The Proof is in the Tail

I just thought I'd give you a real picture of "the Tail"... obviously we don't have Rosie anymore but I will hang on to this tail (perhaps put it on a keyring- not) and let her memory live on.

above: the two love-buns Flopsy (white) and Clive

Oh and here is a short video of Clive going bonkers while Flopsy tries to have a kip. Apologies to all you non animal lovers.

Mills & Boone, Bunnies and Tails

It had been a long treacherous drive. The temperature outside hovered around zero whilst snow flakes danced in the orange glow of the street lamp. She'd waited a long time to meet someone who could whisk her off her feet, someone who could make her heart whole. She turned to face him.

He was dark and handsome, small but perfectly formed. He had an air of nonchalance about him which unnerved her. She took a few paces back.

As he stepped towards her he could feel his pulse rise. She was beautiful! Her soft milky body sent shivers down his spine. He sensed she was afraid but reached for her anyway. Something stirred deep down in his soul.... he wanted her!

OK enough with the Mills and Boone - its RABBITS I'm on about here.

The last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster ride of bunny emotions and owner trauma. We've had Flopsy almost 8 months now and everything we read suggest that all rabbits should have companionship (preferably another rabbit). We do give her lots of attention but as much as we try, it's difficult to lick a rabbit's ear in quite the same way as another rabbit could. So we decided to get her a friend from the RSPCA.

On adoption day, L refused to come along for fear she would be tempted to rescue ALL the stray animals. Actually, I this was a cleverly constructed excuse to avoid being manipulated into adopting a puppy or a kitten at the same time. So, on my own, I stroked several abandoned rabbits in my quest to find Flops a suitable companion. I found RALPH!

The RSPCA are quite strict about adoption. I had to fill out reams of paper work and undergo a home check to ensure we were responsible owners. During the home visit, Flopsy presented herself well giving the inspector a look-at-me-I'm-so-adorable-and-I'm-obviously-well-looked-after pose. So thankfully, we passed the check with flying colours. The whole process took over a week by which time I was oozing with excitement about bringing Ralph home.

Well, we had Ralph for just over a week and I followed all the guidance about introducing them slowly. I had to keep them apart (via a cage) but allow them to be within close proximity so they could get used to the company. The house became a circus, juggling two rabbits to ensure both of them had plenty of run-around time. Flops was noticeably put out by the situation. She normally has the run of the house but during this time, she kept going off in huff, anywhere that was away from the little black furball.

After four days, there were still no signs of friendship- Flopsy scrabbled at Ralph's cage like a demon possessed and Ralph responded with similar aggression. The rabbit forums assured me "everything would be ok" and to "persist with the process". I was dubious, but knew it could take several weeks.

One day I left them alone in the kitchen, separated by a six foot wire frame. I'd been gone a couple of hours but on my return I noticed things didn't look right.

There were piles of fluff everywhere. When I inspected further, it was obvious an aggressive fight had occurred. One or the other had pulled the frame aside to create a hole just big enough for Ralph (quite small) to squeeze through (Flopsy, taking after her owners, is a little on the chunky side so could never make the great escape). Ralph had ventured into Flopsy's territory and suffered the consequences.

The scene resembled a post apocalyptic pillow fight, yet the two rabbits were in their respective areas looking fairly subdued. So, I set about cleaning up the mess and considered knitting a rabbit fur jumper from the remains. Then, to my horror, I found RALPH'S TAIL!!!! The WHOLE TAIL! RALPH WAS TAILLESS! not a rabbit's foot, A RABBIT's TAIL! small and black and fluffy - OH MY GOD! NOOOOOOO

Ralph was rushed to the Vet's to have the damage assessed - it was nothing short of horrid. His tail had been skinned and all that was left was a bloody stump which had to be amputated.

When I recovered from the news of the amputation, I was bowled over by two more bombshells a) the cost and b) RALPH was a GIRL- the RSPCA made a mistake!!!

No wonder they didn't get on. Every single piece of advice given to me before adopting our new rabbit included "don't put two females together". Poor Ralph/Rosie would had to spend the night at the vets and endure one week of oral antibiotics! Awwww poor little thing - as soon as she was better we took her back to the RSPCA.

Sad story isn't it, but have no fear everyone... three nights ago, Flopsy, L and I met a Bunny Rescue lady in a car park on the M1 (not by accident, the meeting was arranged). She brought two little boys, Clive and Dooley to meet Flops and under the cover of darkness, we bundled them into the back of her car and let Flopsy decide who she liked best.

Clive it was and since then its been a hassle free introduction. Contrary warnings about females becoming aggressive and territorial, Flops has been more than welcoming. I can just imagine her hopping around the house saying in a posh voice "now this is the living room where you can relax in front of the fire and munch on carrot whilst being groomed - just make yourself at home darling".

Clive is still settling in and is already litter trained but he has an unfortunate rabbit-lust for Flopsy. I think she was hoping for some gentle head licking and some warm snuggles but the little guy is mad for it! Apparently, according to the forums, he's just 'asserting' himself... For Flopsy's sake I hope he calms down - she is looking a little harassed and now sits cleverly with her rear end against a wall or other immovable object.

So people, you may not be rabbit lovers or should I say lovers of rabbits.... actually lets just say you might not appreciate rabbits as pets, so I apologise for this post. I must sound like a complete weirdo - probably worse than a dog lover - but I do think there's a moral to this story somewhere. Let me think... or maybe you could suggest one!

Ciao for now

Geeks and Consumerism

I've been back at University for a week now and we're already in the thick of a new project. On our first day back we were asked to agree or disagree with a manifesto stating our skills should be used for the greater good i.e. to promote social justice, sustainable development, environmental awareness etc. An interesting project which has lead me to read a couple of books on the conflict designers have with earning a wage and being ethical.

It's difficult to decide whether you accept a briefcase full of cash to design an advert for Nescafe or turn your back on it because you don't agree with their ethics. Not that I've ever had to make that sort of decision - most of my freelance work has been for small organisations doing good work. But if I did have to make a choice, it would certainly be tough.

In an ideal world I definitely agree with the manifesto but sometimes we need to compromise. As far as I can, I will certainly look to work for organisations with a sustainable outlook and an environmentally conscious foundation... perhaps WWF or Greenpeace?

In a world where we are bombarded with adverts everywhere we go, it is hard to avoid being swept along by consumerism. For instance, since starting university I've tried only to buy the bare essentials; food, books, art materials, and petrol (when I don't get the bus). But last week while I was trying to replace some holey jeans in M&S (note I was not buying a trendy label), I suddenly found myself amongst hoards of women pushing and shoving in an "Everything for £1 SALE".

I didn't really need anything but my pulse started to race and I broke out in a sweat thinking "I could buy 10 items of clothes for £10!!!!" I was right in there squeezing past the elbows, and trolleys laden with clothes, getting progressively hotter in the mission to find something a) in my size and b) suitable to wear in public. It was only 9.15am but in the 15 minutes I was there, the crowd grew and grew. The sound of hundreds of hangers scraping against rails must have called out to any woman passing the store - music to their ears. I can't help being reminded of the Pied Piper and the rats!

There is something truly amazing about women in a sale - red faced and disappearing behind the mountain of clothes over one arm"oooh Tracy I've got a whole season's worth of clothes and I've only spent £11" , "Hey Chloe - I've wanted these for ages and LOOK they're just a POUND!!!" My question is, what sort of initial mark-up must M&S have had to still make a profit selling things for £1?

In all honesty there really wasn't anything worth buying there. Even in my coffin I wouldn't be seen wearing some of the garish outfits on offer. I did snag a couple of pairs of trousers, which I'm not sure I'll ever wear but hey, it only cost me £2!!!! Consumerism at its worst and I won't dare to discuss the sweatshops... the miles travelled and the fuel consumed... the pollution, the packaging.... just so we can say we've got a BARGAIN!

So there you go, now I have to come up with a design that comments on this ! Not an easy one.

I had another age/trend dilemma last Thursday. It was P***ing down with rain so I took out my anorak (quite nice - Berghaus), picked up an umbrella and set off for Uni. You older, wiser folk might say to yourself "she's a sensible girl". But not long ago, I asked one of my student friends why he'd rather get soaked than wear a waterproof? His response was "Are you MAD? be seen in Public with an anorak?". At the time I didn't respond but made a mental note: Waterproof obviously = Geek.

So on the bus I started to consider whether I should actually wear the waterproof once I was reached the University premises. One more look at the torrential downpour and I decided to suss out the scene on arrival. 20 minutes later, on campus: Lo! Hundreds of students walking in the rain and not a waterproof in sight! The were all soaked to the bone with hoodies pulled over their heads in a vain attempt to keep their hair dry.

For a millisecond I considered taking my coat off then I thought - WHAT AM I DOING!? Its ludicrous to wander around in the rain with no form of protection for the sake of the trend! God is looking down on you, shaking his rain maker and laughing!

DAMN you fashion victims! Embrace your inner GEEK!

To top it off I wore my rucksack with BOTH straps on my shoulders because you know what? It's much more comfortable when you have a bag full of books and they were designed to be worn that way. So all you students with back problems and lop-sided shoulders... it's because you let TREND conquer PRACTICALITY!

Anyway, enough said... could someone please tell me whether I'm using the apostrophe in the right place when I write "it's" or "its"?