Missing Spring

We have been in a drought for a pretty good bit now. Last night we had a little rain, but not enough to really make a dent in how dry everything is still. Some of my trees have been dropping leaves and the grass looks very brown and sad.

It wasn't so long ago when everything was lush and blooming. I'm posting some pics today of my hydrangea when it was producing tons of flowers in mid-May. I purchased it thinking it was going to produce bubblegum pink petals a few years back. It was almost dead on the clearance shelf at Home Depot for $5 when it normally sold for almost $30. I figured I'd give it a go and with some TLC, it came right back. Didn't bloom the first year, but ever since it has been like clockwork during Spring.

Interestingly, it never did end up blooming bubblegum pink, but research later on indicated that the advertising wasn't really accurate because the color of the flower depends on the pH of the soil.

 

 

 As you can see, the buds would try to open pink, but by the time they matured they were lavender blue with pink centers and were just so pretty!

Here is another lovely Spring discovery. A Toehee nest right outside my front window:

The little pair hatched less than 24 hours before this picture was taken. I had been discretely checking the nest when mama was out and the babies did great!

Thanks for reading. :o)

Staying Cool

Tacoma, resting on a hot summer day:

Though for some reason she lays on the opposite side of the cage as her frozen pop bottle and resting mat most of the time. Oh well.. to each his or her own, I guess!

Heat Wave

106! That's how hot it was here yesterday afternoon. This is an all-time record high for this time of year since recording began in 1878. We are expecting 104 today. :o(

Needless to say, I am taking numerous steps to keep the rabbits cool. I highly encourage anyone looking for ways to chill their barn out to check out some of posts of the blogs I follow regarding how to reduce temperatures in your rabbitry. Now that I don't have AC anymore out with the buns, I use frozen pop bottles, frozen tiles, box fans, damp their ears, and even set-up to rotate them inside the house in an exercise pen since I can't fit the stackers.

Stay cool if you can!

Out of Office

I've been away traveling for the better part of a week again after just returning from another trip previously. Here are some random pictures from the places I visited:

 

 

I am back home now for the time being and am trying to get caught up on everything. Every bunny is doing fine, though we are in a heat wave and code red smog alert right now. It is 100 degrees and humid, so I am working hard to keep all the critters comfortable today. Can't wait for Fall to come!

New Directions

I haven't truly updated the blog in a while, so I am trying to get motivated to jump back in. I still owe a missing post in the good, bad, and ugly of raising rabbits that I plan to do as soon as I can. I also just wanted to talk about what's up here at Hendricks' Hearth.

First, we are down to our last two Mini Lop does- they are available singly or together and would be good brood does, though I think they wouldn't be bad options for the show tables either. Our last New Zealand pair went to a great brood home and are doing great, so I am happy. Especially because I was very attached to that gold-tipped steel doe. She is a love! Here is the sweetie pie before she left:

I still have the Harlie herd and everyone is doing fine. I have a couple junior brood bucks available right now and have some weaned litters I need to take pictures of. I no longer have a good summer set-up for rabbits and am now considering a military nurse career, so the entire Harlequin herd would be available to someone wanting to seriously work with this breed. If you have read my blog or talked to me, you know I think Harlequins in the United States are pretty much riddled with problems. In my humble opinion, they can also be incredibly rewarding and are some of the most beautiful and unique rabbits in the world. So if you want a very challenging breed that is affectionate, goofy, and one-of-a-kind near Atlanta then I'd be glad to talk with you.

I haven't been able to take many pictures lately, but I will work on that. I have been studying hard for the state board exam, so I am just hoping and praying I only have to take it once. I have also been under the weather for weeks now and have been to the Dr. twice. It's like my body knew I couldn't afford to miss a day of nursing school so now it is all catching back up, lol. Nothing to do but keep on keepin' on though!

Thanks for reading! I'll be taking some new pictures and posting more updates just as soon as I can. :)

Sick

 I am not going to go into the gory details, but I read a post on a forum that I regularly visit tonight that just sickened me involving an owner taking it upon themselves to destroy dogs that were in their yard attacking their rabbits. Mind you, their yard is not fenced in nor were they supervising rabbits they had in a flimsy tractor set-up.

As a rabbit owner and a dog owner, let me please take this time to humbly ask both rabbit and dog owners for the following:

1. Consider fencing in the yard. Even if you can't fence in the whole thing, consider a section. Sturdy fencing please.

2. Supervise animals in an unfenced/unprotected area. It is the only fair option to them and to you.

3. Although someone elses dog should not be in other people's yard, please consider that it may have never happened before. Maybe a family member left the gate open or something? That dog or cat might be some kid's heart critter- give them a chance or call animal control before taking it upon yourself to end them with weapons.

4. For the love of everything holy, consider actions AND the repercussions before doing anything!

5. Remember that the world is judging what you do and what you say all the time on the internet. Regardless of whatever decision is made, is it really a good idea to post a horrifying story on a public forum? I am not sure what there is to gain. Sympathy? Popularity? Infamy?

All that I have found is someone I never want to associate with for any reason ever again.

This has been a public service announcement. Thank you for your time.

I did it!

Sorry I haven't been around much. I've been busy graduating from nursing school! :o) :o) :o)

Be back soon,

Lauren