Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Family Affair
In our busy, impersonal world, it is wonderful to have a place to go that is wholesome, family-oriented, and caring. I'm talking about rabbit shows and the rabbit community, or course.
It's wonderful to see the posts going back and forth concerning the safety of our breeder friends who were in the path of Katrina. I'm touched to see the concern for personal losses of any kind in the rabbit world. I love to see rabbit people celebrating with other rabbit people - whether they live across town or across the country.
This kind of community is worth protecting. We just don't have too much of it these days.
I was at a fair last night. I went to attend a meeting of the NCRBA, which is working on a fabulous quad show for the spring. We met at the rabbit educational display at the fair in Greensboro, NC. My husband took the kids to the fair while I attended the meeting.
After the meeting, I joined my family at the fair. It was then that I saw a family with a small child attempt to leave the fair by a door that had just been closed for the night. When he was told that the only open gate was to his right, he let out a string of expletives that I could not repeat here. It reminded me of how easy it is to spoil a wholesome atmosphere.
Here are some reminders for all of us (including me) on how we can protect the wonderful privilege we have to enjoy rabbit shows:
Use language appropriate for all ages. I am personally prone to letting out a colorful phrase that might be appropriate for most adults, but I never know who is standing behind me listening. I need to remember that.
Take the time to thank judges, show superintendents, and show secretaries. It adds to the type of environment we want to promote and is a wonderful example to the youth who will be showing with us in open before you know it.
Congratulate winners wholeheartedly. I am guilty of being tired and ready to go at the end of a show. I've missed far too many opportunities to congratulate the winners and share in just a few moments of joy with them. Avoid any comment that would take the luster off of the moment. Now is not the time to ask whether it was a bought rabbit or to mention that the judge doesn't know the breed. And do I really need to say that disagreeing with the win is a no-no?
Seek positive solutions to disagreements and encourage the same in others. Avoid aggravating sensitive situations and be willing to put unpleasant experiences behind you. Easier said than done, I know.
Take time for youth. You will get more out of it than you give. It is not only an investment in the bunny world, but it is an investment in our society as a whole. I truly believe that kids and families who are involved with activities such as raising and showing bunnies are focused on the positive and heading in the right direction. That's something our country could use more of.
Look for ways to help others at the show. Do you see someone with three bunnies in their arms trying to open a coop? Has someone gone to the restroom just as their class was called? Is a breeder trying to choke down lunch and get rabbits to the table? Rabbit folks are generally very good about this sort of thing, but there's always room for improvement.
Treat others courteously, including members of your own family. Witnessing rudeness between other people can make you almost as uncomfortable as being the object of the rudeness yourself.
I love going to rabbit shows and I hope you do, too. People often comment that I am always smiling at rabbit shows. It's true and it's because I just love being there. It's one of the most wonderful places on earth to be. And by taking just a little care not to spoil it, it can be the absolute best.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
"Holland Lops Of Distinction"
http://www.thenaturetrail.com/
http://www.thenaturetraill.com/blog/BLOG
Don't forget to check out my new website Precious Pet Rabbits!
¶ 9:17 AM
It's wonderful to see the posts going back and forth concerning the safety of our breeder friends who were in the path of Katrina. I'm touched to see the concern for personal losses of any kind in the rabbit world. I love to see rabbit people celebrating with other rabbit people - whether they live across town or across the country.
This kind of community is worth protecting. We just don't have too much of it these days.
I was at a fair last night. I went to attend a meeting of the NCRBA, which is working on a fabulous quad show for the spring. We met at the rabbit educational display at the fair in Greensboro, NC. My husband took the kids to the fair while I attended the meeting.
After the meeting, I joined my family at the fair. It was then that I saw a family with a small child attempt to leave the fair by a door that had just been closed for the night. When he was told that the only open gate was to his right, he let out a string of expletives that I could not repeat here. It reminded me of how easy it is to spoil a wholesome atmosphere.
Here are some reminders for all of us (including me) on how we can protect the wonderful privilege we have to enjoy rabbit shows:
Use language appropriate for all ages. I am personally prone to letting out a colorful phrase that might be appropriate for most adults, but I never know who is standing behind me listening. I need to remember that.
Take the time to thank judges, show superintendents, and show secretaries. It adds to the type of environment we want to promote and is a wonderful example to the youth who will be showing with us in open before you know it.
Congratulate winners wholeheartedly. I am guilty of being tired and ready to go at the end of a show. I've missed far too many opportunities to congratulate the winners and share in just a few moments of joy with them. Avoid any comment that would take the luster off of the moment. Now is not the time to ask whether it was a bought rabbit or to mention that the judge doesn't know the breed. And do I really need to say that disagreeing with the win is a no-no?
Seek positive solutions to disagreements and encourage the same in others. Avoid aggravating sensitive situations and be willing to put unpleasant experiences behind you. Easier said than done, I know.
Take time for youth. You will get more out of it than you give. It is not only an investment in the bunny world, but it is an investment in our society as a whole. I truly believe that kids and families who are involved with activities such as raising and showing bunnies are focused on the positive and heading in the right direction. That's something our country could use more of.
Look for ways to help others at the show. Do you see someone with three bunnies in their arms trying to open a coop? Has someone gone to the restroom just as their class was called? Is a breeder trying to choke down lunch and get rabbits to the table? Rabbit folks are generally very good about this sort of thing, but there's always room for improvement.
Treat others courteously, including members of your own family. Witnessing rudeness between other people can make you almost as uncomfortable as being the object of the rudeness yourself.
I love going to rabbit shows and I hope you do, too. People often comment that I am always smiling at rabbit shows. It's true and it's because I just love being there. It's one of the most wonderful places on earth to be. And by taking just a little care not to spoil it, it can be the absolute best.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
"Holland Lops Of Distinction"
http://www.thenaturetrail.com/
http://www.thenaturetraill.com/blog/BLOG
Don't forget to check out my new website Precious Pet Rabbits!
¶ 9:17 AM
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Hi Laurie,
You are doing such a wonderful job. I usually just stop in and read your posts, but this one really got my attention. I agree whole heartedly with everything you had to say. How easy it is for one person's comments or actions to ruin it for everyone, and turn it into something that is not enjoyable. GOOD JOB!!!!! Keep up the good work.
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You are doing such a wonderful job. I usually just stop in and read your posts, but this one really got my attention. I agree whole heartedly with everything you had to say. How easy it is for one person's comments or actions to ruin it for everyone, and turn it into something that is not enjoyable. GOOD JOB!!!!! Keep up the good work.
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