The Year-End cleaning

I cleaned Kenshiro's cage this morning, last cleaning of the year 2010.

I don't have to clean so often as before since she seldom uses the cage.

But everytime I clean, she would come to supervise me.

It's funny that she's very sensitive about her possessions being handled.

She wants to make sure I'm doing right.

Wood-floor panel will be sun-dried at the bay window for a half day.

While she waits, here she is, checking her cage.

The New Year of the Rabbit

New Year is just 2 days away.

Though we will need to evaculate things for water pipe restoration possibly next week,

I still wanted to do something to add some new year feel to our place.

I use different Japanese TENUGUI (cotton cut cloth) as a table runner all year round,

and this is a new addition to my stock, just right for the coming year, The Year of Rabbits.





May the year 2011 be as prosperous and leaping year as this one!!

Arrival of a new friend.

Kenshiro: Hey! Don't disturb!
I'm trying to get to know this cute little girl.

(It's a cleaner strap, by the way..)
See if she would like to take a nap with me on the fleece blancket now..

Japanese-style charm

Another thing given to me by my sis.

It's a beautiful little thing.

A Japanese silk charm bag (omamori - お守り) with 2 tiny glass-made rabbits inside.

The one has silver ears, the other, the gold ears.

On the bag, some patterns and 4 letter words (meaning Open luck ) are embroided.

Usually we buy these charms at shrines.

But being a Chiristian, I've never had one of these charms.

This one, though, wasn't sold at the shrine, it just imitates as one of those.

She bought it at the shop, for my collection of rabbit stuff, and I guess partly because this year is climacteric year for me in traditional callender.

It's funny though, I brought it with me on the day of the exam.

I felt very much supported.

I do not believe in carrying charms, even the cross.

But this little red silk bag with 2 little rabbits works for me, just like a little puppy doll I sleep with at night.

I feel the support. of who?

Probably my sister.

It's a personal thing.

?? Moulting again??

I thought Kenshiro has become a winter rabbit and she will stay like this during the whole winter.
BUT!
She started changing her fur AGAIN since last week.
I'm guessing that it's not cold enough for her to stay in winter coat.
It's been back to 23-24 degree this week.
It's horribly humid, too with awful 95% humidity.

She's obvioulsy not too impressed with that.
She's been standing on the granite stone to cool her down again.

However, the weather forecast says it will go down even below 10 degree from this Thursday.
Ah~~, pls stop confusing Kenshiro~~~!
Anyway, it does not stop her ever-increasing appetite.

She doesn't miss any chance to get her favorite dried-broccoli leaf.

She's very punctual.

It's not that she is guarding her cage nor welcoming you into her cage.

It's 6p.m. and she's just patiently waiting for her dinner...:)

It's amazing how animals have their natural time clock, and it is absolutely on time.

Will you still wear real-fur items this winter?

Kenshiro hereby proudly presents her new hair-decoration.. made of her own.:)
Actually somehow her fur has started changing again this week!!

Rabbit fur is "IN" again for 2010 winter fashion and my heart is sinking.
Yes, I do have a fur coat trim. It came with my Jill Stewart coat I bought in 2005. I was not yet become aware of animal welfare then.
I also have two hair accesaries made of rabbit fur.
I've never used them again after 2007.
I keep them though, to remind myself, that the numbers of rabbits are killed for these items of mine.

It's just not necessary for us to have "real" fur, is it?
Can we still happily buy the real-fur items after seriously thinking about how the factories would have stripped the fur from rabbits or fox or chinchillas??

Let's go for the fake fur!
Yes, you may distinguish the difference of real and fake by appearance, but so what!?
There are more varieties for fake fur-items and they are surely higher in cost-performance.

Finally winter...ish

December is finally here, though I feel absolutely no atmosphere for Chiristmas.
Maybe I should bring out some ornaments.

Despite having no winter atmosphere, the weather has been so great here in Hong Kong.
Just the right temperature of about 20C, dry and slightly cool.
I love it.

Kenshiro reacts to a subtle cooling change of temperature though.
Now she's always on the blue cotton mat under the dining table.
No more on bare wooden floor nor granate stone plate.

Soon, it'll be time for her to snuggle into IKEA fleece.

Clay-cup warms a lot.

My sister gave me a lot of rabbit stuff on my birthday during my stay in Japan.
This cup is made of clay and a family of rabbits sit on the surface.
I really really love this cup.
I felt very touched when I received it on my birthday.

Unlike porcelin cups, a clay-cup gives you warmth.
The rabbit family gives me a ball of hope.
Every day I think of my sister and family as I drink from this cup.

I give my best careful attention to this cup everyday,
and hope I will be still using it as an old woman.

Is she a natural Japanese??

There are moments when I think Kenshiro is actually a Japanese.
Or a rabbit with natural grace.
She's so well-mannered even when she's eating!

In Japan, we have a very polite way of bowing or greeting while sitting on the floor.
We call it 三つ指をつく (putting three fingers together on the floor).
See how Kenshiro puts both of her paws together while eating..??

Moon-gazing rabbit

I brought back quite a number of rabbit goods from Japan.

This little clay plate was given to me from our granparents' place. But too bad, I did't have a chance to ask my grandma about this plate's background.

I like the way the rabbit looks up the golden moon.

We can't even see the face.

Lemon Balm... is not her thing

Since the house incident has been settled, I went to the flower market to get some plants to celebrate.:)

Not only flowers, but something for Kenshiro.

Lemon balm was my choice this time.

I read Lemon balm is not only edible, but also has some calming effect with its lemon-scent.

Not that Kenshiro has a bad temper...:)

Despite of my thought, she did not like it at all!!

One moment of sniffing was alls he gave to this pot of Lemon Balm.

I guess it's me that needs this calming effect afterall.

Kenshiro's evalutation---------0

Unpack again!

After all the packing and hussles, we ended up not moving.
We'll be here for at least another year.
Well, it was the best outcome for all of us.

So, here I am unpacking all the stuff again.
And Kenshiro does not miss her opportunity for fun!

Peaceful moment

It's the best season in HK, with fresh autumn breeze coming in from the windows.

I found Kenshiro lying down in her straw hut (aka outdoor resort) very often.

It's breeze-passing route.

Being a nervous one, she seldom stretches her body,

but today's the exception.

Must be really comfy.

One of these peaceful moments.

Bamboo leaves

You may be surprised to know that rabbits (Shall I say some rabbits?? Read on. ) like to nibble bamboo leaves like pandas.

Well, my favorite brand of rabbit treats KAWAI sells it at a retail price of 480yen!
To make myself feel better, my favorite on-line shop "MOON RABBIT" sells it at 360 yen.

Anyway, during my stay at the mountain house, I saw in the garden, so I cut some out for Kenshiro to try.

Result?
Her reaction was so-so.
A few bites, and she's gone.

Thinking that one pack of these can cost 480yen,
I just feel like planting all these by myself, for free harvest!

Autumn in the garden

Just to show you the part of the garden I picked Ork Tree leaves for Kenshiro.

These colours of autumn would be everywhere in Japan now.

Ork Tree leaves from the moutain house

One of the happiest days during my stay in Japan was the stay at our grandparents-owned mountain house.

The mountain was in the beautiful autumn.

Unchanged scenery sicen childhood, yet I started to appreciate them more after growing up.

Well, what matter to Kenshiro are not the mountain house, but Ork tree leaves from our garden.Orks are very troubelsome trees for the garden, so we would trim them whenever

we see the young shoots from the ground.

But for Kenshiro, they are a rare feast, free gifts from the nature.

Having said that, I've seen my favorite rabbit reat brand KAWAI selling them at the surprising retail price of 483 yen! That's such profits from the free gifts!

And...

She absolutely loves them!

Actually, these leaves maybe the comon food for the wild rabbits living in the forrests, so it makes sense. I will pick a lot more next year.

Moving the house!

It'll be Kenshiro's first time to move the house.
We are exausted of packing and tyding,
but she seems rather excited to see all these boxes.
Lots of climbing, sniffing, searching to do:)

I hope the moving will go smooth for her and she will like the new place.

Kenshiro TADAIMA~.

After spending more than 1.5 months in my beloved country Japan, I feel like writing it in Japanese...but ..there is BUT.

Anyway, a surprising piece of news is that Kenshiro did not get shocked to see a stranger..me.
She ran away when I first entered the house, but soon she was fine!
How sweet...
It's worth coming home.

She is now a beautiful fluffy winter rabbit.:))

BADGER Headache soother

CitySuper had a sale and I bought this Headache balm with only $30!!!

They used to be like $80 or more..??

Anyway, I just love the pictures of these BADGER products.

It makes me feel ..."HAPPY!" and smile..imagining about these scenes of animals in the forrest.

And, most importantly, they are cruelty-free, I can see the leaping bunny at the back of the can.

I hope this will help reducing the amount of headache pills I take.

HO~T

It's one of these days when I don't feel like doing anything but lying on my bed...

It seems it's the same for Kenshiro.

We both wish this heat will go away very soon and we'll have our favorite autumn.

Big Exclamation Mark!!!

Kenshiro's Fruit-tasting

This summer, Kenshiro has tried a whole lot of different fruit, partly because I'm home whole day everyday.

Cherries, American plums and pears...
The one I least expected she would like which she absolutely loved were:
Cherries and plums!

Are these fruits botanically related??
Is it the colour??
Or the countryof origin?? (that's not likely..)
Considering she also loved blueberries before, maybe she likes that kind of sour-sweet taste.
On the contrary, she did not really appreciate...kiwi and the pears.

Lastly, but importantly noted, everytime I gave her a few bites only, and definitely NOT everyday.
Otherwise, she will gain weight!!

Petromalt

Petromalt ---$65@SPCA ($58.5 with the membership)

(20% discount for members, yey that's me!!)

Finally I got Kenshiro a new "Hairball" solution, unexpecedly at SPCA.

Not Laxatone as I have intended, but Petromalt.

It's also for cats. And kittens.

Laxatone didnt actually say the word "kitten" if I remember correctly, but this one does. I'm not sure if it's any isgnificant, but since it does not mention "rabbit", I want to make sure it's not strong, and I guess if it's ok for kitten, it should be fine with rabbits.

Well, I also know some rabbit owners use them as much as Laxiatone, so I wanted to try.

It's the same flavour (malt) as "Hartz Hair Ball remedy" which Kenshiro's been using.

Hope she will like this one too.

Volunteering at SPCA

I just finished my frist 2-days of volunteering at SPCA.
I was assigned to clean the dog kennels.
They have a bout 30 dogs at times, most of them big mongrels, one Pom who just jumps up desperately just to get your lap to sit in, one baby Mongrel who's learning to walk, one Golden Retreaver who knows how to sit and do "shake hands.
I even saw a Japanese black-shiba, the new comer today.

It's quite a labour work, but they do this everyday, and it finished within 2 hours.
We were allowed to play with the dogs in their own kennels.
I went around and just played with them.
All of them jump up crazy when you go in.
They are all desperate for someone's attention and affection.
The Pom, "Siu Bo" wouldnt stop barking until you go to her kennel, and she just knows how to jump up to get your lap. I let her sit for about 30 mins. and she even slept.

Pure-bred ones are most likely to find their home soon, including Siu Bo and Goldie (Goldern Retrever)who are both on HOLD.

I hope all of them will find their new home where they will be loved and cared for as a family member.

I started this volunteer work primary to achieve what I planned, but now I just feel it's worth it, not because of my own achievement, but because of knowing even these 2 hours make their life a little better, kennels cleaned, some get to be walked and played.

They gave me another 2 days in Aug. in the mean time, I will call HK DOG RESCUE to see if they need any volunteer.

Irresistable!

It's so hard to resist her ....asking for more treats!!
Especially when she puts both of her hands on my lap, and look up to me with her shiny eyes!!!!!

She knows what to do... this little tricky one.:)

Rabbit stationary in Japanese style

My friend bought back these 2 matching stationery from Kyoto last time.

I love the Japanese look of the rabbit and its sky-blue background.

She knows so well what I would love!

Thank you so much!

My first SPCA volunteering experience.

Finally my wish is coming true.
I will be assigned to do cleaning, desinfecting and so on... for kittery and small animal cages at SPCA.
Though this time they only assigned me for 2 days, Tuesday morning and Thursday next week,
I'm truly thrilled for this expereince.
I hope they can assign me more over this summer.

I'm happy about it for mainly 3 reasons.
1. Finally what I said I would do will be achieved.
2. I will be able to understand more about SPCA and animal shelter environemnt and their needs.
3. I will be able to see these homing animals.

Reports to be on the way!

Weighting successful!(finally!!!)

It was summer 2008 when I went back to Hokkaido, Japan.
My Dad bought me the TANITA digital cooking scale (up to 2kg), without knowing I wanted it for weighting Kenshiro, NOT for baking.
However, since then Kenshiro has never gone onto this scale as she hates being picked up.
My beautiful scale has been put away absolutely unused.

2 weeks ago though, things changed dramatically.
I bought a digital scale for my husband and myself, to keep a track of our weight.
Then that reminded me of our little TANITA digital scale...

This time, I set her old orange plastic tray (she used to use it for her toilet) onto the scale, and allured her with her favorite lacto suppliments.
YEY~~!! Without knwoing what's happening, she just hopped onto the tray!!!!!

She's 1570g.
Great!
When she had her surgery in 2007, she weighted 1850g and was scolded by Dr. Tiger. (well, I was scolded.. not she..) It's now down 280g!!!

One more hardle conquered by Kenshiro. What an achievement!!

Cherries!

Kenshiro has found her new fruity flavour of her passion.
Cherries!!

I normally do not buy them since they are far more expensive compared to other kind of fruits. I bought a pack simply because I have received unexpected bonus from my school.

I didn't expect she would like it, but gave her half of it to try....
Wow, how she just digged into it!!!!
I admit these cherries are really nice, crisp on the skin and very juicy and sweet.

You, expensive rabbit!!
You know what's nice....:)

Heat attacks HK!

Today's temperature 33 degree Celcius, (even higher in Northern Territories.)

And we live in Northern Territories...

It's been like this the whole week.

It's crazy.

Sigh.

Can't help it.

We have to elave air-con for Kenshiro in day time now.

I can't take a risk of leaving her at home under this heat,

otherwise I will be too worried at work.

I regret living in the top floor..

I wish our air-con has a timer...

Sandwich-buiscket (pineapple paste)

Second item from my sis's hamper.
Famous Japanese brand, but I honestly don't recommned.
I mean this is a buisket with sugar, flour, many other kinds of additives.
In case you may wonder, I did not try this buisquet myself unlike the last veg.chips!
The product claims it will alleviate the adour of urine.
Actually I don't care how smelly Kenshiro's urine can be.
Urine should be smelly. Why not?

However, just to see if Kenshiro likes it, I gave a half. (1cm square)
First time, she just sniffed and then left.
No interest!
Good, I won't even have a chance to give her this unhealthy stuff then!!:)

Second time, a few days after the first time, however, she was very keen.
She finished it in one go!

Well..in conclusion, I will keep them unlike the veg. chips.
It can be her treat when she bears the pick-up training.

Kenshiro's search for the new resting place.

Everytime I come home, I call Kenshiro and she would come out from the approx. 10cm space under the sofa.
But these days, she's no where to be seen. Not under the sofa, and she would not come out when I call her, but she would appear from no where a while later.

But today I discovered where she was hiding...
Under my dining chair.
Well, I don't know what's good about this place.
No granite plate, no water bottle, just slightly dark because of my cloths hanging over the chair!

Is it because the fan's blowing too strong?
Or because she's too fat to go into her usual place under the sofa??

I have no idea.
Anyway, she likes this new place.

Veg. chips (checking ingredient charts is important!)

First pack of treats I opened from my sis's package for Kenshiro was this mix-veg. chips.
carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin...(?? Are potato and pumpkin recommended for rabbits..?)
Having thought that it is freeze-dried, (normally those I see is freeze-dried)I gave some to Kenshiro.
She loved them!!!
But then as I checked the back of the packet to see the ingredient,
I was horrified!!
It's oil-fried~~~@@@@!
WHY!?

It's the same as those veg. chips for us human, like banana chips.
Well, without hesitation, I tried them myself.
Yeah, exactly what we eat normally!!! Quite yummy and sweet.

But, NO way~, I can't give them to Kenshiro.
Why should rabbits eat fried-stuff?? (though she apparently loved them very much)
It does not make any sense, would definitely harm their digestion.

I really feel sorry for this because 1. it's my sis's love package. 2. Kenshiro loves them.
But it's totally against the idea of this blog "Healthy treats"!!
Sigh. Can't believe they sell these things....

Hay Hay Hay!

Kenshiro has put on some weight over the winter,
so I'm hoping she will lose some over summer:)

Though tempted to try the New treats sent from japan on Kenshiro,
I just want her to eat as much as hay!!!

If you wanna lose weight,
you needa eat hay, mate!
Fresh Timothy Hay
The best treat aren't they!?

By the way, these Timothy hay are also one of the humpers my sis sent for Kenshiro. (see the photo in my previous entry.)
Freshly packed!
Kenshiro loves it as you can see...

Surprise gift from Japan (for kenshiro!)

Look at these~~~!!
I'm excited~!
Surprise gift from my elder sister in Japan.
She went to the supermarket and found all these for Kenshiro while surely getting some food for me, too.
Wow, so much!
Thank you, sis~!

Well... having looked at the ingredients for some of these treats, I was....horrified, so I'm not too sure if I let Kenshiro try some of them.. but anyway...

Detailed report on these treats to be followed...

Rabbit corner

I made a little change in my living room the other day.

Now we have a small "Rabbit corner" on my piano.

All my favorite rabbits and my favorite picture books displayed!

My sad-looking white bunny looks happier as she's got a company of golden Lintz chocolate Easter bunny as well as the bunny calender.

Summer necessity

Summer in HK is really hot and high in humidity.
It starts already from May with something like 26 degree and summer can be as hot as 35.

So, it is so important that we are prepared for our bunnies.
Regardless of heat, they are still wearing their fur!!!

Heat can kill our bunnies so easily and you don't want to regret of your carelessness.
Having said so, you may not be able to afford the expense of 24/7 air-con through the whole hot season.
I will leave the air-con on in the morning before going to work if I know the day-time temp will exceed 30 degree,
but otherwize, I will take all possible other measurements like below.

So!
Here's my list of summer goods.

1. Granite plate ($110 at Q兎廊)
I leave this stone plate all year round under the sofa and she would be lying down here if she feels hot to cool her temp. down. It's really useful and most rabbits love it despite of its smooth surface.

2. Frozen bottles.
Can be just water-filled bottles frozen in the freezer, or
Hard-surfaced cool pack sold at the camping goods shop, filled with blue-jelly like substance.
Cool pack with soft plastic surface (like ones you see coming with frozen food etc.)
are not suitable since you don't want your bunny to chew and break it.
I leave at elast 2 bottles every morning. They will last for about 3 hours.

Windows should be left opened for ventulation,
otherwize I may turn on the electric fan with timer set for the afternoon.

What I really wish to have is an air-con with timer, so that it will switch itself on at the time when it's really hot in the afternoon. You can install the timer available at shops like IKEA to the cirtain models. (not the one that has the power installed to the wall)

Last but not least, Temp/Humidity meter (pictured)is crucial all year around to understand the environment your bunny needs to live in.
You can't realy on your senses in deciding if your bunny can bear the cirtain temperature/humidity at the time.

Summer solution 1

Hot Hot Hot!
Though there is wind outside, it does not come in much into our house.
It's still better, we are still at 26 degree (but with 85%humidity).

Having said so, Kenshiro is obviously feeling hot and she has been lying down on her granite plate pretty much the day-time.
This afternoon though, she stayed in her cottage after receicing her lacto-treat.

Then came my idea of placing her frozen bottoes on the top of the cottage...
Theoretically, cool air will go though and down from the top, won't it?
Then her cottage will be like the cool box!!
I normally place these bottles next to the granite plate, but it melts away quickly and I just don't feel she's getting the max. benefit from them.

See how she enjoys her cottage life!

Hartz Hair Remedy vs Laxatone??

I have been wanting to buy a new "Hartz Hairball remedy (original)" for Kenshiro before her fur starts to change.
But I haven't been able to find one.
None of the pet shops in Mong Kuk sells it now.
If they do, they sell the different flavour "Salmon Flavour".Yuk!!

I've found Laxatone, though.
Well, originally last year I bought Hartz because I couldn't find neither the SANKO Hairball Relief nor Laxatone, which most rabbit owners in Japan use.
Maybe I will try Laxatone this year.
I hope they taste the same, or even better:)

One thing though...

"Hartz Hairball remedy" mentions its use for rabbits and kittens, but Laxatone does not say anything about the use on rabbits

I wonder if it's ok..

?? thought she didnt' like this fruit..

3rd May, Monday.
Yet I'm @home with kenshiro! Yey, it's my day off from work.
having felt like I had not spent much time Kenshiro lately,
it's good to be home the whole day.

On Sat, I bought a packet of seedless green grapes. (for ourselves.)
Last year when I gave Kenshiro one little bit to try,
she didnt show any interest.

But this year, she loves it.
She enjoys eating with mouth-full of juice flowing over from her mouth!

Well, thinking about it, maybe that last year it was after she tried the Japan's finest 巨峰..she thought the green ones weren't good comparatively..

I shoulsn't give her more than one though..
it's too high in sugar.
She's gain some weight after winter...

Winter to Spring...and so quickly unbearable..

April 21st, 2010.
Hong Kong
Room Temperature: 27 degree celcius
Humidity: 82 %

Soooooo humid.
Kenshiro stays on her stone-mat in a great need of air-condition,
but we asked her to have the frozen bottle first.

ah~~~, let's turn on the air-con during the night tonight.

Family ornament.

Last December, I went to Taipei, Taiwan for the first time, with my colleages.

On our 2nd day, we went to a popular-getaway suberb Danshui (淡水).

As we strole along the busy alley, I found this shop.

They hand-make 12 animals with clay, and stick them to the flat stone base.

I asked for myself, my husband and of course Kenshiro!! The completed work made me really happy. I couldn't help smiling.

I hope we can be together for a long time.

My first proper collectable!! (Arora UK)

Look at this charming enamel rabbit from Arora (UK)!!

It's "Alice in the Wonderland" 's rabbit from their "Hidden treasure" series.

His facial expression is so cheeky and alive!

And you can open up his chest to find the miniture necklace inside!!! Isn't it so charming!?

Found in one of the shops in Festival Walk the night when I went to see the movie there.:) 10% off to be HK$395.

Cat grass, a safe, healthy and economical option.

My cat in Japan KURO loves eating cat grass. I used to either buy a pot for her or plant the seeds myself for economical option.

Now I have learnt quite a while ago that rabbits also love these grass. (Afterall, they are barley grass)
Since Kenshiro never goes outing to graze the grass in parks,
(well, i rather worry about the pesticide they use...)
I decided to grow them here in Hong Kong for her.

I broght back a packet of seeds, actually they are a kind of barley, last time from Japan.
And I planted these barleys as instructed in the plastic container in which 6 apples used to be sold in.

Wow, only 3 days later shoots have already grown approx. 10cm.
Ready for harvest!!
And Kenshiro just loved them!!!!
Can't get enough of them she seems...

I pick the shoots from the root, so that I may have the 2nd shoots coming out.
Anyway, it's nice to grow something for her at home. It's spring after all...

by Kenshiro ----- ★★★★★

Bach's Rescue Remedy PET

Bach's Rescue REmedy PET.(HK$180)

Wonder if it's worth to buy one for Kenshiro...one day..

Description:
The most popular Bach Flower Remedy is actually a combination of five remedies that work together to relieve stress and fear called Rescue Remedy. Rescue Remedy can be safely used before visiting the vet office or following any kind of injury. It is used to revive animals that are in shock and help with their subsequent recovery. It has undeniably saved many pets and is safe flower remedy. The five flower essences used in Rescue Remedy are: Star of Bethlehem for trauma, Clematis to help ground the patient and prevent passing out, Rock Rose for panic, Impatiens for tension and irritability and Cherry Plum. Four drops are added to a one-ounce glass dropper bottle of spring water and then shaken up. Three or four drops of Rescue Remedy can be given into the mouth or onto the gums every five minutes until a response is seen. Treatment with Rescue Remedy can continue for up to six to eight weeks in order to achieve the desired effect.

Rabbit sticker 2 (Japan)

See, they do look Japanese, right? White ones with cloth and the pink ones are kind of fluffy ones.

Rabbit sticker 1 (US)

I found them in one of the imported antique store in Kamakura last time I went back.

Western rabbits somehow look western, too.

I love these. They are beautiful. Round ones are 3D, too.