Espresso, Dylan, Biscuit, MJ, Petco Foundation

Scout, Alex & Flash

Stratford, Connecticut

I'm at work eating a peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich. It is so good! I say this because I can't believe how good everything tastes when you are pregnant! I've had a pretty busy week with the buns and life and trying to register baby stuff online, but am happy as can be right now! Only one thing would make me over the edge happy, and that is if Linda's cat Mau-Mau would come home. He's been missing for 1 week today. She has been on the hunt hanging flyers and going through garages like you just wouldn't believe.

I spoke to Hank down at Petco yesterday, we have a couple of people looking to adopt Guinea Pigs and I was checking to see what Petco had available. They don't have any right now so I sent the people to Critter Connection (CT's largest GP rescue). I got some wonderful news from Hank though, and that is that we should be receiving a check from the Petco Foundation for a little over $800 soon! I was estatic, as that will cover the cost of 4 spays! We are so short on funding once again. It will pick up a little more around Easter, then we kind of lull through the summer, with the exception of our annual Garden Party and Tag Sale.

Love wasn't in the cards for Espresso and Biscuit, so I now have Espresso in a pretty completed bond with Dylan, and Biscuit and Mary Jane seem to be off to a good start, they stayed together last night and they are staying with me in Fairfield overnight tonight. I'm going to be trying Bugsy with someone soon too, I don't want him to be alone, he's over 7 years old now!

You guys have to check out this video that Ali got of Flash playing peek-a-boo! It's at:
http://i75.photobucket.com/player.swf?refURL=/&file=http://vid75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/TrueBlue2282/Flash.flv

He is too cute! My spell check isn't working today, so don't hold it against me!

Also, we are in CT Pet Projects this month at: http://www.ctpetprojects.org/home.php

Petco Grand Opening Date Set! Espresso, Biscuit, Buster, Angel, Dumbo

I woke up at about 3am this morning with a horrible tooth ache. I have a sinus infection that I just started antibiotics for and it's got me so stuffed up that my upper right jaw is in some major pain. I'm hoping for a quick dental visit today to get me on my way. I'm at work now and thought I'd do a little writing before the kids all wake up.

I dropped off Sophia and Fudge (Carmine now) yesterday at the Hollow and picked up Espresso and Hollow "Bad-Boy" Biscuit (he's not really bad, he's just really scared so he likes to box!). Their mom Kara has made me a beautiful dog bowl with bunny pictures on it. It's absolutely wonderful, thank you again Kara! So far Espresso and Biscuit are doing well. I didn't have them sleep together last night, but we'll see how it goes today. Biscuit is scared and ansy, so I'll take it slow with him.

Buster got dropped off on Thursday evening in slight stasis. I kept him over night and fed & medicated him and his mom picked him back up for an appointment to see Dr. Pieper yesterday evening. It seems he may have a bit of an ear infection and a small molar spur. He stayed with Dr. P last night and we'll hear more today. We all love Buster, he's such a cutie-pie!

Callie and Jamie will be spayed next week along with Sasha and Violet, then all 4 girls will also be up for adoption. Mr. Dumbo Rat (now named Helix) left for his new home on Tuesday this past week. He was picked up by a very well dressed woman in her Lexus! She's very nice and he is going to be so pampered!

Angel is getting some small poops out this week, but it looks like Miracle may be going into stasis now.

We have our Grand-Opening Date with Petco! Saturday, March 15th from 11-4 down at the Petco Norwalk location. We are hoping to have a wonderful bake-sale and fund-raiser. I'm going to see if Nicole C. can come down with her Wallaby that day, and see if we can get some other people to join us. Hip-Hop the Hop-A-Long Hollow Mascot should also be there to do pictures. We'll know more as the date gets closer.

A friend of mine, Ellen, has the same Birthday as Ellen Degeneres and made a video of her bunny Sven doing a little Birthday dance, check it out at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UvOKyxVJGM

As Easter gets closer, we are working on seeing if we can also join with PAWS and the H.S. to do an educational adoption event where we will also have Hip-Hop to do pictures with pets! Again, I'll let you know as we figure things out. Hopefully this will be an even bigger year than last year, as we are rapidly growing in numbers and funding.

Welp, gonna run! More soon! Have a Hoppy Weekend!

Please feel free to submit your pets pictures to me to post on the blog at brandeesbunch@aol.com. Please include your pets names and state and city where you live.

Newspaper collecting, WB, Casper, Bay, Hallie, Cinnamon, Fudge, Sophia

Good morning to all! I got up this morning (which Linda does so often it's scary) to go collect newspapers from other peoples recycling bins before the trucks come. Even being a holiday, I did collect quite a few. It made me realize what Linda does every single week for all those little fur-balls at the Hollow. It was still dark out when I went since I had to be at work at 7a.m. It's funny, as each time I had to get up to go to the bathroom last night (pregnancy bladder!) I was falling asleep chanting to myself "newspapers, newspapers, newspapers..." Sad, huh? Needless to say, we can use some newspaper donations, it's COLD outside!

The little bunny that came in to us almost 2 weeks ago now with the leg broken in 2 places, WB, is doing well. He's eating, pooping, taking his meds, and he's wearing his little cast like a little trooper. He's going to stay with Linda while he recovers, she's closer to the vet that we are using with him, makes more sense, but I feel bad as it's one more bunny she has to medicate twice a day. Poor Angel had to go to the vet a couple of times this week, she has developed urine sludge and her kidney values shot down, and then it was joined by stasis. Linda the bunny miracle worker is working her magic, and Angel seems to be pulling out of everything. Hallie and Cinnamon, aka "Stasis Monster," are doing so well! It's so funny to see big ol' Hallie girl who's about 8-10 lbs with Cinnamon who is about 2lbs. So cute!

I went to Maryland to visit my parents this weekend, had a really nice time and got to see my Aunt Kathy & Uncle Duck (I couldn't say Doug when I was little). On the way home yesterday I swung by the Hollow and picked up little man Fudge to bond to Sophia. All is going very, very well! They slept in the same cage in my kitchen last night, I have not had a single sign of fighting or aggression. We have quite a few bunny bondings coming up which is great for several reasons, the primary being how happy bunnies are in pairs, the secondary is I'm trying to move the bunnies in foster at my house down to the Hollow so they are all in one place, and I'm worried about taking care of them when I'm too big to bend over! I have a few months to go, but have 10 rabbits in foster to start moving down, and just look how happy they are in pairs! TinkerBELLE is coming back for a boyfriend, we are going to try her with Butterscotch, and Toby is supposed to be coming for a girlfriend, we were hoping to try Licorice with him. Espresso just got adopted out to the same home that Fudge resides in, and we believe she'll be coming back soon for a boyfriend as well. I'd love to try her with Clover or Shadow. We have a couple of neutered males coming in from Mandy at Cottontail Rabbit Rescue that we are going to try to bond in with buns at the Hollow.

CASPER GOT ADOPTED!!! BAY is officially adopted as well and should be going to her new home in the next few days! Bay will be living with 2 neutered males.

OK, one more thing, and I think I may be done for the day. INK CARTRIDGES AND CELL PHONES!!! We need them! I'm sure a bunch of people got new cell phones for Christmas, so ask around if you remember! We have a lot coming up that we are in such need of funding for, such as another large hay/food order that has to go in this week. We are down to 4 bales of hay and out of food again!

If anyone has any pictures of their bunnies that they'd like to share on the blog, please e-mail them to me at brandeesbunch@aol.com. Please put your city and state as well as the bunnies names.

Truffles passes, Toby, Lop, Joy, Little Bunny, Dylan and stuff

I don't even know, once again, where to start... Yesterday I was trimming Dakota's nails (I have only been bit 2x from nail trimming ever) and she kicked me while I was holding the nail clippers and they went up my nose! Powerful little legs on that beastie girl! It was interesting! I have Bugs Farlekes staying with me for a while, and Wishes is at the house going in for her spay tomorrow at Barnum Animal Hospital a long with Bonnie or Snow White. I'm undecided. Truffles of "Fudge and Truffles" passed away this weekend. It is a horrible, horrible thing that we have no rabbit vets available to us on the weekends, no emergency clinics in our area to help. It pains me (as well as others) greatly. Espresso was adopted yesterday to be bonded to Fudge. I have Cinnamon the "Stasis Monster" and Hallie here trying to do a bond. I'm at work all day as the kids have a 2 hour snow delay (no snow, just a bit of slush) and Ben isn't feeling well today.

Last week a bunny was found in the road near Costco in Norwalk, it's foot was separated from the leg. South Wilton did an amazing surgery and he's bandaged up at my house. He'll be going in once a week for a check up. He's on Baytril and Metacam BID and Penicillin injections every 4 days. Say a prayer for his healing up well. Thank you South Wilton Veterinary Group for once again saving a leg for us!

Toby (pictured above) stayed with Linda over Christmas vacation and will be coming back for a girlfriend! Lucky little Toby!

Happenings this week.... We took in the little broken leg bunny, we took in a little lop that was found in Stamford, Joy came in after being in foster for about 3-4 months, and Dylan got neutered and is ready to go to a new home. He is AMAZING! We made a little over $30 at Petco this week which wasn't much - but we got to talk to a bunch of people! Oh, and Petco (and Nutro-Max) donated a pallet of Cat Food! We are distributing it around to different rescue groups. We have a couple of male dwarf hamsters that are beautiful and sweet that we took in that are ready to go to new homes. Linda is getting over her cold (yeah!), and I have grown out of yet another pair of my jeans and I'm only in my 4th month! Ok, more later as I let my brain work. Hallie is climbing up me right now either trying to help me type, or trying to get me off the computer...

Cats, Rabbits & Dogs - OH MY! Ok, Birds, rats, chinchilla's...

OK, another easy going day. One of my cats started to urinate on a couple of things that are now curb-side - I don't do cat urine - so not knowing who it was I made an apt. for the one cat I thought it was, Mitose. He was the only cat that checked out fine. I went back for a second apt. an hour later with my other two cats and Toby had a 105 degree temperature and Chloe has a bladder infection - so 2 cats on meds. Toby, for those of you who don't know, was a stray brought to me almost 2 years ago. He is not into people so when we walk into a room, he darts out, but he tackles our Shepard and plays with the other dogs that come to stay. I had to take his temperature again last night and couldn't find him downstairs (he's separated in the other side of our basement so I can check that he's using the litterbox) so eventually I found him in our wall - IN OUR WALL- up in the ceiling area. Let's just say it wasn't fun getting him out, and he probably feels I got my revenge when I took his temperature last night... It was down to 102.7 and this morning it is 102. We are going to try a couple of different foods though he seemed to be going for the Kitty Caviar Flakes (Earth Animal in Westport - cats LOVE IT!). It was an interesting cat day.

I'm bonding Indiana with Honeydew and got freaked a bit that Honeydew was going into Stasis, but I think what actually happened is she liked our dining room chair so much, she decided she would skip out on eating and hang out on the comfy chair... She's just fine, munching away on hay and greens. Rabbits. Cats. Birds. Oh MY! The dogs are all holding their own this week, all of our visiting dogs have gone home, and I think with the pregnancy and the rest of the crew here (current just here are 3 dogs, 3 cats, 2 rats, 3 chinchilla's, 4 birds, 2 gerbils, 1 fish named fluffy Bob, and 18 rabbits (5 are mine and 1 is visiting) - wow!) I think I'm going to have to pass on any more dog sitting for a while. As much as the dogs enjoy it, it's just not the same with others hanging in the house, and being winter, they are in the house a lot.

I plan on being at the vet Wednesday or Friday morning with Rodelli, my little rattie girl. She has just developed a growth (hopeful just a fatty tumor that can be removed easily) under her left arm. It came on very quickly, so it will be taken care of just as quickly.

Well, off to do the morning rounds, mix Marquis up for Magoo and bug the birds a little bit, Jackie needs his e-collar changed. More later!

Big December Update!

Wow, what a month! It's been so busy, in so, so many ways. Linda and I are both kind of down for the count right now. Linda has a terrible cold, and I've got a "bun" in the oven! This holiday season has just been treacherous on both of us, as I know it is for most people. I have to clean my bunnies first thing in the morning or I don't have the energy to do it at night, and Linda has had many cancellations due to the Holidays, though we have had many people throw in a wonderful helping hand to pick up a lot of that slack! We both appreciate it immensely!

Our Christmas Party this year was wonderful. We had over 75 people attend, and I believe with the fundraising letter that went out on top of the party, we raised over $2,000 much needed dollars. It went fast since a check for $1,900 went straight out to one of our vets! We had over 80 spays/neuters this year! WOW! With an average of $150 an alter, we have really been cruising along, and there is no way that we could do this without the help of our very, very many volunteers and contributors. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

We have many bunnies we are currently trying to help families to place. Sadly we do not have the capabilities of taking on personal pets. There are so many other in desperate need that those are the ones we must help out first. We are, however, trying hard to educate anyone who calls us with rabbit problems in ways to tend to their problems and understand their little furry friends more!

We had several adoptions this month including Cleopatra! We are just thrilled that she has found a home after her long stay here and her long illness. We have someone coming in this week that seems to be interested in Bay, which would be wonderful! We adopted out Diamond, Dumbo, Martin & Evie, Venus, (I know I'm missing more buns!) 2 guinea pigs, 2 gerbils, and several hamsters this month as well. We still have a Dumbo Rat looking for a forever home as well as a few more gerbils and piggies. We did a fundraiser at Petco on the 15th and moved Captain and Morgan into our Hex at Petco. We are now officially in the Petco, Norwalk location! We are excited to see where this will go.

From Linda:

First, Leo the beautiful, gentle White Lop passed away today. He had been adopted out almost a week ago. His panic stricken owners called me at 5:30 AM this morning. They had just found him laying still in his cage. I had him by 6AM but he was far along and there didn't appear to be much hope. Leo passed away at South Wilton Vet hospital around 11AM. I am heartsick as Leo deserved better. Bunnies are such delicate creatures. Seeing this happen to Leo has made me realize that I have to emphasize all the more how urgent it is to watch for stasis. All new adopters will now be getting a letter detailing the symptoms and how quickly a bunny dies if it is not caught in time as well as verbal instructions. I have learned that verbal instructions are just not enough, in the excitement of getting a new bunny it can get missed.

The good news......Martin (our 3 legged-amputee) and Evie just left for their new home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Much happiness to them. It's been a very long wait for Evie. Linda

Ok, I don't know what I'm missing, but I'm sure it's something, but now that it's almost 8pm, I've stayed up late enough to sleep through most of the night, I have been going to bed by 7pm! Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday Season from all of us at the Hollow! Thank you all for your continued support!

Brandee :o)

Hop-A-Long Holidays! Bunny Pictures!

Ok, no more cranky Brandee, too much going on. At the Hollow Party this coming Sunday, Nicole C. is going to bring her wallaby! We are so excited! For anyone coming, don't forget the party is from 1-4. We had a blast last year, and the Thibaults' decorations are amazingly beautiful! We had aprox. 70 guests last year, and December was a wonderful adoption month for us. We can really use that this year, as well as all the prayers and wishes.
This little girl is Violet who is being very disapproving about having her picture taken. She came in with Sasha.




Mr. Magoo came down last Friday from VT where he was being fostered. He was one of 14 rabbits that was to be culled, I believe due to a breeder"closing down." He has a libacious cyst on his back that will be removed when he is neutered and we had full blood work done due to an enlarged liver and drinking of a lot of water. We want to make sure his organs are completely functional prior to having surgery. His liver could improve after he is on a good diet for a while, we have no idea what kind of diet the breeder had him on.

We got a call on Mary Jane from a couple of different people. She was let to run loose in Harvest Commons in Westport. Her owner mentioned that she was too big. Well, my coffee cup next to her is regular sized, and she's maybe 3lbs. She is a 6 month old, very sweet little girl with beautiful bright blue eyes. She will be altered next Wednesday and is ready for adoption.
Cleopatra had her spay yesterday, finally! She really made a great recovery after over 7 months on Baytril and Bicillin not working. The 14 days on Zithromax just worked miracles for both Cleo and Butterscotch, who got neutered 2 weeks ago.




Well, so much has been going on lately, so many bunnies coming and going, we also have with us now Nikki, and a new pair named Bonnie and Clyde who were altered prior to coming in but the family never put the 5 year olds together. They are now a bonded pair. Pepsi has been adopted and is now bonded to Bunny (aka Elvis) and they will be going home tomorrow or Saturday. Wesley was brought in by West Haven Animal Control (what my neighbors must think seeing all these animal control cars pull up to our house!) a few weeks ago. He was neutered then taken to the Hollow last Wednesday morning and adopted that night. Well, more later!