TinysMom
Well-Known Member
It feels like it is the end of an era...this is what I just posted on the lionhead lists I belong to...
[line]I've let a handful of breeders know already but I felt it would be better if I posted it on the list(s) also so that everybody hears the same things.
Our last couple of litters have been really nice and we have some stock I'm really REALLY pleased with. I really have enjoyed the last couple of litters.
But we've had some losses lately - rabbits that I loved dearly - that touched my heart. I've had to rush does to the vet because I thought they were having problems with deliveries ~ and a much-beloved doe took ill this weekend and I was afraid it was breeding related. (It was not and she is fine).
This made me realize that I don't have the temperament for breeding lionheads (or anything else) anymore. I can't bring myself to "play God" by breeding does and putting their lives at risk - even if the risk is minor.
Its sorta sad too because we were getting body type down really well - and mane - and we were finally getting the small ears too!
But Art & I are very happy about our decision to get out of breeding. It is the right decision for us ~ breeding has been hard for me - I cry at the loss of babies - I cry at the loss of a rabbit - I sometimes even tear up and cry when a rabbit is sold!
We're going to go to the Seguin, TX show at the end of March and rehome many of our rabbits as pets there - along with rehoming them locally as pets. My favorites are going to be neutered and live pampered lives as pets with large cages and hopefully in bonded pairs.
I want to thank everyone we've bought from in the past - the list is simply too large to remember everyone here. I especially want to thank Lisa Brown for Triad and BunJovi ~ they were gifts from her and I offered them back (even though it was breaking my heart) and she has told me to keep them here - they'll be so spoiled. And I want to thank Kaela Shannon who sold me Isenstar (Star) and Sting last year - thanks to them - I finally got the compact bodies and small ears I was looking for. My last few litters - were what I'd dreamed of. It was all due to Sting and Star....thank you so much. They're going to be pampered pets too....Star lives right by my desk right now and Sting is by my daughter's desk and begs for pets whenever we walk by.
For a while, I will probably stay on the USA list and of course my own AOV list....but I'll probably leave the other lists since I'm really not going to be involved in showing or in the politics of the club.
I want to wish everyone the best of luck as you try to breed to the standard. I will continue to watch the breed and keep my fingers crossed that Gail gets the breed passed. It is so great to see people stepping up to the plate and pulling CODs for new colors. I sure hope someone pulls chocolate - and also someone pulls the otters.
I will continue to watch this breed develop - but as a lionhead lover - and not a lionhead breeder.
Good luck to everyone!
Peg
[line]
I'm crying even as I reread what I wrote - but I think they're good tears - the tears of knowing I'm doing the right thing even if it is hard...
[line]I've let a handful of breeders know already but I felt it would be better if I posted it on the list(s) also so that everybody hears the same things.
Our last couple of litters have been really nice and we have some stock I'm really REALLY pleased with. I really have enjoyed the last couple of litters.
But we've had some losses lately - rabbits that I loved dearly - that touched my heart. I've had to rush does to the vet because I thought they were having problems with deliveries ~ and a much-beloved doe took ill this weekend and I was afraid it was breeding related. (It was not and she is fine).
This made me realize that I don't have the temperament for breeding lionheads (or anything else) anymore. I can't bring myself to "play God" by breeding does and putting their lives at risk - even if the risk is minor.
Its sorta sad too because we were getting body type down really well - and mane - and we were finally getting the small ears too!
But Art & I are very happy about our decision to get out of breeding. It is the right decision for us ~ breeding has been hard for me - I cry at the loss of babies - I cry at the loss of a rabbit - I sometimes even tear up and cry when a rabbit is sold!
We're going to go to the Seguin, TX show at the end of March and rehome many of our rabbits as pets there - along with rehoming them locally as pets. My favorites are going to be neutered and live pampered lives as pets with large cages and hopefully in bonded pairs.
I want to thank everyone we've bought from in the past - the list is simply too large to remember everyone here. I especially want to thank Lisa Brown for Triad and BunJovi ~ they were gifts from her and I offered them back (even though it was breaking my heart) and she has told me to keep them here - they'll be so spoiled. And I want to thank Kaela Shannon who sold me Isenstar (Star) and Sting last year - thanks to them - I finally got the compact bodies and small ears I was looking for. My last few litters - were what I'd dreamed of. It was all due to Sting and Star....thank you so much. They're going to be pampered pets too....Star lives right by my desk right now and Sting is by my daughter's desk and begs for pets whenever we walk by.
For a while, I will probably stay on the USA list and of course my own AOV list....but I'll probably leave the other lists since I'm really not going to be involved in showing or in the politics of the club.
I want to wish everyone the best of luck as you try to breed to the standard. I will continue to watch the breed and keep my fingers crossed that Gail gets the breed passed. It is so great to see people stepping up to the plate and pulling CODs for new colors. I sure hope someone pulls chocolate - and also someone pulls the otters.
I will continue to watch this breed develop - but as a lionhead lover - and not a lionhead breeder.
Good luck to everyone!
Peg
[line]
I'm crying even as I reread what I wrote - but I think they're good tears - the tears of knowing I'm doing the right thing even if it is hard...
Nutter!
