We got Sam late one cold Sunday evening in January '08. He was so big for a 9 week old kit (born Oct. 26, 2007) that we walked right past the carrier the owner had set him out in for our viewing, thinking that he was a more senior buck that she must have just brought back from the show. Sam was his usual self: pert, somewhat friendly yet still careful, curious about everything:
Sam quickly fit in with with other rabbits and with all the cats. The cats were a little surprised to meet a rabbit that was bigger than any of them.
There was something about Sam, in contrast with the more gentle and delicate Ben, that begged to go to the rabbit shows. We had hoped to show him first as a Junior at the Cortland Carousel, but other circumstances intervened. Sam just kept right on growing and wanting to be a part of the family, including getting quite close to the beer keg spigot at the gathering at our house after the wedding ceremony and luncheon:
Soon Sam qualified as a Senior buck, and it was time for the 25th Anniversary Cortland Classic in Cortland, New York, hosted by the Eastern States Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders' Ass'n:
We cooped Sam late Friday evening with the help of another breeder, Cathy Carraciolo, who proved a great friend over time. Then we went back to the hotel while Sam marveled at the many big rabbits surrounding him, especially the senior does.
The show had two days of judging. One of the show judges was Dr. Chris Hayhow, current president of ARBA, and he was a delight to get to know. The other judge was also superb and very personable once the judging was over. Sam did pretty well considering how young he was for the age group.
We had planned to find a "girlfriend" for Sam while in Cortland, and indeed we did. BS1462, or "Suzette" didn't do too well in her Junior class on Saturday -- two littermates beat her, so her owner was willing to sell her to us. On Sunday, however, she won her class, beating her littermates, and very nearly beat out the Senior Sandy Doe for Best of Variety. That doe went on to win Best of Breed so we are pleased with Suzette's bloodlines and competitiveness.
We brought Suzette home to a new hutch on the second story porch. As she is our breeding stock, she will never be a house rabbit like the others, like Sam. There is just too much risk of Sam inseminating her without our knowledge. Here is a photo of her at 6 months -- 13 pounds, 9 ounces:
Suzette gets to graze in the pen everyday for a couple of hours at a time. The other day, during a rainstorm, we brought her in for a "photo shoot" in the bedroom and in the Guest Room. She is just 6 1/2 months old, and we will not breed her until she is 9 months old.
Suzette has a wonderful coat, and I hope I can continue to keep her in good condition.
Sam & Suzette
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