Interview with Gretta Parker: Flopsy Parker's Bunny Mom

Hello! Welcome to this special guest interview for today.  I would like to introduce Gretta Parker, the human mom of Flopsy Parker, the bunny who inspired her to start Baskets for Bunnies, a special non-profit organization which does much to help out rescue/shelter bunnies.  To get a little more background, you may wish to check out yesterday's guest post from by Gretta Parker at this link. 

RS: Did you have other animals before Flopsy? What kind? I ask this  because you mentioned that you were going into the animal shelter to  make a donation and walked out with Flopsy!

GP: We have always adopted. We have 3 inside cats, 2 outside cats, 1 dog, 2 rats, and a hamster prior to adopting Flopsy. We still have the same cast of characters.

 RS:  With my first bunny and with some since, I was terrified that I might hurt her from lack of knowledge. What did you do to educate yourself  about Rabbit Care? Did the Shelter educate you? I know that part of
 the Baskets for Bunnies mission is to educate.

GP:  I actually found a lot of information through the House Rabbit Society http://www.rabbit.org/. I spent the first month researching. I always feel that if I chose to be responsible for an animal, it is my duty to also educate myself to the fullest about it's care.

 RS:  How do you recommend people educate themselves about bunnies? How do  you feel shelters and rescues should educate people about taking care of  rabbits?

GP: Rabbits should never be an impulse buy. They can be amazing entertaining pets, but they can be a 10 year plus commitment. A lot of people have the misconception of put a rabbit in a small cage it will be fine. That is wrong, rabbits need grooming, room to play, and at times a lot of veterinary care. A person interested in rabbits should research to make sure their are veternarians in their area. Look at your home and ask yourself do I have the time and space for a bunny. Research dietary needs it so important with rabbits, life threatening ailments can result from improper diet. Rabbits are not low maintenance pets. If you have children, encourage them to do research. I think children should know about their pets as well.

RS:  Please tell us a bit about Flopsy. What drew you to Flopsy? Bunnies
 do have an addictive quality about them don't they?

GP:  Flopsy had the most beautiful soul I have ever seen. I don't know if I can ever type accurately what I felt when I saw him. He drew me in.

 RS:  What made you aware of the issues facing shelter rabbits? Was it  through education from the shelter or just through your own reading and  research?

GP: I learned a lot from the House Rabbit Society. I had seen a newscast prior to going into the shelter, that was about how shelters in the fall have a lot of rabbits surrendered due to people buying rabbits at Easter then realizing they did not do their research, dropping the bunnies off at shelters. I realized that bunnies are the 3rd most abandoned animal in the US. They do not get the press or resources a lot of the time due to agricultural laws. I realized that making Flopsy a Facebook page to express this might help.

 RS:  What are the most important issues to you at this point in time?

GP: Rabbit rescues need help, they cannot rescue without support from the public.There needs to be a national rabbit spay neuter plan, and more education.

RS:  Tell us about Baskets for Bunnies.

GP: Baskets for Bunnies, is my non profit. I started it this summer, the idea being a non profit to support non profits. Rabbit rescues need supplies, in order to save more bunnies. That is what the idea was when I started it.

RS:  Do you address certain issues through Baskets for Bunnies? Who do  you help and in what ways?

GP: I make education posters, help raise money or supplies. I will start a nationwide spay and neuter program for rabbits. I will build a sanctuary. I want to build a sanctuary, where special needs or older rabbits who should not be in shelters can come live out their lives. I like to think of it as an Easter Bunny retirement home.

RS:  Tell us about your recent Baskets for Bunnies campaign which helped  many shelter bunnies have a Hoppy Holiday season (I couldn't resist!).

GP: Toys for Hops....I was standing in the line at my bank and saw a sign that said "Get a Plush Horse Toy" with new accounts. I thought why not do a toy drive for rescues. I sent out letters to vendors. Zupreem Foods and Pet Rabbit Toys stepped up. Pet Rabbit Toys(www.pet-rabbit-toys.com) set up an online link and matched every donation made through the link, they worked overtime to get all the toys made. We shipped almost 2000 toys all over the US to rabbits in shelters and rescues. This was done just through Facebook in two weeks.

RS:  Do you have any other campaigns going on now or in the near future?

GP: Baskets for Bunnies, it will be our Easter supply drive. I am going to start it next month. Last year my friend Kasey Lary and I worked on it, this year I have the non profit, if I have to stay up for 2 months straight I want to pull off another drive where we do not have to tell a rescue the word "no".

RS:  I am greatly sorry about your loss of Flopsy. It is so difficult  (perhaps devastating is a better word) to lose a bunny or a companion  animal. Flopsy, in his short life, stole so many hearts and helped so many others through his inspiration. He has left you with a legacy and  mission you want to fulfill. Please tell us about all this. I know it  may be difficult, because his loss was so recent.

GP: From the moment Flopsy came into my life he inspired me. He made me get up, he made me care, he made me want to be a mother to all of the rabbits who do not have homes. He gave me the inspiration to get started, it is my duty to carry his mission on. I adopted him for $7.50 and he gave me lessons, that no money could buy. He was always bigger than me. I tried to share his images so others could see the beauty I saw in him everyday. May he be a testament to the wonderful animals in shelters all over the world. I will always be his #1 fan and advocate.

RS:  What ways can we, as bunny lovers, businesses or organizations, help out your cause.

GP: Help me share Baskets for Bunnies website, mission.

 RS:  What types of donations do you take?

GP: Anything that will help a rescue, Paypal donations, checks, toys, blankets, cages, anything that a rescue can use. Sometimes rescues need help with medical costs, sometimes they need water bottles. Gift cards, ask us. Sometimes I can refer people to local rescues to take stuff. I am trying to get the sanctuary built so anything to help with that.

RS:  You have a store online? What other ways can people buy merchandise
 that supports your cause?

GP:  I have a shop www.cafepress.com/flopsyparker  that sells bunny lover gear. I do custom stuff sometimes. I made a bunch of handbags before Christmas.

 RS: Can people volunteer with your organization? How would one go about
 doing that?

 GP: Email me basketsforbunnies@hotmail.com

RS:  Since the loss of Flopsy created such a big empty hole in your life,  I understand you have adopted two new bunnies. It is amazing how much our bunnies teach us about love and the capacity we have to share it. Our bunnies train us to fully love and share that with others. They inspire us to want to do this. Some people don't understand this until  it happens to them. They don't replace the loss we have suffered, but
 help us continue to share the abundance of love we had no clue we had the capacity for. Do you agree? What are your thoughts?

GP: There are some people who will never understand the relationship between Flopsy and me. There will never be anything that hurts me worse than when I lost him. I have a little girl bun Bella that was grieving with me, she loved Flopsy as much as I did. I also love her more than myself. My family also knows that shelters and rescues are full all the time. The truth is for every animal adopted 2-3 are coming in. I set my grief aside, and accepted two wonderful buns in my home from the York SPCA. Flopsy taught me to love without fear of anything. I have three buns now, and they are keeping me busy. I want to build a sanctuary as I mentioned early, I want to put Flopsys ashes there. I will put my office in it as well, and we will both where we need to be.

RS:  Thank you for your time. Your work- from your mission, artwork,  photography and promotion is all creative and inspiring to say the very  least. I feel honored to be able to interview you and help promote your  message! Is there other things or points you might want to add that I may have
 missed? Please share links or any info you may wish to share.

GP:  Thank you!
www.basketsforbunnies.org or find us on FB. I will keep Flopsy Parker's page up as well. I am writing a childrens book based on his life it will be released this Spring. It will be called "The Easter Bunny Who Grew Up" all proceeds will go to Baskets for Bunnies.

Gretta, Thank you so much for joining and sharing with us, especially so recently after the loss of Flopsy.

Rabbit Slippers has a new e-mail address rabbitslippersblog@gmail.com if you want to e-mail any ideas, suggestions, comments, concerns or share anything. 

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Thank You!
Please visit the Rabbit Hop Shop at the following link (Rabbit Hop Shoppe link) for rabbit themed items and gifts!  Please also "like" the Rabbit Hop Shoppe Facebook page. Thanks!

Pet Blogger Challenge

This is my first time taking the Pet Blogger Challenge and answering some questions they put out:

If this is your first time participating in the Challenge we are looking forward to getting to know more about your blog and how you got started. Here are your eight questions:

1. When did you begin your blog?
 September 2009

2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?
Various Reasons. I like to write, love bunnies and thought it would be a great place to share about the bunnies, outdoors and life.

3. Is your current purpose the same?
It's similar, but not the same.

If not, what’s different?
I am interested in bunnies and life, but am interested in readers. I figure what's the sense of writing this if no one's going to read it. I love photography and a variety of things along with the bunnies.  I thought I should focus more, explore more, try to get feedback.  I tried to make it more interesting because sometimes I was writing about things that were too mundane to be interesting to others who would read this.  I stopped writing for quite a while and started again after my father passed away in May of 2011. Perhaps it is more therapeutic now.  I started another blog too which is on hiatus because I couldn't deal with the subject matter, but I will pick it up when I'm ready. It was on being supportive of those in the process of grieving.

If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals?
 I haven't set concrete goals but am seeing more of a need for it. I feel that I am headed in the right direction in trying to get to know what I and the blog are about and what will be meaningful to readers as well. I do want the blog to meet my needs, fulfill some passions- such as helping bunnies, having a creative outlet and using it for sharing and marketing some creations as well.  I feel it's going in the right direction, perhaps at a slower pace than I'd like, but also it's probably at the pace it should be truly.Also I want the blog to be interesting to readers, help others and help change the world a little too. It's a growing experience and evolution as well at this point.

4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?

Both- I have been trying to be on a regular schedule, but have done it as the spirit moves me as well.

If the former, how often — and what techniques do you use to stick to it?
 I make a commitment to myself and to the blog/ and the readers.

If the latter, do you worry about… well, whatever you might worry about (e.g. losing traffic, losing momentum)?
If I stay away too long I do worry about losing traffic, momentum.

5. Are you generating income from your blog?
A very small amount

If so, how (e.g. sponsor ads, affiliate relationships, spokesperson opportunities)?
Google Ads &an affiliate relationship. I want to explore more. I need to earn money, but also am very interested in the integrity of the blog, it's quality, the reader's interests, self satisfaction, helping bunnies.

If not currently, do you hope to in the future — and how?
Perhaps reviews, spokesperson. I am exploring this and am being extremely fussy about what goes on the pages of the blog because I want the quality of the blog to be and stay high, as well as want to be able to truly stand by anything that is advertised or promoted in sme way on the blog. Also, as in some blogs, I don't want the adverstising to take over the blog.

6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)?
Creating, Seeing it "published" and seeing it help others- especially bunnies.

7. What do you like least?
Needing inspiration on occasion.

8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2012?

I see it changing by having more focus, finding more ways to help bunnies, becoming more involved in the world of the paws! : )

Flopsy Parker: A Little Bunny that Gives Big

Editor's Note: The following post is a guest post written by Gretta Parker, Flopsy's adoptive Mom and the co-founder (with Flopsy) of Baskets for Bunnies, a non-profit group which helps shelter/rescue bunnies in many ways.  Recently she did a campaign that helped collect over 2000 rabbit toys for bunnies in rescues and shelters. Even more recently, Flopsy Parker has passed away on December 28th, 2011 from a kidney ailment.  This post is a dedication and tribute to his legacy on his birthday! His birthday is today, January 10th.  Please read this and support Baskets for Bunnies.  Tomorrow, Rabbit Slippers will feature an interview with his human mom....so stay tuned.  Flopsy's love and legacy continue...

 I had never owned a rabbit before when I adopted Flopsy Parker. I knew the first time that I took a photo of Flopsy that there was something even more extraordinary about him. I am not trained in photography at all, and I can say in the 100’s of photos I have taken never once used a flash. The camera loved him, sometimes it looked like he glowed. Some days he was so beautiful he did not seem real.

I remember thinking in the beginning how could someone surrender such a beautiful rabbit. After adopting him, I learned a lot of people abandoned their beautiful rabbits, many of which were Easter gifts. I learned the plight and overcrowding rescues and shelters face. There is a combination of factors, rabbits need lots of care, people do not research a pet before buying, and many grow tired of their pet then dispose of it.

I created Flopsy’s Facebook page to educate other people of these things. I took his beautiful photographs and taught myself how to photo edit. I made educational posters, and funny posters for him. I met more and more rescues. He got on the news, in magazines, and in the paper. I was not prepared for all the outpouring of love for him. Flopsy got more and more friends so much so that I decided to go one step further. I worked up to 86 hours a week to raise the money to pay the legal fees to start a non profit.

I started Baskets for Bunnies, with the idea that a non profit could support other non profits. I could use it to raise supplies, that rescues needed so they have the capacity to rescue more rabbits. I could not adopt anymore rabbits, but I could give them the life that I provided Flopsy. I sent rescues things like fleeces, toys, play cubes. We support monthly not just a onetime thing. Right now funds only allow for about 7.

On December 28^th, 2011 Flopsy died suddenly of a kidney ailment. I thought I was going to die with him at the moment. I sat for days watching and reading the posts. I began to understood the magnitude he had had. Posts from people saying he had encouraged them to adopt, or to educate their kids about bunnies. He lived a short life but a big one in the fact that he raised a lot of things when we needed to. The Toys for Hops fundraiser raised 2000 toys that are all over the US right now in shelter bunny cages.

 I adopted Flopsy for $7.50, he gave me every skill I needed by just being him. He was my inspiration. I will always work with him, as his mother. I want his images to always make people think about adoption. I realized I had lived my life with him like Alice in Wonderland always chasing the white rabbit. He led me for the first part of the journey, now it is time for me to do the next part alone. He was a great teacher, I learned all the skills I needed to without him saying a word.

 I want to build the Flopsy Parker Memorial Sanctuary to be an Easter Bunny retirement home, it will cost about 5K to get it up and ready for buns to come live there. I want to place his ashes in a memorial in there as well. His final resting place will be like his life- among bunnies he helped but never met. I also want to use Baskets for Bunnies to start a nationwide rabbit spay and neuter program. I am working on a children’s book “The Easter Bunny Who Grew Up” on his life, all the proceeds going to help build a Sanctuary. If you would like to help or donate visit www.basketsforbunnies.org

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Thank You!
Please visit the Rabbit Hop Shop at the following link (Rabbit Hop Shoppe link) for rabbit themed items and gifts!  Please also "like" the Rabbit Hop Shoppe Facebook page. Thanks!

Every Year is the Year of the Rabbit Here!

Hello,

Hoppy New Year Everybun and Everyone!  I apologize for my delayed greetings and posting. I have been sick and am starting to get back in the swing of things. I look forward to sharing lot of exciting things with you all this year.

There are the New Year's Resolutions which some of my rabbits and myself are starting.  You will be seeing more of that in the very near future. There will be some great giveaways, interviews, other great stories and posts. I'm looking forward to sharing lots of other great things as well.

Some people say never look back, but during the rest of January you will see a little about some of the best things from 2011 and other past years. 2011 was supposed to be the year of the Rabbit in Chinese New Year tradition.  Every year is the Year of the Rabbit here at Rabbit Slippers Blog! You will be seeing great new things with 2012 also!

Thank you so much for being a part of Rabbit Slippers whether you have followed for a while, just started recently or have just stopped in! Hoping you come back again and have enjoyed your visit!

Mary Ellen

Rabbit Slippers has a new e-mail address rabbitslippersblog@gmail.com if you want to e-mail any ideas, suggestions, comments, concerns or share anything. 

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You can also follow through Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs, both located in the right side bar.
Thank You!
Please visit the Rabbit Hop Shop at the following link (Rabbit Hop Shoppe link) for rabbit themed items and gifts!  Please also "like" the Rabbit Hop Shoppe Facebook page. Thanks!