That New Generation

Speaking of "generations" (a not too loosely made allusion to The Who from the previous post), the new girls Cookie Sue and Heidi have expressed their disdain to the traditional rabbit hunger strike.  Cherry Bugg often created hunger strikes to show the humans how much suffering the bunnies were going through.  It's true that the hunger strikes did not work well with Root Beer Float and Ruby Jane as they would eat anything within sight.  Then again after their quick munching, they would proclaim that Mister John did not give them enough to eat.

Heidi does seem perplexed that there is a water dish named for Fred.  Ah, good ol' Fred.  He was Mister John's rabbit back when he first met Miss Jill so long ago.  Such a chill rabbit.  No hunger strikes out of him, that's for sure.

Rabbit Liberation Day: 2012!

It's just a few days until one of the biggest days on the rabbit calendar: Rabbit Liberation Day. On that day, rabbits of the world unite and break their chains of bondage and servitude. They hop and thump proudly and independently while they enjoy eating carrots, apples, and pretzels (at least the German ones) throughout the world.

The Erb rabbits in charge of setting up Rabbit Liberation Day festivities

This event used to be led by the "Easter Bunny" but truth be told, that bunny was a sell-out to the cause. He was voted out in an election over ten years ago and there has been an amalgam of bunny leaders ever since. Root Beer Float and Ruby Jane, for instance, are the local Mar Vista chapter representatives in charge of food and drink. Cherry Bugg is in charge of security. Prince Phillip is in charge of decorations. Mary Jane and Betsy Jo are the new coordinators of cuteness. 

Rabbits Try and Dig Hole to Korea

The rabbits are still quite angry that so much attention has been given to Mary Jane and Betsy Jo (and not to them!) that they are undertaking a massive digging project.  According to an unnamed source, three rabbits are plotting to dig all the way to the other side of the world -- which they believe is Korea -- so they can sneak Mary Jane back there.  Alas, this is wrong on many counts.  North/South Korea is not on the opposite side of the world as Dewey Street.  Furthermore, Mary Jane was born in Victorville.  And honestly as her father, that kind of insults Mister John that the rabbits have such a lack of geographical knowledge and care for a little girl who some day will be in charge of feeding them.  One must respect those who will ultimately be in authority over you.

Mister John has already filled a brick into that whole which seemingly has perturbed at least one rabbit.  A particular brown furred rabbit sniffed at and hopped away from the brick with a great deal of disdain.  While no rabbit has claimed responsibility for this whole, Mister John checked Phillip and Root Beer Float -- who both have predominantly white fur -- and witnessed no dirt marks on either their fur or their claws.  Ruby Jane, the self-proclaimed "Brown Bear" denied any digging of the hole and did not want to be subjected to any sort of spot check.

Miss Jill has stayed away from all of this conflict by saying it's not within her purview to make a comment.

Do They Know It's Thumpmas?

Thumpmas time is back again! Time to get out your cards and give them to your favorite neglected rabbits. What? You don't know about the most significant event in the rabbit calendar? For shame! And a thump at thee!  You need to know these important events!

Let me recount the backgrounds of this hallowed day of Thumpmas. On that night of December 25th so many years ago, a tired Joseph and a quite pregnant Mary were trying to find a place to stay for the night. There was no room in the inn so they had to stay out in a nearby stable. All the animals all were allowed to stay: sheep, donkeys, raccoons, dolphins (I mean dolphins?  really?)... everyone except the rabbits! They were forcefully moved out by the Shepherds. Then the Magi later came by that night and tried to eat them! How intolerably rude!!! Thus the rabbits on the scene were quite upset and rightly so. The birth of the Baby Jesus startled them with His commotion. With all the Seraphim singing and the Choirs and Hosts rejoicing, the rabbits could do only what they knew: they THUMPED. And with that thump, that startled the Baby Jesus and He cried with His mellifluous voice for the very first time. Granted a few windows broke -- most windows in the Bethlehem area were not Divinity-proof -- but still the upset rabbits helped create one of the seminal moments in Jesus' life. The rabbits look back on Thumpmas with mixed emotions. Yes, the great Jesus was born but they were also kicked out of their home, thus starting a tradition in many nations: the chasing of rabbits out of hutches on December 25th.

Ironically, Miss Jill and Mister John are with two new children this Thumpmas. But no rabbits were kicked out. Instead they shall be fed at home by a bunny sitter.

Rumor has it in the bunny community that Miss Jill and Mister John adopted a second beautiful baby girl this year for the sole purpose of not bringing a bunny out to Arizona for Thumpmas.  Not to worry, Mary Jane and Betsy Jo will learn the true meaning of Thumpmas when they return home... and a rabbit steals an apple from them!

In an inglorious turn of events, our dear Miss Bugg had her e-mail hacked and spam was sent from her account the day before Thumpmas.  Talk about having no respect for rabbits on their solemn day of contemplation (and irritation).

Thumpsgiving Is upon Us Again

It's Thumpsgiving once again, that time of year when all rabbits come together and thump about what truly displeases them.  Yes, this goes all the way back to the earliest days of our heritage when Pilgrims and Indians when they shared their first big supper... and then gave none of the delicious salad leftovers to the rabbits.  The indigenous rabbits of the New England region thumped at those careless humans and the tradition has carried on ever since.

Today Cherry Bugg clearly celebrated Thumpsgiving as an unhappy indoor bunny.  The other members of the Erb clan all managed to hop outside while she stayed indoors.  Nevermind that it was comfy and warm inside with Miss Jill, Mister John, and the two little girls away for most of the day.  She still needs to find something to the thump about.  And she always does!

The two sisters, Root Beer Float (seen above) and Ruby Jane, thumped that they were not allowed to hop in the back yard for the entire day.  They were rounded up by noon and neither were happy about it.  Again nevermind that they grazed for hours on the recently rain-rejuvenated grass.  Thumpsgiving is for thumping and not for appreciation.

Phillip clearly thumped at the handyman who was in our back yard creating an extra fence between us and the neighbors to our west.  Phillip does not like anyone in his territory; he is the alpha rabbit afterall.  Furthermore, he despises any extra interior decoration without his initial approval... in triplicate.

As for Miss Jill and Mister John, it's been a long year since last Thumpsgiving.  Two baby girls, an occasionally messy hours, and less hours of sleep have pervaded into their lives.  But they would never thump at their lovely two daughters who have brought so much joy (and again lack of sleep) into their lives.  Maybe Mister John will thump at the McRib going away so soon... but he barely even knew it was here.

Don't forget: it's only one month until Thumpmas.

Hungry Girl Finally Naps

Mary Jane fussed for much of this morning but finally has taken a substantial nap. But is that related to Ruby Jane and Root Beer Float being in the house? Hmm... there are no coincidences.

The Never-Ending Dilemma of Chip

Poor Chip. Every since he came to Chez Erb over two years ago, he has been trying to find a way to fit in with everyone. Phillip, the elder statesman of the rabbits, chases him away even when Chip tries to say Hi. Cherry Bugg is his closest friend but she more tolerates him than anything else. They can exist in the same back yard or even the same room but she commands the territory and then he must run away. Even his sisters, Ruby Jane and Root Beer Float, don't command him the respect he desires. Root Beer Float, who used to be at the bottom of the rabbit pecking order, found a new rabbit to antagonize in the oft-innocent Chip. So she would chase him all around the back yard to remind him of that. Ruby Jane is much more understanding of him but she still doesn't talk to Chip when the other rabbits are around. It just isn't cool. And that's the problem with Chip. He's the rabbit who thinks he's a man but is really a boy. And he's just not that cool according to the other rabbits.

Oddly enough, Chip would remind the well-read person of the narrator in James Joyce's short story "Araby." The narrator reminisces about his youth and this girl he thought he loved. He once thought he was a man but realized at the very end of the story that he truly was still a child. Oh, what a slap that epiphany was for that Irish lad and how it must feel for Chip as well.

Chip does serve one important purpose in the Erb family though that the other rabbits do not: he is Mary Jane's body guard. When she cries, Chip will come hopping in to see what's the matter. And in the middle of the night, he sneaks into Mary Jane's room and will sit about two feet away from her crib and keep watch. It's great for Mary Jane to have a guardian because he will chase away all the bad monsters. She can sleep more easily at night with that valiant duty of his. Never mind that sometimes she awakens in the night and Mister John or Miss Jill accidentally kick him as they stagger through the darkness to get to Mary Jane's crib.

For his service to Mary Jane, that might make Chip a real man. Just don't tell the other rabbits that; they might get jealous.

Incarcerated!

Poor little Mary Jane was locked up with Root Beer Float. Why? Supposedly the cute little 5 month old girl was drooling too much. Conversely, Root Beer Float was penned up due to eating too many of Mister John's flowers in the back yard. They both claimed innocence but were locked up anyway.

Somewhere in the back yard Cherry Bugg is smiling...

Another Example of Cherry Bugg's Vote

She wears her sticker with pride. God bless America. God bless Cherry Bugg.

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.

Spring Is Here

So is the rain.

Root Beer Float and Ruby Jane had to spend the night indoors due to the heavy rain blowing into their cage. Alas, poor Chip was moved to the bedroom where he felt demoted. I guess he was... but all for the greater good of rabbits. They're now back outside and Chip is back in his cage. He thumped. Good timing.

So there's your first day of spring.

Root Beer Float Makes a Break for It... Again!

The family Houdini, Root Beer Float, managed to escape out the side gate this afternoon after it didn't fully close a few hours earlier when the gardener left the back yard. Mister John, not going through the side gate, did not see the slight crack which the eagle-eyed (and round bellied!) RBF did see. RBF was later discovered in the front yard grazing on previously unseen and untasted grass. Unfortunately for the quasi-panda bear, this was the wrong yard for her and Miss Jill along with Mister John (who was wearing Mary Jane on a front pack) had to chase her back. Unlike the other rabbits she was not indignant about being caught. She just hopped back to the yard and scurried around till she found another delicious patch of grass.

Ruby Jane and Prince Phillip did not have any comment after the matter.

Root Beer Float has had many legendary escapes since she endeared herself to the Erb family back in 2006. At a very young age she already learned how to hop and climb vertically to escape almost any type of cage. Back in 2006 when she was a mere bunny and TOME (The Original Mr. Erb, Mister John's father) was staying with the family in the summer, his voice often cried, "Run, rabbit, run!" meaning she escaped yet again.

Later that year Mister John's friend Pete made the bad mistake of accidentally leaving the hutch gate open and it took hours for he and his wife Lillian to round up Root Beer Float and her rambunctious sister Ruby Jane.

Bunnies Escape!

Ruby Jane and Root Beer Float busted out of their cage on Saturday but silently hopped around in the back yard to assure they didn't awaken little Mary Jane. But as always upon the realization that they were caught the next morning, they remained as indignant as ever.

Cherry Bugg was not amused. But then again, is she ever?

Bunnies Confer over New Situation

It's been a little over two months since Mary Jane has entered the household and the bunnies are still unsure as how to handle this. Three of them (as seen to the left) met to discuss if there should be an official protest or just let her into the family. They claim that there is only so much food allotted to the family and an extra mouth -- especially a human one -- will take away from what they get in their food dish. But even if they do hold a vote and petition to protest as they are wont (and legally obliged) to do, it doesn't seem like Miss Jill and Mister John will starve their new infant.

"We will still feed our precious little girl," Miss Jill said upon hearing this. "Mister John's belly on the other hand might need a cutback." There was no comment from Mister John's belly at press time.

Bunnies Distrust Smirking Baby

How could Root Beer Float not love this chubby cheeked face? I don't know! Maybe it's that Mary Jane gets fed almost every three hours and RBF gets fed once a day. The shame of it all!

Bunnies Caucus While Parents Are Away

Phillip, Ruby Jane, and Root Beer Float are trying to figure out how to get more food in the Mary Jane era. They seem to be on the short end of the proverbial rabbit stick. As Root Beer Float said, "We aren't getting the carrot OR the stick. We at least want something to chew on." No comments yet from either Mister John or Miss Jill.

Mary Jane did elicit a comment though. She mumbled aloud and left it at that. Quite vague so the bunnies weren't sure what she meant. Maybe it was post-Super Bowl letdown. Who knows.

Bunnies Starve While Coach Mister John Is Away

Decathlon might be great for Mary Star students but it was quite difficult for the rabbits today who claim they haven't been fed in five days now. While that's quite a doubtful comment, they were quite unhappy with the lack of Saturday frivolity they normally receive. With Coach Mr. John doing his Mary Star medal thang, they were penned up in their cages. If it were up to them, they would have rooted for St. Francis or St. Anthony or someone else to make him come home early.

Root Beer Float (pictured on the left) also said the following, "THUMP. That little girl gets fed every three hours and we get it once a day? That's just wrong. We're cute and cuddly too. We need more feeding times!" She glared before finally adding, "But no baths please."

New Year But Grass Is Still Yummy

While Mister John stayed indoors and watched college football (and Doctor Who reruns) for most of the day, the bunnies were in the back yard munching on incredibly green grass. The ten inches of rain that has fallen in the past two weeks has made the grass a most verdant colour. Root Beer Float, as you can see on the left, was quite happy to munch away in the northwest corner of the backyard.

Meanwhile Phillip hopped around and kept an eye on Mister John's weeding by the house.

Cherry Bugg and Chip stayed indoors to stay warm and keep an eye on Mary Jane. While Chip still isn't sure how to assess the Mary Jane quotient, he's at least not thumping in her presence. Good for Chip; it's his first step into becoming a man.

Bunnies Quiet While Waiting for Return

Cherry Bugg has been quiet knowing that Miss Jill and Mister John are still in Phoenix looking after their new daughter Mary Jane. She knows that they will be home soon and then she will be let free in the back yard.

However, Root Beer Float thinks this is a cuteness conspiracy. Someone might be cuter than her and she is being punished for it. Silly RBF.

As for Mary Jane, it should be one more day. Miss Jill has night duty tonight; thus Mister John is on-line spreading the optimism. Be good, bunnies!

Bunny Civil War While MJ Awakens

A busier afternoon at Chez Erb than expected. This being a typical Saturday, the trio of Phillip, Chip, and Cherry Bugg were out and about in the back yard. Chip usually keeps to himself under the orange tree while Cherry Bugg and Phillip stay in their own territories.

Meanwhile Root Beer Float was brought inside to show off to a visitor. She was then locked up in Chip's cage. Ah... but Mister John and Miss Jill forgot something quite important... RBF knows how to escape. So she hopped up and over the 30 inch barrier (well, her father is the famous European show jumping rabbit Root Beer, Sr.) and she hopped out into the back yard to pick a fight... or two.

Alas, Root Beer Float does not get along with her younger brother Chip so they must have tussled. Then she and her aunt Cherry Bugg went at in a few different battles in the back yard. Oh those silly fur pulling battles.

Mister John got out there much too late but he saw the empty cage in the house and went outside to break it up. As he settled the rabbits' scrimmages, poor miss Mary Jane grew hungry and voiced her own opinion on this. She cried out loud demanding food which awakened poor sleeping Miss Jill who had been up for many hours. But all problems were averted as MJ got her food, RBF was put into her cage, and Cherry Bugg was assured that she was cute and smart rabbit.

Saturdays just aren't the same at Chez Erb anymore. Much more festive... Tis the season, I guess.