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VegNews: BUNNIES ARE PROBABLY THE MOST AMAZING ANIMALS EVER. HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULDN’T EAT OR EXPLOIT THEM.
One of my sweet and amazing Instagram friends, fellow bunny mom, vegan, SaveABunny volunteer (where I adopted Astrid and Joy from), and simply all-around sweet and bright light, Diana, shared this article today on her feed written by her talented friend, Tara Baxter of VegNews. As Diana shares, “this is such an important and timely article right before Easter.”
Diana’s ever-sweet bunny, Rufus, makes a debut appearance in the article in the third photo featured. Rufus is such a dear bunny that I love following daily for updates and sweet stories on his adventures and love shared with his bonded partner, Wasabi.
Here’s a link to the article:
Bunnies Are Probably The Most Amazing Animals Ever. Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Eat or Exploit Them.
Hoppy Birthday, Hoppy Home!
This day can’t pass by without a blog share to honor this magickal being who I have the privilege to call my best friend. Today is Astrid’s 4th birthday and it also happens to be the day we signed papers to close on our home we now live in here at the Forest Portal. It’s no surprise these wonderful things align together, as I know Astrid had a big hand in making this home possible for us, along with all of my other loves in the stars and the Faeries and beings of the land here – the very same enchanted ones Astrid and I are honored to now call our friends, as they visit us daily.
Astrid also is the one who helped me finish writing my story – the book that will one day emerge to share with the world – and she has inspired and supported this new part of my journey.
It’s been such a gift to watch her expand in hops and leaps, as well as a gift to experience the same through our coming together.
“Together” we are more powerful and can move mountains.
The photos here are of the birthday gifts I gave her this year – her very own personalized chair and a snuggly bunny blanket – both of which she loves. Today is extra bunny treats and love to add to the celebrations that continue, iced with tons of gratitude.
Thank you Astrid for calling out to me when I wasn’t expecting you and for choosing me to be your partner, co-creator, and witness to the growth you foresaw for us both. You’ve helped shape my new life and this place we now get to call home.
I love you Astrid and look forward to the continued journey of adventures we have yet to share.
Happy Anniversary Astrid! ~ One Year Summer Solstice Gateway
My first connection with Astrid on 6/20/17 wearing my magickal Peter Rabbit dress
You may recall that it was one year ago, today, that magickal Astrid chose me and I embraced her vision of a different level of experience than what I thought at the time. She had the foresight of something bigger and more challenging for me and she was right, as since she came into my life things have transformed rather quickly and continue to reveal surprises with every new experience I open to. Most of it has been laying new foundations for what’s to come, but in saying “yes” to her, to the journey, and ultimately, to me, a domino effect is in motion.
Last year Summer Solstice was on the 20th – this year the 21st – which holds both Astrid and Joy in the magick of this incredible portal that has become very significant for me and a favorite life-changing gateway.
My sweet angel bunny, Joy, transitioned on June 21st two years ago, which was under a Full Moon Solstice energy. And Astrid stepped in on Summer Solstice, one year ago. The full story of Astrid’s journey to me was chronicled in this blog post: Divine Surprises ~ Following the White Rabbit Blew Zephyr In & Cosmically Aligned Astrid
So much has changed since her arrival into my life and part of that has ignited the true magickal child within me, as I’ve set up her and my Wonderland Room to fully nurture our essence and activate our heart’s imagination and vision in bigger ways.
Although I started my book before she came, it is with her at my side that everything came pouring through rapidly and took on a more expansive embodiment. She challenged me to go further, to not accept less than my highest with it, and provided a channel and doorway to access more to bring onto the pages. I find it beautiful that I will be completing this second phase of the book by month’s end or sooner, aligning with the Solstice gateway energy. The first phase was writing the full story, the second was my editing and reworking of it, and third will take it out of my hands to an official editor. There are many parts to the process, but I’m committed to going through each in the fullest of ways possible, without rushing any part of it.
This last year also saw a lot of expansion for Dave and I, as we moved into our new Forest Portal home and rapidly put together our shared business almost overnight. With Astrid came anchoring of visions and setting foundations for growth and opportunity. She reminds me to take each day fully and not get caught up in details, nor try to bend the outcome, as they will come together with each step taken.
There’s a level of presence, purity, courage, and commanding recognition of self that one must meet Astrid with and this can only be if one is consistently doing so in their life in totality. And hence, she has me stepping up my game, so to speak.
And in this year, huge transformations for Astrid have also taken place with the softening of her defensiveness and aggression that had built up from a past of not being seen for who she is and not being treated with the value she deserved. The barriers to her heart have been melting away, as my own have expanded further with her. She’s revealed her magick with much more to come! And, she’s met my own child heart in innocent exuberance, as we play together everyday.
She is so engaging and loves to run, hop, and twist in the air with delight, shake her head and ears, as I say her name with playful energy, and teases me to come chase her. We have a little play ritual where she waits for me each night in the same place and we first snuggle, then I tap her bunny buns and she takes off jumping (or rather springing in the air) and racing, waiting for me to catch up and then takes off this way and that, each time looking for me to keep following like a game of tag. Once she tires she throws herself between the cushions on the floor and that’s the sign it’s time to snuggle again and so we do. I can’t tell you how fun it is and I just laugh out loud the whole way – another lesson of balancing work and play and to have fun while enjoying life fully.
We have many fun rituals and also sweet ones…all of which I cherish. She is extremely wise and intelligent, knows her name and if I call her she will come. She has her ways of communicating to me when she wants things and anything I tell her, she fully understands.
And although she’s super independent, she has no problem with me picking her up and holding her, which I only do if necessary, as truly I like to honor her freedom and encourage our equality.
I’m excited for the mysterious unknown that will continue to unfold, but in the meantime I’m happy for what is.
So, today, I just want to acknowledge this incredible star child who has honored me with her partnership. I don’t know where the journey is headed, but I know we will have fun the whole way, while we expand into more of who we really are.
Well We’re Movin’ On Up ~ Astrid’s Deluxe Castle In The Sky
Astrid is celebrating this special 5/5 day in Queenly extravaganza, joining in on the energies of this day with her own shifts into the next phase of her evolution. This day has special meaning to me not only because 5 is my favorite and most magickal number that when it shows up in repetition heralds big things for me, but because it is a cherished day of reverence to my dear ones. Today would have been my Russian Tortoise, Gaia’s 15th Earth birthday and on this day, 10 years ago, my beloved rabbit’s (Nestor) ashes were brought home to me.
Today’s also the last day to pre-register with a discount for the upcoming Reiki 1 & 2 workshop on June 23rd – the last I’ll be teaching. You can still register, however, until June 9th.
There’s definitely a lot of shifts taking place collectively and the energy of this day marks, to me, a big transitional opportunity for renewal. I love that as I write that, Astrid is grinding her teeth as she processes and moves the energy through with doing so.
But back to celebrations of big leaps. Astrid has graduated from her romper room playland to a full-on Queen’s kingdom here in Wonderland!
You’ll remember this was what she started with.
How did this evolve?
Well, she’s been growing leaps and bounds, or rather, revealing herself in huge ways because of finally having a safe, loving, and supportive home. If you follow along on Instagram or Facebook, you’ve likely seen her incredibly shifting fur exposing amazing images and symbolism, as well as her wisdom through the messages she imparts, and the joy in the videos of her that I share.
Recently, she has been asking for changes in her romper room, throwing out all of her hay and litter on the floor – which can be a very normal thing for bunnies who like to dig and play and create a natural habitat, but Astrid was wanting something more. I always listen to see if there is further meaning beyond simple and normal behavioral things. In the meantime, I had made adjustments that supported things until something permanent could take place. She also had chewed several holes in the playroom, so I knew it was only a matter of time before I either replaced it with another (I have one on hand in case) OR replaced it altogether.
The latter happened just yesterday in the late afternoon when her new, more supportive home arrived – a mega castle!
It all just came together in divine timing, as my favorite company, Small Pet Select, just put out new wood creations by their resident elf creator and they were exactly in response to Astrid’s new wants and needs and her growth, as well as my putting out there an intention to create something perfect for the new her. Love that instant manifestation!
I have several habitat things from this company, as well as a couple of other bunny companies, but I get all of her nutritional and daily needs from Small Pet Select, and have come to love their wood creations that are of such high quality and continually rising to the needs of our little ones. I love this company! They have the best customer service, friendliest people who I feel I know personally, fast shipping to keep things fresh, a great rewards program, awesome quality products, and Astrid loves everything from them. Anytime I have a question, the response time to receive help is immediate. I can’t say enough about them. They also support cruelty free shopping, rescues and shelters, and now have created the perfect castle habitat for Astrid.
It took me a little while to figure out the configuration of the set up for her, as I always have to think ahead to what will be most supportive, work in the space most effectively, and take precautionary steps for any unseens. And while doing so, Astrid was very curious and explorative. I always tell her about everything going on, with each step, and with assurance, as rabbits are creatures of habit so to change things can potentially be a bit scary. I also always want her to know that none of it means she’s going anywhere and that she’s safe and has a forever home.
Animals understand everything and they are just like us, with triggers that can bring up stuff. So you do want to explain to them what’s going on and give them every reason to know they are going to be fine, they’re safe, loved, and you will be with them every step of the way.
She did immediately start checking things out and licking every part of her new castle to make it hers. I explained how this wouldn’t be any different than the staircase she tackled so courageously and successfully here, and to get up and down would be a piece of cake compared to that.
The new set up has 3 stories and I placed her castle tunnel as a stepping piece for her to get up to the very top – this she already had, but in a different place. She tested things out, but was afraid to jump down into her litter box at first, although made it to the top floor where her hay is housed, quite rapidly.
I love this set up that was so well-thought out, as her hay can be housed without mess in this mess-free hay feeder, and her litter box that is on the bottom provides not only a private area to do her thing, but also supports her digging instincts and feeling of being in an underground tunnel to a rabbit warren.
Not to mention, keeps everything from being thrown out. Win-win! As no mess for mom and still everything is supportive to her. I add some hay in her little box as well as at top, and she also has a different kind of hay on her other castle across the room, so this provides variety and foraging fun, while she gets tons of exercise going in and out of tunnels, small spaces, hops up and down, more areas to lay and oversee her realm, and secret places to be in rabbit holes and tunnels too.
It all also happened to create even more space for mom in the room, as the romper room was larger and I now have a clear path to exit the sliding door without stepping over her things.
I shifted a lot around and in the end she ends up with quite a realm in Wonderland that outdoes the Queen of Hearts for sure!
She now has her Cosmic Castle (as I’ve named it) that sits under my 5th painting in my series, Universal ARKitecture titled Once in a Blue Moon that showcases Nestor and Joy (eventually to have Cosmo too).
So when she ascends up the castle it’s like she’s entering the Cosmos. It’s so cute to watch her stand upright and look at the painting just under Nestor and Joy, in recognition and as a way for her to reach for the stars and be one, as she is. This satisfies her Cosmic self.
Then, across the room she still has her other little castle, which I now call her Old World Castle that sits in the Old Country – a Faery realm resided over by a magick dragon, as you can see here. This satisfies her other world, Faery self.
And next to the sliding glass door she has her Carrot Cottage overlooking the Forest Portal, where she can connect with all of the critters that pass by, can sit and lay in her bed and watch the Moon and stars at night or dream away, and take in some sunshine by day.
There is a second bed to the left next to my desk where she can also take naps and channel to mom while she’s working. This satisfies her Earthly self, but truly merges all aspects together.
I’d say she’s got herself an incredible realm with so many beings as part of her kingdom to play with.
Not to mention, our exercise room is next to Wonderland, where she loves to run and play with me, enjoys hanging out with Buddha in the meditation cushions, and enjoys chewing on mom’s wood easel, which I encourage, as that’s a great thing for her to chew rather than other things, and infuses energy into it for when I use it. I think she smells the bunnies on it who were with mom before.
I figured she would come to love everything, even if at first it was a lot to take in and process, and that it might take time for her to jump into the litter box, but it was only a couple of hours before she got it!
Again, you can communicate with your animals and they WILL understand. I spent time telling her all about her new castle, how much mom loves her and why I got it for her, and that I knew she could figure it all out because she’s so smart. I helped with that, tuning in with her and sending the exact picture of how to use everything – walking her through it all and showing her how to get into her litter box and where the hay was. And she listened and understood. This all done telepathically. Immediately after, she went off to explore. She still wasn’t sure yet about the litter box and descending, so I got an idea.
I removed the top stories so she could see it in parts, just as I do with my own processes and take things a step at a time when things are too overwhelming or overstimulating like with my fear of heights. I only look right before me. So I did that for her and the second I removed the top stories, she hopped right in and realized this is easy!
Once she got out, I put the two stories back on and she immediately went right back and what do you know? She jumped right in again and that was it! She’s been using it ever since and realized how much fun it is.
I’ve found her enjoying every part of the new set up and laying on the top of her tunnel, which she never used to, laying inside of it, and going in and out of every little passageway.
It’s been so fun to watch and I know she’s super happy and grateful, as she’s been nuzzling and snuggling with me and loving all of the encouragement. I’ve even seen her sitting proud on each of her new realms, tall and dignified, full of peace and wisdom, just like the Queen that she is.
This reflects a significant stage for her and for me, and I love how it all happened in celebration of today’s 5/5 energies and my other beloveds. Things are transitioning in big ways for us both and I’m excited to see how it all unfolds.
She’s definitely “moved on up into a deluxe castle in the sky!”
If you remember the Jeffersons you’ll remember the song:
Well we’re movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)
To the east side
(Come on, movin’ on up)
To a deluxe apartment in the sky
Movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)
To the east side
(Come on, movin’ on up)
We finally got a piece
Of the pie
Yay Astrid!!
On the Wings of a Rabbit
A sign from above or simply coincidence? I’ll leave that up to you. I’ve shared many a photo of Astrid’s shape-shifting fur markings (especially on Instagram), but this is one of my favorites. Today happens to be the 10 year anniversary of my beloved twin soul rabbit, Nestor’s, transition to the stars and Astrid has quite a symbol on her back to celebrate it. Astrid, to me, embodies the energy of the cosmic rabbit collective and much of Nestor, as well as bits of Joy and Cosmo are alive within her. I often almost call her by their names because she embodies a piece of all of them.
Well, these are photos of her latest window into her soul in the form of symbols etched in her fur. You’ll likely see many things and more than I share about, but a few things stand out to me.
One, they appear like two (angel/faery) wings resting at her back and at her shoulders. Two, the section between the two wings looks like a being itself and when she stretches her back the top marking is a near heart. The stretching also creates more of the wing clarity, but also reveals something else.
From upside down the lighter design between the two dark wings appears exactly like a rabbit when looking at it from behind – cottontail included!
Wow indeed! It’s interesting that Astrid has been very meditative lately as well and this morning was so excited she was running laps all over the living room and jumped up on our bed to welcome the morning, which she hasn’t done in a very long time.
She also happened to jump on Dave’ side of the bed right near his face.
Perhaps it was all the celebration, including it being Dave’s 10 year vegan anniversary today, too. Astrid simply wanted to share her love and appreciation!
I put this little collage together for him today including all of his loves – our fur babies, Lake Tahoe, mountain biking, hiking, and foraging in nature, playing the guitar and ukulele, and of course vegan donuts! It’s him in his essence and this is definitely a day to remember of transitions into essence.
Astrid has also been enjoying two harvests already from the Garden Tower, which is doing great by the way. So far so good with my implementation of frost night protection when it’s reached those temperatures, and a pen to ensure critters don’t eat it all.
Speaking of critters, another very special – well at least to me – thing happened at the same time of all of this that still has me buzzing. Last evening while I was writing and Astrid was sleeping in her bed next to my desk, something caught the corner of my eye. We have tons of resident chipmunks, squirrels, every variety of bird, a wolf-sized coyote, and more, but I had yet to see a rabbit.
We haven’t seen bear or deer here at our new house yet either, nor the porcupine, beaver, bobcat, mountain lion, skunk, and other animals that live in the area and have been sighted by us or friends other places, but they are around. It’s simply about alignment and if their medicine is important to connect with when they show up.
Well, I believe that this special honoring of Nestor and Astrid’s chiming in, called the bunnies forth and what feels to be a portal has opened. Although we know there are tons of them around, as I see their footprints in the snow, they just aren’t seen hardly at all. I think I’ve only seen them maybe three times since living here, and two of those were with Dawn when she visited.
This might be changing, as yesterday the movement at the corner of my eye was indeed a sweet little bunny. To say I was excited is an understatement, but I stayed calm and didn’t move, as I didn’t want to alarm her.
She sat just outside my office door and I watched as she was feeling the air for safety. Dogs were barking down the street so she was on alert.
Then she ran over to the bushes you see in the photo by the tree and the next thing I know, two bunnies emerged! It happened so fast I couldn’t get a photo of both of them, but it was adorable because the first bunny was pushing it ahead with its nose nudging the other’s behind.
The first one felt to be the scout bunny who surveyed for safety. There is a place under the fence where all the little ones have made a trail to come in and out of the side yard. They must have come the same way and the littler one took cover in the bushes, until the other said it was safe. After the nudging, the littler one took off fast and escaped through the fence at the other end.
But the scout bunny hung back not far from the Garden Tower to make sure things were safe, no one was following her bunny friend, and/or to make sure I got time to connect with her.
The dogs were barking a lot and she stood absolutely still just feeling things out, but also presenting opportunity for her and I.
It was so special given I haven’t seen any and now at this important time period, the two of them appear. Given what I was writing, too, it was all more than perfect and wonderful signs from my dear ones.
Alignment, flow, harmony, magick, portal openings, and support seem to be all around and for that I’m grateful beyond words.
The above photo is from yesterday at my parent’s house where I sat with my meditation frog I gave to my parents, in their zen garden. I got the frog not long after Nestor’s transition and I moved into a new little apartment by myself (when I divorced) above the lake where Joy and Gaia came to be with me. It’s also when/where I met Dave. Full circles all around!
Addressing Some Misunderstandings About Rabbits
Although it’s not Easter, this is an informative, short article from National Geographic that touches on some of the misunderstandings around rabbits that are not isolated to just one time of the year.
“It takes a patient person to become friends with these silent and subtle animals,” says Margo DeMello, president of the House Rabbit Society.
Here’s the article link:
Bundates – Fun Bunny Updates & Stuff
A few sweet updates I thought I’d share to keep up the Astrid Chronicles and document her bunny garden progress. This morning finds us with 52 of the 72 seeds I planted late Saturday afternoon/early evening sprouting away in just under 5 days already. Astrid discovered them yesterday on the floor, as I move them to different spots throughout the day, and tried to get at them, chewing the little revolving plastic window at top of the mini greenhouse. She did manage to get it off, but I stopped her in time and told her to wait until they’re big plants so she can enjoy them more.
She’s SO smart and knows how to get into anything, including gated off areas we have downstairs so we didn’t have to bunny proof the room. And, she relishes in delight to show me just how smart she is, as each time I come up with a new way to keep her from opening the gate, she finds her way through it. She will actually wait for me to discover her and then springs in the air with glee and as I laugh, she darts around the room and then leaves and dashes part way up the stairs where she stops and waits again. Once I leave the room, she goes back and does it again. She’s discovered it’s a fun game to play with mom.
Needless to say, I decided to just go ahead and bunny proof the room, as the gate bothered me, so now she has full reign of the area and perhaps was her plan all along, as the Queen that she is. 😉
Anyway, it’s been exciting to watch the sprouts literally sprouting before my eyes, as every day more and more appear and even within a couple of hours. Plants are incredible! And I know these will be incredible delicacies for Astrid once they’re big enough to plant in my Garden Tower. Likely some of the outdoor bunnies will enjoy them too. So, I’ll have to think on that. Perhaps provide them their own plants on the lower level of the Tower so that they can have some too and tell them that those are theirs and the rest are for Astrid. We’ll see.
It will be another couple weeks before I get that going, especially since this morning we woke to a couple inches of Spring snow. I was excited yesterday to see that my daffodils already had yellow buds formed, but as you can see they are covered in snow this morning. It will likely melt off by end of today or tomorrow, but sure is pretty!
Nature is amazing! And that includes her children like Astrid.
She continues to reveal more and more of her magickal self and abilities. I keep noticing how much she reminds me of Nestor too, which feels like another full circle experience for me and very healing and special. Her fur continues to reveal amazing and ever-evolving symbols, just like Nestor’s did too. Currently she’s sporting a half Chakana symbol, as you can see in this photo of her coming out of her second castle tunnel to commune with her Faery friend.
She really loves her big sleigh bed that sits next to my desk and enjoys the afternoon sun there. I received a beautiful Swarovski crystal octagon prism for my birthday that hangs from my sliding glass door and creates rainbow light from the sun. It just so happens to fall on Astrid now and then too. Or is it that Astrid knows just the precise location, like a grid worker, to be in the line of its light and energy? OR, is something being revealed to me in this alignment? I love how it falls on her ears – telepathy connected.
She often sleeps in this bed as I write, keeping one eye open with awareness even though she is away in Dreamland. This is the way she reaches my Pisces subconscious. She keeps a stream of telepathic energy flowing between us and channels of communication wide so she can send me thoughts to assist with my writing. We are a team and together our work is more potent than if done alone.
Just as in life, cocreating and community is where powerful change is.
She’s such a dear and wise helper and our bond exponentially increases by the day. We are inseparable and we understand each other clearly.
I love our snuggle time and I love our play time. She makes me laugh out loud and my voice fluctuations of her name let her know it’s time to play. She’ll flip her ears, twist her head quick, and take the ready stance when I add a tone of excitement to my voice.
And other times it’s the love voice that beckons her to come to me for a snuggle and kisses.
Then there’s the treat voice that calls her name, as I send her thoughts of goodies she’s about to get, and she comes running.
And of course there’s a more stern “Astrid” voice maybe followed with a “no” if she’s about to do something naughty. This one doesn’t happen that much, as she really is a good and smart bunny.
In general, though, there’s a huge difference from how she was in the start.
I’m happy to share that there is no more charging anytime you approach her. She only does this if she’s under something or in her tunnel and someone tries to put their hand there, which makes sense. Hey! No one wants to be cornered or bothered when they’re trying to be alone.
I try to let people know how she likes to be touched, which is on top of the head and stroking along her back, which also avoids the element of surprise. Often people want to put their hands under her nose and mouth and she doesn’t like that. Rabbits can’t see directly in front of them, so it’s also startling. Every bunny is different, and can have different moments of being okay with things and then not. But she’s doing amazing with no more defensiveness and the only grunts I hear are when I get her her favorite foods and treats, if I’m not doing it fast enough. She sounds like a little piglet grunting in anticipation and delight.
But another huge difference is how she sleeps.
When I first brought her home she would always remain on alert and just sleep in a ball on all fours or lay down stretched out, but not on her side. I wondered when she would get into that relaxed bunny sleep, which indicates feeling safe. Sometimes I’d see her start to fall asleep and almost get there, but then wake herself up when she realized.
And now, we have this.
She would never have done this in the beginning. Throwing herself on her side and sleeping vulnerably is a huge trust and comfort thing, which makes me so happy. I love when she throws herself at my feet when I’m at my desk and goes to sleep. Those little silver dipped paws and tummy are precious!
She keeps me on my toes too, and makes sure I’m keeping up with my writing. I’ll often find her sitting in my cozy chair in my office – Queens like their thrones! She’ll nudge my feet and ankles and makes sure to wake us in the morning by racing around the master bedroom to rise for her greens feeding time!
Sometimes she’ll hang with the cats – the three of them in a row – as long as everyone remains at least a foot or two apart. Boundaries are a must! She also keeps the cats amused watching her race around the room.
She keeps a tidy realm here in Wonderland and sees to the happiness of all the beings that dwell here. It’s working, as everyone who walks into the room says things like, “this room makes me so happy,” or “this room makes me smile,” and most share that it inspires them in one way or another or definitely has the inner child vibe. We actually had four kids over recently with their parents and they of course went crazy over my room, which was a great sign of the innocence I’ve managed to reclaim and recreate here. That was a goal for me, to make this my inner child sanctum where all of my dreams could come alive – a world of pure imagination, as Willy Wonka says.
And that makes Astrid happy too, as she loves her room – spending the majority of her day in it. And the cats pretty much don’t come into it. They try occasionally to eat some of her hay on the top of her castle, but that’s as far as they get. They hardly come downstairs in general. Sweet Pea actually won’t come down unless her dad does. Both of the cats feel it’s safe if dad goes down, and then they follow. It’s pretty hilarious how much Astrid has established herself. And it’s only fair that she should have her own space too, as we know cats think everything belongs to them. 😉
Astrid is doing so good inside and out, and her health is testament to that. Monday I took her to her vet check up. This was the welcome sign for her – I thought it ironic with the cat on it.
We go to regular vet check ups every 6 months and sometimes 3 months to stay on top of any irregularities that could show up in her teeth. This is a must for bunnies since their teeth not only continually grow, but if not caught in time it can create huge challenges, or even be fatal with complications. I’m so grateful we have such a proactive vet who knows her bunny stuff and is just as sweet as angels come. She’s amazing!
And, so far so good. Astrid has continued getting clean and excellent bills of health. Marcy at SaveABunny had also said she never had issues as long as she was with them either.
We’ve been monitoring one tooth since the beginning but it’s doing well and no changes since the start. Sometimes a small irregularity is simply due to the way they chew so you just need to make sure it’s always maintained by your bunny or else will need maintenance. She’s doing well consistently maintaining it. We’re now keeping an eye on one other tooth where the gum is slightly protruding. She’s has no signs of problems, or issues in any way, and the gum and tooth is healthy, but the vet is staying on top of it to make sure it doesn’t turn into anything.
I love how gentle she is with Astrid and in general, she just has the softest energy about her, but not in any push over kind of way, as she has a strong presence, it’s just a gentle power. This vet has actually seen all of my bunnies (minus my first bunny Twinkie whom I had when I was in my teens) this to include Nestor, Joy, Cosmo, and now Astrid. So that also is pretty special given how much I’ve moved around. And this also makes Astrid number 5 – my fav magickal number.
Astrid did great and we’ll be back in 3 months to see how it’s all shaping up while I continue watching her for any slight changes. That’s simply a daily part of having a bunny…staying on top of knowing every little nuance since they can hide things well.
And that leads me to another Bundate – Bunny Update – from SaveABunny, actually.
You remember the white bunny, Big Sur (who to me is Zephyr) that I didn’t adopt. I mentioned getting a brief update from Marcy, but she had mentioned that she told his new mom to contact me directly. I hadn’t heard anything until yesterday morning and this was the beautiful news:
Hi Tania,
Marcy asked me to reach out to you and let you know that I formally adopted Big Sur. I know you had donated to help much with his care while he was at SaveABunny – thank you. In October we (my partner Ryon, my 10 year old daughter Dyllan and I) wanted to help out so we decided to foster Big Sur (we already had adopted 4 rabbits previously) Well months went by and we just couldn’t fathom the idea of bringing him back. So we totally foster failed. We love him so much words cannot express. He is such a special loving soul and we are so lucky to have him in our lives. Thank you for all your help and love. He found his forever home 
~Lisa
PS – I’m also an adoption coordinator at SaveABunny…I’ve always felt a draw to him since he first arrived.
And here was my reply:
Hi Lisa!! I saw your message first thing this morning and it made me smile so big. I had to wait until I could respond more in fullness to you, but I first wanted to say how VERY grateful I am that you took time to write to me about him. I have wondered so much how he has been doing, as like you had been so drawn to him and felt that love and connection. I was very challenged with my decision as to who to adopt when I did arrive there, but felt in my heart he was telling me to take Deja Vu – who is now Astrid – and that he was going to be fine, needed that time to heal, and everything would end up perfectly. I am SO happy beyond words to know you have him with you and that he is in the perfect home and you are all sharing so much love between you. It confirms what I had felt and it also speaks so much of the bond you both have and why everything turned out as it did. I am so grateful for all of the work you do for SaveABunny, giving so many homes to rabbits in need, and now loving Big Sur so dearly. And you are so welcome for the help with him. It meant a lot to me to be able to do that. I’m so glad you foster failed! 
I’m glad to know you are the adoption coordinator…I can’t remember now as it was nearly a year ago I had first contacted about Big Sur, but we may have spoken via email. Marcy and SaveABunny mean a lot to me and Astrid is definitely my perfect partner. I couldn’t love her more and our connection has deepened so much since last June. She’s my second adoption from SaveABunny and likely there will be more at some point. So it’s good to know you! Thank you again! Love and hugs to you
I love happy endings, don’t you? They lead to great new beginnings!
Christmas Reflections & New Stage of Life
It’s been a big week so far, beginning with warm celebrations at my family’s house in Reno for Christmas, some completions, and a huge day today for Astrid. I was able to complete my office, except for a new sliding glass door and three special things to hang, which meant it was time for the reveal to her. And boy was it the best day of her life, and my life with her, yet! She had a huge day of joyful tears, soulful release, and courageous leaps – quite literally!
This mirrors me, as I’ve been reflecting on all that has completed and is about to begin in my own life, which was reiterated by the Tarot cards I pulled on Christmas.
My family and I always pull cards at the holidays to see what current theme is streaming through and what the New Year holds for us. All of them were very accurate, and mine were no exception to that.
They spoke to the rebirth taking place for me, an inner calling surfaced, release from all karmic ties, and everything coming together in my life story as I reach a significant stage on my journey.
Synchronously, the last week or so I’ve had an influx of people inquiring for services I have let go of and items I used to offer. To all of them I politely said no, but shared my gratitude for the reflections. It’s become much easier to do this, as I get the clearest yet about myself and what I want and don’t want.
As I felt into the messages of the cards, it was such a relieving confirmation and when I saw Astrid’s joy today and felt and heard her own release and depth of gratitude, I knew we were riding this new path together in all ways. Her feelings were mine reflected, and vice versa.
I will soon share a post on Astrid’s explorations and fun in our new shared room, which got its name a few days ago.
For now I’ll just share this one tiny peek of her in one of her play areas, standing tall and proud, and want to express the touching moment for us.
After she explored a bunch, she returned to the center of the room where I sat. Normally when she’s excited, she’s very interested in doing her own thing and will jet off if you come to her. But this time she came right to me and I put my hand on her head and caressed her softly, as we shared words.
Her eyes softened and lids lowered and she melted into my hand. All I could hear and feel was her joyous release and appreciation.
Like me, she’s had a long, hard journey.
Like me she’s waited patiently and kept going and believing, even when there seemed no hope.
Like me, she is experiencing the best time of her life now and receiving reflections of all the work she’s put into things, come to fruition…finally.
I could see her past and all she went through to get to this moment…how she waited for the right time and person to adopt her.
No one would and kept passing her by because they couldn’t “see” her.
She waited nearly three years, which is a lot for a little rabbit, as all of her friends at the rescue got adopted and left her behind.
And now, here she was, being gifted a magickal rabbit playroom fit for the queen that she is.
It was all overwhelming for her in a beautiful full circle way.
I felt both of our hearts open wider and our connection deepen, as we both shed tears of gratitude.
I knew her journey, as it mirrored so much of my own.
I’ll share again more in an upcoming post, but today was a huge day for us both. And on top of that, she learned to go up and down the big staircase all on the same day.
I knew she could do it, but thought it might take longer.
Astrid proved her bravery, as within a couple of hours she was up the stairs. And just a bit ago, she made it down.
It was such a cute process….the down that is, as she kept coming to me to help her. She kept nosing my ankles and then tugged on my pant legs with her teeth, to help. So I gave her a pep talk and went to the stairs to show her how. It took a little while, as she kept checking the first step down and then circling to regroup. And then it was done.
Today was a BIG day for both of us on so many levels. Speaks to the New Year to come!
Here are some photos from our lovely Christmas we all shared as a family, which was festive, fun, and full of giggles and yummy vegan feasting! Grateful to have parents that support our vegan lifestyle and always make, buy, or search out vegan restaurant options for us. My brother (who is absent in the photos due to camera shyness, but far from absent in the shenanigans shared) is vegan and was actually vegan a few years before I even knew what being vegan was. Both my mom (makes the entrees) and dad (makes the desserts) got in on the vegan creations and sent us home with care packages and apple dumplings to enjoy for the mornings.
Grateful also to have Faery folk as parents, which brings to Christmas and all holidays the magick I love.
The painting hanging here in their living room is an original by me of Venice that I painted while living in Sedona in 1997 – my first major painting I ever did – as an anniversary gift to my parents (it replicated a photo from their trip there, with a little “T” twist)
Such warmth shared all around! And wonderful gifties too!
I hope everyone that celebrates Christmas enjoyed a warm, peace, and love filled one and that the holiday season (however you celebrate or don’t) was a perfect reflection of you.
Faery kisses to all!
Astrid’s Journey Reflects My Own: Relaxing into the Nature of Our Origins
It has been such a joy to watch Astrid relax more and more into her true self and feel safe, loved, and vulnerably expressive. It’s been just over 3 months since first she came home to us, but during that time she has come to know true comfort and joy in realizing she is here to stay and has a best friend for life in me. I’ve seen her evolve into the being I saw her to be, and not the outside persona she portrayed because of conditioning and filtering she learned to exhibit to not only survive, but to invoke others to rise to their best. She has been an example and reflection of how to view things from your heart, not judge a book by its cover, and to dig deep to celebrate the true nature of things beyond what your eyes and mind might otherwise want to react to.
Although she still is working through things and this will continue to evolve more and more over time, she is also feeling the true comfort and joy of bunnyness that she dreamed of and knew was in her nature to be.
Sounds much like me/mom, and the place I’ve come to in my life after deep explorations, surrendering, and relaxing more into my true origins of my own nature. No coincidence she and I share a journey we can support one another with and perhaps even maybe help inspire for others on a similar trajectory.
Although we’re in this interim place right now in between remodeling work being done on both places, not having furniture, and simply in process of a big move, she and our other fur babies are doing well and having fun exploring and discovering new hiding places.
This interim place seems to reflect where we all are along our transitioning journey – both animals and humans alike – in going through this huge growth spurt and relaxing more deeply into the nature of who we are – in essence, coming home to our origins.
We have a several month period of transition to go through together as a family unit, but in the end, much expansion, freedom, and creative potential awaits us. Through diligence, patience, commitment, belief, love, and keeping an eye only on moving forward from this moment, we will get through this crazy chaos with a foundation of peace at our cores to keep us on track.
And the more we each embody that, the more we support one another with it as well, as there will be times we each take the lead or are being guided by whom ever is able to move into that embodiment first – no right or wrong, no better or worse, but simply a beautiful co-creative experience for sure that is based on the foundation of pure love.
Anyway, I just love seeing Astrid’s journey first hand, and feel so grateful and blessed she has chosen me as her partner in life. Even if she has challenges in other regards, she demonstrates something altogether different with me and has come to be bonded with me in a very powerful way that helps her to feel safe because she trusts me and that bond. She is coming out more and more, but definitely will always be a one-person bonded bunny more than anything and I’m honored that she chose that person to be me.
Alongside some of the sweet things I’ll share, she has also been demonstrating her desire to be a part of everything we do as a family and to be a part of gatherings when we have people over that she likes. She will now come and stay out with everyone, hanging around to hear things and energetically join in on the group energy. She lets people she likes come and pet her, she will come out to say hi and makes it clear who she resonates with and who she doesn’t in terms of deciding to share her energy or not with (that boundary demonstration again). Even if she wants to remain alone, she will at least come out of her hiding places and give people a nose nudge to acknowledge them and give them a little bunny energy, then return back.
She also made appearances during my Reiki workshop the other day, which was her first to be part of. I could tell she had prepped the room’s energy before too and when I was doing the initiation attunements, she sat a few feet directly behind with one ear back and one ear forward, tuning in and supporting the process, as well as learning, and aiding me. That was powerful and beautiful to share with her.
But some things are too precious for words and photos do more justice to share.
One thing I’ve really REALLY been so moved to see is how Astrid in the last couple of weeks has finally done something I’d been waiting for, which is to vulnerably throw herself on her side and fall deeply into sleep without remaining cautious and on full alert. Although bunnies always are alert, I’ve wanted her to relax into this kind of sleep that my other bunnies used to do, which to me demonstrates true comfort and joy. Before then she was always laying in more “up” positions and ears alert and eyes open or immediately opened…and now she goes into true bunny dreamland and relaxes.
She does still love to have those feet grounded though and so usually will be found with her feet up against a wall or box or whatever she can find so that even though her body is floating on a bunny cloud, those feet or rooted and ready for action if necessary. I love that. It’s also sweet because it exposes her magickal silver toes.
This picture mesmerizes me to look at and I feel so much from it….mostly that is LOVE.
And although she still runs the show around here with the cats, Boojum’s persistence has found some acceptance by Astrid, although she has his number and keeps him in check. 😉
Another very cool thing miss Astrid has discovered, is the second story to her Magick Carrot House. She knew something was there, as she would look up the ramp inside of it since the beginning, but never ventured up.
But now everyday, after she enjoys her new spot on the bottom of the cat tree, she can be found nestled upstairs in her bedroom on the second story of the Magick Carrot House.
It’s the cutest thing ever and so hard to capture through the tiny carrot windows, but at least these photos give you a tiny glimpse of her sacred bedroom space she enjoys being in.
I love when she sticks her nose through the carrot window to say hi to me when I come by sometimes.
Cuteness overload for sure.
I CANNOT WAIT to create her and my new space in our new home. I have so many ideas percolating and surprises in store for her. My room is her room, so it will definitely be the magickal rabbit sanctuary and secret lair. So much fun awaits!
But for now, miss Queen Astrid is also enjoying tons of fun in anticipation of it all on the new blow up living room Dave got us for the next 2 month interim of all the remodeling and moving craze. She’s having a bouncy good time! And brings giggles to my heart.
I just adore her and love how big she is too….I adoringly call her Monster Bunny and Koala Bunny, as she is not only a huge presence, but truly is physically a power bunny embodied (similar to a bear cub, which someone called her yesterday) with a heart of gold and the alchemy of a cosmic wizard.
Yes, she is home…. Forever. And so am I.
The Mystery of Astrid
Astrid continues to tickle me with her unassuming magick and wisdom and the ingenious way she peels away layers of herself when she feels to. I’ve said from day one that she is slowly going to reveal herself and that she isn’t at all what she seems. She is definitely the embodiment of multi-dimensional expression, housed in a robust and mysteriously beautiful rabbit body. I’ve come to see that she embodies more of a wild rabbit essence rather than a domesticated one and while she’s enjoying the sensuality of being in her body and exploring what that feels like, she’s much more off-Earth than here. When I peer into her eyes and feel into her spirit it is as vast as the Cosmos and as wild and free as the once untouched gardens of Earth’s realms.
It’s fun to see her experiencing things in such a fresh way and I love that wisdom she carries through these fresh experiences. She reminds me of the incredible Snowshoe Hares I fell in love with in Montana that carry the same energy.
I love the photo above captured of Astrid inside of the hay box. She couldn’t wait for me to finish her daily cleaning and prep and just jumped inside of the hay box before I was done getting it into hers. It reminded me of her being in the fields and meadows where wild rabbits roam.
She feels right at home now with everything and truly is a happy and mischievous one.
I love seeing her run and jump with excitement and can literally feel not only her joy exuding in those exuberant leaps, but can also feel the energy she is moving and the Cosmic stardust and Faery dust she is sprinkling around.
Astrid has learned to jump on the bed now and since then she will jump up on my side to come say hi in the wee hours of the morning during Faery time to wake me. She actually jumps right up beside my head and proceeds to nose me with whiskers tickling my face. I love it!!
And what I also love in the photo I shared here, is the position of the heart above her third eye with the bottom of it pointing directly there – the alchemy of Cosmic Love and intuitively guided vision merged.
As one friend recently said, “I always get the feeling she knows so much more than she’s letting on….she’s being gentle with us.”
Astrid gives a mischievous wink.
Tania Marie 