Rabid Tidbits

Monday Mantra

2012-01-29T23:55:00.001-08:00

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

FRANK HERBERT

Monday Mantra

2012-01-22T22:38:00.000-08:00

At last,

my love has come along

My lonely days are over

And life is like a song

Etta James

I have been visiting your blogs but being able to comment has been hit or miss my friends.

Begin To Hum The Odd Couple Theme Now

2012-01-09T22:18:00.000-08:00

I am still amazed

Beautiful Dreamer

I Sharing a blankie

You got anymore of that nanna?

I figured ole Whoosh was lonesome. Millie pretty much tried to kill him everyday. He met Mojo and Duds.....Mojo tried to kill him but Mom got between that in the nick of time....Whoosh has a scar.

Took Whoosh to the rescue Sunday. I had several girls in mind but not this girl. Not that she isn't wonderful, I just didn't consider her because she is ahem...a strong personality type. I was looking for a very timid bun girl or boy for Whoosh. Our director suggested that we try Darla. "Sure we can" I said. (thinking in my head, "that is so not going to happen")

Darla's back story:

Came to us from the animal shelter. A darling rex bunny used for breeding. She and her sister were attacked by the neighbor's dog. Shelter didn't want to mess with two injured bunnies. They called and said they were going to be put down that day. Our director went to get them and took them straight to the vet. Darla had bite marks in her dewlap and haunches. She would make it. Her sister was bitten through her spine. Sister left for the bridge shortly thereafter.

Back to current day:

I put Whoosh in a playpen first, then Darla. Pretty much love at first sight. No hostility, none. I had made plans to bring Whoosh back at least twice and wasn't going to take a bun home that day BUT I had to strike while the romance was hot. They stayed together all day yesterday but I separated them last night just to be safe. Whoosh was waiting at the gate this morning.

I cant get this girl satisfied with food. She is constantly looking for more. She took over Whoosh's tent, his food bowl, his blankie and his big stuffed creature. He doesn't seem to mind a bit. (I went and got another tent just in case) She is pushy for grooming. Loves her some head rubs and the best part? Now Whoosh comes for head rubs too. He has never asked me (or anyone I think) for a head rub.

They are in love.

Monday Mantra

2012-01-08T21:35:00.001-08:00

Our fellow bloggers become our friends and family. We cheer for them, laugh with them and share their grief with them. This Monday is dedicated to the fair Savannah....

Gone to The Bridge Jan 7, 2012

R.I.P

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." - Robert Fulghum

Darla Would Like You To.........

2012-01-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

Click on the link below to visit Bridget at Heart of a Cowgirl http://heartofacowgirl.blogspot.com/

Monday Mantra

2012-01-02T00:08:00.000-08:00

Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.

George Sand

Alice and Diggy are available for adoption at Heartland

Happy New Year From Scotland

2012-01-01T01:01:00.000-08:00

No we arent in Scotland....I wish

Look at all my lovely things. I ordered a tiny little ACEO watercolor (its the bridge) and a great looking pocket and journal set with a handsome hare from my friend Annette in Scotland...you can visit her here...http://dragonhouseofyuen.blogspot.com/ and of course she was far too generous. Millie got a handmade blanket with her name on it. Oatmeal cakes and freeze dried carrots were a BIG hit....and almost gone. LOL A wonderful package filled with precious note cards and little thank you cards with handwritten notes. Annette does gorgeous watercolor and creates lovely art with recycled materials too. Most of my prizes will go in my book of special things and the journal, I believe I will fill with quotes from my favorite smarter than me people. Thank you so much Annette. We love all of it. It came on an important day, a sad day and your kindness made it better.

I wish you all the best in 2012 and beyond. May it be a wonderful year for all of us. I kept none of my resolutions from last Jan so I am going back to my habit of just not making them.

Sending love and healing thoughts to Clint. I think about you a lot buddy.

Monday Mantra

2011-12-25T22:47:00.000-08:00

"Life's a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death."

Rosalind Russell in Auntie Mame

Grand words from a grand movie starring a Grand Lady......just like my Tango.

The Christmas Goose

2011-12-23T22:20:00.000-08:00

Does simply a bad word from someone wreck your day? Is your chin always down, do your feet drag? If someone says something you don't agree with do you decide to hate them forever? Do you spend too much time thinking about how the world is a terrible place and everything is unfair? Do you focus on all the horrors and the sorrow?

Look at ole Mills. She does none of these things. She had one leg pinned, she now has a mysterious spinal injury and drags the other leg, she is older and doesn't feel too great most of the time. I bet she never spent a day thinking about bad stuff. Nah, no way. Animals are smart enough to know what a waste that truly is. Animals don't bother with politics and philosophy, they simply are. (neither do little children by the way) I suggest they are the ones that have it all figured out.

An old and ex-friend found out a few months ago that he had cancer. He now tells everyone he is going to die. The doctors caught it early, he is cancer free and recovering nicely but he is still convinced death is eminent. I pity him this holiday season and beyond because for him there will never be anything wonderful or good about life, despite the fact that he has a nice and paid for home, someone who loves him, 2 furry companions and money in the bank. He refuses to give at Christmas because "nobody ever gave me anything"......PPFFFFFT.

Another friend shared with me recently that she was abused as a child. She seldom got a present for Christmas ( and I am sorry to say she may not have ever experienced the excitement of Santa) and was very very poor. Yet everything single thing about her life and attitude is filled with goodness. She shares everything she has and finds the beauty in life, the satisfaction from a little comfort and the knowing that you are lucky if just one person loves you. Some spend years pondering on how their life went wrong and some just grab the ball and run with it. I consider myself very lucky to have people like her to balance out the sorrow eaters and the folks that are always falling on the sword.

I am taking the long way around to tell you about my Christmas gift. I always say I don't need anything and I don't, nothing material anyway. Having a few extra coins I can share is my Christmas pleasure. I am no saint or anything special. I share because I have always had more than I needed, even when times are tough, I still have enough. Seems to me people have been more generous this year. I love the stories of the layaway angels (if you haven't heard about this, please google it)

I cannot stand and weep at every animal that gets killed in the road but I can pull the car over to offer some assistance when needed. Some of you who are on facebook know about the Canada Goose lady that got hit by a car. Her beak was broken, her face was filled with blood and part of her tongue cut off. I couldn't just leave her there to die, I am no hero but felt duty bound to offer her a chance or at least a better death than freezing and dying in pain on the side of the highway. I pulled over and gently gathered her up and raced her out to the wildlife rehab. Massive head trauma. The next 10 to 12 days are critical.

Got word a few days ago that Goose Lady will live. She will spend the winter at the wildlife rehab and be released back into the wild when she is all better. Her survival is my Christmas gift this year. My something wonderful. The picture and article I have about her is in adobe so I could not figure out how to post it but if you want to read it, drop me an email and I will forward it to you. I feel so very pleased and happy that she will make it. It wasn't just her second chance but another chance for me. I accidently ran over and killed a turtle this summer. Miss Goose added the weight to balance that out, to keep the carousel going around. Thank you Goose girly.

I have tons of favorite books, quotes, movies etc. My very favorite story will always be A Christmas Carol. Its all about second chances. Not people giving you second chances or you giving them second chances but you recognizing for yourself when a second chance comes along and not turning your nose up at it. Your chance to balance the weight and keep the carousel going around.

I wish you all a very happy holiday season and leave you with this:

There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say, Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round - apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that - as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

"It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour."- Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol

Monday Mantra

2011-12-19T09:27:00.000-08:00

" The heart that truly loves never forgets.”

Proverbs

Creatures Revealed

2011-12-16T15:11:00.000-08:00

Yep two gray fox eating the nuts and bird seed. I have only seen them once and I have written to our local wildlife rehab to inquire about them. We live next to a very busy highway so if needed I will take the feeders down for a week or so. I dont want to see them get run over coming to eat. They are beautiful and apparently the gray fox is the only canid that will climb trees.

Wha Cha Lookin At?

2011-12-14T19:33:00.000-08:00

I was greeted by this sight in the backyard tonight. I know what creatures the eyeballs belong to. Can you guess what they are?

Surprises All Around

2011-12-13T06:09:00.000-08:00

Whoosh is not a lionhead...he is a "Mo Hair" bun cuz he has mo hair than I have ever seen. LOL

Surprises in the mail yesterday! Shell at http://theraspberryrabbits.blogspot.com/ sent me and the bun gang these wonderful gifts. Whoosh gave kisses to the stuffed bunny ornament before it went on the tree and was disappointed but felt better after his nana snack. Look at the precious card. Unexpected gifts are always the most fun! Thank you Shell for always being so kind.

I am not a crier, not really. I prefer to weep in private and hate bawling in front of others. Its just something I learned early on from my Dad (it wasnt really intentional on his part but we learn from our parents you know and gawd do I hate talking about my "feelings" yark) But sometimes things strike just right and boy do you just let it all hang out.

You have seen all the usual toy drives every year? The retail stores with their boxes out collecting for kids? I am just like most of the folks in America (and everywhere I suppose) living mostly paycheck to paycheck but always try to purchase a little something every year and put it in the box. We were always so lucky as kids at Christmas and I remember my Dad selling the few pitiful stocks his company gave him to buy us something nice. The excitement of my first "big girl" bike and my Dad grinning and saying "ride like the wind Chrissy" and did I ever.

As I walked past the box yesterday there was a BIG pink bike sitting there. I know that bike cost a lot more than any of the other toys in that box and the generosity of the person pleased me to no end. Not because bigger is better but maybe for a kid that never had a bike you know? The tag attached said "for a girl age 11 to 12....somebody had scrawled at the bottom....."ride like the wind"

I guess you can picture me walking around Wal Mart crying like an idiot. Oh man, that girl is going to love that bike. Unexpected gifts for her and for me...

Monday Discovery

2011-12-12T00:08:00.000-08:00

Above is a bunny I never knew. Haven before head tilt

My Haven

Today was another "aha" day for me. Our director sent me some pictures of Haven from 2005. They were pictures of Haven before head tilt struck him. I never met that Haven. I kept staring at them all day, trying to figure out the difference. Why the "old" Haven was so unfamiliar to me.

Then I got it. The "old" Haven had a touch of mistrust in his eyes. Probably put there by no telling what happened to him before he was dumped at a feed store for snake food the day our director found him.

My Haven trusted me completely. He had no choice. He was totally vulnerable and he knew it so he handed it over. I didnt have to earn it, he just gave it to me. It has forever humbled me in ways I cant describe. My little angel, struggling to get to his feet to greet me every morning and then when he really couldnt get to his feet anymore, still raising his sweet little head up to get a good look at me and then lick his front feet in response to my "how is my sunshine this morning?"

Not a bad day at all today, surely not a sad one. Haven was a gift from fate that allowed me to learn something very valuable. As long as you have breath and hope and 1 person that cares for you....you will NEVER be defeated. This post is dedicated to Hope. She was Haven's neighbor and for all the world his twin. Same size, same color and same tilty sweet head. Hope passed on right after I started volunteering at Heartland. I wish I could have given her a few more gifts.

Monday Mantra:

"Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love."

Morihei Ueshiba

Well would you look at that

2011-12-02T18:11:00.000-08:00

Whoosh loves his little bear and he loves a pillow to perch on. I gave him an early Christmas present thinking he would love the combo. He sits next to it and furiously licks the foot of his ratty old bear. (belonged to Nemo at one time) He doesn't know what to think of this large and colorful thing in his house. Somebody talk to him please.

Monday Mantra

2011-11-27T18:24:00.000-08:00

Nemo.....his little light still beams bright. RIP

"How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world".

William Shakespeare

Six Word Friday

2011-11-25T16:55:00.000-08:00

LSU will take the Dome again!

(Off blog topic here. I took a challenge. Bear with me. Its a challenge to use 6 words only with a photo)

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T04:19:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for many things. I try to remind myself every single day when I get out of bed to be grateful for at least one good thing in my life, no matter what might be happening at the time. I have to remind myself that I have it good and others have nothing.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend."

Melody Beattie

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Hey Mom!

2011-11-23T05:17:00.000-08:00

" You almost forgot to tell everyone I have been with you 4 years today!"

No I didnt Duds Around Town. I love you my shy boy. (Mr. King of the box got his favorite yummies to celebrate today. A piece of dried pineapple and 1 animal cracker)

"But I wanted 2 animal crackers mom"

These furry kids are never satisfied. "sigh"

Just For A Good Laugh

2011-11-22T14:20:00.001-08:00

My silly friend Lincoln took this picture. He said he was making Thanksgiving for the family. Oh did I laugh and laugh at him. Typical bachelor.

Monday Mantra

2011-11-20T23:49:00.000-08:00

To keep your character intact you cannot stoop to filthy acts. It makes it easier to stoop the next time.”

Katharine Hepburn

An Early Giving of Thanks.

2011-11-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to write for a bit about my favorite blogs and why I love them. I learn things, laugh, and find wonderful what nots and doodads sometimes. So in no particular order:

My friend Carolynn at http://aglowingember.blogspot.com/. I started following her blog a few years ago. She sees beauty in places others might not look. Her dream of giving up the city life and moving to a country cottage came true and the pictures are stunning. She lives there with her husband and 2 gorgeous catty kits. (along with a feral kitty, bears and other wildlife)

Rabbits Guy and Bunny Lady are one of the most fun http://houseofrabbits.blogspot.com/
9 house bunnies and 1 good Kitty Boy, their blog is just a wonderful tribute to the bunny good life. Stop by sometime and visit, then tell me which bunny looks like Walter Matthau and which bun reminds you of the opposite but twin to Groucho Marx.

Juliet at http://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com/ is my green blogging friend from Scotland. Her blog is so pretty as well as educational for me. She takes students on nature walks and boy do I wish I could walk along with them.

Shell at http://theraspberryrabbits.blogspot.com/ also has two wonderful bunnies and a great blog. She is creative and just gives off a "good" kinda feeling. (I mean that I get a good feeling that she is good, ya know?)

Carmen at http://waxedoutcreativelife.blogspot.com/ is one of my most faithful followers. A terrific Grammy, she also has buns and a German Shepherd name of Kiah who is special needs. Carmen makes her own soaps and candles and I love to smell her blog. (ha ha, I really think I can smell it sometimes)

My Auntie Pix at (she isnt really my aunt but I have always felt a connection to Miz Pix and her place is Missou REE) http://sweetdaysundertheoaks.com/ Her eye for beauty is amazing. Her pictures never fail to take my breath away and her love of nature just bubbles all over her blog.

Jim at http://thebunlife.blogspot.com/. What can I say.....he is the most irreverent bunny blogger out there. Some folks get it and some folks dont. I got it right away. If you want to laugh your butt off at a blog read this one. He will try and convince you to take Baby Fwan though so look out and dont be fooled. He would fight crocodiles with his bare hands for his furry kids.

Vegan Elder at http://veganelder.blogspot.com/. He has a very individual take on life and animals. He and his wife share their home with a great bunny girl named Nessie Rae and 2 outstanding catty kits, Gracie and Bobby Ray. I dare you to stop by and read sometime. I know this blogger personally and NOBODY cares more for animals and the planet.

Bridget at http://heartofacowgirl.blogspot.com/. Her place in AZ is filled with love for animals and creating. 5 bonded buns, horse kids, a good kitty, 2 terrific dogs, chickens, goats...you name it. Bridget makes fantastic jewelry and her place is a safe haven for any creature in need.

Annette at http://dragonhouseofyuen.blogspot.com/ is another friend in Scotland (it is my destiny to visit one day) Annette creates bunnies and writes fun hare stories. She was one of the biggest cheerleaders for my Haven and I love her for it.

Nick at http://getnickt.blogspot.com/. I am always surprised when he stops by my blog. He is a published author and his blog is a little about everything. He has a new book out and comes up with some funny takes on politics and such.

Lisa at http://citybun.blogspot.com/ She is a great lady that lives in Queens with bunnies Sogna and Biffy. Lisa works her butt off and goes to law school. She is going to be one of those voices and defenders the world will need.

Debi at http://greenerpastures--acitygirlgoescountry.blogspot.com/ is a Jersey girl that found herself transplanted in West Virginia. She is trying to sell her place there and get back to Jersey. I crack up at Debi all the time.

Brian at http://theurbancowboy.net/ You will find a little of everything on his blog too. A gentle natured cowboy, he says what he thinks and has never deleted one of my snarky comments.

A few of the other blogs I always stop and visit are:
http://renorabbits.blogspot.com/
http://babette-rabette.blogspot.com/
http://theqipapers.blogspot.com/
http://bunnyman09.blogspot.com/
http://clovieboy.blogspot.com/
http://artinthewind.blogspot.com/

There have been some really great blogs out there that sadly the folks arent blogging anymore.

And last but always FIRST in my mind and heart:http://heartlandbunnyblog.blogspot.com/ and if you dont know why.......you havent been reading my blog. I assume I dont have to explain.

Thanks to all my blogging friends (even the ones I didnt mention here) You have shared your lives with me over the years. Taught me important lessons and cheered for me and the buns countless times.

Monday Mantra

2011-11-13T23:43:00.000-08:00

But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked."Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat: "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.""How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice."You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."(Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, chapter 6)

Its The Little Things.....And The Little People

2011-11-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you I am a cynic. I am a realist and don't really look for the best in people. Kids seem to lose their innocence and reverence for things early on these days. Today I got a little lesson in cynicism

I stopped by the cemetery to say hello to my dad and check his flowers. (Oklahoma winds you know) There was a yellow flower on his foot stone. I didn't think much of it. I could hear the chattering of young girls voices over the hill and a happy dog bark. Wasn't paying that much attention really. I just hoped the dog wasn't hiking his leg on the headstones or the kids weren't being destructive.

Three young girls came over the hill. I would guess their ages at about 12 for two of them and maybe 9 for one little one. Following in their wake was a black lab fur kid with a big ole grin on her face. All I could think was "MAN, I want a minute alone here".

A sweet little voice floats across the grave markers. "Do you like the flower?" I looked up to see them all clutching a handful of yellow flowers. I told her I liked it very much and asked them what they were doing. And it goes like this:

"My Grandpa is here, he was in the army."

"We stopped to say we love you to him"

"Then we decided to say I love you to all the guys from the Army"

My dad was in the Air Force, not the army. I did not correct her. I only told her I thought that was a very nice thing for them to do and walked away. I couldn't speak anymore.

Monday Mantra

2011-11-07T10:02:00.000-08:00

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy

Shakespeare

(Thanks Carolynn)