Greetings from Armando and Family

We have not seen our favorite judge Armando since the convention in Michigan. He has a new job that keeps him very busy; and the whole family is active in their church. That leaves not much time to go to far away shows.

Armando and family send their greetings to the people in the wonderful world of rabbits. We should also say that his world includes the wonderful world of cavies. In addition to Armando's prizing winning Mini Rex and Mini Satin, he is now the proud breeder of prizing winning Texel cavy. Mini Rex, Mini Satin and Texel cavy are all breeds that emphasize in their coats. No wonder Armando is so good at Angora breeds; Angora is the ultimate fur/wool breed.

The top picture was taken when the entire family went to the Disneyland. The next three photos are Armando's beautiful Texels. Alisa in the second picture is a double Best In Show winner.

Allen Guest Blogs From Africa IV

Allen on common "transit", horse and cart, getting ready to transport the sheep.

Nomadic Peul herd flocks of sheep into the city of Kaolack to sell.

Nomadic Peul herder and salesman of sheep.

Tabaski in Kaolack, Part I: Sheep Shopping

The Muslim holiday of Tabaski occured last week, and I was fortunate enough to take part in my family's celebration. Being born in central Senegal in the city of Kaolack, my family annual returns to their home city to celebrate this important holiday. It is the most important Muslim holiday, and it occurs at a different date every year. The location of the moon defines when Tabaski will occur each year. Thus, next year could be in June, for example. The central part of the Tabaski celebration is the sacrifice, by each family, of a ram. One can also sacrifice a goat, cow, or even camel. Our family is very traditional, and sacrifices sheep.

My Senegalese father's father had two wives, and 16 children, all of whom are grown. You can imagine the annual size of Tabaski in our family! This year, my family sacrificed 10 sheep, and followed with a huge, delicious feast. We spent 6 days in Kaolack, with the first day spent entirely shopping for an affordable sheep.

Nomadic people, like the Peul and Maures (from Mauritania) herd, by foot, thousands of sheep into cities to sell. It took us all day to find a fat, relatively inexpensive ($60 USD) sheep. Once we found one, I insisted we take a horse and cart back into the city! Included are pictures of a Peul nomadic herder, sheep for sale on the street, and my sheep transport via horse and cart.

I will send pictures and another blog post of Tabaski in the coming days.

Fowls Welcome in Morgan Hill

Betty says,


"It will be 30 years in February that we moved to Morgan Hill. We liked the small town appeal when we moved here but did not realize that this town is truly animal friendly.


While other towns in the area are chasing away fowls in parks and ponds, Morgan Hill is having more and more places that animals could call home. A dog park has opened last year, and there are several water facilities that fowls can rest and stay.


The photos posted here were taken a couple of days ago in a trail that allows dog-walking, people jugging while the fowls stay. Hubby and I had a great time walking in the trail. It is only about half a mile from our home."

A Reindeer Story

In a November show in Lodi, grandma Stephanie brought her little angel Isabelle to the show. Little angel wanted a white cavy; grandma Stephanie taught her a lesson of choice.

Grandma Stephanie said, "If you want that white Guinea Pig, you will have to sell some of your toys to get money to buy it." Little Isabelle set up a shop, put her stuff animals and Beanie Babies on the table and wrote a sign "$1".

Many became her customers and bought her stuff animals. Little Isabelle got more than enough money to buy her white cavy. Grandma Stephanie was happy, little angel was happy, and a lesson of choice taught. The second photo shows Grandma Stephanie and little Isabelle with the precious white cavy in her arms.

Betty came home with the brown reindeer; she recounts this story to others while showing off this little reindeer. Having been a Professor of Economics for 30 years, she feels that this is an excellent example of how to teach children an early lesson in economic choices.

Merry Christmas

Northern California Angora Guild wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

Santa Visits Oliver and Stanley

Our long-term members Barbara and Kevin sent in the picture of brothers Oliver and Stanley. Santa has visited their home; Oliver and Stanley have been good boys all year long and received wonderful gifts from Santa.

Oliver and Stanley are lucky house rabbits. They live with their human mom Barbara and dad Kevin; they will be two years old in January.

Merry Christmas from Molina and Hairy Winston

Molina is a very choosey girl.

Since her retirement from the show circuit in December 2006 after winning the Best of Best In Show, she rejected all her suitors in the next 10 months.

Molina's human mom Casey was at her wit's end.

Auntie Betty came to rescue. Molina spent three weeks going through all of Auntie Betty's handsome boys; finally she could not resist a very charming and very persistent Hairy Winston.

Almost a year after her retirement from shows, Molina presented a litter of Christmas babies.

Merry Christmas it sure is.