A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

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Rabbit X-rays

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I needed to think for a while on what to do for x. I thought of all the obvious x things like excellent rabbits, extra information and so forth, but nothing really set.  Then I thought of a rabbit app I have on my phone which led me to wanting to chat about rabbit x-rays. 

rabbit x-rays

Visible Bunny

The Visible Bunny is a sanitized internal look at the inner workings of a rabbit.  By sanitized I mean they don’t actually show you are real rabbit, but drawings that show most of what makes up a bunny body. 

Rabbit x-rays

They do a pretty good job at showing the major parts of a rabbit, the heart, lungs, rib cage etc. You can see each part individually or you can layer them so you can see how they lay inside your bunny.   

How to use visible bunny

Not only that you can view the entire rabbit, or take a closer look at three different parts of the rabbit’s anatomy.

How to use visible bunny

I have found visible bunny to be a great introduction to introducing rabbit anatomy.    

Actual Rabbits

If you ever need pictures of actual real rabbit anatomy contacting rabbit breeders will garner results for you.   From people who painstakingly put together rabbit skeletons.

Rabbit x-rays

To those who will take pictures of rabbit innards (don’t look at the next picture if it will freak you out).  Rabbit folks are generally happy to help you understand the animals that you are caring for.  From head shots, chest shots, specific organs or like the image below, of a particular body system.  Many vets don’t understand these wonderful little animals, so we need to depend on each other to care for them well. Sharing knowledge through pictures is a huge boon!

Rabbit X-rays anatomy

Helpful Resources

You may find the resources below helpful as you care for your bunnies.

Others in This Series

alphabet

Letter X Link Up

Each week we will be linking up with the hosts of Blogging Through the Alphabet. Please visit some of these other blogs to get things like book lists, vegan recipes, and wonderful places to visit, just to name the topics I can think of off the top of my head.

All Glory, Laud, and Honour

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All glory, laud, and honour is an old hymn dating back to the time of Charlemagne.  I really like this song.  It reminds me praise the Lord God for who he is and what he has done. 

all glory laud and honour

The­o­dulph of Or­le­ans, circa 820 (Glor­ia laus et hon­or) is the origin author of All Glory Laud and Honour. It was translated from La­tin to Eng­lish by John M. Neale.  The­o­dulph of Or­le­ans was a bishop of Orleans and a member of Charlemagne’s court.   Britannica has good information about him.  

Lyrics

Refrain

All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the king of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest,
The King and Blessèd One.

Refrain

The company of angels
Are praising Thee on High,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.

Refrain

The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our prayer and praise and anthems
Before Thee we present.

Refrain

To Thee, before Thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.

Refrain

Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.

Refrain

Thy sorrow and Thy triumph
Grant us, O Christ, to share,
That to the holy city
Together we may fare.

Refrain

For homage may we bring Thee
Our victory o’er the foe,
That in the Conqueror’s triumph
This strain may ever flow.

Refrain

Young Lincoln of New Salem

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Young Lincoln of New Salem covers the years of Abraham Lincoln from age 22 to 28.  These are the years that he mostly spent in New Salem.  This is the second book by Sam Rawlins. 

Young Lincoln of New Salem

What I am Reviewing

Young Lincoln of New Salem.
Sam Rawlins.
Dell Harris (illustrator)
Yorkshire Publishing.
344 pages, trade paperback

History, American history, Abraham Lincoln, President, Blackhawk War, Death

Long before politics beckoned, he spent six years of his life living on the rugged Illinois frontier in the primitive village of New Salem. 

During the 1830’s he had been a store clerk, postmaster, and a captain of the militia in the Blackhawk War. But nothing in his life experience could have prepared him for what would become a journey into all things spiritual.

This is the story of young Lincoln during those crucial years from the ages of 22 to 28, what he would learn from love and heartbreak, and how it would both haunt and inspire him all the rest of his life.

Young Lincoln of New Salem

The Details of Young Lincoln of New Salem

Oh my, I learned so much about Abe Lincoln. There was some aspects of his life that shocked me, but definitely learned a lot!  Post office manager, store keep, business owner, adult learner, army unit captain, and politician.  One doesn’t need to be stuck in one role in life. Abe was willing and capable of many different tasks. 

I was horrified at the treatment he received from his father.  Dismayed was felt at some of the setbacks he had in life.  Pleased when he found true love and I loved his determination to learn.   Good stuff. 

The death of Ann put an odd spin on his faith, and we saw his vulnerability clearly.  I wonder how much was Abe and how much was the spin the author placed on his experiences. 

Good character descriptions filled the pages, as were the apt scenes that he painted of the countryside, the villages, and the people he met. 

Young Lincoln of New Salem

My Thoughts

I really don’t know what to recommend honestly.  I’m a Canadian reader who respects her American neighbours yet is able to see her flaws.   Young Lincoln of New Salem seems to have Abe Lincoln painted as a perfect paradigm of young adult manhood.  

While I loved the details I learned, I was disturbed by Abe’s “spirituality”.  I’d had vague knowledge that he was a bit like this, but having it such a clear part of his life, has altered my perceptions of him.   

So I don’t know if I can recommend it.  Definitely not for young readers, adults can make their own decisions.   

disclaimer

Wide World of Rabbits

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The domestic rabbit, as many people know, is a descendant of the European rabbit.  A colony living, tunnel digging animal that establishes territory to raise their young.  But did you know there is a whole wide world of rabbits?   Let’s learn eh!  

Wide World of Rabbits

Classification

Rabbits are of the order Lagomorpha, commonly called lagomorphs.  This order is made up of three families: Leporidae (rabbits and hares), Ochontonidae (30 species of pika) and Prolagidae (extinct branch of pika).  Rabbits are Leporids of which there are 29 species across 10 genera.   In all continents except for Antartica.

Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Lagomorpha
Family:
Leporidae

Genus:

  • Pentalagus – Amami Rabbit, Japanese Rabbit
  • Bunolagus – Riverine rabbit, Karoo Desert, South Africa
  • Nesolagus – striped rabbits, 2 species, Southeast Asia
  • Romerolagus – Volcano Rabbit, Mexico
  • Brachylagus – Pygmy rabbit, USA
  • Sylvilagus – cottontails 17 species, North and South America
  • Oryctolagus – European rabbit, introduced to Americas, Australia
  • Poelagus – Bunyoro Rabbit, Central Africa
  • Pronolagus  – rockhares, 3 species, Africa
  • Caprolagus – hispid hare, India, Nepal, Bangledesh

I’m going to talk a bit about a few of these rabbits.

Amami rabbit

Living on two small Japanese islands, these rabbits are a dark-furred rabbit, the only living remnants of an ancient breed of rabbit from Asia.   They are part of the Pentalagus genus.  Weighing from 4.5-6.5 lbs they are protected by the Japanese government.   Less than 5,000 are known to exist in the wild.   The Amami rabbit is an elusive, nocturnal rabbit. 

Features such as small stocky limbs with over-sized claws and physical characteristics differing from other rabbits in such ways as smaller eyes/ears and a longer pronounced snout set the Amami rabbit aside from its relatives and make it easily distinguishable.  (source)

Wide world of rabbits
https://itsnature.org/endangered/amami-rabbit/

Riverine rabbit

This is the only member of the Bunolagus genus. It is native to the Karoo desert in South Africa.  It is a the typical brownish-grey of many wild rabbits.

The Riverine rabbit is easily recognizable by the long brown stripes in its facial fur that run from its mouth right round to the back of its ears. Among the features that define this rabbit include big flexible ears and large lumpy hind feet, the fur of …. is mostly light brown with the exception of the belly and neck which is usually a creamy colored fur. (source)

Females only have one kit per year, which has contributed to it being on the critically endangered list.   It is a nocturnal rabbit.  There are only about 250 left in the wild. 

wide world of rabbits

Pygmy Rabbit

With adults reaching 1 lb as adults, these are the world’s smallest rabbit.  Located in Washington State and Idaho.   They are an endangered species that are being captive bred and then released into the wild.   Learn about their steps to recovery here. 

Cottontails

These rabbits are a familiar site in most towns and countrysides in North America.   A quick-moving, non-domesticated animal, cottontails build their nests as a small indent in the ground, just big enough to hold a litter of kits.  A camouflaging grey-brown colour these lagomorphs are a garden pest, but always bring a smile to my face.  🙂

People often find a next of bunnies and wonder what to do since momma isn’t around.  This video talks about what to do if you find a nest. 

Striped rabbits

Two known species, the Sumatran Short-eared and the Annamite Striped.  These rabbits are named for the region they are found in.  They are striped rabbits!  Go figure eh!   I was so surprised.  The Sumatran is smaller at 3ish lbs, the Annamite 4-6 lbs.  These rabbits have stripes on their back half. 

I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse of some of the wide world of rabbits.  It’s amazing the differences between them isn’t it?

Others in This Series

abcblogging

Letter W Link Up

Each week we will be linking up with the hosts of Blogging Through the Alphabet. Please visit some of these other blogs to get things like book lists, vegan recipes, and wonderful places to visit, just to name the topics I can think of off the top of my head.

I know where I’m Going

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Today I have an Irish melody for you!   I know where I am going is a song I song more than a time or two in my life, but always in a lower key.  🙂  

As to who wrote it, it’s a traditional hymn that one of my hymnbooks lists as Scottish in origin, and another lists as Irish.  I’ve seen it both ways on-line as well.   So your guess is as good as mine. 🙂

The words I have in this hymnal are different than the words of the videos I chose.  So these might be completely different songs.   I dunno.  The lyrics follow along so run with it folks!  🙂

Lyrics

I know where I'm going, 
And I know who's going with me;
I know why there's music
In the quiet summer morning.

I found a wealth of gold
And of silver I have plenty
I found a light to guide me
When my way gets dark and gloomy

Where Are you going?
Who will walk beside you?
When the night is gloomy
Where is the light to guide you?

And where's your gold
and your sliver brightly shining?
Who writes the music
In the quiet summer morning?

I'm going where he goes
and He'll be there bedies me
The love for which he dies
Is all I need to guide me

And he's my gold 
And silver brightly shining
He writes the music
in the quiet summer morning!

I know where I"m going
but where are you going?

Vetting Your Rabbits

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I am a firm believer that if you have the knowledge and ability that you need to vet your own animals.  This is assuming that you know when you NEED to take them to the vet. So how do you know? What can you do on your own?  Let’s talk about vetting your rabbits.

Vetting Your Rabbits

Knowing When to Ask for Help

I grew up on a farm, I was well used to seeing my dad with a bottle of penicillin or some other medication, taking care of the cattle.  He took care of our goats, rabbits and ponies too.  BUT when he needed help: a cow with a rough calving, a bull with a broken leg, a calf who squished it’s head, a displaced uterus, and other problems that he needed help with.  The vet was always just a phone call away.  They would come out and lend a hand, dad would pay the bill, and off they’d go. 

A needle couldn’t help a cow who needed her uterus placed back in, or with a calf turned wrong.  A vet and their skill was needed. 

It’s the same with any animal.  Know your own skill level and then ask for help when the situation surpasses it. 

Vetting Your Rabbits

What can a rabbit owner do?

There is a lot that a rabbit owner can treat.

Sometimes the treatment is to cull.  Your goal should be the quick alleviation of pain and suffering.  Letting an animal suffer when there is no hope is not acceptable. 

Often the treatment is the judicious use of plants.  

  • pumpkin seeds are a natural dewormer
  • thistles help with gut issues
  • oil in the ear to get rid of ear mites
  • diatomaceous earth takes care of fur mites
  • chives help with intestinal worms
  • Papaya helps with wool block

Over the counter medication is the solution other times.  What you can and are able to use, depends on where you live and the rules surrounding medications.  Sometimes you need to use meds labeled for cattle or chickens and just change the dosage amounts.  This list is not exhaustive.

  • penicillin for vent disease
  • pepto bismol for diarrhea
  • ivermectin for blood sucking parasites
  • panacur for worms
Vetting your rabbits

Who to ask for help?

Good, rabbit-savvy vets are few and far between.  When you find one… use them well!  Help them to help you.  My local vet will get me meds as long as I do the research and tell them exactly what I need.   Not everyone is so fortunate. 

So who do you talk to if you have no vet?

Part of vetting your rabbits is talking to other rabbit breeder people.  I am part of two excellent groups for rabbits.   One is Rabbittalk and the other is Backyard Rabbits.  Backyard Rabbits is on facebook, go look them up.  🙂  Both groups help asking owners find solutions for their problems.  There is nothing new under the sun when it comes to bunnies, and someone will be able to help you through it.   Admittedly sometimes arguments happen, but that’s part of being in a community, folks have different experiences with what works and what is worth treating.   

Going to pet rabbit boards has people only suggesting taking your rabbit to the vet, but sometimes it’s a place to learn new techniques that vets are now employing. 

Others in This Series

alphabet

Letter U Link Up

Each week we will be linking up with the hosts of Blogging Through the Alphabet. Please visit some of these other blogs to get things like book lists, vegan recipes, and wonderful places to visit, just to name the topics I can think of off the top of my head.

Surely Goodness and Mercy

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Surely goodness and mercy is based on Psalm 23.  It’s a bouncy fun song to sing.  Join in won’t you?  🙂  

surely goodness and mercy

John W. Peterson and Alfred B. Smith were friends who worked on this lovely song together.  To learn the history of how it came to be GO HERE. 

Lyrics

A pilgrim was I, and a wandering,
In the cold night of sin I did roam,
When Jesus the kind Shepherd found me,
And now I am on my way home.

Chorus:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.

Verse 2:
He restoreth my soul when I’m weary,
He giveth me strength day by day;
He leads me beside the still waters,
He guards me each step of the way.

Verse 3:
When I walk through the dark lonesome valley,
My savior will walk with me there;
And safely His great hand will lead me
To the mansions He’s gone to prepare.

Chorus:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever,
And I shall feast at the table spread for me;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.