Just Say "No" to Using Bunnies as Props

With Easter approaching, it can be tempting to have your little ones' pictures taken with live bunnies or chicks. I encourage you to think twice before having these pictures taken. The rabbits and chicks used in these photo shoots are often purchased from pet stores to serve purely as props and then dumped at rescues after their purpose has been served (these are the lucky ones - many don't make it to shelters). They should not be handled by inexperienced young children and are injured very easily.

If you are still considering these pictures - again, I strongly consider you to rule them out completely - please ask the photographers the following questions:

1. "Where did you get the rabbits or chicks?" (You want to hear that they are the photographers' own pets and that they are knowledgeable on how to handle the animals as well as their limits.)
2. "Is there a member of your team who is devoted to making sure the animals are properly cared for, handled correctly and not stressed out by the camera or children?" (The answer will almost certainly be "no.")
3. "What happens to the rabbits and chicks after the pictures are taken?" (If they aren't giving you a straight answer, chances are that you won't like the truth.) 

These are animals, not props. They have a right to a happy life with someone who understands and respects their needs. This Easter, please choose chocolate or plush Easter bunnies and chicks!

Missing My Fitzi at Christmastime

This was taken on Fitzi's first Christmas 

This is my first Christmas without Fitzi and I'm missing her terribly. She would have been 10 in October and I wish we had gotten a chance to celebrate another Christmas together.

Fitzi was always good for a laugh, but never so much as during the holidays. She left no present uninspected. My family has grown accustomed to receiving gifts with shredded ribbons and gnawed corners thanks to her.

My Christmas cards always feature my bunnies on them (yep, I'm THAT person who usually doesn't have any humans on her card). I could always count on Fitzi to pose nicely for me. She was so darn photogenic and loved to be in front of the camera. Check out some of her Christmas pictures from over the years.

Note the disapproval in this one. Both Fitzi and Hemingway hated those sweaters. Right after we took this picture, Fitzi tried to unravel hers with her teeth. 

She was much happier posing in something less constricting, like this Santa hat. 

Fitzi's last Christmas card picture. Yes, I knit that Santa scarf myself. 

As much as it hurts to not have her here this Christmas, I've noticed that the other bunnies seem to have picked up her sneaky holiday habits. I caught Alexandria under the tree trying to unwrap a present (thankfully, it was a present for her). And Phoenix has successfully gnawed the corners off a box containing a present for my cousin Emily. Her antics live on and I'm looking forward to making new memories with the critters who still make their home with me. 

Superhero Bunnies!

On October 20, Nate and I packed up the bunnies and headed into the city. Our destination: Red Door, the amazing bunny-centric shelter (Alex and Paddington are alums!). They were hosting one of their quarterly Spa-di-dah days, which always feature "glamour shots" for the critters. This session's theme was one of the best yet: SUPERHEROES!

It's quite possible that Nate was even more excited about this theme than me! The man is a superhero fanatic. When I told him the options for the bunny costumes, he thought very carefully about which bunny should be which superhero. Without further ado, here are the results!

Paddington as BatBun

Alexandria as WonderBun

Phoenix as the "Phoen" Lantern

I'm simply in love with these pictures (they might even be making an appearance on our Christmas cards...shh!). Not only are they great images, the event also supports Red Door and helps them find wonderful homes for bunnies in need. What could be better?

Did You Want a Side of Rabbit with That?

On Saturday, Nate made us an amazing frittata for breakfast. Waffle fries, eggs, jalapeño Havarti cheese and hot peppers. Yum.

Right as I was about to take my first bite, Paddington came flying through the air and landed right on top of my frittata. Much to his chagrin, he was quickly removed from his prize.

He's naughty, but he has exquisite taste.

While Mom's Away

It became quite clear the other night that bunnies don't have, shall we say, the same level of respect for Nate that they have for me. I was leaving for a much-needed haircut and manicure and asked Nate if he could let the bunnies out for the evening romps. "Sure," he said, "no problem."

When I got home two hours later, all of the bunnies were back in their pens and Nate was collapsed on the chair. "How were they?" I asked. "They were terrible," he replied. I thought he was kidding. He was not.

First, Phoenix had managed to work her way behind the entertainment center and was nosing the delicate (and expensive!) wires back there, deciding which one to snip first. Alexandria had gotten out and decided she needed to try to eat her way through the slipcover on the sofa (luckily, she was quite loud about it and Nate was able to intercept her). Paddington had decided to beat up on Flat Paddington. To do this, he had to get up on a chair he never pays attention to and start assailing a flat friend who has never bothered him before. (Luckily for Fur Paddington, I can repair the minimal damage to Flat Paddington's face).

Nate was right. They had been terrible.

While they're definitely not always angels when Mom's around (oh boy, are they not always angels), it's odd for all three of them to be so naughty. Is it possible that they've developed some respect for me over the years and know not to push boundaries? If so, that's a major victory! I've endeavored for years to be firm with them without being mean and it appears it's paid off.

Nate, on the other hand, has just moved in and it appears they're testing him. Since he's not going anywhere, we're just going to have to work on the bunnies giving him some R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Any suggestions?

An Open Letter to AT&T

Dear phone book people,

Thank you for making my favorite toy!

Love,
Alexandria

"Yo."