Thursday, March 30, 2006
Countdown to Nationals
I leave for Holland Lop Nationals in just one week. I can't believe it's almost here! There's so much to do between now and then. I've already started my countdown.
Today, I picked up a bag of Sunshine, a yeast culture supplement from Blue Seal. It will be in the raffle at Nationals. I know you've already picked out what you want to bring to the raffle table, too. I need to make a list of other items I'm taking to make sure I don't leave anything behind.
I'm keeping an eye on my rabbits. I expect to find my favorites in a puff of fur from a monster molt. Or may there will be a pulled nail or broken tooth. I'm holding my breath that at least most of the rabbits I've entered will stay in somewhat decent shape between now and then. I do have my fingers crossed.
Since I will be gone from Thursday until late Sunday or perhaps Monday, I will need more water and more puppy pads for my carriers than usual. It's time to stock up on supplies. I don't want to be running around like crazy at the last minute.
I'm terrible with my tattoos, so I'd better plan to touch them up this weekend. I can give my bunnies a last minute check for teeth, nails, and condition. I hope I don't have to make any substitutions, but I should give my youngest rabbits another look. They may have been promising a month ago, but I need to see if they are fulfilling the promise or not.
I'll need to make sure I have pedigrees for my sale bunnies and I know who is picking up which rabbits. Luckily I am not taking as many sale rabbits as previously. But I still need to pay attention to make sure I have everything I need so that the sales go smoothly. I do not anticipate having any new sale rabbits between now and Nationals. Everything I'm taking is for me to show or is a presold rabbit.
Anna is traveling with me, so it's time to start talking to her about what she wants to pack. She had such a good time last year that I promised she could come with me this year. She checks with me several times per day to see how many more days there are before we leave. I think she's as excited as I am.
I think that our coops will be together by exhibitor rather than by class, so there's no huge need for cage ornaments. I'll probably take a few to mark my first and last cages. And it's time to collect my risers and padlocks. I don't have enough risers for all of my rabbits, so I'll need to make my best guesses at the rabbits that have the best chance on the table. They get the risers. I made pretty good guesses at Convention. I hope I guess well again.
We're also having a countdown of another type around here. Our Chihuahua is due on Monday. I hope that her puppies have arrived before we leave. I don't want to miss that. It's her first (and probably only) litter.
Monday is also the first day that I will be breeding for Convention. Besides breeding, preparing for nationals, and caring for several new litters, it's time for spring cleaning. Life around the rabbitry will be very busy this week.
But probably the most important thing I will do this week is keep my attitude in check. This will be my fourth national-level show. So far, I've had at least one rabbit place in each of the three previous shows. And I hope to place at least one this time. But I know that there will be shows when none of my rabbits have a good day. And this just might be the show where none of them make it to the top ten. I have to remind myself that the rabbit show is only part of the fun of the weekend.
There will be people to visit with (and people to miss). There will be many things to learn. There will be rabbits to see. And if I'm lucky, there will be rabbits to feel and evaluate for a better understanding of the Holland Lop standards. There will be good food, food fellowship, and friends to see. No matter what happens on the table, Holland Lop Nationals can be a success for me and for you.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 6:50 PM
Today, I picked up a bag of Sunshine, a yeast culture supplement from Blue Seal. It will be in the raffle at Nationals. I know you've already picked out what you want to bring to the raffle table, too. I need to make a list of other items I'm taking to make sure I don't leave anything behind.
I'm keeping an eye on my rabbits. I expect to find my favorites in a puff of fur from a monster molt. Or may there will be a pulled nail or broken tooth. I'm holding my breath that at least most of the rabbits I've entered will stay in somewhat decent shape between now and then. I do have my fingers crossed.
Since I will be gone from Thursday until late Sunday or perhaps Monday, I will need more water and more puppy pads for my carriers than usual. It's time to stock up on supplies. I don't want to be running around like crazy at the last minute.
I'm terrible with my tattoos, so I'd better plan to touch them up this weekend. I can give my bunnies a last minute check for teeth, nails, and condition. I hope I don't have to make any substitutions, but I should give my youngest rabbits another look. They may have been promising a month ago, but I need to see if they are fulfilling the promise or not.
I'll need to make sure I have pedigrees for my sale bunnies and I know who is picking up which rabbits. Luckily I am not taking as many sale rabbits as previously. But I still need to pay attention to make sure I have everything I need so that the sales go smoothly. I do not anticipate having any new sale rabbits between now and Nationals. Everything I'm taking is for me to show or is a presold rabbit.
Anna is traveling with me, so it's time to start talking to her about what she wants to pack. She had such a good time last year that I promised she could come with me this year. She checks with me several times per day to see how many more days there are before we leave. I think she's as excited as I am.
I think that our coops will be together by exhibitor rather than by class, so there's no huge need for cage ornaments. I'll probably take a few to mark my first and last cages. And it's time to collect my risers and padlocks. I don't have enough risers for all of my rabbits, so I'll need to make my best guesses at the rabbits that have the best chance on the table. They get the risers. I made pretty good guesses at Convention. I hope I guess well again.
We're also having a countdown of another type around here. Our Chihuahua is due on Monday. I hope that her puppies have arrived before we leave. I don't want to miss that. It's her first (and probably only) litter.
Monday is also the first day that I will be breeding for Convention. Besides breeding, preparing for nationals, and caring for several new litters, it's time for spring cleaning. Life around the rabbitry will be very busy this week.
But probably the most important thing I will do this week is keep my attitude in check. This will be my fourth national-level show. So far, I've had at least one rabbit place in each of the three previous shows. And I hope to place at least one this time. But I know that there will be shows when none of my rabbits have a good day. And this just might be the show where none of them make it to the top ten. I have to remind myself that the rabbit show is only part of the fun of the weekend.
There will be people to visit with (and people to miss). There will be many things to learn. There will be rabbits to see. And if I'm lucky, there will be rabbits to feel and evaluate for a better understanding of the Holland Lop standards. There will be good food, food fellowship, and friends to see. No matter what happens on the table, Holland Lop Nationals can be a success for me and for you.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 6:50 PM
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Hi Laurie,
I am looking forward to seeing you and Anna! We don't too often get to show with you both so it will be nice to catch up on things. Have a safe trip and we will see you at the show!
Laura
PS Good luck with you puppies! How exciting!!
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I am looking forward to seeing you and Anna! We don't too often get to show with you both so it will be nice to catch up on things. Have a safe trip and we will see you at the show!
Laura
PS Good luck with you puppies! How exciting!!
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