BLUEBERRY MUFFIN
As an animal enthusiast, there are many animals that come and go in your life; some move on to new homes, some escape/get lost and some simply pass away. Animals dying is just the hard part of pet ownership and whether it be through illness, old age or just a baby who didnt make it, its something that every breeder learns to deal with. However, there will always be at least one animal that remains with you no matter what and you will miss them everyday. For me, Blueberry Muffin is just that.
Blueberry Muffin is the rabbit who propelled Jen's Bunnies forwards in type and development, but more than that, he stole my heart - and the heart of everyone who met him. When he died, I was devastated and if Im honest it played a major role in me deciding to take a break from rabbits back in 2013, along with other contributing factors. I miss this fella every day and although I have gained my enthusiasm back for the bunnies and I am excited to be reviving Jen's Bunnies, I feel I need to dedicate a page on my website to tell the story of this beautiful and loving rabbit.
Blueberry Muffin is the rabbit who propelled Jen's Bunnies forwards in type and development, but more than that, he stole my heart - and the heart of everyone who met him. When he died, I was devastated and if Im honest it played a major role in me deciding to take a break from rabbits back in 2013, along with other contributing factors. I miss this fella every day and although I have gained my enthusiasm back for the bunnies and I am excited to be reviving Jen's Bunnies, I feel I need to dedicate a page on my website to tell the story of this beautiful and loving rabbit.
Muffin's Story:
I came across Muffin purely by chance. A breeder friend of mine messaged me asking if I knew of anyone looking for a blue buck as they had one that had not yet found a home. They informed me that he was 9 weeks old and he was a lovely type that they would have kept themselves if they didnt already have his father. I was sent pictures so that I could show them around my bunny friends to see if anyone was interested. However, one look at this and I myself was hooked.......
Even though I didnt really 'need' another buck, I travelled to collect him that weekend.
Even though I didnt really 'need' another buck, I travelled to collect him that weekend.
I named the little fella "Blueberry Muffin". He was the most adorable ball of fluff and his personality was amazing. He was so full of character. And as he matured he showed more and more stud buck potential.....
Blueberry Muffin at 4 and 6 months
Muffin and I developed a great bond and he craved my attention. He would pace the hutch back and forth when he saw me until I opened the door. He liked to 'help' me clean out the hutches too and would sit on top of the dustpan when I was trying to scoop the dirty shavings out. He followed me around the shed and garden like a dog. And he would grunt at me if I ignored him too long! Although I had tried hard not to favour one rabbit over another and tried to treat them all the same, I simply couldnt help it with Muffin. He had pushed and forced and grunted his way into my heart and was the apple of my eye. He was completely spoilt as a result and even had a huge 6ft double hutch all to himself!
Muffin at 10 months
Once Muffin had reached sexual maturity, I used him as a stud buck to several does and each time he never failed to produce from a single mating. Each of his litters were of beautiful deep colour and were great type. He seemed to have a certain 'look' and type that he threw into almost every kit. So much so, that descendants of his bloodlines still show this look now to the point that I am able to recognise a 'Muffin line' kit, even if it is as far down as great gandkits! His kits didnt go through the typical 'ugly' stage either and they retained their gorgeous looks throughout adolescence before maturing into lovely adult rabbits.
A selection of Muffins kits, both sexes shown, in colours of Lilac Otter, Chocolate Self, Blue Fox broken, Blue Self, Chocolate Otter and Blue Fox
Everyone who came to collect a rabbit from me would meet Muffin and he would very quickly win their affections too. Infact so many people would meet him and then request to wait for one of his babies as they loved his character. Many people even now still remember this special fella after only meeting him once or twice.
I was really enjoying working with him and the quality of type in my rabbits had leapt forwards since his arrival. He rapidly became my only buck and my future aim was to show and exhibit my own line by using Muffin to help me develop it. Although I did retain one or two of his daughters, I did not retain any of his sons as Muffin was so early into his stud life that I guess I took his presence for granted.
One day, a doe I had bought in developed signs of illness. Having dealt with rabbits for most of my life I instantly recognised the symptoms and I felt deep dread in the pit of my stomach - Myxomatosis; a debilitating disease that affects the senses. Sufferers of the disease develop facial puffiness particularly around the eyes, nose and mouth, conjunctivitis and blindness, inability to eat and difficulty in breathing. It worsens and results in a slow and painful death for the rabbit. I instantly isolated the infected doe and contacted the vet for advice. I was told that it was too late for the one already suffering but if I had caught it in time then there was a good chance it may not have spread. He said that the disease had an incubation period of a week and therefore if after a week nothing else appeared affected then I would be clear. Vaccinating the other rabbits against the disease would not be effective at this point either so it was a case of playing a waiting game.
I was really enjoying working with him and the quality of type in my rabbits had leapt forwards since his arrival. He rapidly became my only buck and my future aim was to show and exhibit my own line by using Muffin to help me develop it. Although I did retain one or two of his daughters, I did not retain any of his sons as Muffin was so early into his stud life that I guess I took his presence for granted.
One day, a doe I had bought in developed signs of illness. Having dealt with rabbits for most of my life I instantly recognised the symptoms and I felt deep dread in the pit of my stomach - Myxomatosis; a debilitating disease that affects the senses. Sufferers of the disease develop facial puffiness particularly around the eyes, nose and mouth, conjunctivitis and blindness, inability to eat and difficulty in breathing. It worsens and results in a slow and painful death for the rabbit. I instantly isolated the infected doe and contacted the vet for advice. I was told that it was too late for the one already suffering but if I had caught it in time then there was a good chance it may not have spread. He said that the disease had an incubation period of a week and therefore if after a week nothing else appeared affected then I would be clear. Vaccinating the other rabbits against the disease would not be effective at this point either so it was a case of playing a waiting game.
Of course I sadly lost the doe who had started the infection. The vet and I agreed it was kindest to put her to sleep before she begun suffering too much. I also had two more does develop symptoms who were then isolated immediately and also put to sleep. In order to try to prevent further spread, I was meticulous about sanitising my hands in between rabbits and ensuring none of my clothing rubbed from one to another. After a week had passed from the disease last becoming visual, I begun to feel hopeful that I may be clear of it.
However, 8 days after I lost the third doe, I was faced with my worst fear when I entered the shed one morning....Muffin had puffy eyes. My heart sunk instantly as I realised what that meant. Not wanting to believe he had it and struggling to come to terms with the inevitable outcome that he was going to face, I nursed my boy for three days as he developed more and more symptoms. Once it had become apparent that he was only getting worse I had to make the hardest decision Ive ever had to.
I could not bear to watch my poor dear sweet Muffin during his euthanasia so I cuddled his little body for the last time, gave his head a kiss and told him I was sorry and that I loved him. I then had to walk away while his life was ended and he slipped away. My adoring little fluff was no more and I felt the loss of him more than I can ever explain. And still do to this day.
From this point on, I cared for my remaining rabbits as an empty shell. Thankfully that was the last I was to see of the disease but the damage was done. My heart was not in the rabbits anymore and I could think of nothing else than my boy Muffin. Shortly after, I moved house and things got even more difficult as my shed had to be relocated to almost 5 miles from my new home. After a few weeks of this, I made the decision to rehome all my remaining bunnies to my closest friends and fellow breeders - most of whom had got the bunny bug from buying one of Muffins kits.
In 2015 I felt ready to start again, so in an attempt to find the closest relative to Muffin as possible I contacted a very close friend who had taken on many of my remaining bunnies when I had given up. I was fortunate enough that she was able to locate and offer me Banjo, who is Muffins grandson. Not only did I breed Banjos father, but I also bred Banjos gran and great gran on his mothers side (before Muffins reign), and Banjo's mother was a rabbit I had owned and rehomed when I sold all my bunnies.
Although he will never replace my beautiful boy, I am very grateful to have been allowed to have Banjo. From Banjo, I have been able to produce Orbit who is showing to be a fantastic little buck with success on the show table already. I am hoping that he will be able to assist me in continuing the legacy of my great Blueberry Muffin.
I could not bear to watch my poor dear sweet Muffin during his euthanasia so I cuddled his little body for the last time, gave his head a kiss and told him I was sorry and that I loved him. I then had to walk away while his life was ended and he slipped away. My adoring little fluff was no more and I felt the loss of him more than I can ever explain. And still do to this day.
From this point on, I cared for my remaining rabbits as an empty shell. Thankfully that was the last I was to see of the disease but the damage was done. My heart was not in the rabbits anymore and I could think of nothing else than my boy Muffin. Shortly after, I moved house and things got even more difficult as my shed had to be relocated to almost 5 miles from my new home. After a few weeks of this, I made the decision to rehome all my remaining bunnies to my closest friends and fellow breeders - most of whom had got the bunny bug from buying one of Muffins kits.
In 2015 I felt ready to start again, so in an attempt to find the closest relative to Muffin as possible I contacted a very close friend who had taken on many of my remaining bunnies when I had given up. I was fortunate enough that she was able to locate and offer me Banjo, who is Muffins grandson. Not only did I breed Banjos father, but I also bred Banjos gran and great gran on his mothers side (before Muffins reign), and Banjo's mother was a rabbit I had owned and rehomed when I sold all my bunnies.
Although he will never replace my beautiful boy, I am very grateful to have been allowed to have Banjo. From Banjo, I have been able to produce Orbit who is showing to be a fantastic little buck with success on the show table already. I am hoping that he will be able to assist me in continuing the legacy of my great Blueberry Muffin.