Picture Time

I wanted to post some different pics....let's see if I can get this to work! The first picture is that of our "barn dog"! That is Chris' Flemish Giant out enjoying some sunshine and grass in the playpen.

The next picture is of me at graduation with my brother Ray and my sister Lisa.

Wow, Where do I begin?

So it has been awhile since I have kept up with this. I made it through college graduation. YAY!! I officially have my degree. I will be taking my VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) in Mid January.

I am working full time now at a Veterinary office. I really love my job. I have learned so much there. I also am allowed to do quite a bit there. Part of being a Vet Tech involves doing blood draws and placing IV catheters. I do this almost every day I work. The place I externed at did not allow me to do much. I feel I am excelling in my technical skills at my job. It makes me feel great!

We haven't done the rabbit show route too much this year. We did do Lorain Co. Fair though! I have pics posted on my webpage. Mariah earned all A's. She also won Small Animal Self Determined Pet with her rat. She also got the highest score in the Animal Interview Judging.

This is as much of an update as my tired eyes will allow today. My 30th Bday is tomorrow....I think I am still in shock ; ) Back to watching the election results!

Amanda

Been a long time

Well, I am officially done with my classes!! Graduation will be Sept 7th! I can not wait! I am the proud owner of an Associate of Applied Science degree. I will be taking my board exam in January. Once I pass that, I will officially be a Registered Veterinary Technician. I am seriously considering going for my R.N. degree. I know money isn't everything, but I always said all along that the RVT license and training would be for my own benefit. We will see what the future holds!

As far as bunny news, we are gearing up for the fair which will start Aug. 18 this year. Mariah is once again taking a Jersey Wooly.

I have added broken EA's to my rabbitry. I am so excited! They are just little ones right now, but they grow fast enough :)

Tyler now has a pair of Netherland dwarfs. They came from Rocky Creek RAbbitry and they are so cute. We picked these up for Tyler to have soemthing to do at shows. They are the perfect size for him. He is really starting to get into them now though :) It is a lot of fun.

We have not been to any shows at all lately. My last couple of quarters threw me for a loop. They were extremely difficult and most weekends my nose was in a textbook. I am really looking forward to fall shows. I hope to make a few :)

That is all for now...I will try and post more soon!

Amanda

This weather

Uggg, this weather is so strange. Here is is February and it is almost 60 degrees! I have the doors to my house open. I am trying to get rid of that claustrophobic feeling for at least a day,lol. The poor bunnies don't know what to do with themselves.
I am excited for spring for more reasons than one! I bought a baby play yard for the bunnies! I think I am more excited about it than they will be :) Once I get the main aisle way in the barn more organized, I may just set it up there.
I haven't made the changes to the website yet, but we made alot of bunny changes around here. Stay tuned for more info!
I have hopes for the Bowling Green show at the end of February. Its not too far of a drive either. We went to Lima this past weekend to get rid of some bunnies and to pick up one. Tyler got a buck "Ty-Ty" for his doe "Dorfy" lol. They are the perfect size for him and it should keep him occupied at the shows. I'm so happy that the kids share my love of animals. I don't know what I would do if they didn't!
I have started a new quarter in school. This will be my last "real" quarter. I am taking Surgery/ Anesthesia and Radiology. It proves for some long weeks and days. I am there on Monday for 5 hrs!! Needless to say, I don't see my bunnies on Mondays. The kids do a good job of feeding and watering and checking on things though ;) I am still trying to decide where to do my externship. I really want to go into Equine, but we will see. I think after working at a pet store for so long, I got burned out on the whole dog and cat deal. I think doing barn calls will be alot more entertaining than sitting in an office all day.
Well, speaking of school, I suppose I should start getting ready! I figured I would throw a little note in here. The website was looking a little stagnant. Oh and here is something that really cracks me up....although, someone else told me it was disturbing, LOL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkqqMPPg2VI

After Christmas Clearance

Poop clearance that is!! We spent 4 hrs at the barn tonight cleaning. I cleaned and scraped cages and trays and organized in there a bit more. It was a lot easier this week due to the fact that the 2 oldest were off school. I didn't get my pre winter cleaning done like I had wanted to due to my nasty school schedule this past quarter. Its not that things weren't kept clean on a weekly basis, but it was the little stuff that if you let go for too long....it will come and bite you in the butt.
We found a great place to get our hardwood shavings from. I was bagging it myself, loading it and taking it home. This place is prebagged, heavy shavings, heavy as in tons (not wet)....and they load it for you there. It smells great too!
I have a bunch of naked bunnies in the barn. I have been keeping everyone trimmed down since I know that my time was limited there for awhile. I am hoping to allow everyo ne to start growing out some nice coats now.
I have been using white vinegar to clean with. I am amazed at the results. I have heard of others using it, but never gave it a try. Its pretty amazing. Its nice because I know with the cold temps of winter, I can't rinse things out like I would if I were to use bleach. I cleaned all the bowls tonight with it and wow! Pretty bright and shiny! :) It worked great on the trays.
Speaking of trays.....We have a small collection of hanging cages started now. I am hoping to have the rest of them in about 2 wks. Iam pretty excited! then it will just be the job of hanging them up and figuring out my "manure slide system " :)
I have decided to b e a little more "careful" shall I say in who I sell to. It has only been one person who I have had a problem or issue with....but I know from experience and because of where I am acquiring my education.......that there are just some people that can't be reasoned with. there are some people that believe that angoras are to be in full show coats 24/7/. That just isn't the case. It would be nice if they could be ! Everyone else that I have dealt with in trades/sales/etc has been great and has been happy. This person refuses to speak with me directly and feels the need to run their mouth. I just can't deal with that. People like this are part of the reason we do not let others on our property. YOu just can't trust people any more. So if you are looking to buy, I would like to know that you are somewhat educated in angoras or any rabbit in general. I also will not be selling to any stranger that approaches me out of nowhere at a show. I want to see that those that are purchasing my rabbits have a true want for them.....and of course a little common sense :)
On a happier note, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Santa brought Mariah her own grooming box with combs, brushes and towels in it......Hooray for mom being able to keep track of her own stuff now!!!!
See everyone at the shows "next year"!

Winter!

Hey everyone. Well, we had our first accumulation of snow today! Its more of a cosmetic coating, but I guess its justified since Christmas is only 24 days away. How many people have bunnies on your Christmas list??
I think we have the barn just about winterized. I don't want it too airtight, but I don't need a big ole draft blowing in there either. The bunnies are all adjusting nicely!
A winter tip we used last year: We went up to Walmart and purchased a bunch of those food storage bowls....the plastic kind that come with lids. They are pretty inexpensive too! I take a woodburner tool and poke holes as close to the top as possible. We fasten them to the sides of the cages with cheap wire. These are used as water bowls. When they are frozen, you can take them out and twist them like an icecube tray...then POP goes the ice! It works good. Now granted, the bunnies do chew on them occasionally, but I found if I keep hay or even straw in there for them to play with, they tend to leave them alone. This worked well last year and it was kindof funny. Throughout winter I kept piling the "icecubes" along the side of the shed we used to house our bunnies in. I'm sure if somebody was so inclined, they could have made in igloo with the little square blocks of ice! lol.
I am sure if you keep up with my webpage that you will find that I am cutting back on my SA and FA. I honestly can not find my place with them. I do love them and will keep a few here and there, but the EA are my first love!
We have a play pen of sorts with a bunch of older does in there woolies, angoras, and fuzzies) . It spans the one corner of the barn. Its interesting to watch them interact. They have all kinds of toys in there to keep them busy. I always toss handfuls of straw in there and they love to hop through it. I buy old dishwater basins at the dollar store and wal mart. The rabbits seem to delight in hoping in and out of them (I fashion them into a house). They can also be seen playing king (err Queen) of the mountain as well, lol! I always make sure to do a body condition check on these ladies just in case somebody stops eating. Its very interesting how they all get along. Its nice that they all have companionship, but I do know that not every rabbit prefers it that way.
Oh well, I guess its time to get back to my movies :) I do believe that I will have more time to blog now. I don't have the ability to just go to the barn and sit and do nothing now that it is colder. Some summer days I would just head out there, put some bunnies in the outdoor playpen and watch them run around. I guess its time to count down to spring already ;)

No go

Hi Everyone,

Well, Karmella delivered 2 kits on the wire :( One was a broken the other a solid. Oh well. I guess there is always next time. She made a beautiful nest though. Im so sick of this weather here. Its bad enough having angoras in the summer, but when it is October and it is 88 degrees and humid, that is even more ridiculous. You can't do much with the rabbits in this heat.

Well, Off to go feed. Hope everyone is having fun getting ready for convention!