jokingly. She "Hmm..." and told me to call her at my layover.

I get on the plane and read the somewhat boring magazines in the back of the seats. Before I knew it, I had arrived in Minneapolis, MN for my layover. I turn on my phone and I have a new voicemail. I go through the process of hearing it... and it's Katie. She sounded so sad, "Hey Susie, it's Katie... I was just calling to let you know..." ask I'm starting sad she goes, "that I got my plane ticket to Ohio in my hand RIGHT NOW!" What a killer! lol. I was very happy and excited. This isn't only my breed Nationals, it is her's too, for Lionheads. I let out sounds of joy on the phone and called her back, then while talking I get off the plane she had to go, she was boarding her plane. Once I hang up, I walk into the airport and all of a sudden hear some shouting...

"Susie!!! Susie!!!" my first reaction was, "Who is shouting my name in a Minnesota airport?!" I look around and see Amber waving her arms in excitement! Amber! I was so happy to see a familiar face! She saw my confusion and laughed. Talked about our flights, our rabbits, and Katie. We had an hour layover, and decided to do something fun. Amber found a little place that did all kinds of things, manicures, massages, haircuts, make-up... it was so cute. We decided to both get a manicure, I've never had one before and Amber treated me. (thank you!) We chatted some more, and thats when time started crunching down. We had to be at our flight and thats when we left, we asked for directions and was told to go all the way to the end on our left. Off we go!

We get to the end, and we show up to our terminal... and thats when things go bad. Appearently, we were in the complete wrong direction and were mislead. We got proper directions and took off running back to the Tram to take us the other direction. Luckly, I brought some running shoes, because I don't think my heels would have done me good. Amber ran and ran and RAN some more, we were track stars, racing for a gold metal! We BARELY made it to our flight. I felt like a winner. Running had never been so fun, we felt like we were in a movie!

We finally land in Columbus, Ohio. The only thing I felt was "We made it, we made it!" My heart was still pounding from the race to the flight. We catch a taxi to our room, and hang out there for a little bit. We chatted and decided to order some pizza. The pizza guy was so fabulous and needless to say, so was the pizza. ;)

We took our pizza to the airport with us to pick up our lovely friend Katie. Yay!!! We catch a taxi back and then wait for our bunnies to arrive. Ate more pizza and that's where at 12:00mid. our bunnies arrive, catch another taxi, again, back to our room where we spend the rest of our night. Go to bed "late" Ohio time, where we have a long day ahead of us in the morning.

Picked up the bunnies in the airport.

Evaluating bunnies on the pizza box while waiting for our taxi guy, "Mr. Nuru".

Getting excercise in the hotel room.

Susie

WCC 2009 Photos (part II)

2009-05-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

WWR Highfives, now owned by Rachelle of Wroyal Reign Rabbitry, won BOB in Open Show C!

I loved the black/white bars on this cavy.

The show room.

Katie and Rochelle posed with fuzzy show coops. :)

Shakira being judged.

Sisily on the BIS table, youth A.

Amber's buck, Sterling, lounging in a lawn chair.

Props to all the judges for posing JW correctly!

It was fabulous. :)

BOG/BOSG AOV winners, and BOG Broken winner.

I've got many pictures to share, eh?

Susie Cederlof

WCC 2009 Photos (part I)

2009-05-20T22:35:00.001-07:00

Photos from our weekend in Monterey, CA for the 1st Annual West Coast Classic Show!

Sisily on the Best In Show table, being judged.

Little Chestnut Lionhead.

Chinchilla Mini Lop in the Mini Lop Nationals showroom.

English Angora on the Open Best In Show table.

FIRE! (Triantas)

Wonder Woolies Flap Jack, bred/owned by Amber H.

French Lop.

Holland Lops. I love the Broken!

Me pictured with Amy M. of Amy's Barn and judge Stephen R. Sisily wins BOB and Amy's buck wins BOSB. Go AOV's! :)

Mini Rex judging.

Look forward to part II. :)

Susie Cederlof

LOL Bunz

2009-05-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share... :)

Hiding... "LEAVE ME ALONEEE!"

That is my new, upcoming buck, "Lucky Lop's Abraham" poor little dude... LOL.

I'm trying to upload pics now of our trips!

Susie Cederlof
Wooly World Rabbitry

OR/WA Day 4

2009-05-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

This morning, we wake up in Kelso, WA. Again, another morning "slept in" meaning 9:00am. "What happened last night?" Well, apperently, Katie and I were wired on sugar! Keith, Leslie's super husband, made us a whole tray of brownies and sent them all with us! I ate several, Katie, not as many, and we drank a lot of 100% paradise blend juice! We didn't quite agree with our decisions the night before.

Our taste buds were happy though. :)

We check on the bunnies, we have a tight pack. You'd be amazed by how many bunnies we can fit in one car! Katie and I brought home a few Fuzzy Lops each from Leslie. We love our new additions!

I cannot dread the word "drove" enough. We did a lot of it. On our way home, we meet up with Nita S., a Lionhead breeder who brought several gorgeous lionheads for Katie she had been holding for a few months! It was so exciting. Nita is very helpful and a lovely person, she has a lot of compassion for the Lionhead. After, we met with another breeder, but this time of Holland Lops, Linda J. of L&R Hollands! Linda let us visit her rabbitry and WOW! She has a wonderful set up, beautiful Holland Lops that she takes wonderful care for. Linda and her Husband we're very welcoming and nice.

Speaking of nice, can I say we met the most absolute sweetest people along our trip?! It was wonderful and we thank everyone we met along the way for all the help and memories! THANK YOU!

Reaching California... still light out!

We get home about 11:00pm Sunday. Katie and I are wiped out. Katie and I both have work and I had school the next morning. It's never ending! But the best thing is telling everyone the next day... "I was in Washington just yesterday morning!" Great conversation started when everyone asks why I look so tired or sick. LOL.

Susie

OR/WA Day 3

2009-05-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

I bet you are wondering... who is our friend?! That would be the lovey Leslie Hobbs! Huge THANK YOU to Leslie for letting us stay the night. Katie and I woke up after sleeping in a little. When Katie went outside to go get her clothes, she comes back in, "SUSIE! There's a deer in Leslie's yard!" I get up, grab my camera and we run outside in our socks.

I give Katie the Camera, where she with shoes, walks to get a closer shot.

The deer started walking away, and then, Katie spots two more. Leslie wasn't kidding when she told us there were three deer that hung out around the neighborhood! I ran over quietly, soaking my socks in wet grass, to see the scene. Katie snaps a shot of the three starting to move away from us. I don't think they like tourists. lol.

Katie and I get ready... where Leslie is going to take us to tour Seattle! We are more than excited. A little tired, but excited.Seattle is rather close to Leslie, we keep chatting and singing along the ride. We took the pigs along with us where we meet up with a Cavy breeder to do a pig swap!

Pigs in the back of Leslie's vehicle.

Katie and I are city girls, so we are very happy when we see sights like this:

It's Seattle! We take the car and park it in a parking garage, go look at the Space Needle and check out the Music Experience Building. I never realized how big the Space Needle is! Surely a view.

Seattle Space Needle.

Pigs awaiting pick-up.

We meet up with the cavy breeder, and afterwards, we take the Monorail to the Public Market! The Public Market is a place where you can get fresh anything, fish, flowers, food. It is very crowded, has tons of gift shops and is a total blast for all cultures!

Leslie poses with a fish, most likely just pulled out of the ocean.

Beautiful flowers, of all kinds, only $5 a bouquet!

The woman just caught the fish tossed to her! LOL.

"Cactus Pups!" in one of the gift shops. We also found "Terrified Pickles" "Catapult a Baby" and Jesus Merchandise, including bandaids and bobble heads.

Leslie, Katie, and I do some more walking. We go to the "Curiosity Shop" They had mummified people in there, WHAT A TRIP!

(This is where Jenny calls me and notifies me of her Double BIS back home in California, Congrats Jenny!)

We decided to eat at a Red Robin, because we were leaving that night. We ate outside, right over the water and got to see the sun start setting. So beautiful!

A Seagull begging for food. hehe.

Monorail.

By now, Katie and I are VERY tired. We still have driving to do tonight. We say our good byes and several thank yous to Leslie and her husband, Keith. It all happens so soon!

On the road againnn!

OR/WA Day 2

2009-05-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

GoodMorning Oregon! Wow! Is it cold and wet out this morning or what? I'm not used to a super cloudy and foggy morning in the near summer time. I can really grasp the down energy around me. We grab our bags, and head out!

Katie and I are good when leaving motels, we get out rather quickly and get on the road to our destination, no time to waste time!

We drive for about an hour and we see our first sight of Portland... last time, we stayed in downtown Portland which wasn't such a great idea. Like I've said before, it just all starts coming back to you.

The city had buildings fully built from the last time we saw them just starting to be built. And new ones, started again. It's so funny to think, "the next time I come up here THESE buildings should be built." It's all another reoccuring event.

We creep closer and closer to the border, and FINALLY, we are in Washington state! I love how when you enter Washington it's always on a bridge. This one was smaller than the last time, since we had a different route.

We stop just a little into Washington, where we care for the pigs. Katie and I got a kick out of the broken down Carnival in the parking lot! Too funny. The people were rather rude and teasing us and our "dogs". Very interesting seeing we are the only ones wearing "color". I saw a lot of grey, dark blue, dark green, in everybody's attire.

Before you know it... we pull up to our good friend's house... FINAL DESTINATION! What a relief! Funny thing is, shortly after, we drive about 45 minutes to another rabbitry for Katie to pick out some new additions... We end up in at PRIDELANDS RABBITRY, where Theresa openly welcomes us at 11:00pm! What a wonderful lady! We got to meet her two beautiful children and her bunnies. Katie ended up taking home a Black Buck and a Tort Doe, after looking though several gorgeous animals. We head back to guess who's home?!

OR/WA Day 1

2009-05-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today was the start of a big day... however, Katie and I were rather relaxed. I woke up not super early where we drove to Dixon to meet with Katie. From there, we went back to Katie's house and took care of her animals and set up the carriers in the car... carriers, check. Pigs, check. Pig's veggies, check. We're on our way.

Katie's dog, Annie, sun bathing.

I'm not the biggest fan of Northern California... but the further up you go, the more I like it. Here are some pictures I catured going up.

The World's Smallest Mountain Range.

On the road, starting ot head into Mountains.

Mount. Shasta!

Lake Shata! The water is so beautiful and crystal clear. I don't know why I haven't gone to swim there, yet!

Another mountain.

We know we are getting close to Oregon when we see the Dragon! I have to say, this is one of the most memorable things in my brain. I don't think I've laughed so hard before in my life when we first say this dragon. I'm happy we got a photo of it!

Surely enough, a breaking point, we entered Oregon! Oregon is very plain, simple, and full of TREES! Not exactly the prettiest trees... but trees. lol.

We drove and drove... stopped near Portland, which is less than an hour or so from the Washington border. Northeast Oregon was absolutely gorgeous! The trees were so vibrant in colors and healthy.

We at a Denny's, where Katie and I think "What are we doing?!" all over again. We just did this two years ago! And the anticipation to see a special friend the next day made it so real.

WCC "Knowledge Night" Holland Lops

2009-05-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is back home, safe, and resting from their long trips to Colubus, OH this weekend! I started fair today, and I'm still exhausted. I'm am though, very satisfied with what I have learned in the past month.

This is a post I hope Tim of Tru-Luv Rabbitry enjoys. Well respected Judge Chris Z. gave a presentation on Holland Lops at the West coast Classic "Knowledge Night". I absolutely LOVED it and tried to take pictures to show what I saw. Though this was minus Chris' oral speech, it still is a huge deal. I'm taking some of what I learned to my Fuzzy Lops, and yes, my Jersey Woolies too!

Here we go!

(look closely to see the red triangle that goes around the nose and between the eyes. If the length of the triangle across the eyes is widest, you have good head width.)

Don't let you excuse a bad head on a doe for being a doe. LOL.

"Substance"

Front to back width determines the width of ear openings.

Holland breeders struggle for good crowns. And upsets those when one with a misrepresented crown wins.

Obviously, these are long typed rabbits. The rabbit on the top left was said to be a National winning rabbit.

"Who says a holland can't have depth to equal width?"

Bone counts a lot in my book!

I believe she said one of those two were a National winner. It's not nessesarily a good thing.

End of presentation.

Chris did such a wonderful job. It's to bad she only had 15 minutes to talk! She covered so much and was very happy I attended the Conference, Chris is very enthusiastic and compassionate for Holland Lops.

Thought I'd share! :)
Susie
WWR

WCC and JW Nationals

2009-04-30T17:57:00.001-07:00

Katie and I had a great time in Monterey, CA last weekend for the first annual West Coast Classic! Here are our results:

Show A:
WWR Sisily- 1/2, BOG, BOB (LEG)
LeSage's Shakira- 1/1, BOG

Show B:
WWR Sisily- 1/2, BOG
LeSage's Shakira- 1/1, BOG (LEG)

Show C:
WWR Sisily- 1/2, BOG, BOB (LEG)
LeSage's Shakira- 1/1, BOG (LEG)

We did great!

Show A; pictured with judge Travis Finkle

I just finished packing for my weekend trip to Jersey Wooly Nationals in Columbus, Ohio! I still have yet to get all our OR/WA pics, WCC pics, and then I'll be taking more in Ohio, and after Dixon May Fair. Brace yourselves, for LOTS and LOTS of pictures!!! LOL!

Can't wait to see everyone in OHIO! Safe travels and take care!
Susie Cederlof
WWR

Back Home

2009-04-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a long long weekend, and a much fun one too. I'm still so exhausted I can barely find the words to type and make things sound interesting! I'm going to relax until then. Hopefully I'll have some things together by this weekend, but it's looking extremely busy for a while, I need the rest I can get.

It was absolutely wonderful seeing Leslie H. of Hobb's Habbitry in Washington again! Leslie is a great friend of Katie and I, she has been extremely dedicated and helpful for us. Leslie doesn't have a large show herd of American Fuzzy Lops anymore, but does now for her dwarfs. Though Leslie has a limited scale for her fuzzies, she still does have occasional litters. I came home with a few new fuzzy lops! Leslie also took us to Seattle, which was too much fun!!! Thank you so much! :)

On top of it all, we got to meet a couple other top breeders in the U.S. Keep posted and be sure to "follow" Katie and I's travel blog, Rabbit Road Warriors. We have many photos and loads of photos to share.

Update on our Hello Kitty kits are two Black Otters and a Broken Opal. I'm eyeing one of the black otter kits. I think we might have a winner... hehe. ;)

Take care, sorry for this being a little dull and short.
Susie Cederlof
Wooly World Rabbitry

P.S. I type this feeling like I'm not making any sense, so if it isn't, let's just all giggle! LOL. I'll be back in swing hopefully soon. :)

Brilliant Photos

2009-04-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

I think the #1 key to developing great photos is understanding your camera. Most digital cameras have several settings, and when you don't know of your options, it doesn't grasp the best shot.

#2 is natural sunlight. When you start becoming familiar with your settings and taking pictures, you'll know what lighting is best, and eventually for what colors you need to take shots of. No flash, please!

#3-- Patience. With your animals, or camera, even little things like flowers. Rio Vista is VERY WINDY on a regular basis. If I get aggravated with the wind, every thing blows up. Photos are a creation and take time and concentration.

Not everyday is appropriate for taking photos, if it is a weather thing, or a you thing. LOL.

To wrap the post, here is our Model, "MG's Mew" bred by Jennifer & Mary of MG Rabbitry who I've been watching for Katie of Starlite Rabbitry, she'll be going home this weekend! She sure is pretty, I'm sure Katie will be stoked when she takes her home, I'll miss her! (but not her 'tude... LOL)

"You don't take a picture, you make one."

Susie Cederlof
WWR

Eye Catching

2009-04-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

I think Broken Agouti is absolutely striking! The lovely shades and tones of color that alternate mixed with white is absolutely stunning. I've always admired Broken Chestnut, but never have achieved it in the nestbox. I'm' not complaining, I'm not breeding for color anyways! :P

Wendover's Banana Pancakes - Broken OPAL

WWR Pure Morning - Broken CHINCHILLA

Oh I just love the broken variety! :)

We will be leaving to OR/WA tonight! Eeek! I'm very excited. I can't wait to see old friends and hopefully meet new ones! I'm going over my checklist, and checking it twice! ;)

Susie Cederlof
WWR

Easter Bunnies

2009-04-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Our little kits born on Easter Morning. Still unsure on colors. I'm excited to find out, since I did a "no-no" combo. Sometimes our no-nos turn into the next big thing! A new variety... an exceptionally typed animal... for those Holland/Dwarf breeders those (dare I say the "f" word?) babies who turn FUZZY and turn out to be the start of a new breed project and show winners. Am I sounding a little TOO optimistic? LOL. I understand, there are many downsides... but I'm crossing fingers for the best.

Do you know how difficult it is to get a good picture of newborn kits? They are always wiggling, or what some call "pop-corning". It's rather cute, since it does look like popping pop corn but you can hear their mouths and joints clicking. Sounds like popping popcorn to me! hehe.

Either way, I'm very appreciated for these three little babies, showable or not, they still are lives and will be accepted every step of the way! LOL, that sounds rather crazy... but really... unless they bite me. Let's not go there. ;)

Susie Cederlof
Wooly World Rabbitry

April Fools!

2009-04-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

I guess my little all-month "April Fools" jokes got old, my sense of humor is a little silly to many since I'm very sarcastic, and my new thing is saying "April Fools!" obviously NOT on April first, just to jazz the minds of others. I love how everybody thinks of it differently. It's a total bust if they feel nothing of it though, LOL.

Anyways, I guess the Joke was turned around on me. Here; WWR Estrella looks beautiful! I see her in her hole posing and looking great! PERFECT. I was hoping to fly her to Ohio with me as a contender.

But once I pull her out, this is what I find!

THE HORROR! Estrella has chewn DOWN her coat on one side. *slaps forhead* She really got me there. What gets me the most is that I switched her hole as she had a neighbor that was chewing her wool off, and once a removed her it was growing back very evenly and beautiful, even the color!

Looks like she won't be part of the show string. I'm going to go ahead and breed her instead, maybe she'll be back by Convention in San Diego? Maybe she will give herself another haircut a few weeks before? Funny story. My old Rabbit Leader had a Flemish Giant who broke its teeth before fair EVERY year, about a week before. We sure got a kick out of it... lol.

LAST CALL on Transport to Oregon and Washington! Katie and I will be going as far up to Seattle. I love Washington, Tacoma was beautiful, the city is really where it is at! We will be taking pictures. Email Katie at kagee2003@aol.com Only $10 per rabbit/each way! :)

Susie Cederlof
Wooly World Rabbitry