Announcement & Request

[TinysMom]

I have talked to Pipp about this and have permission to do a project I'm working on (much of my writing about Tiny is on the forum). So I'm going to share about it here..

Over the next few weeks, I'm not going to be as active on the forum because I'm going to be working on a book about Tiny. So many folks have contacted me to let me know how much they loved him - how much he meant to them - how much they loved his blogs or his photos.

I need to write about him - for myself if nothing else. I want a book about his life and I want it to have his pictures in it, etc.

Robin and I have been looking at lulu.com and I hope to look at other sites to price things out. To do a book on lulu.com would be .15 per page (so I could have color photos) plus the cost of binding, etc.

My goal is to do a 100 page book (approx) that I can maybe make available in hardcover, softcover and downloadable as an ebook. Depending upon how hard it is - I may also try to make it in black and white since that is only .02 per page on lulu.com (plus the cost of the binding).

The book will contain stories about him (interspersed with the pictures that go along with it), "A Day in The Life of Puck", how Tiny became "The BunFather", "Tiny's First Day in Heaven" (along with the followups I'm writing) and more. I'll include entries from his blog in it and I may include some of the scenes I wrote from my novel that he inspired. There will be pictures and stories of some of the other buns in it - but mostly as he interacted with them, etc.

Back a couple of years ago - when a well-loved flemish named Apollo died, his mom asked us to share our favorite stories and stuff about him in a tribute thread - that she could print up and put at the end of the scrapbook about his life. That thread was so special to me - I loved Apollo so much from afar.

I am asking the same thing ~ sort of. Only I would like to have the last few pages of the book be tributes from the members who loved him so much. Depending upon the number of tributes I receive and the length of them - I can not guarantee everyone will make it in the book (although I'm gonna try my darndest) - but I can guarantee that they will all be put in his scrapbook and notebook I'm making.

If Tiny somehow touched your life....or if you had a favorite story about him - or something that you want to share...could you do one of two different options?

You can either share it here....or share it privately via. email to [email protected]

I'd like to use the tributes and then share the person's first name and state/country or initials and state/country. Or if you want - you could use your RO member name I guess (I haven't thought it all out).

I also want to add one thing....any "profit" from this book is going to be split in half. Part of it is going to be used to help support the forum (that was my idea - no one else suggested it to me)...and the other half will go to help rabbits in a rescue...more details to come about that when the book is done. I'm torn between a couple of things and figuring things out....because I love more than one rescue.

Peg

P.S. This week I'll be working on "The Texas Triplets" - which is chapter one - about Tiny and Tio and Kyo....it was actually the title of my first blog which has been lost in cyberspace!

 

[polly]

I am gonna have a good think about this one Peg before i post because i want to word it right!! Its funny when i spoke to you just after Tiny died i was going to suggest posting something like this fo ryou but i didnt know if it would have been to soon. I am so glad you are doing it though it a great way to remember such an amazing bun

 

[tundrakatiebean]

I'm going to try and word this as best I can so that it will make sense, but it might not turn out perfect:

I'm Katie and I live in Anchorage, Alaska, USA

When I first joined this forum I was told Peg used to live in Alaska. So I looked Peg up on the forum and looked at her beautiful bunnies. I'm going to say something that I've been keeping to myself (afraid of ridicule): I'm not that big a fan of lionheads - they just aren't as cute to me as sleek rabbits. So I'm looking at Peg's babies and saying "yeah, they're pretty, but just not my kind of bunny." Then I saw Tiny and said to myself "There's my kind of bunny!" Tiny was such a huge part of this forum - like he and Peg were interchangeable, they both have the same HUGE, loving personality. Tiny groomed the babies Peg was worrying about a few weeks ago, Tiny loved the does that changed Peg's life, Tiny kissed Peg when customers were yelling at her on the phone. It is hard for me to really understand that Tiny can be gone, that he is gone. I just don't understand how two things that are that much alike can be broken apart, ripped away from each other and every time I think about that I start tearing up and realize that I am only feeling the tiniest bit of pain that has been plaguing Peg since he passed. What amazes me even more is that Peg isn't folding in on herself and forgetting everyone else, she's going everywhere she can saying "Take pictures, take memories, remember what love you have right now" she's trying to keep other people from feeling the guilt she is feeling and trying to add padding around people for when they fall into the same place she is.

 

[slavetoabunny]

That's beautiful Katie! Shame on you; you made me cry.

 

[TinysMom]

slavetoabunny wrote:

That's beautiful Katie! Shame on you; you made me cry.

Me too...

 

[JadeIcing]

So many times you hear it was just an animal get over it or your crying over a rabbit? Thing is you don't just get over it. It wasn't just a rabbit.

Peg and I talked often about our uncommon flemish rabbits. You hear so often that flemish are gentle rabbits, rabbits that are so easy to love. So affectionate. Not our two, you had to work to gain the trust of those two. When you did it was something else. It was so amazing to know they loved you because you worked for it.

We talked about how amazing it would be to have them meet. We believed that they would get along, that they would be the best of friends. They would understand that there was second chances, that they were special despite their start in life.

The loss of Tiny was a hard blow, he was my link to Sam. Watching Tiny kept her alive for me. Losing him was like losing her again.

----
The BUNFATHER wrote:

Miss Alicia,

Mom never knew it - but I often snuck on the computer to look at Samantha's pictures when Miss Nosey (uh...I mean...Miss Bea) wasn't around.

GingerSpice understood that Samantha had a special place in my heart even though we were separated by distance and she was ok with that.

I've got to tell you - from one flemmie buck - Samantha was a mighty fine looking doe. I would've been proud to have her be part of my harem...but every time I tried to send her an invitation - GingerSpice bit my butt.

Please know that you are not alone in missing Samantha...and that I think of her too. I know someday she and I and Gingerspice can all binky together....and I believe that then Ginger won't be jealous....

Hey..a guy can dream.

Till then though - we'll both remember her with fondness and lus...um...love...

The BunFather
------

When Peg posted this I honestly felt that if Tiny could have told me this he would have. After he passed I posted this.

"Tiny I know you wanted to meet her but this is too soon. We were not ready to let you go. We will miss you."

This is not what Peg and I wanted. Neither of us wanted their first meeting to be without us.
I wrote this to Sam.

-----
Hey Big Girl,

Yesterday Tiny left his family on the Earth to be with his family at the Rainbow Bridge. We all wish he would have stayed but I guess it was his time to go. You and he can finally meet up.

I can not believe he is gone. I have not been able to post about Dusty because it was still such a shock but now Tiny too. It is such a hard loss for everyone. Every one is so sad.

Just be nice to him and tell him we miss him.

Love, Mama
------

I shared this with Peg and now I share it with all of you. I could say more but what I have said here covers what I am feeling.

 

[tundrakatiebean]

TinysMom wrote:

slavetoabunny wrote:

That's beautiful Katie! Shame on you; you made me cry.

Me too...

Sorry to make you cry more :hug:

 

[TinysMom]

Katie (and others)

I don't always cry tears because of sadness. I was so moved by what you wrote - it blessed me so much and it helped me to feel like I'm doing the right thing by not wallowing in my grief (which is what I want to do) but to try and help others somehow.

So please don't feel badly about the tears - they were actually more like "tears of healing"..

Peg

 

[TinysMom]

Just wanted more folks to see this...

Peg

 

[chinmom]

Peg,

I know that I haven't really been around a long time, but Tiny's stories always made me laugh. I never thought that I could feel such a connection with an animal through these forums. When I first discovered The Bunfather, I went through most of the forum looking at his posts and stories. I think my favorite Tiny saga was the one of him and Thumper...their conversations and threats toward each other made me laugh so hard. When Miss Bea accused Tiny of giving away her craisins, this was my favorite part of that reply: "So calm down sweetie. Its ok. Frannie didn't get your craisins...I still have them. And when we watch our movie at the end of the month - you'll really enjoy them. Youc an wear your Easter hat and look all pretty. I may sneak one of dad's silk ties. We'll get dressed up all formal and have us a "dinner and a movie" date."

Tiny and Miss Bea in their Easter get-up in one of my favorite pictures that I've ever seen on this forum; when he mentioned the Easter hat, that picture came to mind and I just giggled like crazy. Whenever I've had a bad day, I could look through Tiny's pictures and laugh at something...like him separating the fighting buns or the little babies climbing on him.

I miss Tiny and will miss his stories; please make sure that he continues to write of his experiences at the Rainbow Bridge. I know that he hears when you talk to him; please tell him that Georgie and I both love him. I think Georgie always looked up to The Bunfather; I would read Tiny's stories to him while he was sitting on my lap. Tiny taught him that it was okay to not love Mom all the time; that it was okay to hog all the craisins; that it was okay to lounge in the sun when outside; and that digging a hole right by Mom's plants just meant that she didn't have to dig one later.

Rest in peace, dear Bunfather...we all miss you dearly~

Take care of yourself, Peg~

Much love,

Annie, Georgie Bunny, and Sophie Lop

 

[TinysMom]

Thank you Annie - I loved the Thumper/Tiny drama also. Poor Tiny- he had to hold his tongue since he was a mod....I think Miss Bea was always willing to stir up trouble for him.

One of my biggest regrets is that when the forum went down last year - we lost the whole thread where Lord Thumper first accused Tiny of giving him a black eye....I have the photo - just not the thread itself.

If anyone happens to have it from saved email notifications or something - perhaps they could send them to me at [email protected]?

I suspect Zeus and Thumps are gonna wind up getting into it also....

Peg

 

[JimD]

It took me a long time to understand what I had learned from knowing Tiny.

I'm working out the whole thing right now, but put into a very few words it comes out something like this.....

I think I've always been a bit in awe of the way you always tried to form a close bond with Tiny.
I've never been able to stick with trying to bond with any of my bunnies for too long before I back off.

Tootsie and I have a long story.
She started out as a very unwanted giftto me from MrsD.
MrsD rescued her from the local shelter.
It was all a rather ugly response on my part.
Carolyn was amazed at how strong myfeelings wereto having Tootsie brought into our home (and she also helped me through the whole thing...bless her)


I almost feel as if it's kind of a reverse role story, where I'm more in the character of Tiny.......and Toostieis...or was... craving my attention.

I just needed to be a bit more self aware

All in all, Tootsie has become my heart bunny over the past several months.



Part of it has to do with Zeus as well.....aboutthe part of his unhappiness showing in his eyes.
I think Tootsie has had that look for a long time and I never realized it.
We've been spending a LOT of time together.....and that look has changed to one more filled with content and comfort...

 

[TinysMom]

Jim,

Thank you so much for your response. It means a lot to me. It makes me happy when I can see that Tiny touched so many lives - and in so many ways.

I miss him so much right now - I'm going through a really rough time. As I explained it to Zin tonight in IM, in order to build a relationship with Zeus - I really need to sit on the floor. The only thing is - if I sat on the floor the last few months - Tiny was in my lap (Miss Bea would be right behind him climbing into my lap if I had treats - he was there treats or not treats).

So I get to sit on the floor - with my lap staying empty - as Zeus decides whether or not he wants to interact with me. So far....its mostly been a "no go" unless I had craisins, yogurt chips or banana.

This of course led to me sitting there bawling my eyes out - which is of course SOOOO enticing to a rabbit....right? NOT!

Tonight I did something different - I laid on my stomach on the floor near Zeus and held out my hand so I could pet him. For about 15 or 20 minutes, I petted him. Because I didn't have an empty lap - I wasn't bawling my eyes out. I was kinda ok. I rubbed his ears and talked to him about Tiny and about how much I love rubbing flemish ears (and lionhead ears). Miss Bea sorta sat to the side and watched.

Just a bit ago I was handing out some of the premium hay....and Zeus came up and nudged me like 3 times. I was in shock - and cried again. It was his first attempt to really "communicate" with me.

A few minutes later Theresa came in and Zeus got mad and he wound up throwing my shoe at me after Miss Bea and I stopped a potential fight.

But at least he's interacting...

Anyway - I think sometimes it is the animals that have the loneliness - and sometimes its us. No matter what - I think there are times we really do need them and they really do need us....I'm so glad that you and Tootsie are bonding together.

Peg

P.S. It was worth every moment I ever laid on the floor with Tiny to get his attention....because he turned around and became such a loving rabbit. I never ever thought he'd ever be what he became....I feel so blessed he was part of my life.

 

[JimD]

TinysMom wrote:

Jim,

Thank you so much for your response. It means a lot to me. It makes me happy when I can see that Tiny touched so many lives - and in so many ways.

You really need to know that there was no Tiny for us.... with out you.
You gave Tiny his "voice".



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TinysMom wrote:

Anyway - I think sometimes it is the animals that have the loneliness - and sometimes its us. No matter what - I think there are times we really do need them and they really do need us....I'm so glad that you and Tootsie are bonding together.

I wonder if Tootsie feels I need her...or that she needs me....or maybe she figures we need each other?!?!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TinysMom wrote:

P.S. It was worth every moment I ever laid on the floor with Tiny to get his attention....because he turned around and became such a loving rabbit. I never ever thought he'd ever be what he became....I feel so blessed he was part of my life.

I modified Tootsie's pen with extra doors so I can sit on the floor and reach in to pet her. She's not crazy about coming out of her area, but she'll lay on her blankie in her pen forever and let me pet her.
At night, I open all of the access doorsand spend hours sitting on the floor and petting her.
My back is usually pretty sore afterwards, but it's more than worth it.

~Jim

 

[TinysMom]

JimD wrote:

TinysMom wrote:

Jim,

Thank you so much for your response. It means a lot to me. It makes me happy when I can see that Tiny touched so many lives - and in so many ways.

You really need to know that there was no Tiny for us.... with out you.
You gave Tiny his "voice".

Jim - I've been thinking about your comment ever since you made it....about how I gave Tiny his "voice". I think that part of what happened - is Tiny showed me that rabbits were not toys - they were not posessions and they were not "pets" as far as being there just to make me happy.

He showed me that rabbits had feelings - that they could express things that we only attribute to humans. I think of the time he got between another rabbit and the cat and broke up their fight...or how he made GingerSpice submit to him so there wouldn't be any fighting. I think about how he would lay between Tio & Kyo's cage because he missed being with them so much - he showed me what loneliness can be when you lose a friend (especially since they wanted to attack him).

So if I gave Tiny a voice - it was only to express those things that he was teaching me. I remember when he went through his "midlife crisis" where he was chewing on my clothes and my books and doing all sorts of stuff for attention. In so many ways - he was "creative" in what he was doing and he was showing me that he could do things beyond what I wanted or expected. (Even when I showed him my ruined dress he gave me a mournful look as if to say, "I put so much time and effort into that for you...").

I hope that people learn from what Tiny showed me - that our animals have thoughts and feelings and...that they are each unique.

Believe it or not - tonight was 5 weeks since he passed and it was the first time I didn't break down and cry at 7:45 pm (even with the time change).

I did get teary eyed....but I really think he would want me to go on with life - so I'm trying my hardest..

Peg