Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Ready, Set, Go!
It's time for me to get ready for my first show in five weeks. Unlike last year, when I suffered through withdrawal, this year I've enjoyed the break. Still, I'm looking forward to seeing my rabbit pals and to putting my bunnies on the table.
In keeping with the spirit of New Years resolutions, I'm going to try to prepare better for shows. Sure, I can schlep everything to the show and frantically try to get it all done before I hear "Open, Solid Senior Bucks, Last Call" ringing through the rafters. It's so much better to arrive prepared, check in, and then be able to relax, visit, or maybe even register a couple of rabbits before the calls to the show table begin.
Now, I'm usually very good at scoping out the rabbits I want to show ahead of time. Still, today I will send in my entries and I will need to fine tune that list somewhat. I could just go by paperwork and make a decent guess. Then, when it's time to load up the rabbits, I could fuss about the ones that aren't in as good a shape as I thought or rue the fact that I didn't enter a certain rabbit that has blossomed.
No, the right way to do this is to go to the barn and take out every rabbit I intend to show. I will pose the rabbit and evaluate its overall condition. If it has a chance to compete, then I will give him or her a thorough examination: ears, eyes, teeth, belly, genitals, nails, and spine. If she passes, then she goes on the list.
I will also note whether he has a tattoo and whether the tattoo is really readable. Then I will complain and dread and delay - and then finally give in and tattoo those rabbits. That's my least favorite job.
Now that I have my list of rabbits to show, I'll send in my entry on time (gee, I hope it wasn't a Tuesday entry) and make myself a master list of rabbits that I'm showing. The master list might help with loading rabbits (though I generally go by the carrier labels), but it will definitely help me when I check in so I can easily see whether all of my entries were recorded accurately.
I also print out labels for each carrier. That way, if I'm tied up showing my Silver Fox or am in the restroom or finishing up a rabbit registration, someone else can easily figure out which rabbit needs to go on the table or know where to put the rabbit back in the carrier.
Luckily, I have Andrew's help with my carriers. We spray them out between shows every time. I've got dishes to wash and have ready. I need to check my supply of puppy pads.
On Friday, I will groom each rabbit and clip nails as needed. I will assemble carriers. The trays will be clean; all I need do is spread out a puppy pad. I'll clip in two dishes, one for food and one for water. I'll stuff hay in the hay racks. And I'll put the labels into the carriers according to the show order.
For long trips, I pack extra food and treats. Plus, I take gallons of spring water with me to every show so that my rabbits don't have to get a dose of chlorinated water or well water with a different mineral mix in it.
Aprons are washed. I have Vanodine in my portable spray bottle. I have towels, too. I need to make sure I have a supply of business cards and all of my registration equipment (scale, Standard, pens, forms, carpet).
Next, I need to decide whether I have room for sale rabbits. If so, I need to make sure that I have printed pedigrees for each non-pet. I also will print a form to record my placements. I don't care about points this year, but I will want to record legs and specials. I may even record to 3rd place for my "Recent Show Results" page.
While I'm printing, I'll make sure I have a copy of the show catalog in my book. And I'll print out the directions. I may use Mapquest. If it's not some place I've been before, I may just print out the directions in large print so that I can glance at them when I'm driving, if I don't have a navigator, that is.
Now it's time to think about miscellaneous items: have I promised to bring something for someone? do I want to donate a rabbit to the raffle? do I have other raffle table items? do I need to pack snacks, water, or meals?
On Saturday, I will just put the rabbits into the carrier holes according to the labels. Then, it's just a matter of loading carriers, show table, my rolling crate of supplies, and anything else that's been cued up for the trip.
Like most New Years resolutions, I'm not likely to keep this one perfectly. The tattooing in advance is likely to be the first to go. But I do know from experience that if I do tattoo, examine, and groom in advance, things go much more smoothly at a show. And I'm all for that.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 10:31 AM
In keeping with the spirit of New Years resolutions, I'm going to try to prepare better for shows. Sure, I can schlep everything to the show and frantically try to get it all done before I hear "Open, Solid Senior Bucks, Last Call" ringing through the rafters. It's so much better to arrive prepared, check in, and then be able to relax, visit, or maybe even register a couple of rabbits before the calls to the show table begin.
Now, I'm usually very good at scoping out the rabbits I want to show ahead of time. Still, today I will send in my entries and I will need to fine tune that list somewhat. I could just go by paperwork and make a decent guess. Then, when it's time to load up the rabbits, I could fuss about the ones that aren't in as good a shape as I thought or rue the fact that I didn't enter a certain rabbit that has blossomed.
No, the right way to do this is to go to the barn and take out every rabbit I intend to show. I will pose the rabbit and evaluate its overall condition. If it has a chance to compete, then I will give him or her a thorough examination: ears, eyes, teeth, belly, genitals, nails, and spine. If she passes, then she goes on the list.
I will also note whether he has a tattoo and whether the tattoo is really readable. Then I will complain and dread and delay - and then finally give in and tattoo those rabbits. That's my least favorite job.
Now that I have my list of rabbits to show, I'll send in my entry on time (gee, I hope it wasn't a Tuesday entry) and make myself a master list of rabbits that I'm showing. The master list might help with loading rabbits (though I generally go by the carrier labels), but it will definitely help me when I check in so I can easily see whether all of my entries were recorded accurately.
I also print out labels for each carrier. That way, if I'm tied up showing my Silver Fox or am in the restroom or finishing up a rabbit registration, someone else can easily figure out which rabbit needs to go on the table or know where to put the rabbit back in the carrier.
Luckily, I have Andrew's help with my carriers. We spray them out between shows every time. I've got dishes to wash and have ready. I need to check my supply of puppy pads.
On Friday, I will groom each rabbit and clip nails as needed. I will assemble carriers. The trays will be clean; all I need do is spread out a puppy pad. I'll clip in two dishes, one for food and one for water. I'll stuff hay in the hay racks. And I'll put the labels into the carriers according to the show order.
For long trips, I pack extra food and treats. Plus, I take gallons of spring water with me to every show so that my rabbits don't have to get a dose of chlorinated water or well water with a different mineral mix in it.
Aprons are washed. I have Vanodine in my portable spray bottle. I have towels, too. I need to make sure I have a supply of business cards and all of my registration equipment (scale, Standard, pens, forms, carpet).
Next, I need to decide whether I have room for sale rabbits. If so, I need to make sure that I have printed pedigrees for each non-pet. I also will print a form to record my placements. I don't care about points this year, but I will want to record legs and specials. I may even record to 3rd place for my "Recent Show Results" page.
While I'm printing, I'll make sure I have a copy of the show catalog in my book. And I'll print out the directions. I may use Mapquest. If it's not some place I've been before, I may just print out the directions in large print so that I can glance at them when I'm driving, if I don't have a navigator, that is.
Now it's time to think about miscellaneous items: have I promised to bring something for someone? do I want to donate a rabbit to the raffle? do I have other raffle table items? do I need to pack snacks, water, or meals?
On Saturday, I will just put the rabbits into the carrier holes according to the labels. Then, it's just a matter of loading carriers, show table, my rolling crate of supplies, and anything else that's been cued up for the trip.
Like most New Years resolutions, I'm not likely to keep this one perfectly. The tattooing in advance is likely to be the first to go. But I do know from experience that if I do tattoo, examine, and groom in advance, things go much more smoothly at a show. And I'm all for that.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 10:31 AM
