Easter Photoshoot

My cousin and her friend are very talented photographers, so with Easter coming up, the two of them wanted to use the rabbits to get some pictures of their kids with the rabbits. The two above pictures were after the kids lost interest in the rabbits. We put some of them in the grass, and the rabbits immediatly started hamming it up, they said the rabbits were better subjects, than the kids!

The top picture of Double Dutch's Diego (RGC/4 legs) was taken by my cousin's friend-- Amber Sheree Photography

The bottom picture is one of our mismarks and taken by my cousin-- Hollie Renner Photography

Check out both of their blogs for more pics from the photoshoot :)

RIP Bazooka

Double Dutch's Bazooka

January 12, 2004- March 2, 2011

I just lost Bazooka this last week. He spent his last week in the house, getting extra head scratches, and a lot of carrots to munch on.

Bazooka was registered, and had three junior legs. He developed a couple DQ's with age, so was never able to get that senior leg. Two of his legs were for Best of Breeds.

He produced several Grand Champion for both mine and Lloyd's barn. A couple of his more noteable kids were Double Dutch's Ladybug (RGC- 7 legs, 1 RIS), Double Dutch's Sasha (RGC), and Trelawn Ruby D (RGC- 1 RIS).

He was my last Frankie kid, so it feels like an end of an era for me.

Enumclaw Show

Last weekend was the ERBA's show in Enumclaw. It was a fun show, I am glad to have them back in Enumclaw! It's only 45 minutes from me, plus my best friend lives 10 minutes from the fairgrounds! She came to visit and brought me Starbucks that afternoon.
We had a Dutch specialty first thing that morning with Donna Brak judging. Donna hasn't been judging for the last 5 or so years due to health problems, so we were excited to have her judge! Donna, along with Jan Coffelt, are the two who gave me my start in Dutch when I was 10 years old. Everything I have date back to both Brak's Naomi and Coffelt's Scout.
Lisa pretty much dominated, walking away with all three Best of Breeds, and one Best Opposite Sex. She won BOB with two different Black does, and a gorgeous Gray buck. The Gray buck also won one of the BOS.
Cassie won the specialty BOS with her Black buck, and I won BOS in show A with my little Black jr doe Stiletto. Stiletto is only 10 weeks old, and I was not expecting anything with her at this age. She's a super promising baby, with an awesome body, and very nice markings. She just has a very young coat. She won first in all three shows, but only got two legs.
Her brothers each managed to win a BOSV, however there were not enough Black bucks for a leg. Both of her brothers are also almost as nice as her. One of them will be available for sale.
I sold a Blue jr buck to a 4-H kid.
In two weeks, I have 4 rabbits who will be leaving to go live in Idaho. They are a Black jr buck, Dutch Hill's Bart, Trelawn Libby, and Trelawn Darby.
Next show is the Yakima show. I had been undecided about going to it, but we will be having a Dutch specialty the night before. I'm hoping Stiletto has a coat by then!

Updates

Been awhile since I last updated. Have had only one show, the GNW's Monroe show, which sadly I end up not being able to make it to. I became really sick the night before, and the morning of the show, so end up having to stay home. It's the first time I've had to back out of judging a show, and first time I've been too sick for a show. Since it was a local show, my dad still went with my rabbits. I had entered six, but since I had two juniors that we were suppose to tattoo that morning, he only took four rabbits.
The rabbits didn't do so well without me there. My Black jr buck that is for sale did get a BOS for his first leg. I didn't find out until I got my show results that both Diego and Katarina managed to get their senior legs to grand out!
Currently I have 3 litters. Diamond's litter will be weaned this week, then she will be going to live down in the Chehalis area. Pipsqueak and Rogue both have litters that are about two weeks old right now.
Put boxes in for four does today, and all four immediatly started nesting.
Next show isn't until March... a long time to go without one, however I have nothing to show but Diego and some Blue jr bucks, so it's probably better that this is a slow time. Have been getting nothing but Blue bucks in all of my litters! Would be nice to get some does...
I do have three 4-H shows in the meantime to judge, which will help give me my rabbit fix. One of them being for my former 4-H club, which is always fun to go back to judge at, even though it make me feel old. I only know one of the kids left, whose in her last year, and the last of the kids who was a member when I was just graduated this last year (might I add that she won this last year's ARBA Queen title!).
For the other two, one is also for my county, their fundraiser for awards at the fair. Then the other, I will be going back over to Port Townsend. I judged their fair last Summer, so am looking forward to going back to their area.

Nothing but Dutch

Double Dutch's Diego

The Silver Martens are gone, and I am now a Dutch only breeder for the next few years, until Robert and I are able to afford our own house. At that time, we'll be adding his breed of choice, the English Spots, and possibly another breed for us to raise together.

I'll admit, it's nice having only Dutch faces in the barn right now, it's been almost 5 years since they've been the only breed here. I'm down to 27 rabbits (will be 25 next weekend), and it's nice having a smaller rabbitry. It's so quick to feed and clean cages now.

Show news, went to the Yelm show at the end of last month. Only showed four Dutch and one Silver Marten. Explosive the Martian was BOS both shows, but sadly there were not enough rabbits for a leg. For the Dutch, I had hoped to grand Audrey and Katarina, both did well, but there were not enough rabbits for them to win legs in their catagories. However, Diego won BOS in both shows, for his first 2 legs! He's finally molted his ugly coat, and has a nice new pretty one.

Next show is December 4th in Monroe. Hopefully this time I'll be able to grand Audrey, Katarina, AND now Diego! I'm planning to breed both does soon, as this is my last show until March, so this will be their last chance to grand out. I'll also be showing a Black jr buck and maybe 1 or 2 Blue jr bucks. I'll also be judging at this show.

Updates

Double Dutch's Katarina

Last show was October 2nd, and the Dutch did really well at it. I was only showing three. In show A, Audrey (Black Sr doe) was BOS for her second leg! In show B, she was BOSV, but there weren't enough does for a leg. Katarina (Blue Jr doe) was BOV in show A, and Best of Breed in show B! These were her second and third legs. She's only 5 months old, but I will be bumping her up to senior at the next show, so she can go for the senior leg to grand out.

For the Martians, I was only showing Explosive, who was BOS in show B, for her second leg.
In less than two weeks, I will be dropping rabbits off with their Convention transporters. Ash the Dutch will be going with Scott. She will then be passed onto another transporter, before making her way to New Jersey to her new owner Olivia.

The Martians- Torch, Blast, and Explosive will all be going with Jennifer and Lauren. Nicole's break from school falls over the week of convention, so she will be there to take care of them, and to sell them.

I'll admit, I'm a bit sad about the Silver Martians leaving, however at the same time, they've been a bit of a stressful breed, and I am ready to move on from them. It will be nice to get the rabbitry back to being Dutch only again, and start concentrating on my Dutch more so.

Next show is October 30th in Yelm. I get to be just an exhibitor at this show. I'm hoping to grand out Katarina, Audrey, and Explosive at it. In addition to them, I'll also be showing Diego (Blue Jr buck, Kat's brother) and a cute little Black Jr (will be his first show out).

Big Wins!

BEST IN SHOW- Silver Streak's Explosive

9/18/10- Colville, WA

RESERVE IN SHOW- Silver Streak's Blast
9/11/10- La Grande, OR

Nicole and I are down to our last three Silver Martens, all of which are very nice animals! Nicole showed our Blue buck Torch and Black doe Blast at the La Grande, OR show. Blast won Reserve in Show!

The next week, Nicole and I were both at the Colville, WA show, which we showed Blast, and her half sister Explosive entered in her very first show. Explosive won BEST IN SHOW!

We're very excited about showing these three at convention! All three will also be for sale there.

This Saturday, Arson will be leaving to head to his new home in Oregon. He will be living with the Webb's, who are top Silver Marten breeders.

Dutch haven't had as much exciting news. They've been molting lately, so haven't done as well. Katarina, my little Blue doe, did win a Best of Breed last weekend in Bremerton. This is her first leg.

I've been selling quite a few Dutch lately, and have sold all I've had available. I'm currently in the midst of coming up with more for sale, as I have a few people waiting on does. I have several proven brood does that will be available within the next few months, as I start to slowly work at cutting back my numbers.