Cute little Baby Goats at Merced

At rabbit shows, we not only see lots of rabbits, we also see other animals.  These are very cute little goat babies.

They are brought to the show because they are being hand nursed.

They make cute goat noises that attract a lot of attention.

 

Brotherly Love

You can use some grooming.

Let me help.

Thanks cousin, you are like a big brother to me.  

It feels good, I love it.

Little guy, pay attention, this is how you keep yourself clean.

Betty and Susanna Photographed by Stephanie

While waiting for the second show to start, Stephanie comes in to visit, though she is not showing any of her rabbits.  She offers to take a few close up photos of me and Susanna. 

It's very kind of Stephanie, no reason not to accept the offer.

Susanna is such a beauty, it's wonderful to record her when she is in this gorgeous coat.

It's hard not to love this beauty.

 

Vaccinating Rabbits against RHDV2

For over a year, COVID-19 virus has ravaged the world.  Recently we all feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.   COVID positive numbers are down, serious cases are way down and death rate is getting low.  What is the key factor that provided the light at the end of the tunnel?  We all know it, it's the vaccine: Pfizer, Moderna and J&J.    As more and more people are getting vaccinated, the more chance for the normalcy to return, for the economy to rebound, for people to recover, .... we are so hopeful.  

While human are going through the COVID pandemic, rabbits are going through the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus pandemic.   On the Easter morning, CBS broadcasted a 4-1/2-minute video featuring rabbit vaccination on "CBS This Morning" then posted it on the CBS website: 

Vaccinating bunnies - CBS News

Included on the CBS website is also an article with more information.   The RHDV2 is still classified as a "foreign disease" but over the last 3 years, it has affected half of the nation.   The veterinarians in the  affected states could import the vaccine at a substantial paper work and monetary set up cost .   

As reported in March, Casey and Betty had their herds vaccinated even though the areas that we live from central to northern California so far have not been affected by the virus, we took the precaution to protect our fur babies and to prevent any possible transmissions from other areas.  See the posts on:

Northern California Angora Guild (ncag.blogspot.com)

To combat the spread of the RHDV2 virus, it is up to us rabbit moms and dads to vaccinate our fur babies and also not to engage in risky behaviors.   If COVID can be controlled by vaccinating the human, RHDV2 can also be controlled by vaccinating the rabbits.   It is hoped that rabbit owners are willing to spend the money and effort to vaccinate.  This is not just protecting one's own herd, it is also a responsibility to help stop the spread of this deadly virus to other areas and states.


 

Judge Scott Close Up with Susanna

When judge Scott is doing the judging, got the chance to take a few close up photos.

The close encounter of the wool kind.

There's a great body under all the wool.

How's the front?

Though mask is the protocol, to see the inside of the wool, judge Scott needs to take his mask off.

An overall look.

 

Peacebunny Island

A couple weeks ago, I received a phone call from a lady name Stephanie from Minnesota. She introduced herself as mom of Caleb Smith whose book Peacebunny Island was about to be published.  We chatted for about 40 minutes over the phone, I was very impressed with Stephanie and the way she described her son and family.   She offered to send me a copy of the book as my name was mentioned in the book.     About a week later, I received this book.    I read with interest, and yes, my name was mentioned on one page of the book.    If you wish to get a copy, among others, Amazon has a good price and listed 5 star ratings:

Peacebunny Island: The Extraordinary Journey of a Boy and His Comfort Rabbits, and How They’re Teaching Us about Hope and Kindness: Smith, Caleb: 9781496452474: Amazon.com: Books 

Around the same time when the book came, People Magazine website featured Caleb and his mission.  See Teen Caleb Smith Trains Rabbit to Be Therapy Animals | PEOPLE.com
The printed People Magazine also has a two-page feature on Caleb and the Island that he owns to house the rabbits.   Since his story and journey are detailed on his website 
HOME | Comfort Rabbits Training & Visits | Peacebunny Island | United States and articles, I won't go through the details, you can read them yourself and I'm sure you will be very impressed.




 

 

Happy Hoppy Easter 2021

 

Mom says it's Easter and we are playing Easter bunnies.   Where is our big sis?

I am here, I am bigger, I need the space.

We can share the Easter basket.

You boys can stay together, I'll watch you.

 

OK, big sis, we want to wish everyone a 
HAPPY HOPPY EASTER!!!

Sunday Second Best In Show Judging

The second Best In Show on Sunday is judged by Scott Rodriguez of WY.

It's getting late but still quite a few people and rabbits.

Tan is a running breed.

 

Sunday First Best In Show Judging

The first BIS judge on Sunday is Bryant Miller of OH.

View from the back.  

While judge Bryant is examining the BOB on the Best In Show table, the second show is still going on thus lots of the rabbits are on other tables.   That includes the English Angora being called to the Best In Show table and the breed judging table at the same time.   It's hard to handle being asked to be on the two tables at the same time. 

 

 

Sunday Afternoon Angora Judging

Randy Shumaker is the afternoon judge for English Angora but not French Angora.  He is examining a white senior buck.

On judge Randy's table is a colored senior buck.

The BOB winner is the colored senior doe.


See list of results on:

NCAG Show Results: March 27-28, 2021 Angora Judging at Merced (angorashowresults.blogspot.com)

 

Sunday Morning Angora Judging at Merced

On Sunday morning, English Angora is on judge Joe Lugo's table.   Joe's better half Kathy records comments.   On the table is a white senior buck.

Judge Joe checks the white buck's underside.  Yes, the two "balls" are there!

Now a colored English Angora is being examined.

How's the tummy wool?

Judge Joe gives comments.  

The colored senior doe is the BOB English Angora.

Judge Joe examines a junior French Angora, Carolyn watches.

The broken doe is the French Angora BOB.

Holland Lop won Quadruple Best In Show at Merced

California State Rabbit and Cavy Association and California Rabbit and Cavy Shows co-sponsored the four show weekend at Merced on March 26-28, 2021 after a long absence of shows.   There was also a judges conference on Friday night.

A Holland Lop won Best In Show in all four shows.  The proud mamas are Debbie and Nicole.

 

The Reserve In Show in 4 shows were 4 different breeds: Britannia Petit, Havana, Florida White and Jersey Wooly.  None of the Angora exhibitors showed in both days, some showed on Saturday and some on Sunday, thus there's no complete set of photos available.      We congratulate Debbie and Nicole for the job well done.

Stephanie is at the Saturday Cal State at Merced

Stephanie is also at the Saturday show at Cal state convention at Merced.  She is grooming her English Angora white buck Prince.

Prince in the judging coop.

It's a very nice sunny day in March, Stephanie takes Prince out for a sunbath.

Casey is invited to join in to enjoy the warm but not hot spring sun.
During the day, many asked "Where is Betty?".  Betty will be in the show on Sunday and photos to come.

Casey Attends the Saturday Cal State at Merced

Casey and her English Angora beauty are ready for a nice show day.

ARBA website update shows that the Douglas County NV is out of the quarantine zone.  YAY!!! That means half of California is now allowed to have shows.   At Merced,  California State Convention is going on from Friday night to Sunday.   Friday night is the judges conference then two days of rabbit and cavy shows.   Casey has her rabbits on the cart wheeling onto the fairgrounds on Saturday.


 

Casey is showing on Saturday at the California State Convention.

Casey clerks for judge Allen Barr.

Judge Allen Barr really likes Casey's Satin Angora.

See who are at the California State Convention?   Dolores and Ray, our district two director.