Update on Iris!

Hello everyone!  I have been very busy lately with one special friend.  Her name is Iris and she is my puppy.  In case you don't know the story about Iris, the following is a little summary:

"Lily had her puppies. She had a litter of six and they are all healthy." I contacted Kelly, from Hopping Acres, a few times just checking in on them and every time, she would make sure that I knew that there was a waiting list for these puppies. I wasn't too thrilled to hear that, but I was glad that all of the puppies were going to permanent homes. After two weeks, Christmas came around. Every year, we go on a scavenger hunt for one of our presents. This year, we did one for mom, then Tyler, Ashley, and finally me. I was a little bit confused when mom sat me down in a chair in front of the computer and started to play a slideshow of all of my animal projects through 4-H. Towards the end, there was a picture of Dexter, our Bichon we lost earlier this year, and it said, "Gone but not forgotten." The next picture was a picture of my favorite puppy out of Lily's litter and it said, "Do you have room for me?" I balled my eyes out! I couldn't believe my eyes! I named her Iris and she was going to be my puppy! Iris is a Karakachan puppy.  Karakachans are a Bulgarian breed that are rare.  I couldn't wait to pick her up on January 31st! It's safe to say that I had the best Christmas ever."

Since January 31st, I have been working very hard with her.  In fact, she already knows how to "sit", "lay down ", "stay" and "give paw"!  She is a very smart dog and I really look forward to agility with her.  I have started introducing her the agility equipment already!  I think that her favorite so far is either the bridge or the tunnel.  She is also trying to learn how to be off leash without running off.  Sometimes she is a perfect angel, but other times she likes to check things out I guess, but she loves treats when she listens!  One of the challenges so far is the teeter totter. She is scared of the fact that it drops down when she is still on it. I am desensitizing her to the idea and she is warming up to it. I am very proud of her and I really look forward to our future.

 

PaSRBA

The first weekend of February was filled with friends, family, lots of rabbits, and more. It was time for the Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Association convention. The excitement for this event starts in December as I prepare my applications for competing in the royalty contest. There are three applications which include the following: management (you have questions about the management of your rabbitry), achievement (you have a few questions to answer about your accomplishments in your project), and finally royalty (questions on why you are running for royalty). These applications take a lot of time and effort. I always complete my applications and try to get them in early in case there are any computer glitches.   Once my applications are sent in and I am signed up for the contest, it's time to study!  I study a lot for this event because there is a lot that I have to put into each contest. I always enjoy participating in royalty.  I also have to groom and prepare my rabbits I think are in top condition to go to PaSRBA. I definitely try to pick rabbits that I have worked really hard with as angora rabbits take months to be ready for a show. 

The first day of PaSRBA is Friday. We usually go around lunchtime considering that mom helps immensely with the youth contests, Ashley helps with the the show, and I help unload the rabbits and with the show set up. 

When we started the youth contests, it was a little bit crazy since some of my times were a little bit close together. I participated in the first Art Sweinhart Memorial youth award. Art was very big influence helping youth improve with their rabbits and always being there for anyone who needed him. He was very special to my family and always will be. I was honored to be one of the ten chosen to prepare a presentation on their rabbit project. You had to bring a doe and two of her offspring for your presentation. I had a PowerPoint presentation and I talked about a project in which I introduced Satin rabbits into my Satin Angora lines to improve the faults I was having with my Satin Angora rabbits. The Art Sweinhart Memorial Contest was the first thing that I completed on Friday night. I then participated in Breed-ID. Breed-ID is a contest where you have to completely identify 25 rabbits or cavies. I thought that I did very well.  I then participated in rabbit showmanship and I was very happy on how that went. I now had time to compete in judging. For judging, you have to judge four classes of four rabbits or cavies and hope that you place them in the as close to the order as an ARBA Certified Judge has placed them earlier in the day.  Many breeders loan their rabbits to the youth for these contests, making it possible for them to even take place.  Once all the "borrowed" rabbits arrive, the judge will go through them and give his placings and reasoning to the chairperson of the event in preparation for the youth to go through in groups of 4 to try their hand at it as well.   After all of the contests, it is time to relax until everyone is finished.  I then help the volunteers load up and pack up.  The volunteers are great because they are always there helping to run things smoothly. 

On Saturday morning, it was test and interview day.  I always get a bit nervous for the interview, but this year, I was excited!  I don't know why, but I was; surprisingly, it was the best I've felt after an interview yet!  I was very proud of myself and how I competed in everything!  I also thought that I did very well on the test.  Now, we  had to wait until the evening when they announce the awards at the banquet.  During the day, I showed my rabbits.  I showed two American Fuzzy Lops, two Satin Angoras, one Giant Angora, one English Lop, and one Californian.  All of my rabbits placed well, but my one Satin Angora, Bow, won best of breed and received excellent comments.  I was so proud of that since she was out of my own rabbits and she is 100% from my rabbitry. 

The day was coming closer and closer to the banquet so I left to prepare.  When I walked in, I was greeted by a lot of my friends and we sat down to wait before we ate.  After dinner, the awards began.  The first award given was the Adult and Youth Service Award and to my surprise, I was announced as the recipient!  I was very proud to except that award and couldn't believe all the wonderful things that Mrs. Valerie Mayle had to say about me. Next, they announced the Art Swienhart memorial youth award. I was nervous to see who won because I wanted someone that knew Art very well to win. I was not expecting my name to be called, but it was! All of that work, and I won for the first time! I was so proud!  It was a very humbling moment for me as Art has been so influential in the rabbit world.  He is missed dearly and I will treasure that award always.  I also will continue to work on my project to continue improving my lines.  The next award given was the sweepstakes award and rabbit youth exhibitor of the year was awarded to me! I was shocked!  After that, youth choice award was announced and my mom, Angie, won! I am so proud of her! 

Art Sweinhart Award

Finally, the youth contest awards were given. They always start with the Management and Achievement applications.  I placed second in both categories.  Next, they announced breed ID.  I won Breed ID in my age category! Can you believe that? Also, my Breed ID team won second against all of the other teams! In judging, I did not place, but a lot of my friends did and I am proud of them for it!  I also placed first in showmanship.  They began announcing the royalty... When they begin, they start with the youngest category and work their way up to King and Queen. They began getting closer and closer to my category. I knew that I was competing with a lot of girls who work hard in their projects too so I wasn't sure who would win. The announcement was, "And your 2016 PaSRBA Duchess is Madison Shaw." I was speechless! The 2016 royalty court is wonderful and I can't wait to see how this year unfolds.

Youth Exhibitor of the year

Getting my sash and crown





I just won!!

Duchess

I love my family! 

The 2016 royalty court

A Week Well Filled

Farm Show of 2016 is history already. It feels like the year of 2015 just started and here we are in 2016! This year is flying by and it just started. It was a great Farm Show week and I am glad that I was able to spend it with the people I did. The week started out amazing because of the rabbit show. All of my rabbits did really well, but one of my rabbits that participated is very special to me. His name is Zo, a Giant Angora. When Zo was born, his mom didn't take care of him and he was the only survivor out of a litter of ten. Zo needed a lot of special care in order to live. Today, Zo is about 10 1/2 pounds and he was ready for Farm Show. I showed him in his class and he won best of breed! As if that wasn't an accomplishment in and of itself, he went on to win Reserve in Show! That means that he placed second of all the others shown in all the breeds in the youth show! I am so proud of him. 

On Saturday, the opening day, I started by participating in a sheep skill-a-thon. In this skill-a-thon, it was my first year competing and I wasn't really sure how I was going to do. I am proud to say that I placed 8th in my category! After the sheep skill-a-thon, I participated in rabbit showmanship. I was really nervous because it was my first time in the senior division and I was using Zo for the first time as well.  Normally, I participate in showmanship with a smaller American Fuzzy Lop.  Even though I had those things pondering in my mind, I still went up and tried my best. I waited in suspense until I knew how or if I placed. They announced the senior category last starting with 5th place and as they worked their way to first, I could hardly believe when they announced my name as the first place winner! I couldn't believe it and my mom even shed some tears! I was thrilled!

Sunday consisted of a lot of presentations in the rabbit room.  Also, checking in with mom at our Blue Mountain Farms booth, which did very well throughout the week.  Sunday led into Monday very quickly.  On Monday, I spent most of the day in the rabbit room trying to promote PaSRBA, Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Association, as best as I possibly could and I also participated in a demonstration about the fiber aspect of rabbits.  I also volunteered in a 4-H Information booth on Monday.

Tuesday was fulfilled with Potato Judging in the morning.  Yes, I did just say potato judging, who knew?  I participated in that contest with a team of three from Dauphin county.  I was very proud of my team because we placed fourth and it was only our second year!  Tuesday night was spent packing up and preparing for Wednesday's Fleece to Shawl and Sheep to Shawl.  Of course that was the night that it snowed as well.

On Wednesday, we started very early and ended very late.  We had three youth teams participating in Fleece to Shawl and one adult team in Sheep to Shawl.  My team's theme was the 80's since that was the year that the Sheep to Shawl was first held.  We built on the theme a lot.  Our team's name is the Twisted Sisters so we incorporated that a lot. The other teams had themes of mermaids and lanterns.  We all did very well and I am proud to be a part of Tri-County 4-H Fiber Artists club.  My team finished with only three minutes to spare!  Sadly, we were five inches short so we placed last, but we also walk away with the weavers and overall spinners award!  Also, our shawl sold for $1,650!  We were proud of how we did and we are already talking about next year.  I am also so, so proud of my mom and sister's team.  They finished and did very well too! 

Thursday came and went.  In the morning, I showed my sheep, Queen Bee and Queen Polly.  I thought that they did very well.  I didn't place very well because the judge wasn't judging them on their wool, he was judging them on meat  which is not their primary use.  We did the best we could and that's all that matters.  That night, I also helped usher at the rodeo for a fundraiser for 4-H Exchange club.  I had a great time and I even was able to watch a little bit of the rodeo!  I hope next year, I can sit down and watch the whole rodeo. 

I couldn't believe it, but it was Friday already!  With Friday, came the Open sheep show.  I showed my two sheep and it was the same story on Friday as it was on Thursday.  The Judge was looking for more size and structure, but it's okay, I had the chance to walk around and enjoy the day then.  I walked around with some friends and I had  good time.  Once the evening rolled around, I participated in the Angora Palooza.  Angora Palooza is an event much like the Sheep to Shawl, but we use rabbits instead of sheep and we construct scarves instead of shawls.  This was the first year that we held this event so we only had four teams.  Since we had four teams, we thought that it would be a fun idea if we used the four seasons as our themes!  I served as the weaver of the spring team.  All of the teams finished in time and my team placed second!  Tyler, my brother, was the auctioneer of the scarves and he did a wonderful job; he even set a record!  The Angora Palooza was a very fun event and I hope we have it next year so it can grow.

We blinked and it was the last day, Saturday was here!  I spent the morning in the rabbit room.  I was sad that it was the last day already.  I wished that it was a little bit longer, but at the same time I was glad that I didn't have to wake up early and I could stay at home.  It was crazy that night because we had to load up and get everything together plus, Tyler, Ashley, Matt, and I all had to usher at the rodeo.  When we went home, mom made dinner for all of us, and we had a Farm Show after party. 

Oh! I almost forgot! My shawl won Best in Show!

After the showmanship awards!

Zo in the Champion row! 

Zo and I in an interview for PCN

Two of my meat pen rabbits in a presentation

Judging the rabbit hopping contest



My team for Fleece to Shawl

Queen Bee and Queen Polly getting ready to show!

I love my family!



I only have to wait for ten more days then she comes home!

Iris!!

Some of the best things come when you wait. I have wanted a puppy for a long time now. I wanted a puppy to teach agility and have as a friend. I've asked and asked and asked and asked when finally, mom said, "We will go to a shelter to look into adopting a dog after Farm Show."  I was okay with that, so I started looking at dogs available in shelters. I found one dog. His name was Dino, a Border Collie Labrador Retriever mix.  Right away told mom about him and we started filling out the adoption application for him. I was really hopeful about Dino. Once we finished the application, we sent it in. I emailed the place that he was housed and asked what his story was. They emailed back saying that he was a stray found in Georgia. They also said that they did not receive our application so they sent us a different form we started to fill out the form, but at the bottom, it said,"All animals on the property that the animal will be kept on need to be spayed or neutered." May I just add, I live on a farm?  So, Dino didn't work out. 

About a week later, my mom, sister Ashley, her boyfriend Matt, his mom Deb, and I all went to an open house that Kelly Anderson, the same person who gave me Queen Bee and Queen Polly, my sheep, was hosting. Kelly lives in West Virginia, so we had an early morning start. Once we arrived, we presented her with a gift that was very special to her. Ashley, my mom, and I all worked together to construct a hand knit blanket from animals, sheep and rabbits, that she had given us! We also processed the fiber in the fiber mill! She was thrilled with her gift! After the surprise, we went outside to see some of the animals. Needless to say, I went over to her dogs. She has a breed of dog that are on the conservancy list much like the Leicester Longwool sheep, the Karakachan which originates in Bulgaria. Little did I know, Lily, one of her dogs, was due to have a litter the next week! I was so happy for Kelly! I spent the afternoon talking to her husband, Rick, about how Karakachans would be with agility.  I talked to him for a long time. After my conversation with him, I decided that Karakachans were the breed that I needed to work with. I kept up with Lily on how she was doing and when she was going to have her puppies. 

The following week, Lily had her puppies. She had a litter of six and they are all healthy. I contacted Kelly a few times just checking in on them and every time, she would make sure that I knew that there was a waiting list for these puppies. I wasn't too thrilled to hear that, but I was glad that all of the puppies were going to permanent homes. After two weeks, Christmas came around. Every year, we go on a scavenger hunt for our biggest presents. This year, we did one for mom, then Tyler, Ashley, and finally me. I was a little bit confused when mom sat me down in a chair in front of the computer and started to play a slideshow of all of my animal projects through 4-H. Towards the end, there was a picture of Dexter and it said, "Gone but not forgotten." The next picture was a picture of my favorite puppy out of Lily's litter and it said, "Do you have room for me?" I balled my eyes out! I couldn't believe my eyes! I named her Iris and she will be my puppy! I can't wait to get her on January 31st! It's safe to say that I had the best Christmas ever. 

 I can not wait to meet her! Just look at her face! 

Little Nugget

The past few days, I have been caring for one little friend.  This friend has had a tough life so far.  I am hoping that my friend makes it.  This friend is a baby Giant Angora rabbit.  I call her Little Nugget.  The day she was born, I found her on the rabbitry floor.  The mom wasn't too fond of them on day one.  She had a total of 8.  Unfortunately 4 did not make it.  I still had four left so right away a ran into the house to keep them warm and care for them.  Once they were all warm, I carried the mom, Abby, into the house to let her nurse the babies.

After two weeks of walking out to the rabbitry, taking Abby out of her cage, carrying her into the house, and holding her in a way that she is comfortable and the kits could nurse still, I decided that she might like to care for them herself.  After I put them together, she seemed to show much curiosity for them, so I checked on them hourly.  They all had full milk bellies so I thought they should be okay.  Once they were under Abby's care for two days, I checked each one to see how they were doing.  I was mortified to see that the runt was rejected!  I separated Little Nugget from Abby and brought her into the house.  I stole a bag of goat milk that was in the freezer to start defrosting so I could feed Nugget.  Once the milk was defrosted a little, I heated up a bottle for Nugget.  She drank it right away!

Nugget started to grow after that day and now, she is looking great!  She is drinking more and more everyday.  Oh, I almost forgot!  The three siblings of Nugget are all growing, nursing, and looking wonderful!  I hope that Nugget will make it.  Wish her good luck!

Nugget and sibling - one day old

Reintroduced to Abby

Nugget!

So tired after bottle time

Falling asleep



"Oh, hello there."

Nugget loves bottle time!

Secret loves Nugget!

Nugget running around!

Happy Holidays from Nugget!

A Great Trip and Great Memories

Hello everyone!  This past week was the American Rabbit Breeders Association national convention, held in Portland, Oregon!  I am so glad that I had the opportunity to go.  Since it was so far away, my mom and I flew out instead of driving.  It was very stressful because I have never flown rabbits before and I wasn't sure how it was going to work out.  I am happy to say the, with a lot of paper work and figuring out, my three rabbits, Nate, Brown Sugar, and Trump, all made it onto the plane safe and sound! 

The day that we arrived, we put the rabbits in their pens to get acclimated and then we went to the youth area so I could check into the youth contest the next day.  I participated in breed ID, judging, team breed ID, team judging, and I also had to take a written exam.  For breed ID, you only have to go in once, but since I was on a team, our whole team had to go in together.  If you are on a team, you do not talk to each other, but your scores are all combined.  Your personal score is what you have for participating as an individual. 

After breed ID, I then went to my judging class.  For judging, you judge four classes of either rabbits or cavies and you have 7 minutes per class.  For team, each member of your team has to pick two of four classes and those are the two classes you judge.  For team, I chose a class of New Zealands and a class of English Spots.  I liked those two classes because they were both interesting breeds and I knew a little bit about each breed.  I was happy to be on my team because we all worked well together and had a great time too. 

On Sunday, all of the royalty contestants had to take a written exam.  I usually look forward to the exam since you learn something new every year; however, the exam this year was very challenging.  It was a little confusing at times, but I now have something to study for next year.  It also prepared me a little for my registrars test that I am hoping to retake in January. 

Once you are finished with everything, you wait to see if you receive a call back for an interview.  I am very proud to say that I was called back for an interview!  That in itself was an accomplishment since I was in such a large group of impressive girls.  I was thrilled with how I did in the interview and then it was time to wait.  At this point, you don't know how well you competed until the banquet. 

On Sunday, the same day as the test, all of my rabbits showed.  In American Fuzzy Lops, Brown Sugar, a solid senior doe, placed third in a class of 14!  Nate, a broken senior buck, placed second out of a class of 8!  I was ecstatic to see how well they did.  For English Angoras, my little white senior buck, who I worked very hard to make it to this show, placed second to the best in show winner!  That is a pretty big deal, I think. 

On Tuesday, I didn't have much to do during the day, so my mom and two friends of ours went to see what all Oregon had to offer.  We only had a few hours, but we were not going all that way without putting our piggies in the Pacific.  So we went to the beach!  It was a very pretty beach, but it was a little chilly.  I am excited that I get to cross that off my bucket list!

That night it was time for the youth banquet where all of the awards were presented.  I am happy to be in District 9 because we all sat together and had a wonderful time.  It was also interesting because all of the teams that participated together sat with each other.  Now, in my opinion, that is what it's all about. 

After dinner, it was finally time for the awards.  They started with the Management and Achievement contest.  It was an honor to be the winner of District 9 and a runner up nationally for both contests!  After that, breed ID and judging awards were announced.  For team breed ID and judging, we learned that our team placed as runner up nationally!  We were all very proud of ourselves.  Although I didn't place for the Duchess category, I think that I, and my team, did very well!

Well, the next day was the last day, and I was happy to know that I was going home, but I was sad to say goodbye to the convention center.  I had a wonderful time and I can't wait until next year!




District 9




Abigail and I ready for our interviews



Before my interview

Caleb, Isaac, Abigail, and I waiting for our interviews

Waiting for English Angoras to show

Trump!!

Judging

I am judging a class of Dwarf Hotots.  Doesn't it look like I have a hat on?

Waiting for Judging to start

Piggies in the Pacific!



Taking pictures of the beach

Management awards

Team breed ID

District 9

While we were gone, we lost a great friend.  Dexter walked a little too close to the mailman's car and sadly was run over.  He was 14 years old and was such an awesome dog.  He gave us so many great memories and I will always miss him.  I loved this little guy, but he is in a better place now.  He is now able to see and not have to worry whether he'll make it up the next step or not.  I miss him already!  Bye bye Dexter.  You were the best dog.  Enjoy the Rainbow Bridge.