Hello. It’s Belinda.
I’ve been waiting a long time for this. I can hardly stand it.
But first things first.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Human and rabbit. I hope you get to “put your feet up” or straight back behind you. Whatever feels best. It’s your day.
Abigail wrote a very nice “homage” to her bun Dad. I hope you had a chance to read it. All about her Father’s Day gift to him.
I don’t remember much about my childhood in New Zealand and that includes my father. My guess is he sheds a lot given what I deal with on a daily basis. “Thanks Dad.” Just teasing. My fur is fine.
I like to think he would be proud of his daughter. Because I might shed like a yak but I know how to keep company secrets.
And I have been keeping some big secrets lately.
Still have a few but it’s time for the first “big reveal.”
I put a hint in the headline.
You might be thinking “Belinda are you kidding me?”
I have an answer for that and it’s two words.
Hay cubes make me happy.
Are hay cubes a treat or a toy or a way to sneak more fiber into your diet?
Yes. “All of the above.”
Plus they’re for everyone. Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice, hamsters and gerbils. Ingredients: 100% timothy hay.
Best of all, this new product comes straight from my friends. It started way back in September, when I hacked into my blog server and added a comment box.
I got in trouble that time, mostly with the Tech Team. But it blew over and in January bingo. Comment box again.
I asked my friends for suggestions for new products and they said “hay cubes.” There were other ideas too but I kept hearing about hay cubes. In the comment box and on Facebook.
Seemed like an easy win, if you want to know the truth. The problem is my “batting average” for getting the team to accept my new product ideas is zero.
Every time I suggest a new healthy snacker or toy, I hear that it’s “not practical.” For example, you might remember the drama over the edible exercise pen. I still think it’s a good idea but I gave up. Took it off my list back in early 2018.
That's right. This has gone on for 18 months. I figured they would “nix” the hay cubes too. But I put my foot down and I mean during meetings.
Usually I’m quiet or napping on the team calls but not this time.
Every time they brought up hay cubes they heard thumping on my end. Then silence for a few minutes.
I knew I was taking a big risk but come on. Enough is enough.
One day my agent gave me the news and I was "over the moon." Stayed up all night watching the website. Kept hitting "refresh" so I could see the hay cubes "go live" in real time.
Turns out it takes months to get a new product ready to launch. For one thing, other items were "in the hopper," like all the products for chickens.
And I had to do product testing. I won't even get into it but not all hay cubes are the same. But after a month or two of trying out different chews and shapes and such I found just the right one.
I hope you like it as much as I do.
So that's one of my big secrets. More to come in a week or two. A "grand finale" if you know what I mean. Hush Belinda.
One more thing and it's a doozy.
I have a special message to send out to my friends at Missouri House Rabbit Society. They are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Can you believe it? That's dedication.
I met some of the "MHRS gang” at Midwest BunFest and they gave me a wooden chew toy. Which was nice and I still have it.
Thank you to Missouri HRS for 25 years of helping rabbits and their roommates. Also for the sturdy toy.
Thank you to the Small Pet Select team for accepting my hay cube idea.
And most of all, thank you to my friends.
You used the comment box when I really needed help and look at what happened.
Let me know what you think of “our” hay cubes.
Sincerely,
Belinda,
Spokesrabbit, Small Pet Select
