Back to Work - With Sad News

I took an intentional two-week hiatus from writing to unpack and start to get everything in order at the new place.  I was hoping to resume blogging today with good news.  Instead, I have to announce that yesterday afternoon my family assisted Cocoa across Rainbow Bridge. 

Those of you who have followed my blog for awhile know that Cocoa was the inspiration for Van Helsing, Drake Matthew's pet rabbit, in The Vampire Hunters trilogy.  Cocoa was over eleven years old, which translates into the nineties in human years.  Despite arthritis and glaucoma, he was a happy guy right up until near the end.  He was always begging for a treat or a pet, and was always happy to see me.

Unfortunately, a chronic condition from an abscess in his ear from five years ago flared up, became infected, and went into his sinuses and lungs.  Even if he survived, his quality of life would have been nowhere near what it was before.  So we made the decision to let him cross the Bridge where he can now bink and be happy.  I am heart broken, but I know he's now in a better place. 

Sunday Bunnies

It's not our greens.  It's not a hay cube.  It's not a treat.  So what good is it?

Sunday Bunnies

Today is a very special edition of the Sunday Bunnies -- ten years ago today I adopted Ruby, my first rabbit.  She was just a scared little kit barely six months old, and she spent all night in my bathtub thumping in fear.  The next day I went out, bought her a cage, and set her up in my living room.  The rest is history.  She's now the grand diva of the household and reigns supreme over the other three rabbits who share my home. 

So happy tenth anniversary to my Ruby.  Hopefully she'll be here for the eleventh. 

Sunday Bunnies

You left us locked in our cage overnight while you went off for a sleep apnea test.  We are not happy.

Sunday Bunnies

You go away for eight days and pawn me off on the bunnysitter, and now you want to cuddle?  I don't thumping think so.

Sunday Bunnies

Don't yell at us.  You're the one who left us unsupervised.

In Memorium: Woody - 18 July 2003 to 19 July 2012

Today is a very depressing day.  One year ago this afternoon, I had to put to sleep my beloved Woodstock who was suffering from paralysis due to severe arthritis and bone cancer.  He had come into my house exactly nine years earlier as a rescue from a neglectful family.  Woody loved life despite the first eighteen months of his existence being spent in a small cage under someone's front porch.  Even on his way to Rainbow Bridge, as Dr. Crum was putting him to sleep permanently, Woody licked may arm furiously to tell me everything would be all right.  He's no longer with me, but he's not forgotten.

Sunday Bunnies

What?

Sunday Bunnies

Screw you.  I do not look like a tribble with ears. 

Sunday Bunnies

Ten years old and still very much in love.  For a video of the love buns necking, check out my Facebook page.

A Hopping Good Review of Rotter World

Suzie of Bunnysreview.com agreed to review Rotter World in place of the original blogger on the tour who had to cancel due to technical difficulties with her computer.  But she only agreed to read it if I included photos of my own rabbits to accompany the review.  Suzie (and thankfully her rabbits) enjoyed Rotter World, stating: "If you have read any of the Resident Evil books or watched the movies you will love this book.  The only thing different is that this book has a lot more details.  If you love blood and guts then this is the book for you."

 You can read the full review (and see more photos of my rabbits) here.

BLOG TOUR: DAY FOUR

Rea of Rea's Reading and Review was kind enough to host me today as a guest blogger.  The subject: "Zombies -- the New Vampires?"  (Come on, guys. What else would I talk about?)  There is also a giveaway of a paperback copy of Rotter World to a U.S. winner and an e-book to an international winner.  Please click here to read the blog and enter for the free books. 

I also have something else in common with Rea besides a love for reading and fantasy.  Rea notes that her life is ruled by a bossy bunny named Bruce.  With four rabbits of my own running around the house, led by my diva Ruby, I can relate.  Good luck, Rea. 

Sunday Bunnies

What a hangover.  Too much carrot juice last night.

Sunday Bunnies

Daddy has a new book out.  Big thumping deal!  As long as he gives me treats, everything'll be fine.

Sunday Bunnies

Screw the treats.  Give me some beer.

Sunday Bunnies

I just got back from three twelve-hour days at Ravencon, and am too tired to come up with something witty for the Sunday Bunnies.  So instead, here is a photo of me holding Willow in an embarrassing pose.  Enjoy. 

Easter Edition of the Sunday Bunnies

Happy Easter!!!!!!!

Remembering Polly

Today is a going to be a sad day.  Four yeas ago I lost my sweet little Polly, pictured above grooming my bald spot.  She came from a rescue situation in New Jersey where she shared a pen with thirty-seven other rabbits and had to fight for her food.  When I adopted her, she had a chunk taken out of one ear, half her nose was missing, and she had a major "don't-frack-with-me" Jersey attitude.  But she loved her daddy more than anything.  Polly greeted me every morning with a nose bath, and at night would sleep on the bed between my legs like a cat.  Unfortunately, she was taken away when she was still young as the result of a rare, genetic disease.  I was heart borken.  (For anyone who has read The Vampire Hunters: Dominion, I wrote the confrontation between Drake and van Helsing right after returning from leaving Polly at the vet, which is why that scene is so poignant.  Writing it was painful but cathartic.)  She may no longer be with me, but she'll always be loved.

Sunday Bunnies

Sorry.  I thought you asked "Am I chubby?" not "Are you my hubby?"

Sunday Bunnies

Yeah, yeah, yeah.  Your fourth book is coming out next month.  You just sent the fifth one to the publisher.  You'll be starting the sixth one next week.  Do I really look like I care?