Seoulscapade

Much has happened since the last Panda update. Panda has naturally been in and out of more trouble, but she is starting to look and behave like a maturer rabbit. She’s also settled in well with us in our new apartment.

At our new place, I’ve been spending more time on my computer hobby, and as a part of that, I’ve set up some webcams. I think Panda enhanced my enthusiasm for webcams and gave me an excuse to spend money on them by volunteering to be my prime subject. My webcams can be viewed via the Ubantu Home link at top right. Presently I have 2 cameras set up for the balcony where she spends most of her time. (I also have 2 others set up, one of our balcony view and one in my study.)

The balcony area of our new apartment is less spacious compared to the one we had at our previous place. Panda’s regular habitat or home was reduced by about two thirds or more. However, the new balcony is still a decent enough size for a rabbit to hop around in, get some exercise and generally make a mess.

Panda exhausted after a good scamper around.

We had no difficulties with Panda in moving house. And she hasn’t been any more trouble than usual as she’s grown except that her hair is simply everywhere! She has more hair for the winter season. Some of it is so light that you see it floating around in the air.

We’ve found out that Panda is what is called a Lionhead Rabbit, or at least that is what they are called here in Korea, because of the mane her breed sports—under the chin mainly.

Lion rabbits grow to a larger size than the regular pet rabbits found in Korean pet stores. Those meek little fellows are about half the size. Regrettably, I’ve heard that North Korea will begin importing Lion Rabbits from the South for food, and the breed’s larger size is the main reason for it, plus that they are perhaps cheap and easy to breed. I cringe at the disgraceful and cruel conditions that are likely going to be imposed on the creatures in that operation.

Lucky Panda! With us it’s like living in a hotel.

Another thing we’ve done since the last update is go traveling back to Australia for two weeks. We left Panda with Sunah’s elder sister’s family, who have a much smaller apartment that houses four people and a dog! We were pretty worried about the stress this would cause—that is, the stress caused to the family and dog by a rampaging and bossy rabbit.

She seems to derive some enjoyment sitting in things.

Here she is sitting in a soil filled planter. It used to have tomatoes (she ate the lot of course).

We often worried during the trip at what chaos she was causing. When we had dropped her off, the family’s dog’s eyes began watering (as if crying, it seemed) and it later slunk off into a corner to sulk. I had given a generous advanced payment for their services but I kept thinking I had better give more when we get back.

As it turned out, we needn’t have worried so much. The family coped. When I first saw Panda after her two week adventure, she looked a little stressed, and after we got her home, it took a couple of days for her to snap out of a subdued manner.

These days she is as bright and cheeky as ever—apparently quite content with staying on the balcony soaking up the sun while we’re at work and scuttling about the apartment when we are home.