VOLUME , NUMBER  THE PUBLICATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL HOUSE SOCIETY SUMMER  An Unlucky Rabbit’s Foot

BY WILLY TARVER Editor : B W

    , and to make people grin. Perhaps it is be - I’m an English Angora. cause of all the people we’ve made After being unceremo - smile that so many people stepped up Mniously abandoned b y nationwide to save my life the second our first human family, my brother time I almost died. As it turned out, I (Shakespeare) and I were rescued had an unlucky rabbit’s foot. and adopted from the Baltimore Last August, my bouncy bunny chapter of House Rabbit Society in bink became broken. There was “stop 2008. Most people know the two of us in my hop” because my foot hurt. At as “Willy and Shakes.” We have be - the onset, I just had a little limp. Al - come somewhat famous nationwide though Shakespeare and I are because we are constantly chauf - cuddled and brushed every single day feured around in our baby stroller (FYI: we get ear and tummy mas - and we offer free pet therapy visits in sages every night at bedtime, too), my the nation’s capital (thus, we tend to Angora fluffiness initially concealed get a bunch of publicity). Maybe you the fact that an inexplicable tumor even read last year’s feature story had grown near the tarsal joint on about us in the national magazine, my right hind leg. After a few days, I USA? Or glimpsed us sitting “I will admit that being discarded started to bite at the spot, and it in our red wagon when the Humane bled. That sunny afternoon, Shake - Society of the United States wrote and abandoned in our early lives was speare and I were outside playing in about us on its website? We definitely puzzling to us, because (lets face it) our backyard so when my mom saw get around. we are so ridiculously cute.” the blood, she thought that I might I will admit that being discarded need stitches from cutting my foot and abandoned in our early lives was foster homes, plus never stopped working somehow. She scooped me up and took puzzling to us, because (let’s face it) we to find us our forever home. me to the doctor. With the Angora fluffi - are so ridiculously cute. That terrible ex - Our PTBSD (post-traumatic bunny ness shaved away, he examined my perience was the first time I came close to shock disorder) was finally replaced by liv - condition. My mom sobbed incon - dying. It was proclaimed by a vet that ing a very charmed life, and nowadays we solably when he said the “C” word. There Shakespeare and I wouldn’t have survived often eavesdrop as our human mommy needed to be more tests, but he believed much longer than another week if we whispers to people— who are astonished it was cancer. After second opinions at hadn’t been immediately discovered and to see us riding everywhere in our blue two vets, the verdict was in. A decision to nursed back to health. HRS saved our two stroller—and informs them that we don’t amputate my leg would need to be made lives and eventually found us temporary know we are r-a-b-b-i-t-s. This never fails (quickly) if choosing to try and save my Photograph By Sherri Tarver H  R J : Summer 2012 1 An Unlucky Rabbit’s Foot “ So, she spent hours waiting (like humans do for each other when someone has surgery) until my ordeal was over and then requested to see me.” life. My mommy’s agonizing began. All I through the procedure fine. The veteri - up and move closer to her, but to my dis - could do was trust her. nary staff told my mommy that she could tress and surprise, I fell over clumsily. I did The second vet had performed an ini - not hold me so soon, and she understood not realize that her eyes had filled with tial (less complicated) surgery designed it was for my own good. She explained to tears or that she was smiling through to spare my leg by entirely removing the them that she just wanted to sit with me them because I was responding to her tumor, or debulking it, as much as possi - and talk to me, so that I could hear her voice. All I knew was that she was with ble. We were informed, thereafter, me, petting me. For a long time, she that the malignant tumor (a high- sat by me and talked baby talk. (Well, grade, poorly differentiated, sar - of course, I understand baby talk, coma) had aggressively attached duh.) She promised to faithfully itself to my ankle bone. Marinell come back to see me tomorrow.On Harriman at HRS telephoned with the second day, when my mommy encouragement for my mommy— arrived to visit me,we went into a asking her not to rush to judgment private lounge and she held me all about euthanasia. She offered a gen - day long. We sank into the big com - tle much-needed reminder that fortable sofa, and I was lying against every day is a gift—even after such a her chest and cradled in her arms. I diagnosis, and that our little lives are slept several hours that way. Later, still worth saving. I sat on my mommy told me that she was grin - mommy’s lap, and her tears were ning as she watched me sleep, be - falling onto my face. Mommy held cause I was dreaming and snoring! me tightly and asked me what I Before she went home, I demon - wanted to do. I cuddled, as my reply. strated for her that I could already do Maybe it’s an unusual request at a an “improvisational hop” on the car - veterinary hospital, but my mommy pet It wasn’t quite as graceful as bal - was determined to be there at my let, but I was doing it and could cross ”bedside” and comfort me when the the entire room. Later that same anesthesia wore off from amputa - night, the hospital suddenly called tion. She didn’t want me to awaken my mommy—which definitely made in the unfamiliar confinement of a her panic. But it was good news. I cage, missing a limb, smelling other ani - Dr. Lisa Carr of VCA Veterinary Referral Associates was doing so well that I could go home al - mals all around, and feeling understand - and “Wonder Willy”after his quick recovery. ready if she wanted to drive back to get ably frightened and alone. So, she spent voice. It made me happy. Although heav - me. Of course, she did! My extraordinary hours waiting (like humans do for each ily sedated, I heard her say, “Hi Willy, surgeon, Dr. Lisa Carr of state-of-the-art other when someone has surgery) until mommy’s here. Mommy loves you.” The medical VCA Veterinary Referral Associ - my ordeal was over and then requested to metal door of my cage had been left ajar ates, exclaimed that she had never seen a see me. She was informed that the first for her. I felt mommy reach in and rub my bunny recover so quickly or well before. 24-48 hours would be critical but also ears. She was careful. My right ear still had My mommy swears I am such an inspira - given some reassurance that I cam e the IV tube attached. I tried to lift myself tion, and calls me (continued on page 9)

2 HOUSE RABBIT JOURNA L : Summer 2012 InBox Editor: BETH WOOLBRIGHT Bunny Truisms: If it doesn’t smell good, Wisdom collected by watching don’t waste your time on it. wise rabbits from Journal editors How others classify me (i.e., and Rabbit Center staff lop/agouti/handicapped/etc. ) RITA RICHARDSON : has absolutely no bearing on who *I* choose to be! The past and the future are not nearly as important as One of the best cures for a FEATURE /1 frown is the sight of a bunny An Unlucky Rabbit’s Foot what’s right in front of our IN BOX / 3 noses. binkying. Incorporating Letters and Q&A I’m not chubby; I haven’t BEHAVIOR / 4 There is no space too small Rabbit Scents shed my winter coat yet! for a bunny to fit. INSIGHT/ 6 BETH WOOLBRIGHT My $2,000 Bunny MARINELL HARRIMAN The most beautiful sight SIDEBAR/ 7 Preparing for Medical Situations in the world is a bonded pair The caregiver’s greatest HEALTH / 8 of rabbits. relief is the first nibble, by an Channeling Sherlock Holmes anorectic bunny, on a DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE / 10 The Endless Circle of the 3 dandelion leaf. WARRENWISE / 12 Nibble holes and hay bits The happiest music is the HRS Primary Goals are perfectly acceptable “Carrot Symphony” (that is, fashion accessories. multiple rabbits chomping House Rabbit Journal EDITOR -IN -CHIEF It’s important to pay carrots). Marinell Harriman attention to every little detail. The freshest smell is a EDITORS THIS ISSUE Shana Ab e A well-placed nip can take bunny’s parsley breath (or Beth Woolbright care of the problem way Nancy Montgomery, PhD Rita Richardson better than a bunch of Dana Krempels hemming and hawing. Susan Brown, DVM The closest distance Kathleen Wilsbach, PhD Every day is a brand new between two points is out of Nancy Lerner, DVM adventure! Linda Cook another bunny’s mouth. Amy Bremers Strangers are just friends I Julie Smith, PhD LINDA COOK House Rabbit Society haven’t marked yet. It’s a little like clean is a nonprofit corporation, and its It’s important to consider publication, House Rabbit Journal laundry, a little like spring. is published at 148 Broadway, something from every angle Richmond, CA 94804. There’s no sweeter smell than HRJ is copyright protected, and its before deciding what to do contents may not be republished a healthy, clean bunny! without written permission. about it, and always reserve the right to change your KRYSTAL CITTY could be the foulest after Board Of Directors Margo DeMello, PhD mind. Bunny kisses are like candy. cecotrope consumption). Mary Cotter Dana Krempels, PhD A snack and a nap (and MAUREEN O’N EILL : AMY BREMERS Beth Woolbright Marinell Harriman possibly a good run) can do If you leave it on the floor, Dandelions and clover are Kathleen Wilsbach, PhD wonders for one’s mood. Laurie Gigous it’s no longer yours. not weeds to be killed; they Susan Brown, DVM are treats to be harvested. Joy Gioia It’s important to stick to a No animal has a cuter butt Paris Grey schedule. than a bunny. (continued on page 5)

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEN MARK HOUSE RABBIT JOURNAL : Summer 2012 3 Behavior Editors: MAUREEN O’N EILL and RITA RICHARDSON

when they do that. To us it’s odorless.” Rabbit Scents Rabbits’ keen sense of smell is also It’s the smell that makes sense to a house rabbit used for detecting food, Van Buer says. “If they get a cold or something which affects BY LINDA COOK their ability to smell, they won’t eat be - cause they can’t smell. They’re obligate   “ ” . they do a lot of scent marking. They have nasal breathers – they have to breathe What’s more, they make scents on chin glands, anal glands and the inguinal through their noses. Their noses are work - Epractically everything as well! That’s glands (inside their flanks).” ing all the time.” why it’s important for rabbit companions The extent to which rabbits mark their The good news is many rabbits can be and caregivers to understand why rabbits territory depends on their sexual maturity, calmed with certain herbal scents. Donna leave their scent, and how profoundly reproductive status and their age. “The Jensen, manager of the Burrow Inn, a rab - scents can affect rabbits. dominant males and females mark more bit foster home in San Francisco, “Scent is actually the base work for frequently than their subordinates,” Van discovered this when she was a volunteer their whole social structure,” said Dr. Buer says. “The boys and girls mark their at a humane society in the 1990s. Kathy Van Buer of Animal Family Veteri - own territories and they know the smells. “Most of the animals came in so nary Care Center in Davenport, Iowa. We call it ‘chinning’ – they’ll rub their stressed,” says Jensen. She successfully “Rabbits are super-territorial. Both the chins on things in their territory and on began to use Bach Rescue® Remedy, a males and females have scent glands and each other. They’re actually scent marking unique combination of floral essences, to soothe them. “I like the spray because you can spray it around and inside a cage. It’s important to direct the spray close to the rabbit’s mouth so they can ingest it,” says Jensen, who also sprays rabbits’ bodies and ears with the substance. “It seems to calm them, and we would actually observe this in action.” When Jensen began introducing rab - bits to each other, she sprayed both parties. “The one who was visiting to meet another rabbit would usually be stressed because of the car ride. After the rabbit was sprayed with Bach Rescue® Remedy, people would notice how calm their rabbit was,” Jensen says. “It’s especially good at the vet, when animals are more stressed,” Jensen said. “If they have to have a procedure done it helps to calm them. Sometimes you have to spray it several times, depending on how stressed they are.” Rabbits’ sense of smell can cause trou - ble in a household with other animals, says

4 HOUSE RABBIT JOURNA L : Summer 2012 PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE AUTHOR Rabbit Scents

Evka Vašková, of Slovakia, Europe. “If you against other rabbits. She didn’t want to BUNNY TRUISMS ( continued from page 3) have a rabbit and try to introduce another sense another rabbit in her territory,” animal—especially a rabbit— you will need Vašková says. to be prepared for potential problems.” Marinell Harriman, editor of The House “When my first rabbit was the only an - Rabbit Journal and author of The House imal in my household, I noticed she Rabbit Handbook, has learned a long time wanted us to have the same smell,” says ago not to underestimate a rabbit’s re - Vašková. “When I used some perfume, she sponse to olfactory messages. “Whenever I waited while I knelt down to her, then she came near her, my sweet little lop Daphne sprayed me.” would flatten herself on the floor, head ex - Whenever Vašková changed clothes, tended, ready for some ear rubs. One day, You know a bunny owns your house “I could be sure that she would mark them however, she sniffed the hem of my when... pens and baby gates are part of with her chin so we would have the same bathrobe and then stood up on her hind your decor... you ask for a Dustbuster or smell.” feet and scratched ferociously with her electronic sweeper for Christmas... a When other rabbits arrived, even forepaws.” friend’s husband asks why there is hay in though Vašková thoroughly washed her Harriman had brought another rabbit your kitchen sink. hands, they could smell each other. “Their into the house, “but she was in a different Being owned by a bunny is more sense of smell is so good that simple soap is room and completely out of sight,” Harri - satisfying than “owning” a bunny. insufficient to hide the smell of another man said. “Here I considered only seeing Happiness is having a bunny fall rabbit. You have to use vinegar first.” and not smell. I had been in the other asleep on your forearm — even when Despite the constant washing of her room, brushing past the other bunny, per - your forearm, upper arm, hand, and haps even getting sprayed. These were the hands, her third rescued rabbit didn’t al - shoulder have also fallen asleep. ways like the smell of her hands. odors I brought back to Daphne.” “Sometimes she was content when I petted A few weeks later, Harriman’s husband There's nothing as cute as a bunny yawn. her and she licked my hands, but some - Bob learned his own lesson about rabbit The ambivalence of poop: No problem times she bit me,” Vašková remembers. smell. After working on the car he sat to sweep up and makes a great fertilizer, One new arrival sniffed certain locations down on the floor with his rabbit buddy, but easy to mistake for breakfast cereal in the house, “especially places where I put Bandit. Expecting a session of petting and until it's too late. her for the first time, like the sofa where she stroking, Bob was instead met with angry Bunnies can be fearless... New person? now sits and waits for me.” Although the snorts and growls. Eh, nip her on the toe to show her this is rabbit sometimes would dig and tear at the “No way was Bandit going to allow that your room. New dog? Eh, charge at him sofa, for example, Vašková changed a blan - nasty-smelling hand near his head!” said to show him you're the boss. New jingle- ket on the sofa and the rabbit stopped Harriman, who told her husband, “Don’t bell toy? Aaaaahhhh!!! n “attacking” it. take it personally. It’s the carburetor When the new rabbit discovered cleaner, not you, that he dislikes.” Vašková’s bed, “She smelled the rabbit who Because rabbits are aware of their power used to live there earlier, although the cover when they mark territory by spraying or was freshly washed and changed. She chinning, “as caregivers, we must learn started to dig on it and, because I didn’t how to mask the bad smells and add good change it soon enough, she started to use smells when needed,” Harriman says. n it as a litter box.” Vašková realized the rabbit was “acting To find Bach Rescue® Remedy, do a territorial. She started to consider that websearch—it is available in numerous room as her territory, and protected it locations and online.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEN MARK HOUSE RABBIT JOURNAL : Summer 2012 5 Insight Editor: NANCY MONTGOMERY

My $2,000 Bunny

“The closest vet who could perform the surgery was four hours away. . .”

into the bladder; he would need invasive out though, I had to pay half of the esti - BY LINDA COOK surgery to remove it. And if it weren’t done mated bill: $650. ow much is your rabbit’s life almost immediately, Rhett’s bladder For the next three hours, I sat in my car, worth? One day last year, my fos - would burst, causing an extremely painful praying and thinking about if I hadn’t res - Hter bunny Rhett showed me how death. The closest vet who could perform cued him, Rhett would probably be in a much his is. such a surgery was four hours away, and cage with no one noticing his pain, prob - Rhett, usually so outgoing and inquisi - my vet warned me it would be expensive. ably not even noticing him until he lay tive, spent his out-of-pen time hunched I didn’t hesitate; I told her to book the ap - dead. Any amount of money this ordeal in his litter box, even declining to be pet - pointment. Price for an exam, x-ray, cost would be worth his not suffering. ted. Concerned, I gently picked him up in pre-surgery blood work, and pain med - When I finally got the call that the surgery order to inspect him and take his temper - ication: $320. went well, I cried with relief. For the rest of ature. When I touched his belly, however, After a few hours of restless sleep on his life, Rhett would need bi-annual urine he squealed in pain. I felt a black-bean- the floor together, we left. Once there (cost tests, annual x-rays, and occasional other sized lump near his rectum—and imme - of gas: $55), the specialist told me that the tests, but he had survived. After spending diately took him to one of my vets. surgery would be more complicated than some post-surgery time with him, I left to Showing me an x-ray, my vet gave me my vet had anticipated, with less chance buy veggies to bring back—six different the news: Rhett had a huge stone lodged of survival. Tears streaming down my face, kinds to ensure that he would eat at least in his urethra. It couldn’t be flushed back I nodded to, of course, do it. On my way one of them—($10), get a hotel room

6 HOUSE RABBIT JOURNA L : Summer 2012 PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE AUTHOR My $2,000 Bunny

($85), eat something ($15), and sleep. hundred-dollar vet charge on my credit The next morning, after a $3 cup of cof - card. Even after school when I was pretty fee, I stopped by the clinic to visit. When I much living on macaroni and cheese, I walked in, Rhett looked up at me in recog - paid for weeks of acupuncture to make nition. Although he was weak, he pushed my rabbit with kidney failure more com - his head against my hand, wanting me to fortable. Even when I was laid off for a pet him. The clinic staff had to practically year, I took a couple extra freelance jobs force me to leave an hour later so that they when one rabbit developed an ear infec - could feed him and he could rest before I tion and another needed surgery for picked him up that evening. I went back tooth spurs. to the hotel, ate a $12 lunch, checked out, How can some people have the attitude and just kind of wandered around the rest that “it’s just a rabbit” and not pay for what Buy a bunny a little time. of the afternoon—spending another $10 he needs? How can some have a price Twenty-three years of eleventh-hour or so on gas. limit on treatment cost? And worse, how rescues. When their time is up at the I had plenty of time to think. Rhett was can some have their rabbits euthanized animal shelters, rabbits with your support are placed in foster care until “just” a foster bunny, yet I never hesitated instead of treated? When you choose to adoptive “matches” are made. to pay whatever it cost to help him. I’m have a rabbit, you choose to be responsi - Membership enrollment in the not poor, but I’m certainly not wealthy ei - ble for his life; you commit to doing House Rabbit Society and all other ther. Even when I was a cash-strapped whatever she needs. donations continue to help provide graduate student though, I put a several- Sometimes, keeping this commitment needy rabbits with food, housing, veterinary care, and enough time to isn’t easy. For example, should you take a find them permanent homes. PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF chance on a long-shot surgery for your AN EXPENSIVE MEDICAL SITUATION rabbit instead of pay your mortgage bill on time? Should you charge monthly treat - Budget for your rabbit as you do for ments to your credit card when you pay House Rabbit Society Membership the rest of your family, United States, $18; International, $25; only the minimum as it is? However, does - House Rabbit Journal is included . remembering that rabbits need n’t your rabbit deserve a chance? Isn’t he a Please support your local HRS chapter annual exams. part of your family? Wouldn’t you regret and visit our website for specific Learn about common rabbit not doing something to help her? chapter information. Enroll online or ailments and the costs of treating When I picked up Rhett to bring him mail in the form below. them. and his multiple medications back home NAME ($710), I was told he would need to have a Decide where your rabbit will go STREET if something happens to you follow-up check-up, including a urinaly - CITY that renders you unable to care sis ($40), in a couple of weeks. Fortunately, for him or her for either the short my own vet could do it at home. On the STATE ZIP trip home, I stopped to get some coffee or long term. CHECK (U.S. bank only ) VISA MC AE ($2), eat dinner ($13), and fill up my gas q q q q Plan ahead how you may be able to tank (another $55). NUMBER make—and save—a little extra Every morning when Rhett gallops to - money if you need to. EXPIRES ward me to get his banana slice and every Adopt a rabbit (or another rabbit) evening as he stretches out beside me and HOUSE RABBIT SOCIETY only if you will financially be able to “purrs” contentedly, I feel so grateful for 148 Broadway, Richmond, California 94804 care for him or her appropriately. his life. Rhett’s total cost so far: $1980+; his www.rabbit.org / 510-970-7575 total worth: priceless. n

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEN MARK HOUSE RABBIT JOURNAL : Summer 2012 7 Health Editor: LINDA COOK

usually hard and distended) or G.I. stasis Channeling (when the gut may feel partially empty), and you can get him or her to your vet - Sherlock erinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Observe how active your bunny is at Holmes different times of the day. If normally your Use your power of bunny is playful at exercise time but can - not be coaxed out for its usual joyous observation to detect “binkies,” that is a clue that there may be illness in your rabbit a problem. Monitor how much your rabbit eats and BY MARLENE LARKIN drinks. Look for decreased intake of either food or water. Offering a favorite treat is  H   one of the best tests to see if your bunny observation skills. He was able to is feeling normal; refusal is usually a Sspot minute inconsistencies and sign your bunny doesn’t feel well. items that were out of place and from Notice if there is any drooling when those observations make deductions eating or difficulty chewing or biting that amazed those around him. Like into certain foods such as a carrot. These Sherlock Holmes, the single greatest may indicate tooth problems, which “tool” you have to help detect illness are usually treatable but if left un - in your bunny is your own power of treated can cause much more serious observation. problems. Rabbits, with rare exception, are Examine what your bunny’s normal silent communicators. They are also feces and urine look like. Note the usual masters at hiding illness, so as not to ap - size of droppings. Decreased size and/or pear easy prey. Signs of illness may be as quantity is a sure sign of illness that subtle as lying down in an unusual way, help prevent the “villain” (in this case, ill - should be treated quickly. Sludge in the making “grinding” movements with their ness) from striking your bunny, you can urine (gritty, toothpaste-like consistency) teeth, facing a wall, or lowering their ac - do the same: can hint at a bladder problem that also tivity levels. These little indicators may be Feel your rabbit’s belly on a daily basis. needs quick treatment. clues to a serious problem. More obvious Gas, bloat as the result of excessive gas, Watch how your bunny normally holds signs of illness, which may still be hard to and gastrointestinal (G.I.) stasis are some his ears and head. If you see one ear detect, may include hunching up or refus - of the most common illness in rabbits, and drooping slightly when both are usually ing to lie down, reducing food intake or G.I. stasis is one of the most lethal. Gently straight up, his head tilted slightly, or your rejecting favorite treats, breathing quickly, place your hand under your bunny’s bunny shaking his head or scratching his panting, or shivering. Often, if symptoms tummy and apply a very slight squeeze — ears more than normal, your bunny may reach these levels you may have a very sick like trying to see how ripe a piece of deli - have an ear infection, wax build-up, or a bunny or even one who is in shock. cate fruit is while being careful not to parasite infection and require treatment. Before a villain had an opportunity to bruise the fruit.) Get to know what your Pay attention to normal overall posture strike, Sherlock Holmes’ objective was to rabbit’s gut normally feels like. This way, in your bunny and also movement when catch the crook and prevent the crime. He you’ll be more likely to notice if your he or she hops and plays. You’re more began by examining the clues at hand. To bunny may have bloat (when the gut is likely to catch problems such as bloat, “. . . don’t forget that Sherlock Holmes had a very important partner: Dr. Watson.” 8 HOUSE RABBIT JOURNA L : Summer 2012 PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE AUTHOR arthritis, and injuries such as to its paws or UNLUCKY RABBIT (continued from page fragile spine if you know how your bunny Wonder Willy! Guess what? Now, I already normally sits, stretches out, and hops. have some pet therapy appointments to Although Sherlock Holmes had an ex - encourage children who have survived ceptional memory, he was not hesitant in limb loss.When I first got home, mommy taking notes of his observations. Consider kept Shakespeare in another part of our keeping a notebook for your bunny, both house. However, the next day we all spent in times of good health and in times of ill - quality time together. Shakes binked me ness. One of Holmes’ skills that made him hello. (In my heart and in my imagination, so effective was that he was able to re - I binked back.) We snuggle a lot nowa - main detached in his observations, so as days, and he helps me in so many extra to not pre-judge what clues were present - ways. My mommy is in awe, she says, of ing themselves. When you think a “crime” how Shakespeare props me up on one may be afoot, so to speak, you can use side if I need him to, and cleans my right your notes to remind yourself what “nor - ear for me, since I have no back paw to mal” looked like when you were in a reach there any more. We are a wonderful calmer and less-worried state. Also, if you duo, even more than before. By the way, I keep records when illnesses occur, they can still follow Shakes throughout our can help you to see possible patterns of house whenever he mischievously hops illness that you can discuss with your up and down the stairs. Due to my long Willy visiting children, Easter, . veterinarian . Angora hair, nobody even notices that I where limb amputation could save a life. Finally, don’t forget that Sherlock I’m so grateful that my mommy reached Holmes had a very important partner: Dr. out to Marinell, who offered her invalu - Watson. In your case this would be your able support and advice, and Adam Gold - experienced rabbit veterinarian. By using farb (with the Humane Society of the his extensive medical training, Dr. Watson United States, at that time.) They both was able to help Holmes make deduc - were instrumental in saving my life when tions and help catch the culprit. Unlike my mommy was distraught and didn’t Dr. Watson, however, your veterinarian know what to do. Mommy thought exist - takes on more of the Holmes super-sleuth ing might be a hardship for me after am - role. And, while working as a team, your putation, but I still really love living. power of observation is what provides the Naturally, I am learning to creatively initial clues that your veterinarian uses to am missing a leg when we go visiting, so I “work my disability” to receive a little solve the case. don’t even have an inferiority complex. extra spoiling. Thanks, so much, to the Doing something that you most likely Sometimes when I have an itch, I forget wonderful individuals and organizations already love to do—watching your bunny that I cannot scratch on that side. How - that gave donations toward my veterinary —is one of the greatest tools at your dis - ever, I’ve learned to lean up against ob - bills—and literally helped save my life posal to promote a long and healthy life for jects to scratch myself. Hey,we’re not with funds. Bless each of you. Have you your beloved pet. To quote Sir Arthur dumb bunnies y’know! Please don’t ever ever noticed that when a tragedy strikes Conan Doyle, the creator of the Sherlock rush to judgment about euthanasia. Our human be ings, there’s often testimony af - Holmes character, “Holmes, you see every - lives are worth saving. I’ve observed that terward about how amazing the human thing,” to which Sherlock Holmes replied, if humans are faced with a life-threaten - spirit is. Everyone, let’s all contribute to “I see no more than you, but I have trained ing diagnosis, there is typically no debate making it true that the humane spirit is myself to notice what I see.” n about whether to proceed in scenarios equally powerful. With Love, Willy n

P Photographs by Sherri Tarver HOUSE RABBIT JOURNAL : Summer 2012 9 Down the Rabbit Hole Editor: LINDA COOK

The Endless Circl eof The Three Hares BY JULIE SMITH , P HD

.     is one well- known version of the end - less circle. .Called the , the snake with its tail in Aits mouth connotes the primal unity of all things before time, as well as the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, applicable even to the universe itself (the “eternal return”). The endless cir - cle of three hares shares some of these meanings with the Ouroboros but is its own special variant. Transmission of the Image No less than four major religions adopted the image of the cir - cling hares: , Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The earliest surviving examples were painted in Buddhists caves from the sixth through the tenth centuries in , China (www.threerabbits.net). Seventeen of these cave-temples con - tain images of the circling hares imposed on a lotus blossom. Spreading west from Dunhuang along the so-called , a network of interlinking trade routes that connected Asia with Eu - rope during the , the image emerged in central Asia, southern Russia, India, and Persia (modern Iran). In Europe the circling hares or rabbits appear in churches in France, in churches and of Eastern Europe (most spectacularly the three-hares window on the outside of the Paderborn Cathe - FIGURE 1: Medieval roof boss. day from mud to bloom into a flower of dral in Germany), and in English churches. South Tawton, , UK. © incomparable, unsoiled beauty. Thus, England has more images of circling hares than any country. Chris Chapman. it signifies rebirth, particularly rebirth The Three Hares Project. They occur primarily in roof bosses, that is, carved wooden discs from sullied material existence into a or plaques at the intersection of the ribs of the church ceiling. spiritual flourishing. In other words, for Buddhists, the lotus rep - The greatest number is in Devon county, in the far southwest cor - resented the awakening human consciousness from spiritual ner of England. There one can find over 29 roof bosses with the ignorance to perfection by means of many rebirths or reincar - circling hares (see for example, figure #1) in seventeen different nations, just as the lotus arises each day from the muck. One churches, the earliest from about 1450. In 2000, art historian Sue might see how the chasing rabbits complement this theme. In - Andrew initiated the Three Hares Project in order to locate, pho - dividually, the hares represent the mundane physical world and tograph and study these images, aided by photographer Chris its carnality; but through the visual puzzle, they escape from the Chapman (www.threehares.net). ordinary into a miraculous unity wherein three anatomically History of its Meanings complete rabbits share only three ears. According to interpreters, each religion used the image to sig - Christianity too found the image congenial, particularly to its nify meanings related to its worldview. Because Buddhism ideas of the virgin birth and a triune . As the was thought combined the circling rabbits with the lotus plant, we have im - to be hermaphrodite--able to reproduce without sexuality--it portant clues to its significance. The lotus flower emerges each lent itself to associations with the Virgin Mary and can often be

10 HOUSE RABBIT JOURNA L : Summer 2012 Insight Editor: LINDA COOK

for most of us moderns, linearity— “... forward movement toward a goal—is the way we like to think of our lives in time rather than as a cycle...” seen in paintings with her. The composite image of three hares also expressed the Christian paradox of a three-in-one god. In England, the chasing rabbits sometimes appear adjacent to the “,” a pagan, Anglo-Saxon figure signifying nature. To - gether the two are perhaps intended to represent a contrast between earthly and spiritual realms. Contemporary Reworkings For contemporary artists, the image has more psychological than spiritual significance. Illustrator Jackie Morris (www.jack - iemorris.co.uk/) has several paintings of the theme and has written about it in her blog. For her, the chasing hares sometimes represent the taxing repetitions of life and work, one might say “the rat race,” the feeling of being on the edge of madness and the sense of the world turning upside down. Morris also links the image to the role of art: the constant struggle to continually ask and try to answer questions. In one of her circling-hares images, two of the hares fade into the background while one emerges as FIGURE 2: Hare Quest. The hedgehog defeated the hare in a race prominent, suggesting escape from frustrating repetition, from Courtesy of Karen Fawcett by getting it to rerun the race over and continual action with no outcome. Likewise, in Karen Fawcett’s and Imagine Gallery, over until it dropped from exhaustion. lovely sculpture reminiscent of medieval roof bosses (Figure #2), Long Medford, Suffolk, UK. The hedgehog accomplished this by one of the hares appears about to leave the circle. placing itself at the beginning of the racetrack and its wife at the For these artists, as well as for most of us moderns, linearity— end of it, so that each time the rabbit ran the course he found the forward movement toward a goal—is the way we like to think of hedgehog already there and thought he had been beaten. He our lives in time rather than as a cycle, which we often associate continually demanded to repeat the challenge until he dropped with boredom, psychic exhaustion, futility, and failure, basically dead of fatigue. “getting nowhere.” But the circling hares may comment on linear Are the hares in the endless circle content to run in place as part time as an illusion, as do some modern artists using a variation of the larger unity/relatedness of all things, or are they like the of the endless circle--the loop from visual technology such as hare in Grimm’s tale, obsessed with breaking out and heading film or video. The film strip seems to depict forward action but is straight ahead toward a future goal? In other words, are they sat - comprised of continual repetitions of the same frame with minor isfied just “to be” or are they desperately trying to “to become”? changes, and the linearity of film is available for endless replay - Perhaps the coolness of the image is that it signifies the compat - ing. German artist Helke Baronowsky entitles one of her video ibility between these opposites: constant activity toward a goal installations “The Hare and the Hedgehog” (2000). It shows cy - may be an end in itself quite apart from ever reaching it—an en - clists perpetually moving forward and passing each other and yet couraging puzzle for rabbit activists and one perhaps that rabbits continually falling back only to repeat the same passing action already understand in their own alternative consciousness. n again and again. The title comes from Grimm’s fairy tale of the 1. For a discussion of the loop, see Anne Barlow, “Circle as Cycle.” hedgehog and the hare that is its own version of the endless circle. Afterimage 29.5 (March/April 2002), pp.12-13.

HOUSE RABBIT JOURNAL : Summer 2012 11 HOUSE RABBIT SOCIE TY National Headquarters NON-PROFIT 148 Broadway, ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE Richmond, CA 94804 PAID ALAMED A, CA PERMIT NO. 27

Warrenwise NE OF HOUSE RABBIT ’S SOCIETY ’S House Rabbit Society was recentlyinvited sale items, and we were able to reach primary goals is to help animal to give a presentation at the 2012 Animal countlesspeople with our message. Oshelters with caring for, promot - Care Expo, hosted by theHumane Society We are now discussing other ways that ing, and adopting out the rabbits in their of the United States in Las Vegas. This an - we can further support shelters intheir care. To that end, House Rabbit Society nual event is aimedat animal shelter staff work, and are talking about hosting shel - has been providing information to shelter and rescuers from around the world, and ter staff at the HRS Adoptionand Educa - for over 20 years. Our website has a sec - offersclasses and workshops on every - tion Center during workshops that would tion devoted to shelters and rescue thing from fundraising to marketing to - provide animal caremanagers, behavior - groups: www.rabbit.org/rescue. Here shel - conducting cruelty investigations to ists, and other interested staff with hands- ter staff and rescuers can find documents animal care. HRS Shelter ManagerChris - on informationabout caring for rabbits in on rabbit care in the shelter, temperament tiana Merritt and HRS President Margo the shelter environment. Watch our web - testing, information onconducting large- DeMello gave a powerpointpresentation site andthis Journal for more information scale rescues, dealing with animal confis - as this idea takes shape! cations, and abuse and neglect cases. We also have compiled a wide variety of “We are now discussing Back Issues of HRJ forms, flyers,and posters for shelter use. other ways that we can There was a time when the only way to These include cage/personality cards, in - further support shelters read back issues was to write to anas - takeforms, surrender questions, adoption signed volunteer, who would make photo - forms and questionnaires, foster home in their work. . .” copies and mail them to you. It was contracts, and care packets for adopters. cumbersome but the only way to fill in We also have colorful flyers andposters on caring for, promoting, and adopting new members with what they had missed. geared towards hanging in shelter lobbies rabbits in the shelter,and the talk was very Now you can read nearly all of the past and small animal rooms,which provide well received. That presentation is now Journal articles online. A few of them have educational information about rabbits in linked to ourwebsite, on the shelter pages. been removed due to relevance over the a graphic format. We even have Spanish HRS also had an opportunity to host a years, but others have survived all the way and French translations of some of these booth at the Expo, giving us even moreex - from 1988. documents and flyers. We also offer Emer - posure to thousands of shelter workers. Browsing through the web archives at gency Rescue Grants: small grants ($100- Thanks to Maria Perez and LindaWalden http://www.rabbit.org/journal/index.html $1000) that we send to shelters and rescue of Las Vegas House Rabbit Society, and Ju - will give you some idea of what HRS was groups who find themselves overwhelmed dith Pierce and TamaraSwanson of San doing in the previous two decades. You with large rabbit rescues. Diego House Rabbit Society, our booth can follow its discoveries, growth, and suc - Thanks to our expertise in this area, was set up witheducational materials and cess. Enjoy your reading. n

12 HOUSE RABBIT JOURNA L : Summer 2012 PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE AUTHOR