Just My Luck

Uh, no, I still don't have much time on my hands. The only reason I'm typing this particular journal right now is because I have a small amount of homework that I can continue to procrastinate on, and the idea is fresh in my head. I'm afraid this journal won't be that long, but I suppose that's a good thing, yes? I write too much anyway.

So ... besides college preparation, high school, and field hockey, I don't have a lot going on. I'm working with pencils and colored pencils in my free time at school, I'm still reading my 1000 page book (Brandon Sanderson is an amazing author), and I'm keeping an eye on the ARBA stuff. Although really, I don't know why anymore.

I have three rabbits: Cashmere, Marvin, and Dozer.

Cashmere is certainly not showable because of his booted pattern. And ... he's going through a rough phase right now. He doesn't take well to anything less than free fed, poor dude. And he's shedding his coat, so he looks worse than he really is. He's still adorable, though. Except when he tugs at his cage door to beg for food. I have no idea how to break that habit of his. He's also not breedable because ... er, because I bred him three times before and nothing came of each of the breedings. Plus, he's castor, which means that he should really only be bred to castor.

Marvin is a cute little guy that has some serious attitude problems. I gave him his box again today, but only because he's gonna get chilly with winter coming along, and I'll feel bad if he doesn't have some straw to sink into. But he's going to run away from me when I try to tame him, even a few weeks after buying him. He's fleshing out, though, so I think he's going to turn out to be a better buck than I was bargaining for. Which is cool. But I don't think he'll be show quality, per say. Sure, I might show him at the Chelsea Fair next year, but I don't think the ARBA is the right place for him.

Dozer is my show quality rabbit. She has beautiful fur, a nice body, even if a little long in the shoulders. Her coat is changing colors, but I think it's still acceptable. She looks a lot more lilac now, though. I really do need to join ARBA and the mini rex club. I was planning on showing her in the Ann Arbor ARBA show last weekend, but because she was shedding her coat for a new one, I went hunting instead (and didn't get anything, due to the fact that the deer kept their distance from me). She also has a ... something on her lip.

I showed the something to my dad today, and he told me it looked like a wart. I dunno why I didn't think of that, seeing as I have a wart on the bottom of my foot, and it won't go away, but whatever. I looked up rabbit wart on the Internet, and I certainly did not like what I got back.

I found pictures almost identical to what Dozer has. And each and every one of them say that it's rabbit syphilis. Highly contagious, since it's more than an STD for rabbits. Simple contact can transmit it. Which means Dozer's getting a new cage. Marvin will NOT get this.

I'm not one hundred percent positive that that is what Dozer has, but I can't exactly get an expert opinion on it, because I don't have enough money. Once I put in some more research into it, I might have to contact the rabbitry that I bought her from, perhaps confirm it, perhaps inform her that her dam might have this disease. Or maybe Marvin gave it to Dozer ...

Oh. Didn't think of that. Damn it.

Looks like I'll be doing a lot of showmanship practice on my rabbits. *wink* I like to do the whole routine every time I check them over so that the thing is burned into my head.

But if syphilis is really what Dozer has, I don't know if I can treat it. I'm dirt poor over here. And if I can't treat it, I can't show her, and I can't breed her. Which means my whole plan is out the flippin' window. The best I can do, maybe, is get a job straight after field hockey is over, raise enough money to buy the medication, and administer it. Because I have a big ol' feeling that the local vet won't know what to do with a rabbit. And that would be more expensive anyway.

It's a good thing that I do extensive research when I'm actually concerned about a topic. I promise, I won't do anything rash.

I just want Dozer to be well. One, because she's my show rabbit. Two, because she's my only doe. And I like bunnies. Three, because she's quickly became my buddy.

Which reminds me ... my rabbits need their toenails clipped. Every. Single. One of them. Okay, so that's three. But still, Dozer freaks out when I flip her over, and Cashmere doesn't much like it, either. I haven't clipped Marvin's nails before.

Well, got stuffs to do.

SONG OF THE DAY: In Pieces ~ Linkin Park