Hello. It's Belinda.
Something very exciting just happened.
I was reading the comments on the Small Pet Select Facebook page and all of a sudden I saw this from my friend Ann Marie:
"It’s almost time to celebrate the holiday you invented, Belinda! Happy First Chew! 
"
I can't believe it. I waited all year to celebrate First Chew and I expected I'd be the only one.
It takes a while for things to "catch on."
I wrote about the First Chew holiday last year.
I invented it because I don't believe in a "new year." Which to me is just like some "jumbo" version of Daylight Saving Time.
But instead of moving the planet back or forward by one hour, you're yanking 365 days up a notch. Pulling the new year up over the old year like a blanket.
It's too much math for a rabbit. So I invented something better.
Wednesday night was New Year's Eve. I was chewing hay.
Thursday morning was New Year's Day. I was chewing hay.
It looked like just a normal snack break but it was actually a First Chew celebration.
Here are some photos to "illustrate" the whole thing.
That's a photo I took of the box of berry loops I found under the tree.
Santa brought them for me but my roommate put them on a shelf.
But before she stole my loops, I used her phone to take a few photos.
Sorry this one is a little fuzzy. Her phone is too small in my opinion.
Anyway loops have an A+ crunch. Which makes them perfect for First Chew.
Here's a nice close-up view of the inside of the box. You see this after you chew off the top.
My roommate doesn't like it when I chew boxes but Santa wrote "Belinda" on the gift tag if I recall correctly.
I fixed this one in the computer gizmo. Took me an hour but it's worth it to show off all the "bits and bobs" in each loop.
OK we've covered the crunchy treat part of the First Chew celebration.
Now it's time for me to "say hay."
Have you ever tried oat hay?
It's one of the four hays in our sampler box. This is the wording on the outside of the box. So you know what you're eating.
It's so good.
This is another "angle" of the sampler box.
I like 3rd cutting timothy hay for First Chew. And every day of the year if you want to know the truth.
This is what the hay looks like inside the box.
You have to hold the lid open and take a photo at the same time. Imagine a rabbit in a pretzel shape and that was me.
But you have to have photos of hay in the blog sometime.
OK I'm sorry if I'm making everyone hungry. All I know is I have a sudden "hankering" for certain items that rhyme with oops and ay.
That's my cue to log off.
I hope you and everyone in your house have a very chewy 2026.
Sincerely,
Belinda
Spokesrabbit, Small Pet Select
Inventor of the First Chew holiday <that's right
Word for 2025: "Ask"
Belinda@smallpetselect.com
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Disclaimer:
We are not veterinarians, and none of our information should be construed as veterinary advice. Before adding any new product, please consult your exotic veterinarian. If your pet is acting unwell and you have concerns for their well being, please contact your vet immediately.
