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It’s Andy!

September 29, 2008 l 2 Comments

I know his new parents named him “Schilling”, but to me he’s still our little Andy. Of course, he’s really not so little anymore (and he looks so much like his siblings).

from: his dad

This is the one and only Schilling!

the reasons why

September 27, 2008 l 4 Comments

Will you have bunnies again sometime?

But why do you have to close that chapter of your life? Why not plan for new pets soon?

I won’t be having a bunny again anytime soon. I won’t be having any small animals again, at least not for awhile. I’ve always thought it a ridiculous notion that small animals are good “starter” pets. They need a lot of time, a good amount of space, quite a bit of equipment (cages, toys, etc.) and a lot of specialized care. And thanks to poor breeding they are, more often than not, sickly and prone to very short lives. It’s that last part especially that I’m feeling too tapped out to deal with.

As far as other pets, I’d say we’re pretty well covered in the cat department. Given their young ages and extraordinarily good health, we can expect to have them around for at least another ten years or so. And the cats have been so well blended into the household and the family that they are a natural part of our lives. I’d hate to force that with a new addition.

Now…I do want a dog. But here’s where the most pressing reason comes in, the reason for me to ‘close that chapter’ for the time being: my parents do not want anymore animals. I’m a young woman, a college graduate, and I live at home. I love living at home and I love my parents, so I really must respect their wishes. Even if I felt I could take on a new animal, it’s going to have to wait until I move out. And that probably won’t be happening for awhile.

There are other reasons too. Financially I’m not in a position to take on a potentially large investment (I’m still dealing with the several hundred dollar legacy dear Peanut left). I need to be more stable, and focus on the pets I have now, before I commit to a new animal. I also need to consider the pressure it would place on my time. I try not to overbook my life, and I think I’ve found a good balance for now. On top of that, I’ll be gone for a whole month next summer, and that gets harder to do the more dependents you have.

So there are my reasons. Things may change, and I hope that they will. But for now it’s just me and the feline posse. Pass the catnip…

attention dog lovers

September 26, 2008 l Comments Off

Seattle dog photographer Erin Vey is offering a contest for dog owners around the country to have the chance to win a “customized photo session with Erin anywhere within the United States”. There are also some pretty neat additional prizes. I’ve been following her blog for over a year now and she truly has a gift for capturing the soul of her subjects and the wonderful love between the dog and their human. This is a great opportunity for anyone who shares their lives with a precious pooch.

All of the contest details can be found on her website.

Sierra

September 25, 2008 l Comments Off

Can’t get enough of this gorgeous girl…

adjusting

September 24, 2008 l 3 Comments

The day after Rex died, I cleaned out my room and the pets’ closet. There were the obvious things to get rid of: bags of rabbit food, a bale of hay, and his old bedding. The cardboard castle would have to go, too. The cats didn’t seem to have much use for it without Rex around.

But the closet was still full of items that I not only wasn’t using, but may never use again. An old rabbit cage. A couple of hamster cages. A bin full of mouse wheels and Habitrail tunnels. Dog dishes. Water bottles. Small animal carriers. Who was I kidding? Just as I’d been mentally preparing myself for Rex’s eventual passing, I’d also been preparing myself for the reality that no more pets would be entering this household anytime soon. I need to close that chapter of my life for awhile.

So all of it went. Everything that wasn’t needed for the cats was piled into my car, filling the trunk and the back seat (and the passenger seat, too), and then donated went to the local Humane Society.

The intended purpose of clearing out all that stuff was not to rid myself of reminders of Rex, which is fine, because it really didn’t work out that way. I still look down from my bed every morning, expecting to see a rabbit. I still pause before placing something down on my floor, considering the likelihood that it might get chewed. I still find myself heading in to feed Rex dinner every night, right before I go to feed the cats. I still find it strange to walk into my room without having to shut a baby gate. I still have to remember that I don’t have a rabbit anymore.

Adjusting is hard.

So I guess we’re not much of a domestic ‘zoo’ anymore, though I’m keeping the name. It sounds a lot better than ‘Confessions of a Crazy Cat Lady’.

a dog and her stick

September 22, 2008 l Comments Off

This is Sierra, my boss’ dog. Like most Golden Retrievers she is very easy going and continuously happy, because she knows that all is right in the world…as long as she has a stick.

cleanliness is next to feline-ness

September 20, 2008 l 1 Comment

with deepest gratitude

September 17, 2008 l 1 Comment

I just want to say ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has shared their support over the last few days. To Tamara, who shot me an e-mail yesterday. To Maria, who sent the lovely e-card. To Becca – aka, BabyBunnies – who made this tribute (click to enlarge)

To those who have commented here on the blog, on Flickr, on the Rabbits Online Forum and elsewhere. Not many people understand how meaningful our pets can be in our lives, so the outpouring of love that I have received from you all has been such a wonderful blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I’ll be away from the blog again for a few days as I’ll be taking care of my boss’ house and pets while she’s on vacation. Have a good week, and I’ll see you on Sunday.

Goodbye, Rex

September 16, 2008 l 2 Comments

(March 13, 1999 – September 15, 2008)

I took this photo just a few weeks ago. It’s not quite the last one I ever took of you, but I think it works. It’s just…you, Rex. Always on the go. Always doing your own thing. You knew who you were and what you wanted, and you could be both amazingly smart and incredibly persistent. And of course, you usually got your way.

We were wrapped around your tiny bunny paw for almost ten years, Rex. You were king of the household. When Peanut died last year, we worried about you so much. We thought you might not be the same, but there you were, living life to the max as usual. And even on your last day, you seemed to handle things on your own terms. I wish I had known, Rex. One day you were here, you were happy, you were healthy.

Today you were a quickly fading star, gone before I truly realized what was happening. You’ve left a bunny-shaped hole in all of our hearts, Mr. Man, and you know, the cats just aren’t going to know what to do with themselves now that you’re gone. Who will chase them out of your bed? Who will they stalk at three in the morning?

Who will be our bunny king?

Goodbye, Rex. This room is a lonelier place without you, but you and Peanut are together now, and forever. We love you both so much.

Love,

your family