Arch Rivals Prepare to Race in Aunt Pat's Backyard

The eternal debate remains: who will win the race between the tortoise and the hare? During this -- the Final Four weekend -- these arch rivals will be competing all over households in the southern California area. As seen on the left, the tortoise Yoshi is comparing to race against the hare Samson (on the right). Both of them are resting up for their ultimate race tomorrow afternoon. Who will win? Who will give in?

While I'm not that sure about the result of their race, I do know that the word has spread all the way from Monterey Park (where Yoshi and Samson will vie) to that of the usually quiet Mar Vista where some of the animals are getting a bit testy. As the festivities are getting closer, the animals are lining up against one another at Chez Erb. As seen in the left photo, Mama and Papa Bugg have called out Theodore Victory (TV) Turtle and Kelly. Mama Bugg and TV have even gone nose-to-nose in a staring contest. Methinks that competition will be a draw.

Fortunately Root Beer Float and her sister Ruby Jane have not heard about this or they'd be busting down the doors to... eat the victory bouquet.

Chip Afraid to Visit In-Laws

Poor Chip has been watching too much news on TV and now he is paranoid that if Miss Jill and Mister John take him to visit Miss Jill's parents in Arizona that he might be deported. Chip realized that he doesn't have any papers and his father, Root Beer, Sr., is still in Denmark teaching gymnastics. (Note: that supplements his income to go on tour and compete in jumping exhibitions.) If Chip is deported then he may never see his grandparents again!

Cherry Bugg, however, welcomed this turn of events. "We don't like his kind of subterfuge here. We think he needs to go!" Chee never exactly stated who the "we" she was talking about. But it was quite alarming that she would speak that way against her own nephew. "My brother got all the love," Chee later complained. "It was always Root Beer this and Root Beer that. I say THUMP to that. Thump, I say."

Mama and Papa Bugg ignored this rant knowing how much they love all their grandchildren. "It's MEH that my babies don't get along but this whole anti-Rabbit thing in Arizona has got to go. They have all those ugly jackrabbits there. Why not some really cute Buggs?"

Papa Bugg later off the camera said he'd support whatever position got him a free beer and some smokes.

Chocolate Bunny also reminded everyone not to eat chocolate.

Oh, life in the Erb family.

Animal Portrait on Bed

Sometimes the animals just want to take a photo. In this case, Mister John walked into the bedroom and they all just organized themselves quite well. In the back left going clockwise are Ella the Moo Cow, Elly Phant, Clifford the Big Red Dog (duh!), and Papa and Mama Bugg all snuggled romantically. Yes, a good day for a group portrait.

Meet the Parents

To know the rabbits in the Bugg family, first you must know their parents. Mama Bugg, on the left, is a strong-minded mother who only looks out for the best of her family. She teaches the younger bunnies to groom at an early age and usually they reciprocate in turn. However, the bunnies do tend to rebel as they age and sometimes may even bite her on the nose when in an argument with her.

Papa Bugg, on the right, was not always on hand to raise the children and that has been a problem in their relationship. Luckily, he is done with his tour of duty as a merchant marine and now he is back to keep an eye on them. He often has to keep Cherry Bugg in line and she tends to thump and squawk when she does not get her way. Luckily he has left his merchant marine language back at the docks but he does struggle with his vices of drinking and smoking. Mama Bugg's forceful presence helps out with that. And while Root Beer Bugg is off in Europe participating in jumping shows, it is good that Mama and Papa Bugg have helped raise their grandchildren: Ruby Jane, Root Beer Float, and Chip (also known as Root Beer Junior).

But in another good sign for the parents, Cherry Bugg helps clean their bedroom as the picture on the right shows ChBu assiduously manning the broom and dust bin in case any bunny leaves a present behind. Good for you, Cherry Bugg! Mister John and Miss Jill are quite fond of rabbits who help with the chores.

Cherry Bugg Fakes Limp, Tricks Miss Jill

Another festive day at the Erb household as Cherry Bugg feigned injury to trick Miss Jill into getting more carrots. Mama Bugg also was in on the trick and later said "MEH!" when confronted with the evidence.

Meanwhile Princess Jane and Root Beer Float spent some bonding time underneath the picnic table in the back yard. Who knows what these two talk about but I am betting it isn't about how much they want to have Cherry Bugg out in the yard. I bet they are discussing how to circumvent that new wall guarding the roses. While they could easily hop it, rumor has it that there is an alarm that will go off once a furry bunny in sensed in the forbidden zone.

Mother's Day for Mama Bugg

Mama Bugg, the matriarch of the Bugg clan was quite in a chipper mood yesterday as her daughter Cherry Bugg as well as her granddaughters Root Beer Float and Ruby Jane visited her. Alas, the day ended poorly when Papa Bugg asked RBF for some smokes.