The rabbits at Heart and Soul Rabbitry are very special to me and my family. We have had many, and lost many. :( We love them all, though. We have had many different breeds including Havana, Dutch, Rex, Mini Rex, Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop, and American Chinchilla. Currently, I am happy to say we have all Rex. They live in a rabbit shed, built especially for them. No electricity or running water, but we do have lights in there by using an extension from the garage. Occasionally, I will put a fan in there if it is awfully hot. I feed my rabbits Purina Brand Show Formula Rabbit Feed, and also add to their diet: oats rolled in molasses to promote healthy skin and Calf Manna to help them shed their fur as fast as possible and keep their coat looking healthy. I buy my rabbit feed from the Country Greenhouse on HW71, south of Bemidji.
Smokey, my Broken Opal Rex, has fur mites, and I just gave him his medication today. Thankfully, we have been blessed to not have very many diseases in our rabbitry. His Grandpa, Kool Q (Q), wouldn't eat, had diarrhea and other symptoms of a condition that we could not figure out. I ended up putting him down. Otherwise, all I am faced with is Sore Hocks and Snuffles.
We (my parents and I) go to ARBA rabbit shows often. Well... we used to anyways. I need to get back on track before I try showing, again. I can't wait to get started with shows again. They are so much fun. There is usually a fair going on whenever you go to a rabbit show, so when you are not showing, you can go around and see what other counties do with their fairs and see how many children are involved with 4-H. I can't forget to mention all of the fair food! Wow I love that fair food.
When it comes time for the "Big Shows" (our own Beltrami County Fair and Minnesota State Fair), I have lots to do. It is a must to handle my rabbits every day for at least a month before county fair. We don't want them to be picky on the show table, do we? I get the jitters when it's time for the State Fair Line-up, to see who is good enough to go to the MN State Fair. Of course, I always make it, along with Samantha. We are usually the only two that actually want to go. My sister, Caitlyn, and one of our other friends, Kelly, have gotten out of rabbit showing.
State Fair: The best part of my summer! Ahhh... the experience of the 4-H dorms. Urine and vomit-proof mattresses, tiny showers for the girls, an open coed shower for the guys, and of course... walking 14 blocks to get to the rabbit barn (then another 4 to get to the cow barn where we all hang out). And of course, I can't forget about that great fair food again! Nothing like deep-fried everything. I know what you're thinking - "Now who would want an experience like that?" But really, every year it just pulls me back in.
