Staying at home with KENSHIRO

When I have holidays, like this week, I prefer to stay at home, unless it's necessary to go out.
I like staying at home and being with KENSHIRO, seeing what she does during the day.

She's rather quiet during the daytime, but still she would come out from time to time.
Now she knows that there is someone else at home, surely she does not forget to come out to ask for some extra treats;)

I feel that we ARE family.
I enjoy her company and presence and I hope she does feel the same, too.

When I'm home, as I eat some fruits, just like today, a whole apple,
I would share with her, too.
Having said that, she has been showing enormous appetite for the last 2 weeks.
I must be careful not to spoil her too much.

Christmas card from a rabbit in SPCA

In the early December, I sent SPCA a $100-donation for a week's supply of rabbit food and bedding for 2 rabbits. It's their Christmas project where people may send their friends a SPCA Chritmas card appreciating that they have bought a gift of different kind for specific breed of animals, in stead of buying them a gift.

In receiving a card from SPCA today, I felt ... special.
It was like receiving a card from a rabbit that I supported with my little $HK100.
I wish I could adopt him/her and give him/her a permanent home, instead of this one-off Christmas gift.

I thank God for SPCA and HKRS and all people who are involved in the animal welfare.
They all make difference --- Every small step, every small donation.
And that really encourages me.

That really convinces me that what I am going to do in 2010 and after will also make difference to many lives.
And I continue to pray that every rabbits, dogs, cats, and other animals in the shelters as well as in pet shops will find their loving home. I also pray for God's forgiveness and mercy and for changed hearts for people who have neglected their companion animals and treated them with cruelty.

She's done it!!

I was away for 3 nights 4 days for a trip to Taipei.

On the way home, an hour left on the Christmas night, I was wondering if Kenshiro would still recognise me, recalling that she had completely forgotton about me over the 1 month-summer holiday this year.

Happy!!! She still recognized me!!

And more surprisingly, she remembered "HOUSE" call!!

She went into the barrow when I gave her the call without seeing my hand going into the barrow!!

Of course, the good girl earned herself the treat and a lot of praises!!!

Merry Christmas, Kenshiro!!

Rabbit TENUGUI (Japanese handy cloth)

Last time when I went back to Japan, I found the very cool TENUGUI shop in HANEDA airport.

(Click on the title for the shoplink)

They have small size TENUGUI with all sorts of pattern (that's why they call it "MAMEGUI" (bean-size tenugui), and you can pick your favorite TENUGUI and a bag of Japanese traditional candies for a nice wrapping.

I, ofcourse did not miss the sight of this rabbit MAMEGUI.

Actually if you undone it, you would just see facial parts and a tail and a carrot at four corners.

Even so, the pink ears and the tail look really cute, either undone or folded.

Only 300 yen per tenugui.:)

Training "HOUSE!"

I hav been challenging Kenshiro's ability for learning...
I've seen a video clip of a rabbit trained to go back to cage whenever ordered "HOUSE!".

So... I m hoping that my "giving her favorite lacto treats" strategy will work for this training...
After more than 2 weeks, she's still not too sure...
When she hears the noise of the treat, she's overwhelmed by her own expectation and forget about connecting it with "going back to the house".

She would jump into her barrow only after she sees my hand going into the barrow with her love-lacto.

Patience... Patience... is the key...

Moon-cake 2009

I forgot to upload this photo of Moon-cake tin I've got this year.
I like it because it's a combination of ancient legend and modern HK scenery...
I like the colour of red-gold, too.. moon light beam...

And needless to say, I couldn't help taking a picture of it, solely because of the rabbit.

New ranges of Cruelty Free products in HK!!

Today I noticed Park and Shop has new Cruelty Free brand.

earth choice ranges from Australian brand natures ORGANICS.

(click on the main title to see their website)

They are one of those brands listed in the cruelty shoping guide.

I am trully happy to see them,another great brand in HK,

because that indicates more people will consider them as their choice.

The greatest news for us consumers is that they price their products at about the same as conventional products, which is quite revolutionary!!

I have been a great supporter of ECOVER, which I previouly introduced, and I will always be their supporter, but for the price competitiveness, nature ORGANICS overwhelm them.

I truly hope that everyone supports Cruelty free brands and products, so that they will make more profits and their products can over turn conventional "animal-tested products."

GO CRUELTY-FREE BRANDS!!

GOOD JOB, PARK AND SHOP!!

By the way... what I bought today was a Toilet Cleaner (see the photo).

HKRS interviewed!

Interview clip by "WE LOVE HONG KONG".
(Click on the top title)

Love life, Support HKRS!!

Rabbit age to human years

I've always wondered how old Kenshiro is in human years.
We treat her forever as a baby, but this chart (pls click on the top title) shows that she, being 1 year and 10 months old, is in fact about 25 years!!

Well, at least she's still got more than a year to be our age!!

2010 Calender

I've already got 2 rabbit-calenders for the next year.

One from HKRS - ONLY HK$50!

(Thank you for your support!)

The other, a gift from my husband.:)

I look forward to the 2010!!!

Welcoming a little sad-looking rabbit

Found: Hallmark

Price: $HK50

Tiny.. only about 15cm height.

I had found her(I've decided that it is "she") long ago, but that time I didn't buy her.

She's definitely NOT a good looking.

Ears aren't in the same length, eyes aren't symetrical either, and her little mouth is not really in place.

She got my attention, primary because she was a pure white rabbit, a little bit like Kenshiro, but her little sad-looking appearance reminded me of many bunnies at HKRS.
----.All waiting for adoption

I bought her finally at my third time of passing the shop.
I felt really happy carrying her on her bottom with both of my hands.
I felt as if I founded one of those abandoned rabbits a new loving home, even though she's just a stuffed rabbit!!

Rabbit mini-tote

Last time when I went back to Japan, my sis gave me this little tote.

Isn't it adorable!?

I just love this cotton little tote with mono colour rabbit.

Pink little flower on her ear got my heart!

Kenshiro's temper (throwing her litter box)

This is exactly what 's been happening with Kenshiro, and I am happy to find this article mentioning "a pet rabbit throwing the temper." and the reason...
Kenshiro's been throwing her litter box in the living room and so she ended up unable to do her business there andso does them outside the box.

"Also, rabbits tend to throw “temper tantrums” and let you know if they’re upset for leaving them alone too long or for going on vacation. I think of it as their way of showing you how much they missed you and your services as their human slave. After returning, you may find your babies were perfect angels, but they won’t come say “hi” you. The next thing you know, you have urine on your bed and “presents” throughout the house, or the rabbit room. I assure you, this is usually temporary behavior that disappears after they’ve “forgiven you” for leaving. How else can they punish you for not performing your regular duties?"

http://web.me.com/rascallyrabbitrescue/CrittersInk/Home/Entries/2008/6/3_The_Facilities.html

What she fears the most...

Good friends of ours came to our house today after church.
They are also international married couple and are owners of 4 cats, so we have bits and pieces in common:)

Last time when they came, the husband succeeded in grabbing Kenshiro for a cuddle, and that experience seemed to have been engraved in her memory as rather a traumatic scene.

So, when then arrive this afternoon, the moment we entered, Kenshiro already showed an unusual move... rushed into a cardboard box.
It was funny to see she didn't dared to come out from there.

After a while, when we were having conbversations, she came back to her cage for some treats.
We suggested him to also give her terats, just to help breaking this seems-very thick wall,
Kenshiro ate a little from his hand (yeah~, great~), but then that was it.
She sat at the morner, even on her toilet, get quite petrified...

mm.. rather surprising to see how scared she was, to that extent that her body was shaking and eyes go so round. I guess she really remembers her last experience.. and probably his smell and voice, too:) Actually he is a man of strong build, tall and huge, compared to whom she's used to see,so maybe that addes to the whole thing.

We are sorry for our friend, and yes.. actually for Kenshiro:)

Ah~~, fur changing ~~again!!

It's been 2 weeks since Kenshiro's annual(quarterly?) fur changing event started.
The last one seemed to happen just a few months ago, but here we are, once again.

All the signs have appeared (lines and waves on the body, fur comiung out of her cheeks..)
But this year, black line on her back started really a lot..
I can simply pull her fur out from there...

I have to comb her possiblly everyday, and get her lick her favorite furball remedy.
I hope this will end soon..i miss my beautiful KenKen.

My biggest guilt to Kenshiro

My husband and I had been having huge arguments.
To be fair to my husband, it wasn't really arguments, but
I threw my anger and temper at him.

Kenshiro was in her cage when that happened for the first time.
The moment I bursted, she went stoned.
Her ears stoot right up, eyes opened so wide.

Second time, she just hid under the sofa over the entire time, scared.
Scared of me.

Looking at her like this really hurt me.
I felt massive guilt I have never felt before.
I am so sorry, Kenshiro.
I will not do that in front of you ever again.

Sun-Dried Papaya leaves

KAWAI そのまんま天日干し　パパイヤの葉－410yen

It's the same series as Sun-dried brocolli leaves Kenshiro's crazy about.
And just like the broccoli leaves, she loooves this new Papaya leaves.
She recognize the bag and as soon as she sees it, she would run to me.

Papay leaves are a lot more crunchy than broccoli's.
It explains that papaya leaves contains as much papain enzyme as in the fruites, and it would help improving immune system as well as recovering from fatigue.

Anyway, all Kenshiro cares about is when she will see that orange bag again...

by Kenshiro --- ★★★★★

Home-grown Parsley

When she was small, we used to buy a pack of parsley at City Super sometimes for her treat.
They are about HK$8 a pack.

Anyway, last year I happened to go to the flower street and bought a pot of parsley, because I wanted to grow them to feed Kenshiro more freely.
It was only $15 a pot.
Good thing is that I can pick the leaves whenever I want.
Hard part is that it can die, or the leaves can be far less attractive compared to what I can buy from City-Super.

At the moment, after 8 months or so, it is still alive, though it doesn't have much leaves left.
I fed it with used-brown tea leaf as a natural fertilizer, and it's doing ok, if not briliant.

Regardless of the looks, Kenshiro loves parsley.
I hope more leaves will come out.

Rate by Kenshiro : ★★★★

"Cruelty-free" shampoo

What: Nature's Gate Rain water clarifying shampoo
Price: $58
Content: 532ml
(click on the top and it will jump to their website)

Since the beggining of early summer, I started to make my consious effort to buy only "animal-testing free" detergent and washing powder.

I picked this brand, mainly because of the price.
It is more expensive than the conventional ones, but you know, not so much more expensive.
But you feel great everytime you wash your hair, confiently knowing that products you are using did not make any animal go through neither painful experience nor life.

Why pay to torture animal' lives just for our hair or for our dish washing?

The more people choose to buy these products, the more impact we can make for animal welfare, and the cost can come down.
Even just for me, one person, considering how many bottles of shampoos and dish-washing detergent I will consume during my life-time, I know that I am making some difference!

Would you care to join me? These products are great, just pay a little more, and it gives you all the more good-feeling.
(Click on "Cruelty free shopping guide" available on the right hand-side list)

Milk Vetch

SUN FARM Sanko Milk Vetch 30g - 270yen

Another new treat from SUN FARM.

Im hoping that being a major brand also seen in HK, I can find them here, too though I haven't seen them before in any of the pet shops I've been to,and surely the price would be 1.5 times more expensive as usual.

Milk vetch is a kind of bean family plant and is rich in fibre as well as protein and Vitamins.

I bought this one after seeing Kenshiro being crazy about the sample she had tried last time.

She would even try to come onto the bag if she sees me opening it.

My girl is getting a little aggressive.

Anyway, she lo~~ves it very much, as much as Lacto suppliments.:)

Rating by Kenshiro --- ★★★★★(out of 5)

MAKING a TOWEL RABBIT

I found this website while doing my research on Mid-Autumn Festival.
It was on Sept. 25 in Japan while it's on Oct.1 in HK.

[HOW TO MAKE A TEA TOWEL RABBIT]
http://www.pretty-style.com/special/oshibori/usa/index.html

Not again...

It's Kenshiro's 2nd attempt. (while we are at home)
I was awaken by the unusual sound at about 5:30 am..
I kind of knew what I was about to see...and it was exactly what I saw.

Kenshiro on the top of the sofa, smiling...REALLY.
How happy and proud she looked!!
She must have been on her way to the bay window.
But HAHAHA, this time I could prevent her just in time.

I just pushed her bottom, making her jump off.
I must capture that on my camera next time.

This Mischievous Rabbit!

Kenshiro gave us a big surprise this morning.
She normally stays out of her cage over night, laying under the sofa,
comes out from time to time to munch some hay till morning.
At 5 something, she would jump up on to the sofa and do the "binkee",
and after that she may sit on her favorite blue mat in front of her cage,
waiting for me to wake up and give her her breakfast.
(She knows I would wake up at 6am.)

This morning, she was no where to be found.
I looked under the sofa, looked in the box, everywhere on the floor.

Finally she was found..... to my horror, sitting on the bay window above the sofa!!
She was looking at me intensely, you know, rabbits don't answer you vocally..
So lucky that the window was closed.
We live on 32F, it's dreadfull to imagine if anything happens.

She appearantly jumped onto my suitcase from the sofa as a step to a bay window.
And now she knows how to do it, and in fact she did it again after we alureed her to come down with treats.

She used to want to jump up there when she was a baby, but it has long been stopped.
agh~~~~!!
I must come up with some measures a.s.a.p!!

Kenshiro-alike tote bag

This is a gift from my good friend Keziah.

It's a black tote with Kenshiro-like rabbit print.

But the best bit is its fluffy tail!!

Kenshiro's pretty interested in this tail.

Maybe it is made of rabbut fur... Im sorry about it if it's the case...

With PANDA-chan

I have introdiced PANDA-chan in my previous entry.

Actually PANDA-chan 's been with us for more than half a year. She (I think PANDA-chan is a girl.)came to our home from the Ocean Park in April this year.

This is Kenshiro's first reaction to her.

Quite good, right? She shows her curiousity with her sniff sniff kiss.

Kenshiro and her new friend

This is Kenshiro's friend, PANDA-chan from the Hong Kong Ocean Park.

She seems to have recognized that PANDA-chan has a similar appearance as her:)

How good to see a big p●● again!

Kenshiro normally stays under the sofa in the daytime, though she would come out from time to time to eat hay.

This is what happens to her poo if she's been sleeping for a while and comes out to eat hay. From the tiny teeny poo to become the normal size, it would only take her approx. 10 mins of munching.

It's always good to see her BIG poo!

Thank God she's healthy.

Dried Strawberries

Strawberry Treats OXBOW (sample)

It's one of those samples I received last time when I bought Kenshiro's treats on line in Japan.
I really appreciates their service and promotion strategy!

Anyway...
The first time when Kenshiro tried them, she actually wasn't so crazy about it, so I left half of them. But tonight, after one piece, asked for more and more... untill the whole thing finished!
So... her taste must be changing with her mood.

I shall try the fresh ones next time.
DORI, my favorite blogger (Miyacho-san) 's dwalf hotot boy loves them.
(→Go to one of my favorite blogs "DORI DORI な日々" on the right.)

Rating by Kenshiro (out of 5) : ★★★

Animal Welfare vs Animal Rights

Do you know the difference in definition between Animal Welfare and Animal Rights?

I ask this question because I myself didn't know before reading a study book I have borroed from the library. (Dean M. Warren, Small Animal Care & Management, Delmer Publishers 1995)

Animal Welfare ----"the animals should be reated humanely. This includes housing, nutrition, treastment, responsible care etc. Animla welfare believes that the animals can be used for human purposes, but they should be treated so that the discomfort is kept to minium."

This position allows experiments for medical and commercial purposes with conditions, people eating meat, having animals as pets and so son. I think many of animal shelter organisation like SPCA and HKRS are striving for animal welfare.

Animal Rights ----" the animal rights is the position that animals sbould not be exploited. Animals should not be used for food, clothing, entertainment, medical research, product testing. This includes the use of animals in zoos, rodeos, circuses and even as pets. It believes it is ethically morally wrong to use animals for human purposes."

Mmm... I can clearly see organisations like PETA obviously is Animal Rights organisation.
And knowing these definition trigger me to think about where I am standing.
I see the biggest difference between the two is their stand on whethere animals can be used for human purposes or not.

I am against animal testing definitely for commercial prodict testing, since there IS an alternative method been discovered and pracitced. But I may not be against use of animals for medical research, with the condition that they are kept humanely till that moment, and i'm definitely not against eating meat. In stead, I am aware that we eat lives of other animals for intaking necessary nutrients, and that's why we should be always thamkful for sacrificing of these lives and never waste food. Afterall we are part of the animal food chain. I'm not against having pets, too, but I'm strongly against pet shops and breeders exploiting thier profits by breeding and keepping animals under horrible condidtion.

So, I guess I generally stand at the Animal Welfare, and sometimes at Animal Rights.

Pellets

OXBOW Bunny Basics T 2.2kg ---HK$65

MARUKAN The Premium Rabbit Food (Maintenance) 600g ---$95

Our vet once reminded us of portion of food Kenshiro should eat.

90% hay

5% pellet

5% fresh vegetable

Pellets only consists 5% of the whole diet, but it's important for supplying nutrients that can't be supplied by hay.Good pellets for rabbits is different in different stage of their life, but all through their life, what good quality of pellets should possess is still "high fibre", "low fat" "low calcium".

And of all pellets available, OXBOW Bunny Basic (T or 15/23) is the best.

Needless to say, they are popular and famous among rabbit lovers, but comparing these nutritious value by my own eyes, I was surprised to see how portion of these two elements variates among various brands! Difference between T and 15/23 is kind of hay they are mainly based on. T is mainly made of Timothy while 15/23 is mainly mased on Alfalfa.

Now, being "healthy" in nutritious value does not mean they are 'delicious"for rabbits.

They prefer things sweeter and maybe fatter, just like us.

I tried to switch to OXBOW after Kenshiro's operation (approx. 10 month), but she did not like them and avoided them nicely, managed to eat only what she's used to eat.

So since then till now, I mix 2 brands. (2 oxbow :1 marukan)

Amount she eats every time is only 1/2 spoonful, so I want to compromise a little for her.

The Premium rabbit food (Maintenance) is designed for 8month-4 y.o. and Kenshiro loves them.

Its fibre portion is lower than OXBOW, but it's well designed for young rabbits.

Hay Cube (of various brand)

Timothy Cube Jolly pet products natural treats series 60g---HK$15

I've tried this kind of hay cube twice.

First time was when we first bought Kenshiro at the pet shop, they included them into "must-buy" items. It was "Alfalfa hay cube" from .

I bought this one this summer at HK Rabbit Society.

Good thing about this particular series of product is;

1. Small packet.

Conventional ones normally comes in big bag. You can't keep them fresh for so long!

2. Good price. Only $HK15!

Taste...?

Well. actually Kenshiro has never shown much interest in these cubes so far.She nibbles them only when there is nothing else in the cage for her to eat, though she seems to accept them better now than when she was a baby.

Afterall, these cubes probably aren't as necessary as we were first told.

Definitely not so attractive as treats!

Rating (out of 5) by Kenshiro : ★★

Little basket for glooming stuff

Found: One of the stalls on the Flower Street (花園街).

Price: HK$15

They were selling straw baskets in different size, most in conventional shape. How lucky I am to spot this out out of all the others!

I use it to keep Kenshiro's glooming stuff tidy, like nail clipper, rubber brush etc.

It's handy to keep them in one place so that I can take it out whenever I thought of combing her or clipping her nails. Besides, it's nice not having to hid them in the box, but make them part of the dispaly:)

Tin badge

Found : Christian bookstore in Hong Kong , Breakthrough

Price: Only HK$8!!

Isn't it adorable? Simply makes me happy!

It's Kenshiro-like white rabbit, too.

I"ll put it on one of my tote bags.

Furball prevention

Hairball Remedy Hartz hk$68.00

Many Japanese rabbit owners use the other one called "SANKO Hairball relief --928yen ", but since I couldn"t find it in HK, I bought this one instead. It's designed for cats, kittens & rabbits.

Kenshiro loves it, despite of my initial worry that she might not lick it nicely..
It's malt-taste paste, must be sweet.

Seeing so called "poo chain" must be a horror for any rabbit lovers.
I check Kenshiro's faeces everyday, its shape, colour...
It's one of the most important barometer for rabbit's health condition.

Unlike cats, rabbits can't vomit fur they've intaken during glooming,
and it would either accumulate in their body or be discharged in faeces.
So, seeing thred of fur in Kenshiro's faeces maybe better than fur being accumulated in her body.
But it's necessary to take measures to prevent fur from being licked and swallowed.

The most important thing we must do, even before giving this, is daily combing!!

Dried BIWA leaves

Hand-picked BIWA leaves (dried) from NASU highlands KAWAI approx. 7g - 360yen

(那須高原の手摘み　びわの葉）

I had read other rabbit lover's blogs and knew that rabbits love BIWA leaves.

BIWA is Japanese medlar, also called loquat. It's a tree and its orange fruit is in season in early summer. Its long-oval shaped leaves are used for medical use.

If you have BIWA tree in your neighbourhood, you are lucky, but since I don't,

I found them on the internet and order them. The packet contained about 10 leaves.

Kenshiro loved it! She could finish the whole leaf, must be quite a delicacy.

This NASU Kogen series has other leaves such as Oak, Yam, Kuzu, Mulberry and Bamboo. I would like to try the others next time as well.

Rating (out of 5) by KENSHIRO : ★★★★★

I'm back! (and get shocked by Kenshiro)

I'm back in HK after a month-holiday in Japan.:)
My suitcase was packed with loads of new stuff, cloth, food, goodies.... and ofcourse new treats & Suppliments for Kenshiro!

On the way back from the airport, I was so excited about our reunion.. I had missed her very much. HOWEVER...
Seeing my appearance and hearing much expecting voice calling "Kenshiro!",
she ran way and hid under the sofa. She was obviously terrified...
She came out with my husband calling, but when she felt my shadow approaching, she quickly ran away! Could that be possible she had completely forgotten about me?? I'm quite heart-broken by that. One month away might have been too long.. see how it goes..

By the way, Kenshiro's become a beautiful summer rabbit while I'm away.
Such smooth fur.

My 1 month- summer break

I'm going back to Japan tonight for one month.

That means this blog will not be updated as regulary

since no Kenshiro, no content to write.

I have entrusted Kenshiro to my husband.

Hope they will build up some kind of bondage.

In fact, they did so last year!

I'll miss Kenshiro.

During my stay in Japan, I shall look for more of healthy treats and suppliments for her.

Fresh Dandelion leaves

Last time I wrote that dried dandelion leaves was not Kenshiro's favorite.
And apparently so is the fresh one.

I picked someback from school's garden today as I remembered they were all organic.
Kenshiro actually ate 3 out of 5 leaves.
I could see she wasn't so keen on them. She ate them simply because she was hungry.

Mmm this time it really proves that she is not keen on dandelion leaves.

Rate by KENSHIRO ------0.

Fur changing season.

It's been Kenshiro's fur-changing season.

That means it's a season for a big hole right in the middle of her forehead as well as bits of fur from here and there of her face.

It's also a worrysome season. Everyday I would check her feaces to see if she produces a necklace of them, and give her Hairball Remedy if necessary. I've been neglecting combing. Bad Bad!

Hope it will end soon and she'll be a beatiful summer rabbit!

Kenshiro's new toy

This is her new toy----carton box for a half dozen of beer cans.

I haven't been given her a new toy for a while andso see if she likes it.

Well, she seems to enjoy going through it (or trying to go through it..). hahaha.

World of Peter Rabbit

This is an official website of the auther of children classic Peter Rabbit series, Beatrix Potter. (click on the head title.)

Last weekend my husband and I went to visit DOULOS, the ship whose mission is to go around the world with the Good news of Jesus. Everytime they have book fair on board and it's a real bargain.

Anyway, I got myself a dream of my childhood.
COMPLETE SET OF PETER RABBIT SERIES!
with only $HK320!!
I can't tell you how excited I am.
Emmersing myself into that world with beautiful pitures is simply a joy.
I realized I appreciate it more after I grow up.

Clean Clean~~

One of my favorite Kenshiro moment----grooming...
That irrisistable little mouth!!

By the way, she's in the middle of fur changing to summer coat, that's why you can see bits of fur coming out here and there. Hope it will end soon. She'll be very beautiful again.

Just another fur trim....!!??

I found this PETA poster with Natalie Imbruglia. (click on the head title)And obviously her beauty does not come from cloth, but herself.

"Try telling him it's just a little fur trim."

Wow, what a line.

When we see products with real fur, let's remember that this fur was NOT fur before, but an lively animal, whose life weighs no less than ours and deserves as much care and love as we need.

Dried Dandelion leaves

Dried Dandelion leaves ( free sample from the store)

This is the first treat which Kenshiro didn't really appreciate...
I don't know why.
She just sniffs it and then that's about it.

Maybe she prefers fresh ones..?
Rabbits are supporsed to love dandelions...
But in HK I rather not pick the fresh ones for feeding since we have a serious air pollution and of course we should worry about the pesticide.

Maybe I should try the different brand to see if she really dislikes it.

Rate by KENSHIRO ---- ★(actually less than one star)

Rabbit's Lacto

This is one and only suppliment I have picked for Kenshiro so far.
Rabbits' Lacto (うさぎの乳酸菌）WOOLY 150g --- 1,575 yen

This products, another one not found in HK, have a established repuration among rabbit lovers in Japan.

Lacto is said to promote working of the intestine, but rabbits can't intake them from their daily diet, namely hay, veg and pellets.

The reason I give them to Kenshiro is because I care about her intestine health.
Every single day all year around, I pay attention to and concern for her faeces and furball.
I get worried everytime I see her faeces being tiny or becoming like a part of neckless.
So hoping this product works, I give her approx. 1.5g/day as directed. Kenshiro just LOVES this suppliment! It has become her treats.

Description:

- contains 3 different lactos (ビフィズス菌、フェリリス菌、有胞子菌) that can produce lacto acid in the intestine.

- Lacro acid stimulates intestine's working and improves emittion of faeces.

- Lacto acid prevents growth of harmful virus in the intestine.

They recommmend us to use it together with another product called ACTIVE ENZYME(furball remedy). I have not tried that, but I would like to buy one next time I go back to Japan.

Rating (out of 5) by KENSHIRO ★★★★★

Oh... no spece in the 2010 calender...

In the previous entry, I wrote about rabbit calender HKRS make every year.
2 days ago I received their reply.
" I regret to inform you that we have already had all spaces full. "

Oh.....

Though the application deadline was June 30 and I had gone to their office to apply on 19th, I was too late!!

They said they would refund my payment andso asked me for the bank detail.
So, I replied and asked them to keep the money as a donation.

I felt sorry (for myself:)), but at the same time, glad that many people responded so quick.
Ok, next year, I will apply within a few days after their announcent!
Sorry Kenshiro, you missed your debut opportunity!

Say NO! to Animal Testing! (download cruelty-free shopping guide here)

This logo is a Leaping bunny, one of the recignized cruelty-free logos we can see on various products in the market. It is onky the international logo that represents the toughest non-animal testing standard.

About a month ago, one of my rabbifriends had posted "Campaign against SHISEIDO" organized by by JAVA (Japan Anti Vivisection Assoc.)on her blog.
Untill then, though I have always been an animal lover, I had not thought about how shampoo or cosmetic or ditergent we daily use might have developed at the cost of many animals, many of which use rabbits. I felt ashamed of my ignorance.

After that night, I started to search for more information on Animal Testing as well as on companies that conduct or do not conduct animal testing for developping their products.

I learnt that now we have alternatives to animal testing, which used plant cells or artificial skin, which is even more reliable anddo not cost any animals' lives.
I also learnt that as a result of many consumers protesting against this by rallies and by not purchasing thpse company's products , they passed "anti-anmal testing law" in EU.

On that day, I swore to start my quiet protest by buying non-animal testing products.
I have gone to City Super to check the price for shampoo/conditioner as well as dish washing detergent. Surprisingly, the price was competitive, probably only less than $10 more expensive than the conventional ones.

Do we want more animals tested on and disposed for what we use daily? There is an alternative way for the testing. Then we must not be silent, but at least start voicing out by becoming a wise consumer as the first step.

Sun-dried broccoli leaves

This is Kenshiro's latest favorite;
Sun dried Broccoli leaves (KAWAI 525 yen)

She absolutely goes CRAZY!! making her piggy sounds and demanding them with her paws.

In regard to both treats and supliments for Kenshiro, most of them come from Japan. That's partly because I'm a Japanese, but more than that, environment surrounding rabbits are very advanced in Japan. I usually order them on line and have them delivered to my parents' home in time for my holiday.

Though it's been not too long since rabbits has become part of family compared to dogs and cats, rabbits are definitely very popular pet to have there and they have established themselves as "very important family members". Thus owners demand better and healthier stuff for their rabbits just myself, and the rabbit-related industryhas grown so big.

Most of Japanese products sold in HK are made by major companies,(dominated by one company) and they are, as all Japanese imported stuff sold in HK, so expensive after almost 50% mark-up!! But to be honest, their products may be "not the best option" for rabbits even if they may like them.

There are lots of other options, such as products made by smaller, but rabbit-exclusive companies. They know rabbits' real nutritious need very well and make really great healthy stuff.
Just like us human, rabbit produts are going organic, natural, no addtives.

Description of Sun-Dried Broccoli Leaves:
- Leaves from the licenced farmers in NASU highlands (那須高原).
beautiful countryside north west of Tokyo, surrounded by mountain range.
- Sun-dried under the natural sun light.
- no additives/ no colouring.
- Rich in Vitamin A (beta carotene), said to be helpful in maintaining internal organs and prevention for aging.

I normally give her half of the leaf (whole leaf can be quite huge), as a treat when she's behaving very well or during her play time with me.

Rating (out of 5) by KENSHIRO : ★★★★★

About Treats & Suppliments.

My fundamental belief for treats and suppliments for rabbits is this;
"Basiclly they don't need them."

But this is based on the vital condition, that is they are fed with good quality hay and pellets (by this, meaning fresh and high in fibre) + approproate amount of fresh veg."

Yet saying that, I still believe there is a tremendous benefits for these treats and suppliments for some, I dare say "some" because I've seen products which is nothing beneficial but high in sugar. And surely we need to choose the products wisely.

Thus my search for "HEALTHY TREATS & SUPPLIMENTS" has begun.

My policy for treats:

• Natural source, no additive, basiclly, dried leaves of various kinds or fruits etc."
  
• Treat is for " reward ".

My policy for the suppliments:

• For beneficial nutrients Kenshiro can't take up from her daily food intake.

Go ! Rabbit calender 2010!

I went to HKRS today.
The reason?
To apply for a space in the 2010 rabbit calender HKRS'll make!
Submitting the form with $320 may get us a space with Kenshiro's photo for one for the weeks!
So far I'm not even sure if we've won the space,
but anyway I requested for one of the weeks.

This whole idea of calender is very practical and nice, I think.
You pay this fee, which will be used to support HKRS's management,
and you can get your beloved rabbit in the next uear's calender!!

What's more!?

They will give us 2-free copies of the calender, which would otherwise cost $60 per! (ref.2009)
What else can be "win-win"??

To be honest, HKRS has very limited marketing and publication power, compared to others like SPCA.

Many of my friends (non-Chinese) do not even know they exist.

I hope that being the only rabbit-exclusive welfare centre in HK,

more people will know about HKRS and support their cause.

Back to the photo business, now, I have to take a photo of really good-looking Kenshiro...