“So we’re all on board with March 28 for the Bunny Benefit?” Ricky asked. “It’s not too late to get the deposit back.”
“I think the event should be for the whole weekend,” Nevin said. “For those who can’t make it on Saturday.”
Vic leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “What kind of losers can’t make a party on Saturday night? This is a big enough burden on us as it is. We need to get it over with.”
“Will there be enough time for you to get me some real bunnies?” Bo asked. “You know, like Playboy?”
Ricky cut his eyes away. “Uh…we’ll see. No promises, okay?”
“My contract has a catering clause,” Bo reminded him.
“Right.” Ricky looked around the room. “Does anyone have any reasonable requests or objections?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Good. The twenty-eighth it is.” He glanced at Nevin. “And if there's sufficient interest, maybe we’ll do a Sunday encore. I’ll talk to the venue manager about it. In the meantime, have you decided which charity we’ll be supporting?”
Nevin pulled a crumpled paper out of his pocket and sighed. “I don’t know, Ricky. They’re all so good.”
“So pick one,” Kalila said.
“Well,” he traced a finger down the list. “It would be nice to support a group from near my home. Rabbit and Guinea Pig Welfare and Honeybunnies are both in the UK.”
Vic jumped up. “I have to sing for pigs now, too?” He grabbed the list and started reading. “Friends of Rabbits? Best Friends? Vampires aren’t best friends with anyone, much less these ubiquitous creatures you think are so compelling.” He crumpled the paper and threw it on the floor. This is a stupid idea.”
Kalila flashed him a dirty look, picked up the paper and smoothed it out again. “We’ve got two Rabbit Havens here, one in Washington and one in California.”
“I like California girls,” Bo said.
“You like all of them.” Kalila went back to reading. “Bright Eyes Rabbit Rescue is near Washington DC. That might interest the patriotic types, right, Ricky?”
Ricky shrugged. “I guess.”
“And then there’s Rabbit Rescue, Inc, in Canada.”
“We got kicked out of Canada,” Vic said. “Remember?”
“That doesn’t mean they won’t take our money.” She handed Nevin the list. “Ricky did a good job. Pick one.”
Nevin shifted in his seat. “But if I choose the wrong one—”
“They’re all wrong,” Vic snarled. “It’s not natural for us to be doing something for bunnies. We should be feeding them to the werewolves at the full moon, not hosting concerts for them. Just make up your mind so we can end this meeting.”
While Nevin sniffled and Kalila patted his shoulder in concern, Ricky said, “Look, they’re all no-kill shelters. No rabbit will die because you chose one place over another. We’ll put the names of all the charities on the back of the t-shirts. It’ll be a little free publicity. So come on. Choose.”
Nevin looked at the paper again and sighed. “Well, okay. But I could use a little help…”
To Be Continued…
Bunny fans, help Nevin make up his mind! Select a charity from the poll in the sidebar. If you need more information, we have a Voter’s Guide available.
Bunny Benefit Bash Donation Guide
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
reviews (Comments): 3
Our benefit proceeds will be going to the following fine organization:
Rabbit Rescue, Inc. (Ontario)
Famous Residents: Fez, Norbert, Abbey
Make a personal donation to Rabbit Rescue
The following non-profits have also been recommended by the bunny blogosphere and could use your help:
Rabbit Rescue, Inc. (Ontario)
Famous Residents: Fez, Norbert, Abbey
Make a personal donation to Rabbit Rescue
The following non-profits have also been recommended by the bunny blogosphere and could use your help:
- Rabbit and Guinea Pig Welfare
Founded: 1995
Scope: Rugby, UK
Famous Resident: Hugo
- Honeybunnies
Founded: 2005
Scope: Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, UK
Famous Residents: Miss Eve and Neville
- Rabbit Haven (Gig Harbor, WA)
Founded: 1986
Washington State
Famous Residents: None, but this is in Rabbits Guy's neck of the woods. - Friends of Rabbits of Northern Virginia
Founded 1997
Scope: Northern Virginia and Maryland
Famous Residents: None yet. This is where Fez's biped volunteers! - The Rabbit Haven (Santa Cruz, CA)
Founded: 1991
Scope: Santa Cruz, California, and surrounding area
Famous Residents: Tyler and Sydney
- Best Friends Bunny House
Founded: 1980s
Scope: USA, primarily the western states
Famous Residents: None, but check their online newsletter! - Bright Eyes Rabbit Rescue
Founded
Scope: Maryland, Northern Virginia
Famous Resident: Pink
Maelstrom Extra: Bunnies Rock! (Part 1)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
reviews (Comments): 12
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the first in our Bunny Benefit Bash series. Read on to find out how you can help save the bunnies and make your rabbit a rock star!
Ricky struggled with the studio door, encumbered by a laptop slung over his shoulder and a box of promotional materials from the Lupine Defense League. He stumbled inside, only to drop the box on his foot.
A few feet away, Calvin looked up from watching Werewolf Recluse II: New Moon on a portable DVD player. “You should be more careful, human.”
“I don’t suppose you could’ve held the door.”
“I didn’t feel like it.”
Ricky set the box on the desk. “It was your idea that we sponsor a wolf charity. If you’re not going to help, I’ll tell the band they should do something else—Toys for Tots, maybe.”
While Calvin grumbled and tore open the box, Ricky went to check on the band. They were supposed to be practicing, but it sounded like someone had lost their temper. He paused outside the rehearsal room.
“Just play the stupid song, Nevin.”
“I’m not feeling it.”
“Fake it.”
“I can’t. I want to play slow, sad songs today.”
“You’re in the wrong band for that, so try again. Carrion Road, from the top.”
“But Vic—”
Ricky pushed open the door. “Okay, guys. What’s going on?”
Vic stepped away from the mic and waved an arm in disgust. “Tinkerbell here keeps missing notes.”
“He’s being a prissy whiner,” Bo added.
Kalila nodded. “He’s not up to par, and he’s not even making a good faith effort.”
“Something’s wrong with his brain,” Lazaro muttered.
Ricky looked at Nevin in concern. “What’s up?”
Nevin traced a finger across his keyboard. “I’m very depressed.”
Ricky waited for a moment, hoping he would elaborate. “Maybe it will cheer you up to know our promo materials arrived today. We’ll be able to start pitching the wolf charity again. Think how many wolves you’ll be saving.”
Nevin’s lower lip trembled and he dropped to the floor in tears.
Ricky turned to Kalila in alarm. “Did I say something wrong?”
She set her guitar in its stand and crouched by Nevin’s side. “He finished reading Watership Down last night. He’s worried about rabbits now, and the wolf charity—”
“Wolves eat bunnies!” Nevin wailed.
Ricky took a deep breath. “Well, yes. But it’s all part of nature, you know, and there’s plenty of bunnies left.”
“They breed like rabbits,” Bo pointed out.
Nevin sobbed harder, and Kalila tried to soothe him.
“Now he thinks every rabbit has a unique personality,” Vic sneered. To Nevin, he added, “Didn’t I tell you not to read books? They only give you ideas.”
“That’s not always a bad thing,” Bo told him. “I got a lot of good ideas from The Story of O.”
“Enough,” Ricky told him. He sat by Nevin’s side, hoping to cajole him into a better mood. “There’s lots of rabbit charities. I could find a few for you to choose from, and at your next show—”
“Forget it,” Vic said. “I’m not doing a ‘Save the Bunnies’ campaign.”
Bo gave a little shrug. “I could go for it. They like sex, I like sex…rabbits are cool.”
Lazaro stomped on his bass drum pedal. “They eat vegetables and have tiny brains.”
“How does that differ from Ricky?” Bo said. “I’m telling you, this could work.”
By now Nevin had quit crying and was wiping his eyes. “You guys really think so?”
“We’ll do a bunny benefit, just for you,” Kalila said.
Vic scowled. “But only this once, glitterboy. After that, your rodents are on their own.”
“They’re not rodents,” Nevin said. “Rabbits are lagomorphs.” He gave Ricky a tenuous smile. “So you’ll find us a good rabbit charity? You really want to help?”
Ricky met Kalila’s eyes to confirm it was what she wanted. Then he patted Nevin on the shoulder. “I’ll find some reputable charities for you to choose from, and we’ll organize a…Bunny Benefit Bash. How does that sound?”
Vic threw himself into a chair and pouted. “It sounds ridiculous.”
“No,” Nevin said, “It sounds wonderful.”
To Be Continued...
Attention Bunny-Fans! Do you have a favorite rabbit charity? Ricky needs your recommendations! Leave details in the comments below or in the tag box on the right. You can also email your recommendation to uhamp "at" yahoo "dot" com. Do you have a bunny who'd like to be a rock star? Tell us where to find lapine talent for the upcoming Bunnies That Rock music video!
Ricky struggled with the studio door, encumbered by a laptop slung over his shoulder and a box of promotional materials from the Lupine Defense League. He stumbled inside, only to drop the box on his foot.
A few feet away, Calvin looked up from watching Werewolf Recluse II: New Moon on a portable DVD player. “You should be more careful, human.”
“I don’t suppose you could’ve held the door.”
“I didn’t feel like it.”
Ricky set the box on the desk. “It was your idea that we sponsor a wolf charity. If you’re not going to help, I’ll tell the band they should do something else—Toys for Tots, maybe.”
While Calvin grumbled and tore open the box, Ricky went to check on the band. They were supposed to be practicing, but it sounded like someone had lost their temper. He paused outside the rehearsal room.
“Just play the stupid song, Nevin.”
“I’m not feeling it.”
“Fake it.”
“I can’t. I want to play slow, sad songs today.”
“You’re in the wrong band for that, so try again. Carrion Road, from the top.”
“But Vic—”
Ricky pushed open the door. “Okay, guys. What’s going on?”
Vic stepped away from the mic and waved an arm in disgust. “Tinkerbell here keeps missing notes.”
“He’s being a prissy whiner,” Bo added.
Kalila nodded. “He’s not up to par, and he’s not even making a good faith effort.”
“Something’s wrong with his brain,” Lazaro muttered.
Ricky looked at Nevin in concern. “What’s up?”
Nevin traced a finger across his keyboard. “I’m very depressed.”
Ricky waited for a moment, hoping he would elaborate. “Maybe it will cheer you up to know our promo materials arrived today. We’ll be able to start pitching the wolf charity again. Think how many wolves you’ll be saving.”
Nevin’s lower lip trembled and he dropped to the floor in tears.
Ricky turned to Kalila in alarm. “Did I say something wrong?”
She set her guitar in its stand and crouched by Nevin’s side. “He finished reading Watership Down last night. He’s worried about rabbits now, and the wolf charity—”
“Wolves eat bunnies!” Nevin wailed.
Ricky took a deep breath. “Well, yes. But it’s all part of nature, you know, and there’s plenty of bunnies left.”
“They breed like rabbits,” Bo pointed out.
Nevin sobbed harder, and Kalila tried to soothe him.
“Now he thinks every rabbit has a unique personality,” Vic sneered. To Nevin, he added, “Didn’t I tell you not to read books? They only give you ideas.”
“That’s not always a bad thing,” Bo told him. “I got a lot of good ideas from The Story of O.”
“Enough,” Ricky told him. He sat by Nevin’s side, hoping to cajole him into a better mood. “There’s lots of rabbit charities. I could find a few for you to choose from, and at your next show—”
“Forget it,” Vic said. “I’m not doing a ‘Save the Bunnies’ campaign.”
Bo gave a little shrug. “I could go for it. They like sex, I like sex…rabbits are cool.”
Lazaro stomped on his bass drum pedal. “They eat vegetables and have tiny brains.”
“How does that differ from Ricky?” Bo said. “I’m telling you, this could work.”
By now Nevin had quit crying and was wiping his eyes. “You guys really think so?”
“We’ll do a bunny benefit, just for you,” Kalila said.
Vic scowled. “But only this once, glitterboy. After that, your rodents are on their own.”
“They’re not rodents,” Nevin said. “Rabbits are lagomorphs.” He gave Ricky a tenuous smile. “So you’ll find us a good rabbit charity? You really want to help?”
Ricky met Kalila’s eyes to confirm it was what she wanted. Then he patted Nevin on the shoulder. “I’ll find some reputable charities for you to choose from, and we’ll organize a…Bunny Benefit Bash. How does that sound?”
Vic threw himself into a chair and pouted. “It sounds ridiculous.”
“No,” Nevin said, “It sounds wonderful.”
To Be Continued...
Attention Bunny-Fans! Do you have a favorite rabbit charity? Ricky needs your recommendations! Leave details in the comments below or in the tag box on the right. You can also email your recommendation to uhamp "at" yahoo "dot" com. Do you have a bunny who'd like to be a rock star? Tell us where to find lapine talent for the upcoming Bunnies That Rock music video!
