May 15, 2008
What Does Forever Mean?
I got a typical email from Karalee today. Typical in that it consisted of the usual combination of good and bad news. The good: the remaining three babies were successfully spayed yesterday. A tremendous relief for us all. The bad: a second barn bunny is coming back.
To refresh your memory, back in late 2005/early 2006, 17 rabbits were rescued from a barn in Cardington. No surprise, Karalee was instrumental in getting them placed.
Maggie was returned a few weeks ago. I met her last Saturday and my first reaction was a gasp. She is a gorgeous black and white mini-lop, which immediately made me think of my beloved Oreo, who left this world several years ago. Not only is she gorgeous but she is very sweet and is residing quite happily in the Curry home.
I have yet to meet Teddy but he has been described as very sweet and highly adoptable.
The timing on this latest bad news is not great. I have to admit to being in a bit of a funk when it comes to people and animals. I did not watch the Kentucky Derby but still managed to experience a profound sadness over Eight Belles's demise. Two compound fractions is extraordinary even by horse racing standards. A week earlier, two other horses were euthanized after falling during the cross-country phase of the Rolex Three-Day Event. And polar bears were just classified as endangered.
So, with all this bad news, I was prepared for a full-blown rant on the topic of whether people are worthy of being in the same world as rabbits, horses, and polar bears.
As I was washing greens tonight, I got to thinking about our chapter. It's hard to ignore the fact that CHRS is nothing more than a group of people united in our love for long-eared hoppers. Our volunteers manage to make room in their overly busy lives for activities that unquestionably improve the lives of Central Ohio rabbits. We spend endless hours caring for the lagomorph members of our families, socializing our fosters, and trying to regain the trust of rabbits who have been dumped at Capital Area Humane Society.
We rescue, we educate. Most of all, we are always there to greet returnees with open homes and open hearts. Like Maggie, we remain optimistic that a forever home is out there for every rabbit that passes through our lives.
So what does "forever" mean? For me, it means that all of our chapter rabbits have a safety net. Should that forever home be short-lived, these rabbits will always have a safe sanctuary with a chapter volunteer. Maggie is right to be confident that she will always have a home in our chapter, until her real forever home is found.
Which makes me feel very proud to be a part of this group of people called the Columbus House Rabbit Society.
Posted by Sue at 5:22 PM
May 8, 2008
Baby Spaying News
Isabella, Buffy and Maddie were spayed yesterday. Being true daughters of tough-girl, Lucy, they wasted no time eating and pooping after the surgery.
They are only about four months old but Isabella and Buffy were already starting to build nests! Thankfully, all is well and they will be ready when their forever homes come along.
Marshall has already been neutered so that leaves Brook (who is adopted), Lacy and Brie who will be spayed next wednesday. It will be good to get these last spays completed.
Posted by Sue at 3:30 PM
May 4, 2008
New CHRS Ornament!
Check out our new CHRS ornament! I saw one yesterday and they are beautiful. Rupert's bonding kept me from taking any home but I expect to buy four of them. One will end up on the family Christmas tree. The rest will be positioned on my refrigerator, car rearview mirror, and someplace, as yet undefined, at work.
Posted by Sue at 5:25 PM
A Special Thanks to Our Fosterers
This is a particularly interesting time for me concerning all things CHRS. I am involved in preparations for our celebratory spring picnic, which means that I have CHRS on my mind a good deal of the time.
Yesterday was yet another day of preparation for the picnic. More importantly, Rupert, Terri and Jeremy Cook's foster rabbit, met Umlaut, a darling Lionhead from Cleveland. Umlaut recently lost her friend and Rupert appears to be an ideal candidate for her new friend.
I didn't stick around for the bonding but apparently things look promising and Rupert is now in Cleveland. This got me to thinking about the expectations we have for our fosterers.
Terri and Jeremy have been fostering for years. Interesting historical fact: they were the first HRS fosterers in Columbus after Karalee and Chuck and before CHRS even existed. They have given sanctuary to a number of rabbits through the years and have unselfishly wished them well in their new homes.
We expect our fosterers to provide the same love and care to our fosters that they give to their own rabbits. Yet we also expect them to relinquish these rabbits to someone else in the hope that these beloved foster rabbits will finally have a forever home.
We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Terri, Jeremy, and our other fosterers!
Posted by Sue at 2:26 PM
April 29, 2008
Why the New Name?
Astute readers of this fine blog may notice the new name. Personally, I always liked "Karalee's Corner" - not just because I thought it up but also because it had a certain cozy feel to it.
Unfortunately, the blog's namesake had a problem with it since, as Karalee accurately noted, she rarely has time to write. For me, that's a modest technicality but facts is facts.
Terri Cook, wordsmith extraordinaire, came up with the new name. Thanks, Terri!
I have also tried to replicate the color scheme of our new site. It still needs tweaking but you get the idea.
While I've got your attention, I want to remind you of our chapter celebration, to be held on June 7. Please please please send us your memories of your experiences with our chapter! After all, what is a chapter but a group of people with something in common - a passion for lagomorphs! Let's make this a real celebration of our successes and our people!
Posted by Sue at 4:15 PM
April 27, 2008
Watch Those Inboxes!
One of the challenges of a volunteer organization is keeping in touch with its members without being too intrusive. Our members are busy and often don't have time to regularly visit the website or (gasp!) read this delightful blog.
Terri Cook heard about an email service, Constant Contact, that provides a very simple way to create attractive, newsletter-like emails. Megan Lynch, a new volunteer, will use this service to send out a monthly email newsletter that will keep you up to date with the events and activities of CHRS.
The topic of the first newsletter: our spring picnic which will celebrate six years of the Columbus House Rabbit Society and 20 years of national HRS.
Thank you, Megan!
Posted by Sue at 3:14 PM
The Search Continues
Unfortunately, the bonding between Jonesy and Blackberry did not end as hoped. Although Blackberry was very interested in Jonesy, Jonesy's high-energy personality does not work as a friend for a bunny that is wobbly and has balance issues. So, the search continues for a friend for Blackberry who has a mellow and laid-back personality, one who is able to handle her balance problems.
I got to spend some quality time with her today. Blackberry is definitely one of the sweetest bunnies I have ever met. She loves having her head rubbed and licks my hand. Everyone who visits is quickly charmed by this darling little girl.
This little one definitely deserves a friend and a forever home.
Posted by Sue at 11:14 AM
April 23, 2008
Lucy Update
My apologies for taking so long to provide an update on our beloved Lucy.
It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride with her. If you know Lucy, you also know that she, like Blackberry, has been a bit wobbly for as long as we've known her. Neither girl seems to mind in the least. They are both charming, adventurous young ladies.
Lucy had started dating a handsome fellow named Eddie. Things were progressing really well and Lucy left the Curry home to stay with Eddie.
Sadly, Lucy suffered a medical setback and appeared to have developed head tilt. Needless to say, our hearts were broken. She has been through so much and was finally on the brink of a wonderful life with Eddie. It just seemed so unfair.
Lucy, of course, chose not to let it get her down. Being the fighter that she is, she is bouncing back. With a vengence. Her most recent vet check was excellent.
So.... Keep your fingers crossed that Lucy and Eddie will be BFF. For those, who don't follow the younger generation's lingo, that means Best Friends Forever.
You go, girl!
Posted by Sue at 6:11 PM
April 13, 2008
Other News
Life continues to be busy on the CHRS front. For me, the big news is Blackberry and Jonesy may be a match!
I have been fortunate to spend some serious quality time with both on Karalee's porch.
Jonesy is quite the little pistol, and gives new meaning to the word "binky." An amazing athlete and quite the flirt. Blackberry is absolutely charming. She is one of the sweetest rabbits I have ever met, which is even more amazing given how poorly she has been treated in the past.
Keep your fingers crossed that this works out.
Also, the CHRS picnic will be held on June 7. This is a particularly special event: We will be celebrating six years of official existence as a chapter and many more years prior to that as HRS volunteers.
To make this a truly successful celebration, we need your help! Go here to see how you can help.
Posted by Sue at 2:55 PM
Thanks, Busy Bunny!
In support of our Make Mine Chocolate! campaign, Busy Bunny generously donated 10% of their retail proceeds accumulated during the week just after Easter. The result was $693.56.
Not only do they make wonderful products for our rabbits, they also generously support our campaign.
Thanks, Busy Bunny!
Posted by Sue at 2:40 PM
March 25, 2008
New Digs for Lacy and Brie
Two more babies, Lacy and Brie, have left home and are now living with foster mom, Karen Winstead. Although I knew it was coming, I have to admit to a momentary feeling of sadness, knowing that I will probably never see them again.
But looking at the picture below made me smile. I mean, really, is it possible to provide nicer housing than what Karen has provided for these young ladies?
I don't think so!
Mega thanks to Karen for providing a wonderful foster home while the ladies await their forever homes!
Posted by Sue at 4:52 PM
March 22, 2008
Karalee and Lucy are Famous!
Check out the front page of the Metro section of today's (Saturday, March 22) Columbus Dispatch! You'll find a terrific interview with Karalee warning against impulse purchases of rabbits for Easter. Also, there's a large photograph of Karalee and Lucy. If you don't get the Dispatch, you can read it here.
Congratulations to Karalee and Lucy!
Posted by Sue at 3:15 PM
March 17, 2008
They're Dating!
Three of our girls had their first date today. Brooke was clearly interested in her handsome suitor and will be leaving home tomorrow for an extended date.
Please keep your fingers crossed that the bonding goes well!
Posted by Sue at 5:39 PM