Chance and Charm go home

It is always an overwhelming feeling getting up to feed something in the middle of the night and around the clock... but that feeling amplifies itself when that something can't wake you up and it could very well aspirate with nothing you can do to save it. Each time I take a baby bunny on in an attempt to save it, I face this potential risk but every moment of the experience no matter the outcome, is amazing. This year Chance came into my care as a little guy. We made it through some of the hardest moments and successfully weaned him. Now for the release right? Wrong...  His best chances of surviving in the wild after being taken at such a young age was to find another young one he could be released with... not so easy! As the weeks inched by I got a call about another little one who needed my care and I left at it. Sadly little charisma was far too weak to make it after all of my efforts... And I started to lose hope that I would ever find another one for him to be released with. When days later I got a call. A dog had caught one about the same age and injured it. There were no garuntees  she'd make it but it was worth a shot. With some TLC and antibiotics, she healed right up! and we were able to release them together only 4 weeks later! 

Chance and myself after a feeding early on 

 One last picture with the littles before they made their way home

 Their new home

 Chance and Charm just before their release

Chance and Charm on their way home to the wild

Finding Otis

Otis is a very special French lop rabbit who stole my heart from the beginning.
When my sweet Max passed away, I knew I needed Another male for starting my breeding program. After knowing the color I was looking for was choosing difficult I decided to give up the idea of finding my exact color. When I went to the Minnesota state rabbit show and saw the color I wanted. And a boy. I took him out, looked him over and fell in love. His birth date was March 18th, same day as Holly, same month as Max and on his little tag was the name Maxwell. It hit me that he was it and this was my rabbit.
My heart was broken when I was told a gentleman from Canada was on his way to purchase him. As the hours went on I found another little boy in the same breeders herd I kinda liked. still holding out hope the man didn't show up. The end of the day neared and still my rabbit sat in his carrier not claimed. I left heavy hearted knowing he'd be gone by morning.

The next morning, the breeder came up to me and told me. She told me in a way I'll never forget. With her quirky smile, she looked at me in a school girl way and quietly said, "he's yours."
Staring at her blankly not registering what she had just said, she repeated herself louder and more giddy this time with an even bigger smile.
I could have cried on the spot. My eyes welled up and I gave her a big hug. He was mine. Otis was actually mine!