T h i s. W i l d. R i d e.

http://www.225batonrouge.com/blogs/unleashed/2010/mar/24/unleashed32410/

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Unleashed: Easter bunnies aren't for everybody

via 225batonrouge.com

With Easter only two weeks away, many parents and grandparents may consider adding something more than plastic grass, candy bunnies and Peeps to their children's Easter baskets.

Before buying beautiful live bunnies at local pet stores, families need to look beyond the baby rabbit's appeal as a cute holiday prop...

Yay for Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue!

http://www.magichappensrescue.com/

Trap-Neuter-Return program for Long Beach rabbits underway

http://www.examiner.com/x-7748-Dayton-Small-Pets-Examiner~y2010m3d23-TrapNeut...

Volunteers from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (BFAS), Western University, the Bunny Bunch in Montclair and the Rabbit Task Force of Long Beach City College (LBCC) have joined together to humanely stabilize the rabbit population at Long Beach City College. The first known trap-neuter-return program in a rabbit colony was launched this week as at least 100 bunnies...

Woohoo! shout out to Long Beach City College, Best Friends, Western University and everybun else involved! You all rock the world for bunnies!!!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/political-bookworm/2010/03/larry_flynt_to_wr...

Larry Flynt to write history of presidents' sex lives...

via voices.washingtonpost.com

House rabbits are 100% VEGAN & GREEN companions.

#vegan #vegetarian #green #shelter #rabbit #bunny #rescue

House rabbits eat 90% hay,
green veggies + a little bit of rabbit pellets 2 x per day.

They're litterbox trained (if spayed/neutered)
and quiet.

They have no animal odor, they're 99% non-allergic, have no dander
and clean themselves scrupulously.

They poop and pee on hay that makes great organic garden fertilizer.

plus you get binkies and nosebonks. check it out. ; )

Monday, March 22, 2010

I weigh 4 lbs though I swear it's mostly fur...

?ui=2&ik=d6ca10954e&view=att&th=127747deaf9a1b5d&attid=0.3&disp=thd&zw

Harrrrummppphhhh!!! Scorsese here (3-15-10), and YES, I AM smiling!!!! It's one of those little bird lip smiles we bunnies put on when we're extremely disapproving. You have no idea what I've been through. My pal Toscanini will fill you in on the details. Just look at me!!! We fuzzy buns do not show well under primitive conditions. I do hope you can see past all the schmutz which is a kind of a badge of honor on my little coat after what I've been through. I know there is a big grooming project in my future.

I was born 10-1-09. I weighed in at 4 lbs though I swear it's mostly fur. I have lionhead genes!!! I'd like to have a skirt and mohawk when I grow up but we'll have to see how those genes sort out. Right now I'm luxuriating in my charming denbox created with panache by a wonderful RabbitMatch volunteer who creates sets for The Industry. I'm feeling more cheerful already!!! I'm looking forward to your visit. !!!! arivederci for now!!!!! Your Scorsese.

Please! No more MotoPhoto [Easter] bunnies!

http://www.examiner.com/x-7748-Dayton-Small-Pets-Examiner~y2010m3d22-Please-N...

Easter is such a bad time of year for rabbits. In addition to all the people buying rabbits on impulse and having no clue about the unique needs of rabbits, we have all those photo studios offering to take photos of children with live rabbits. After the Easter photo shoots are over, the rabbits are either released into the wild, sold as snake food (yes) or...

another great and timely article by Phyllis! Please forward and crosspost for the bunnies!!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Lucinda's happy...er, hoppy!!!!

We got this from Lucy's mom today...this is what makes our volunteering so worthwhile! Yay us!

I was introduced to the great things that Rabbit Match does when I adopted my little bunny Lucinda (now Lucy) in Dec. of 08. (She is doing very well by the way!!! love her!!!) Anyway - would love to do some volunteering for the bunnies! Please contact me if you are in need of some help! Thank you much!

p.s. my availability varies, but i do always have a minimum of 3 hours per week, although at times the days may change - i put my best guesses down below.

and p.s.s. As much as i would LOVE to foster another bunny, I don't think my boyfriend or Lucy would fare well with it... Lucy alone is about as much as we can handle! She's pretty feisty!

This was her original write up...she truly was/is a Warrior Princess. ; )

Lucinda's December update. Well, mom put up a photo of me that better expresses my warrior princess' self. Yes, I'm in topnotch form at 6 lbs 13 oz. I have Rabbitude to spare. Maybe because I'm a redhead?? I love the company of people who understand rabbits. You're out there, I know you are....Wistfully, Lucinda.

October report from Lucinda. Well!! I never!! Lausanne was adopted to be the bunnybride of an easygoing bunnyboy. Love at first sight!! And here I thought I was the prettiest sister. (sigh). I've grown a bit. Mom wrote 5 lbs 15 oz on my weightchart. So there's a bit more of me, a red/white dutch-X girl to love!! Don't forget, I have bonding experience too!! Bunny kisses, Lucinda.

I weighed in at 4 lbs 8 ozs today. Mom says my birthdate is 2/08. My photos on the website don't do me justice. I am a stunning dutch-x redhead with a delicate white frothy pattern bib. I do want Mom to stop calling me one of the Dingbat sisters though, because I'm aiming for some class and culture here!! If I could live with Lausanne, bonding with any bunnyboy should be simplicity itself. Please come and make my lovely acquaintance. Love, Lucinda.

Hi, you'll notice Lausanne didn't say anything about me!! She's like that!! Actually we were abandoned together, stuffed into a tiny cage. What else is new?? We just couldn't work out the shared space thing so now we each have our personal RabbitMatch condo. I kind of miss cuddling with her but I guess an ultimate parting of ways is the rule for baby bunnies thrown together. Besides, she snores!! Just kidding!! As you can see, I'm the one with the sense of humor. I'm a petite red/white dutch-x girl. My brown eyes contrast nicely with my coat. Love those earth colors!! Love, Lucinda.

House rabbits are 100% VEGAN & GREEN companions.

House rabbits eat 90% hay,
green veggies + little bit of rabbit pellets 2 x per day.

They're litterbox trained (if spayed/neutered)
and quiet.

They have no animal odor, they're 99% non-allergic, have no dander
and clean themselves scrupulously.

They poop and pee on hay that makes great organic garden fertilizer.

plus you get binkies and nosebonks. check it out. ; )

The Humane Pet Leash

via ezleash.com

EZLeash, EZHarness, EZCollar

Some of us need harnesses when we fly with our buns to get them through the HSA line. Has anyone used these? They look great. Easy for the bunny to get in and out of too. (always a consideration!)

http://www.ezleash.com/

They sound like a nice company too...

Friday, March 19, 2010

March 28 Spring Party & Fundraiser at the Rabbitat

Announcing

Spring Savings!

PetSave Foundation Fundraiser and Education Day

Los Angeles Rabbit Foundation and PetSave Foundation announce a pre-Easter education event and fundraiser to help rabbits. House Rabbit Society educator Michelle Kelly and PetSave founder Bona Tucker will provide handouts on why real rabbits and Easter don't mix, and will be on hand to answer any questions you have about your rabbit's behavior.

Come shop at the Rabbitat, with prices slashed on everything from supplies for your rabbits to hundreds of gifts for animal lovers. Lowest prices in town on Oxbow Bunny Basics T.

Refreshments provided!

When: Sunday, March 28 from 12-4*

Where: PetSave Rabbitat, 522 W. 9th St., San Pedro, CA 90231

What: Spring Party, Education Day, and Spring Super Sale

*Sales continue throughout the week at the Rabbitat (store hours are Wednesday-Saturday from 10-6). Special discount bulk orders for rabbit supplies can be made by contacting petsavefoundation@pacbell.net in advance.

See PetSave Foundation's Rabbitat on YouTube:

If you're interested in carpooling from West L.A., please contact info@larabbits.org.

House rabbits are 100% VEGAN & GREEN companions.

House rabbits eat 90% hay,
green veggies + little bit of rabbit pellets 2 x per day.

They're litterbox trained (if spayed/neutered)
and quiet.

They have no animal odor, they're 99% non-allergic, have no dander
and clean themselves scrupulously.

They poop and pee on hay that makes great organic garden fertilizer.

plus you get binkies and nosebonks. check it out. ; )

http://rabbitmatch.posterous.com/make-your-blog-carbon-neutral-for-free-great

RabbitMatch.org blog is officially carbon neutral!! Woohoo!

Our tree will be planted next month!! Yours can be too!!

Hi Alinda,

thank you so much for participating in our initiative and making your blog carbon neutral! Your tree will be planted next month by the Arbor Day Foundation. We thank you for the support!

There are still some trees looking for a sponsor. So if you know some people who have a blog or website, pass it on and we'll make their blogs carbon neutral too!

Best,

Christin
"Make it green!"-team

----- Ursprüngliche Mail -----
Von: "Alinda Lord" <alindalord@gmail.com>
An: CO2-neutral@kaufda.de
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 18. März 2010 18:35:17
Betreff: Great program! Thank you!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

I weigh 4 lbs though I swear it's mostly fur...

the cutest bunny in the world...!!

?ui=2&ik=d6ca10954e&view=att&th=127746e5ed631649&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw

A. cheery greeting to all RabbitMatch fans from the bun who smiles a lot. That's me!!! Toscanini!!!! Always thinking of the litterbox as half full!!! I have a quiz for you.
Q. Where do people go after they've wiped out in Las Vegas??
A. To Los Angeles!!!
Q. How do they transport the pet rabbits??
A. In the trunk of the car!!!
Q. What happens next??
A. The rabbits flee the friends' back yard where the only food is crabgrass and get rescued and placed at RabbitMatch!!!!

Yup, that's me and my pal Scorsese!!! Soooooo...look at my photos. We albino buns are supposed to be bottom of the line but aren't I just the essence of cuteness??? Just look at my chubby cheeks!!!! I popped in 3-15-10. I weigh 4 lbs and was born 10-1-09. I still have my baby fluff and will grow a bit. I'd love to do a gala performance of my binky choreography just for you!!!! email the moms, please. Entertainingly yours, Toscanini.

Make your blog carbon neutral! For free! -- Great program if you blog!

Being part of the initiative “My blog is carbon neutral” is an active contribution to help the environment! All you have to do is described here. Make it happen - make it green!

“My blog is carbon neutral” is an initiative, originally started in Germany by the “Make it green” programme, that has the goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We plant a tree for your blog and thereby neutralise your blog’s carbon footprint for the next 50 years! Everyone can make a small contribution to the environment. Every tree counts!

Please Forward + Crosspost too!!

As one of our wonderful partner sites says, "This good. That bad." More trees are definitely good. : )

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060724889/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATV...

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Amazon.com: Marshmallow (9780060724887): Clare Turlay Newberry: Books

via amazon.com

Thx to @Amanda_Rudelt for a wonderful book!

Lindenhurst [N.Y.] firefighters save rabbit from a burning house

Rabbits in the News

Lindenhurst [N.Y.] firefighters save rabbit from a burning house

Lindenhurst firefighters retrieved several pets, including a rabbit that received emergency oxygen treatment, from a burning house Sunday... [Proceed to this website to read the full article]

from HRS newsletter

http://www.anagrafeconigli.it/

for all our Italian bunny humans...

via anagrafeconigli.it

Anagrafe Conigli

Dopo un anno di lavori, viene finalmente alla luce l'Anagrafe Conigli in collaborazione col Ministero della Sanità. Le basi di questo progetto erano state gettate un anno fa in occasione del Convegno Nazionale sulle nuove norme per gli animalid' affezioneil sito scopo di raccogliere tutti i dati dei conigli microchippati sul territorio italiano in modo da facilitarne la rintracciabilità in caso di smarrimento e di conferire anche ai conigli lo status di animale da compagnia tutelato anche dalla macellazione.Perchè questo avvenga però è importante supportare questo progetto pilota e potrete farlo anche Voi,invitando a procedere a questa semplice ma indispensabile procedura Infatti più conigli verranno censiti più peso avrà la loro presenza e il loro diritto ad essere tutelati come animali d'affezione, esattamente come cani e gatti.

AAE iscriverà i propri conigli ed invita tutti ,amici, soci, simpatizzanti e le altre associazioni a fare altrettanto perchè dall'unione nasce la forza e ognuno di noi, iscrivendo il suo coniglietto- microchippato o no-può dare un contributo concreto al riconoscimento del coniglio come animale da compagnia. e dopo mesi di duro lavoro è nato

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

This is the sweetest video...I want them all...

Sirius Lee funneh Bunneh :0)

Q: How do you know when you need to do some serious house cleaning?
A: When your bunny has his own dust bunnies!
I just had to laugh at Sirius Lee Cute yesterday morning, he was doing his normal morning inspection, he disappeared under Joshua’s bed (all polished floors remember) and he emerged out of the other side with two large fluffy dust bunnies attached to him, one on each side of his whiskers, he was hopping about none the wiser, but was looking at my strangely and I think, wondering why I was laughing at him! :0) They didn’t fall off on their own either, I had to pluck them off, LOL! Each one was as big as his head, he really looked so funny, didn't have the heart to leave them on and get the camera, I thought it kinder to get them off him, but today I wished I had got the camera :0) Boy I really needed to smile!

The Dust Bunny that lives under the bed ♥

~from Paige Willow on FB

http://shadytales.wordpress.com/2010/03/16/bunny-business/

A dog named Shady talks bunnies....

= hoppiness

Do you remember, way back when we first met, how we talked about cats? I told you everything I knew about them (I have learned a lot more since) and told you there’d always be room here for cat stories. Well now, I have made some new friends, one Ms. Bunny Jean Cook and one very nice lady Ms. Alinda from www.rabbitmatch.org, who have ever so politely pointed out that dogs and cats are not the only animals in need of new adoptive families. Did you know BUNNIES need rescuing too? Guess what else is going on with all this bunny business? It’s rabbit season! No, silly not to hunt them, but to buy them. Or, like in a lot of cases around Easter, to “impulse buy’ them or give them as gifts...

Them Kiwis do know how to make a point, don't ya think???!!

Outside Dunedin, NZ:

...passed the local version of a speeding-sign saying: ‘Waihola township: no ambulance, no hospital, one cemetery, drive safely’.

(from my friend Inge)

Look at all the stuff going on at the Bunny Bunch S.P.C.R...!!!

We can all support this great rescue! Here's how...http://www.bunnybunch.com/

Spring Photos are Happening Now at the Burrow!

Bring in your rabbits, chins or guinea pigs for a Spring photo shoot during our open hours at the Burrow.
For a $10 donation you will receive a framed photo of your choice. Starting Wednesday, March 17th through Sunday, April 4th.

Help Us Stop the Sale of Easter Rabbits
Free Easter Education Fliers & Posters

Every year thousands of rabbits are bought as gifts for Easter. Most of them don't even live a year!
You can help by handing out our new Easter Education fliers and posting our Easter Education posters.
They will be posted to our Facebook group soon, and you can also pick them up at the Burrow during our open hours.

Adopt a Chocolate Bunny

Our Beatrix Potter solid chocolate bunnies have arrived at the Burrow. On the back of the box is a label telling people why not to buy real rabbits for Easter. Please help us spread the word that chocolate bunnies are for Easter, real ones are not. $5.00 donation at the Burrow. Or, two for $12 by mail. Thank you for supporting our efforts.

Ceramic Bunny Heart Keepsake

One of our wonderful volunteers hand made some lovely ceramic bunny hearts in order to raise money for the rabbits. For a $5.00 donation you can choose a magnet or a hanging heart, or two for $9. Each heart comes with a photo of a rabbit that we have rescued. If you would like us to mail them to you please send a $12 donation for two hearts and to cover postage. Great gifts for friends and family, just in time for Easter.

Spring Raffle at the Burrow

We have eight lovely raffle items at the Burrow. The winners will be drawn on Sunday, April 4th at 3pm.No need to be present to win. Please help us to continue the rescue of sick and injured rabbits.

Donations for Tickets are:

1 for $1.00
5 for $4.00
10 for $7.00
20 for $13.00

All donations will go into our Angel Fund.

To buy tickets online check our site soon. We will email your ticket numbers to you. Winners can pick up at the Burrow, or we can ship UPS (UPS charges will apply). Good luck and thank you for helping the buns!

Join us at the Orange County Pet Expo
April 16, 17, & 18th the Coast Mesa Fairgrounds
We will have rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats and hamsters all looking for homes. Throughout the day we will be doing grooming demonstrations in our booth. On Sunday Dr. Sari Kanfer and Caroline Charland will be there to answer your health and care questions (times TBA). We have free care information and volunteers to answer your questions.

Bunny Bunch Boutique will have almost our whole store set up there. We will be featuring our new line of Healthy Treats, our specialty hays with herbs, and of course will have our super quality Timothy, Orchard and Blend hays. We have lots of new items, and will of course have all of our famous willow and grass chews, toys, and hidies. For those of you in OC, this is a great time to stock up! Don't forget, every time you shop with us you are helping the Bunny Bunch to continue to rescue rabbits!

Dr Kanfer

On Tuesday, March 16th Dr. Sari Kanfer will be open for business! Dr. Kanfer works very closely with the Bunny Bunch on most of our medical cases. She stays up to date with exotic medicine by attending the exotic conferences and treating exotic animals.

She has started her own exotic practice in Pasadena, California. For more information go to http://www.facebook.com/l/482d4;DrKanfer.com Please tell her the Bunny Bunch referred you. Congratulations Dr. Kanfer!

Dr. Kanfer and Caroline Charland will be holding a series of classes and seminars at the Burrow in Montclair.

And last, but not least, the new Bunny Bunch website will be live in about a week!

Yay for Bunny Bunch!! : )

The Irish word for rabbit is coinín...

Rabbits are not native to Ireland; they were introduced into Ireland as a food source in the 12th century by the Normans (the Scandinavians formerly known as Vikings). In Norman times a warren was a fenced enclosure where the rabbits were kept; the first recorded warren was on Lambay Island, off of the northern coast of Ireland in 1191...

http://www.examiner.com/x-7748-Dayton-Small-Pets-Examiner~y2010m3d16-The-Iris...?#comments

http://www.potentiallycrazy.com/

Save a bunny from a bad situation this easter...more cool rabbit shops!!!! Updated again!

...give an easter gift from one of these wonderful shops instead...

(send in websites for the list too! we'll be hoppy to add them!)

►►► And even more! ◄◄◄

►►► And more! ◄◄◄

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rabbitwhiskers

http://chasingrabbits.com/estore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

http://www.mybeautybunny.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/plopsy

http://www.carrotcreekboutique.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lavenderrabbit?section_id=5892841

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Zygopsyche

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dragonhouseofyuen

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41657832

http://nakisha.com/

http://www.bijouswhimsy.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/saveabunny

►►► More great shops! ◄◄◄

http://melodylamb.blogspot.com/

http://www.jenscustomcrafts.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rabbittude

http://www.folksy.com/items/315557-Easter-Sock-Bunny

http://www.debandco.com/

http://www.myshape.com/rabbit-rabbit-rabbit-designs/designers/shop/designer/10309?gclid=CP2pjcqrlqACFRknawodqz3gnA

Our original bunderful shops!

http://www.cafepress.com/chocolatebunny

http://www.historicalchocolate.com/page1/page20/page20.html

http://www.22reasons.org/store.html

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NYhop

http://www.yestocarrots.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluedogrose?section_id=6404342

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Hare-Days-John-Fitzgerald/dp/1905513674

http://www.gardengatecards.us/

http://www.bunnybuttapothecary.com/

http://www.cafepress.com/paradiserabbit

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29841565#

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cottontailquilts

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/402929

Have to share this from a coworker...So Absolutely True...

DEAR LORD,

So far today I've done alright,

I haven't lost my temper,

haven't been greedy, grumpy,

nasty, selfish or overindulgent.

I'm very thankful for that, but

in a few minutes, Lord, I'm

going to get out of bed, and from

then on I'm going to need lots

of help!

AMEN.

Yuri does Dublin...

Here are the latest updates for rabbitmatch@gmail.com

"Cute Bunnies - House Rabbit, Pet Rabbit, Pet Bunny Pictures & Video" - 1 new article

Early St. Patrick's Day Bun Says...

"Top o' the mornin' to ya!" :D

Okay, it's cilantro and not clovers, but whatever :P

This cutie is Yuri Yevtushenko, a bun up for adoption with our pals RabbitMatch of LA, CA! You can find out all about him on his Petfinder page here... good luck, Yuri!! :)

• http://www.dailybunny.com/daily_bunny_d8/2010/03/early-st-patricks-day-bun-sa..." target="_blank">Email to a friend • Article Search • http://www.dailybunny.com/daily_bunny_d8/2010/03/early-st-patricks-day-bun-sa..." title="See related articles to this one based on reader votes" target="_blank">Related • View comments • www.dailybunny.com%2fdaily_bunny_d8%2f2010%2f03%2fearly-st-patricks-day-bun-says.html&src=5" target="_blank"> Listen to this article

•

Rate 'Early St. Patrick's Day Bun Says...' www.dailybunny.com%2fdaily_bunny_d8%2f2010%2f03%2fearly-st-patricks-day-bun-says.html" border="0" />

Monday, March 15, 2010

Please make mine chocolate again this year!

http://www.examiner.com/x-7748-Dayton-Small-Pets-Examiner~y2010m3d15-Make-min...

Rabbits are a familiar symbol of the Easter holiday. This time of year, they appear on television commercials and candy packaging, and stores are filled with chocolate rabbits and stuffed toy bunnies. Not surprisingly...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rabbitwhiskers

Save a bunny from a bad situation this easter...more cool rabbit shops!!!! Updated weekly!

...give an easter gift from one of these wonderful shops instead...

►►► And more! ◄◄◄

http://www.etsy.com/shop/plopsy (% goes to Zooh Corner + HRS!)

http://chasingrabbits.com/estore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

http://www.mybeautybunny.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/plopsy (% goes to Zooh Corner!)

http://www.carrotcreekboutique.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lavenderrabbit?section_id=5892841

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Zygopsyche

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dragonhouseofyuen

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41657832

http://nakisha.com/

http://www.bijouswhimsy.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/saveabunny

►►► More great shops! ◄◄◄

http://melodylamb.blogspot.com/

http://www.jenscustomcrafts.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rabbittude

http://www.folksy.com/items/315557-Easter-Sock-Bunny

http://www.debandco.com/

http://www.myshape.com/rabbit-rabbit-rabbit-designs/designers/shop/designer/10309?gclid=CP2pjcqrlqACFRknawodqz3gnA

Our original bunderful shops!

http://www.cafepress.com/chocolatebunny

http://www.historicalchocolate.com/page1/page20/page20.html

http://www.22reasons.org/store.html

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NYhop

http://www.yestocarrots.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluedogrose?section_id=6404342

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Hare-Days-John-Fitzgerald/dp/1905513674

http://www.gardengatecards.us/

http://www.bunnybuttapothecary.com/

http://www.cafepress.com/paradiserabbit

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29841565#

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cottontailquilts

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/402929

Add a comment to this post

fascinating blog post on octopi...

Why I can't eat polvo

oregon expat | 15 March 2010 at 8:53 pm | Categories: science | URL: http://wp.me/pLzaa-8C

The Portuguese love polvo. Polvo rice, polvo salad, polvo casserole, breaded and fried polvo...the methods of cooking and presentation seem endless.

I can't eat it. And believe me, I've eaten everything else that's been put in front of me since moving to Portugal, including fresh pig's brains fried up with egg and bread. (Which was really good, by the way.)

Polvo means octopus. And after working for several years in a public aquarium that included octopodes in its collection, I have too much respect for the intelligence of these animals to eat them. It would be like eating a cat.

photo by Ryan Wick

Octopodes are notoriously hard to keep in captivity. They are extraordinary escape artists. You probably would be too, if you had eight arms covered with handy suction cups -- and perfect control over each individual cup -- and a soft body that could fit through tiny openings. The only hard part of an octopus is the beak located at the center of its arms. If the beak can fit through an opening, the rest of the body can follow. (For a perfect illustration of this talent, check out this short video.)

Most aquarium staff have learned the hard way that if they want their octopus to stay put, they need to either 1) put an airtight lid on the tank and weigh it down with a rock, 2) glue astroturf all around the edges and upper walls of the tank, which prevents the suction cups from getting a good seal, or 3) a combination of both. (Number 3 is always best.)

Good aquarists understand that keeping their octopus from doing a runner is not enough. These creatures are so intelligent that they get bored in captivity, and a bored octopus will either destroy anything breakable in its exhibit, or display neurotic behaviors (much like a bored lion in a zoo will pace back and forth, back and forth). Often, aquarists will offer toys, or put food inside plastic "puzzles" that make it a challenge for the octopus to get the food out. Anything to keep it busy and occupied!

The aquarists at a German public aquarium apparently didn't keep their octopus busy enough. A 2008 Telegraph article details their travails when Otto the octopus took it upon himself to short out the entire power supply of the facility:

The short-circuit had baffled electricians as well as staff at the Sea Star Aquarium in Coburg, Germany, who decided to take shifts sleeping on the floor to find out what caused the mysterious blackouts.

A spokesman said: "It was a serious matter because it shorted the electricity supply to the whole aquarium that threatened the lives of the other animals when water pumps ceased to work. It was on the third night that we found out that the octopus Otto was responsible for the chaos."

How did Otto accomplish this feat?

"We knew that he was bored as the aquarium is closed for winter, and at two feet, seven inches Otto had discovered he was big enough to swing onto the edge of his tank and shoot out the 2000 Watt spot light above him with a carefully directed jet of water."

Director Elfriede Kummer who witnessed the act said: "We've put the light a bit higher now so he shouldn't be able to reach it. But Otto is constantly craving for attention and always comes up with new stunts so we have realised we will have to keep a more careful eye on him - and also perhaps give him a few more toys to play with."

Director Kummer is a smart person. Perhaps almost as smart as Otto.

So you can see why I have issues with the Portuguese love of polvo. I don't care if they taste like strawberries dipped in chocolate (which they most certainly do not), I just can't eat a creature that is so intelligent and so amazingly gifted.

Besides -- how can anyone look at this photo and think of cooking something that cute?

photo by Foxtongue

WordPress.com | Thanks for flying with WordPress!
Manage Subscriptions | One-click Unsubscribe | Publish text, photos, music, and videos by email using our Post by Email feature. | Signup with WordPress.com

Sunday, March 14, 2010

...the color of my feet!!!!!

Oh Hi there!!!! I'm Lyubochka ('darling' in Rrrrrrrussian). Just dropped off at RabbitMatch (SB). I know you've heard the "landlord said no pets" story. Well, just listen to mine!!! The lady of the house thought she could sneak ME in without the HUSBAND noticing. Well, there was domestic strife and now I'm here (sigh). The old place really wasn't up to code as you'll see by the color of my feet!!!!!

I was born 12/1/09. I'm just a baby!!! I'm a little dutch cross gurrrrl, gray and white. My eyes are a sparkling blue color. Flutter, flutter. I weigh 2 lbs 1 oz and definitely plan to grow a bit. Hope you'll stop by to visit soon, Prettily yours, Lyubochka.

PS My spay is scheduled for 3/31. I need to gain some weight first. Didn't get much to eat there at the end...Send bunny vibes, pleeeez.