Adding to the Barn

Okay. Maybe I should start out by letting you all know how I started this whole rabbit hobby. It didn't just start with a little lionhead doe, but it started out with a local breeder that very quickly became my best friend. I swear I would never been where I am now without her. She taught me everything. She taught me ALL about genetics in the easiest way possible, she taught me about how to breed and choosing breeding pairs, she taught me about treating sicknesses, and the list goes on. I would go over to her barn (10 minutes away) pretty much ever other week and just help her clean. It wasn't long before I knew everyone of her rabbits by name and face. Before I knew it, I was house-sitting for her while she went on vacation. I became very close to her and her Nethies. I loved them dearly. Then one day, while we were out at the stable watching a horse show, I asked her how the bunnies were doing. Her response was just heart-breaking. "I only have about 7 left (she used to have about 30). I sold them all to my friend, I just can't do it anymore". She hadn't told me or even mentioned the idea that she was going to get out. I was just heart-broken. You wouldn't think someone else's rabbits being sold would affect you very much...but these just weren't her rabbits...I considered them my own too. I had bred her rabbits, I had fed them, I had watched them win their first legs. I just had absolutely no words. "You can get some from her if you want, I told her to save you some" I kept that in thought and continued on with my day. I haven't talked to her much. She took some Hollands to breed for fun and I haven't talked to her since. It's a shame since she only lives 10 minutes down the road. I still can't believe that we won't be going to any more rabbit shows together. I sure did love our road-trips with her daughter. We would have so much fun together and we would laugh at the stupidest things. Like the time we went right after school got out for the year to Tennessee for the ND meeting. I don't breed them, but I'm glad I went because I met some wonderful people and learned tons. But our 4 short years of bunny talk slowly came to an end and I am grateful for the time we had together.

So, long story short, I am taking her up on her offer she made to me on March 23 (also the day I lost Mishodoe). I am going to put my otters in the back seat and only keep my pair, Spunky and Johnny's Girl, and I am going to use the rest of the space (mainly the 6 stacker) to start breeding Netherlands. She had a very established line of Shadeds and Himis so I plan to start with those. I figured I might need a new breed anyways. I hope to get some does going back to Mark Twain and Mexi, her two best bucks. Her friend said that she would probably sell me the stuff that she bred instead of what Beth bred but I guess I'm okay with that. So my next plan is to make the phone call today to see when I can get them up here. It was a hard but extremely easy decision to make. Maybe I'm doing it because I want back what I lost, maybe because I just love her animals. I really do. So I will keep everyone posted on the future arrivals.