took another trip down memory lane...

Betsy, the foster doggie I had last fall, a ridgeback/shepherd mix, giving O'Reilly the whatfor! I used to be a foster kid and we always harassed the family kids :-)

BFF

They're just so darn cute!

******

Well I've done the hard thing... left my identity with Archi Ann and am moving on. I must confess when she died I was tempted to just take down my blogs totally, the thought of blogging without her was hard because really it was all centered around this silly little crotchety bunny. It was her voice not mine. Fortunately as I wrestled with all I faced a dear friend made the comment that it is a neat tribute that I have a whole blog of memories devoted to her. She was, in her subtle way, saying that just because she was gone I didn't have to erase every memory of her, which was my first reaction to make the hurt of her death go away.

But now it seems like time to let go of my identity as "Archi's Mum" and "keep moving forward" ... i would love your opinions on the new name of the blog and any better wording for the description beneath it...

Thank you again for your support.

Three Names Meme

Hugo tagged Zinger for the meme that came from Tara Cat

Lots of kitties wanted to know what Tara’s three names were after her Mom went to see Cats the other night. It got Tara and Kavan to thinking of a fun meme. In case you aren’t familiar with The Naming of Cats, in the Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, by T.S. Eliot, we all have three names! So, in this meme, you must link to the originator of the meme (that is Tara), list the following rules, and then tell:
1. The name that the family uses daily (such as Peter, Agustus, Alonzo, or James)
2. The name that is particular, a name that’s peculiar, and more dignified (such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat)
3. What you are doing when you are thinking of the name that only you know, and will never confess (when engaged in rapt contemplation), that deep and inscrutable singular name.
Then tag three others (and let them know they are tagged) to give us their names.

Zinger's answers are:

1. Zinger
2. His Grace Lord Zinger the Idle of Heffton St Mallet - get your own Aristocratic Title
3. Chomping on mulberry tree leaves when big dumb puppy isn't around

We tag:
Scully - My Sister's Boxer Doggie
Any bun that wants to play at House of Rabbits

And any other critter that wants to play... lots of our friends have already been tagged!

Munday Bunday and Meme

Zinger chows down - Loves those green veggies!

Babble Dabble aka Sammy's Mom - Tagged me for a meme - this is 2 of 3 i've been tagged for... will do the last one from Yowlyy tomorrow! Here are the rules, so easy:

1. Answer at least three of the questions. Yes, I know a few look time-consuming and there are several of them. That's why I only ask for three. See? I'm nice!
2. Post them and the rules on your blog, and please link back to me here. Pretty please *^_^* ?
3. Comment here telling me and the rest of our little party where you're at and link to yourself.
4. That's all!
5. Oh yeah, don't forget to tag others!


So here we go! ... i'm answering all of em, cuz well, i have no life!

1. What's the last book you read that you thought was really super, inspiring, you'd recommend it to most anyone?

The Book of the Dun Cow and The Book of Sorrows - by Walter Wangerin

2. What food totally grosses you out, you'd never be able to touch it? Ew. Gag. *hurl*

hmmm

3. Did you ever watch a scary movie that frightened you so much you were afraid of the dark afterward? I mean like you're lying in bed trying to sleep, but you have to pee, but you're scared to get up. It doesn't have to be recently; could be when you were a kid. So what movie was it?

Ok I suck... the new version of The Zodiac that just came out... i couldn't sleep and it wasn't that scary!

4. Is there a song that makes you dance every time you hear it? Would you tap you feet and sing along to it in public?

There are some songs I listen to by Misty Edwards that get me when I'm walking and I just want to break out... and sometimes do cuz no one's around!

5. Tattoos: yes or no? Do you have any? Tell us! Do you think they're gross? TELL US!

No but i do have a cross on the back of my left hand, burned on - OUCH - but it's kinda cool now, just don't recommend it.

6. When's the last time you laughed so hard your ribs ached and/or you nearly peed yourself? What made you do it?

Beyond the Pale - DVD of Stand-Up by Jim Gaffigan - the first couple of times I watched it I was uncorked and then when i watched it again with my best friend.

7. Draw or doodle a picture of your pet(s) and post it if possible. Nothing fancy, don't be shy!

well in a post question the starter of this meme mentioned my avatar being kinda cool so i'll post that - it's a picture i drew, well, 1/2 drew. the concept coming from an art assignment to draw half and try to get the color and texture to match the picture. i didn't do so good but i like the subject, it's a picture of river phoenix that was on a mag cover after his death.


8. Go through a stack or box of your old music. Stuff that you may not have heard in years. Pick one and tell us about it. Is it as good (or as bad) as you remember?

oh my gosh i used to love stryper... the yellow and black attack... ok i guess you can laugh at that! good Christian themed music has come a LONG WAY since then!

9. Do you still sleep with a stuffed animal? We won't laugh!

Meet Poac - My teddy bear :-) Not only do I sleep with him he became the subject of my pictures on my first trip up the west coast from So. Cali to Washington... needed something in the pics ... :-)

the corner of Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco :-)
click pic to enlarge!

So since most everyone I know has been tagged...
i tag Katie and Puddy since this is more of a people meme than a pet meme...
and anyone that hasn't been tagged but wants to play :-)

Happy Birthday Puddy!!

memoir meme

Orlando Bun tagged Me for The Memoir Meme -

The rules are:
1. Write your own six word memoir.
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like.
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post, and to the original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.
4.Tag at least five more blogs with links.
5.Don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.
6. Have fun!!

I don't want to write a memoir but will write archi ann's, since i've had a lot to think about

snarky dutch bunitude, loved by all

i tag:

1. Gus and Betsy
2. Sammy and Mom
3. Riley, Tiki and Kesey

a cleansing post, a healing song...

Birdchick will often, after a tough post, put up a "cleansing post" ... this is my cleansing post, a healing song...

I got to watch Zinger play a little in his pen tonight. It's the first time he's been playful, jumping, doing mini binkies and short bunny 500s since being put in with Riena. As much as I wanted them to totally be bonded, I think they are better apart. He seems happy. O'Reilly is mellow again but I'll never trust him with a house rabbit. Zinger will always have to be enclosed. The other night I locked O'Reilly out of the bedroom and let Zinger hop around the bed with me and Lakota.

He is a Dutchie but with a very different personality than Archi Ann. Here's a video of him playing. Sorry it's so dark. Good thing he's got white on him or you wouldn't see it at all! It came up much darker uploaded than it was on my pc! Anyone know of a good, inexpensive video editing software for XP?



Healing Song
Bebo Norman

I can tell by this crack of light
Oh girl this is gonna be, it's gonna be a beautiful day
And I can tell by this stretch of silver
Spreading all out across the curves of your face

And for the love, for the love of God
I've gathered up my pride, I've gathered up my bits and bone
And in a world that broke me down
I'm standing up, but not alone

'Cause this is a healing song, oh and I've got a heart that fails
But love is pushing me along, I'm lifting up above this veil
This is a healing song, oh and I don't know if you can tell
But love is pushing me along
I'm pressing up against the rail, pressing up against the rail

I can smell the summer in the air
And I swear I can almost see, I can almost see my soul
Son, I know that it don't seem fair
But I'm turning away from here, and oh Lord, I am coming home

I've got friends here that love me
I've got all this mercy beating in my blood
And I've got friends here that love me
And that's something good, that's something good

'Cause this is a healing song, oh and I've got a heart that fails
But love is pushing me along, I'm lifting up above this veil...

one last roundup

I just want to THANK YOU ALL for the kind words, encouragement and for joining me in saying goodbye to my "snarky" little bun - Archi Ann. More tributes popped up on other sites so I've linked them here. Thank you. Freckles and Deb just did a thank you post as well - she said it - we have a community here that really cares. I cannot even begin to express what you have done for my heart.

Tyler, Sydney and Diana check out the lovely picture Diana painted of Archi flying free
Freckles and Deb
Sasha, Max and their Mom
Gus and Betsy
Jan's Funny Farm
Lola and Jen
Sammy and Mom

update - Karen Jo just wrote Archi a kitty limerick - thank you Karen Jo

A friend sent me this card in the mail. I received it today - she bought the card when she was in Thailand. Isn't it lovely (click on it for a bigger view)? A little glimpse of where Archi Ann is now, enjoying the basil, not worried about saving you all some, there will be plenty when we see her again! She will love to share it I'm sure!


She reminded me of Psalm 104 God renews ... Some day creation will be redeemed ... I don't know if we will have all our pets in heaven with us but I sure hope so. Archi with her legs healed and my pup Oliver with her! Of course by then it will pale because we will see our Savior and nothing else will really matter. Animals, friends, life will all be there ... living in harmony... no more tears, no more unfairs, no more loss...

O'Reilly is fine - he's my boy. I know he was just being a dog. I also know I just can't trust him at all with the bunnies. Breaks my heart. He did so well - since late March Archi has been in the house and they were doing well. But it only takes one time for something to go wrong.

Several of you have been concerned about me splitting up Riena and Zinger. I really appreciate your concern. The family that has adopted Riena absolutely loves her. She is not going to want for ANYTHING there. She has full house privileges and a 4 year old girl who adores her.

My local bunny friend and I are not totally sure Zinger and Riena were really well bonded. Riena isn't phased by the loss of Zinger. Zinger is having a hard time but here's the scoop - they would cuddle some and then Riena would just break out and start picking on Zinger. She would snip at him and he'd run and thump. They'd eventually settle down. While I think Zinger is missing the positive part of their relationship I don't suppose he misses being picked on.

And I miss Archi more than I could have imagined. For now Zinger will stay, as an enclosed rabbit. I'm going to finish the outdoor enclosure and fence it. I'll see how O'Reilly does with him out there during the day and then at night I'll bring him in to keep him safe from anything occurring while I'm asleep.

I'm open to suggestions too, keeping in mind I live in a small 1 bedroom house.

Again, you all have blessed me beyond measure. I wish I had time to write each and every one of you that has left me notes. I will try, but it makes me cry when I do and I'm trying to move forward a bit. You all have been an inspiration to me. Thank you for loving Archi Ann almost as much as I did.

Thank you all and Epilogue

Hi Friends,

I just want to thank you all for the lovely words and thoughts, poems and heartfelt goodbyes to my bunny Archi Ann. She was special, very different.

Fiona and family posted a Monday Bunday Tribute Poem to Archi Ann. The poem is PERFECT. I love the ending. Fi let Archi guest share a Meezer Weds rule and was a great friend.

Rabbit's Guy said exactly what i've felt all day... words just don't work too well.

Katie and Puddy just put up a lovely pictorial tribute. Thank you for the words of encouragement and comfort. I have enjoyed my Aussie friends!

Andrew Bun, fellow Dutchie posted a lovely tribute and poem.

Yowlyy at Bunnies Needles and Books posted a sweet tribute of a poem that she received when her precious bun Sir Harvey of Glasgow went over the bridge.

And all of you have left tributes on her site comments and in emails to me that have truly left me speechless.

I didn't think I would be writing anything again this soon but Yowlyy's words in the comments hit the chord that I couldn't find. I went to bed with Archi very much alive and well and woke to her gone. It was not time, there is the basil planted, the summer to be had, friends to meet... she had a package of nail colors to send to Katie yet... so much undone...

And I was struck by the words of Neil Diamond's song - Done Too Soon

And each one there
Has one thing shared:
They have sweated beneath the same sun,
Looked up in wonder at the same moon,
And wept when it was all done
for being done too soon

That says it all

I will let go and accept that nothing is outside of God's timing... but in my timing it was too soon.

I have already found a great home for Riena. She will be going back to live with the in-laws of the family that gave her to me several years ago. They have a 4 year old little girl that has been praying for a bunny! It's the right thing.

Going with Riena will be Archi's house, food dishes, pillow, litter box and a whack of hay and food. Riena will get a lot of house time to hop around and be a social bug like she is.

For now I will keep Zinger. Being a dutchie like Archi I think I'll make the outdoor enclosure for him and he will stay, if I can ensure BDP can handle him out there and leave him alone.

BDP is doing fine. I love him with all my heart. He's a dog and has a prey drive. I have to accept that. For now bunnies can no longer be a huge part of my life. They have been a joy to have. Hopefully Zinger will stay. We will see...

Thank you all, my dear friends.
carri ann

Tormenting Lakota 101

not that I would torment my sweet little Lakota...
but if i did...
i'd keep mentioning her best friend's name before she gets here!

I won a contest!!!

And got a cool package from Katie and Puddy ...

all the way from Australia

ok can i just say... TimTams... we need them here in the good ol' U.S.ofA.
I tried one of each - YUMMERS

Thank you Katie and Puddy
(and Phill for not munching them while they were sitting in the fridge)

Anyone know what I can use the vegemite for?
I think I can put it on bread so I'll try that.