Konrad, there's just no competing with you, you're still the fastest! All I've seen of rabbits this year are tails and the fuzzy bottoms of their feet. I've never seen jack rabbits before, so thanks for the great close ups! I can't believe the size of thier eyse and legs! We just get the chubby little cotton tails up here.

I heard about his plight @ work (someones knows someone...). He was with a poor inner city family. Mom had 6 kids and boyfriend had just left her. Humane Soc. had come out twice to check on his barking, condition (5 ft chain with wire crate w/plastic sheet on top), etc. but could not take him - since he was being fed and not beat, it wasn't quite "abuse". We all know that mental neglect IS just as abusive! The neighbor mentioned to the owner lady that she knew someone who would take Jake off her hands (me, at least temporarily) but she refused. I went over one day to take a look at him. I talked with the owner for some length (about her children and how winter was coming on and how Jake was not allowed in house....). I guess it all fell into place because we finally settled on me paying for Jake, paying for his freedom. YES! Nice ending there so far, huh?

Get the dog on the NILIF program real quick(nothing in life is free. Below is an article describing how to handle this I copied and pasted this from one of my training links When dealing with food (resource) guarding Forget just putting the bowl down for him. Make him sit. Make him wait a minute longer. Put a very small portion of his regular dinner in his bowl. Hold on to the bowl for him to eat out of. Does he eat with your hands still on the Vessel of Chow? Very good. Before he finishes what's there, slowly pull it away. Don't get into a wrestling match over it though, if he starts to protest, use your newest command, "Trade". Give the bowl back with more food in it. This time you can put it down for him. You want him to realize that you'll never let him starve, but you reserve the right to remove his dish. Keep this up, every day, just this, until you no longer get a resistance when you remove the bowl. On to the next phase ... You follow the new routine, making him go through a bit of a hassle before he gets his full dinner again, but this time, instead of leaving him to eat in peace after, you put your hand on his head, and follow his movements, keeping it in place. Does he give you dirty looks, but continue eating anyway? This is good. Move your hand, just stroking his head. This in itself is a reward activity, but it may take him some time to realize that it's okay, you aren't going to steal his dinner away for good. Once he's used to you petting him while he's eating, and he's relaxed in your company, the next step is to remove his dinner. That's right. Do what he's been afraid you'll do, right from the beginning. Take it, and turn your back on him. Put one of those drool-worthy treats I mentioned earlier right on top of his dinner, then give it back. Aha. See? Like "Trade", but you didn't give the command. Keep it up. By using patience and persistence, rewarding the good behavior, and employing the "work for it" rules, you can turn your resource guarding dog into a dog you can pet while he's eating. Just remember ... just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Everybody deserves to eat in peace.

Wow, I was on the edge of my seat, reading your story, Marilyn!!! When you have some spare time, (yes, ha ha!!) you really should write your stories down--I think we discussed this one time. Such a book would indeed sell well as most of us humans have a soft spot for animals, especially down-and-out rescue animals. It's hard to believe that little cutie-pie survived and shows how strong he is. I hope you know there isn't one person who would think you tell these stories to make yourself look good because you're not that kind of a person at all, and it shows. Thank you for entertaining us and taking such marvelous care of all of God's creatures! I hope you will be able to give us updates. Oh, my, and I hope your dh continues to do well. I was so fascinated with the kitten story that I almost forgot to comment on your poor hubby! I hope he's up and at 'em soon--though not too soon--and back to working the job he most enjoys.