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.

Controversial Picture Shows Miss Jill Feeding Other Animal!

Miss Jill, well-known in rabbit circles, as the woman who never feeds rabbits was seen in this picture feeding a lorikeet. The rabbits became outraged when this evidence surfaced. "Miss Jill feeds green flying rats but not us?" queried an angry Ruby Jane. Oddly, Mister John has remained silent about this problem. He's trying to remain neutral as this is the first picture of Miss Jill misbehaving since she was caught hypnotizing Cherry Bugg before the rabbit election.

Bunnies Hunger Strike for Independence Day

The rabbits were collectively trying to stage a protest this morning in a sign of solidarity against the "tyrannical rule" of Mr. John and Miss Jill. They promised a hunger strike that would last until their demands were met. What these demands are remains to be seen but the rabbits remain firm in their demands.

It all started when Cherry Bugg hopped onto Miss Jill and Mr. John's bed last night to state her opposition to the ruling party. Miss Jill was unsure of when Cherry Bugg meant and as a portent sign of protest, ChBu then bit the lion on the nose. Yes, the lion which followed Mr. John home from LMU about two weeks ago. The lion hasn't stated his name yet but he does growl at the other bed animals and he does wear a shirt reading "Somebody at LMU Loves You." The lion was startled at this unbridled act of defiance. After a few loud roars from the lion which startled all in the house (Mr. John even got up from his "evil" sudoku {which truly wasn't "evil" because he finished it in 24 minutes} to see the commotion) yet Cherry Bugg remained indignant. She even charged her father, Papa Bugg, because he was not fully supportive of the rabbit plight. Papa Bugg, who previously in the night was given "smokes" by Miss Jill (she says they were just pretzels with peanut butter inside and she tricked him), appeared unmoved by his daughter's forceful rhetoric and went back to watching more of the Michael Jackson TV circus with Miss Jill, TV Turtle, and Clifford (yes, the big red dog).

This morning the bunnies vowed to maintain a strict hunger strike, only vowing to eat when they are given food by Miss Jill and Mr. John. This strategy does not exactly seem to work because Mr. John fed them this morning and the bunnies barely even paused to display hunger strike solidarity before chomping down hay and pellets. Cherry Bugg called out the other four backyard bunnies as traitors to the cause. Root Beer Float replied, "Achoo!" before going back to eating a second helping of pellets.

Cherry Bugg did pass out t-shirts reading "The Caged Bunny Always Thumps!" Even Princess Jane approved.

The rabbits have admitted that they would continue their hunger strike this afternoon, as long as Mr. John does not open their cages, put down their ramps, and allow them to run free.

For now the rabbits remain defiant and mostly in support of the hunger strike. Root Beer Float, however, was last seen eating her t-shirt.

Chip Says Hi, Leaves Bedroom for Comfier Cage

Although Chip hopped into Mr. John and Miss Jill's bedroom tonight for a nose rub, he quickly left afterward to go back to his cage tucked into the corner of the den. Supposedly a new supply of hay and a clean potty are much better than nose rubs. Meanwhile, Mr. John looked on amusingly and went back to watching the Dodgers beat the Rockies in 13 innings.

Bunnies Have Overnight Picnic

Root Beer Float and Ruby Jane somehow managed to break out of their cage last night (Mr. John has no comment) and sit around and on the outdoor picnic table. They were awaiting some carrot sandwiches and yogurt. Miss Jill was agog at this comment. "Yogurt?" she asked. "We don't have any yogurt." At that the bunnies thumped and hopped off, not yet having their picnic.

Six Months Till Thumpmas

While many bask in the summer sun and think of vacations and relaxation, the bunnies are already planning. Thumpmas, the most important day on the rabbit calendar, is only six months away. Such important planning -- like parades, themes, costumes, carrots -- all arise in the summer season. Such innocent backyard get togethers are actually political committees. Miss Jill and Mister John have no comment as they have not attended these and if accidentally intrude upon one, are unceremoniously thumped.

Cherry Bugg Instigates Near Soccer Brawl with Phillip

Cherry Bugg, who has never actually watched a soccer game but knows that it's played on a large verdant pitch of tasty grass, antagonized Phillip this afternoon after the shocking 2-0 US soccer victory over Spain. Phillip, a Spanish prince and rabbit, was quite dismayed by the outcome and was originally hiding in the back corner of his cage. As he was seeking comfort from his mate Jane, Cherry Bugg was laying down soccer smack in a most bunny-like way. "We bit you on the butt and took all of your carrots!" Never has Phillip been that angry. Well, one time Miss Jill rearranged his furniture... and he is quite particular about his arrangements. He becomes a fussbudget even if you move a water dish.

The situation did settle down later but not without a few choice Spanish words from Phillip. Luckily, Miss Jill and I are not that well versed at Spanish bunny talk so I guess Phillip got the better of that conversation. In any event, none of the bunnies had a comment at press time although I do believe Root Beer Float was eating a plant... but more on that later after I get the complete scoop from Miss Jill. Until then I think the local vegetation better watch out.

Chip Argues with Aunt Cherry Bugg over Father's Day

Yesterday, Chip got into a bit of a row with his aunt regarding the meaning of Father's Day. Cherry Bugg wanted to go see Papa Bugg who usually resides on top of Mister John and Miss Jill's bed. Cherry Bugg asserted that her nephew could not see him until she was done talking with him. Usually, Papa Bugg tends to be cantankerous and usually asks the other rabbits if they have any "smokes." While I have never know a rabbit to smoke, Jill and I believe that Papa Bugg picked up this bad habit while in the merchant marines.

Chip was not allowed into the room and he and his aunt briefly brawled. While he was seemingly no worse for the wear, he still wanted into the room to say hello to his grandfather. Luckily Miss Jill and I later came home and assuaged the struggle.

Ironically, Papa Bugg spent most of Father's Day in the back yard with some of his other children so Cherry Bugg and Chip essentially squabbled over hanging out with Clifford, the Bunny Stopper! (see a clip from last year's blog).

Mister John Done with School, Rabbits Hungry

Now that Mr. John completed his final essay, the rabbits demand more attention. Princess Jane wants a manicure, Phillip wants a plasma TV in the corner of their cage. Root Beer Float and Ruby Jane both want a box of candies. Cherry Bugg wants a recount of her election to Jane last year; she's been watching that whole Iran saga and she feels slighted too. In fact she claims she beat Princess Jane Bunnyinehjad. Whatever. Finally, Chip just wants to be petted on the nose more. Good for Chip.

Meanwhile Mr. John has been watching too much Life After People. That might give the bunnies some ideas. One last thing... MONKEY MONKEY MONKEY!!!

Mister John Accepted to Grad School; Rabbits Want More Food

Now that Mr. John has been accepted to Loyola Marymount for their Master of Arts in English program, the rabbits are complaining that they deserve more food. "If Mr. John thinks he is so smart," gripes Cherry Bugg, "he should be able to think of a better way to feed us!" One cage over Princess Jane pondered, "With this extra education, he should be going into a higher salary bracket soon so we should be given better cages with cable TV, air conditioning, and reclining chairs."

No comment from Mr. John or Miss Jill as of yet.