"The rabbit is the fourth of the 12 Chinese animal zodiac signs. The animal signs are linked each year to the ancient binary opposition of yin and yang and to one of the five elements of metal, fire, wood, earth and water. Each individual combination recurs every 60 years." http://www.chinapost.com.tw

If you google "year of the rabbit" you'll find every news organization around the world including Wall Street Journal, NPR (whose cute title is Year The Rabbit Scampers In), NY Times along with animal organizations, activist groups, zodiac websites, and countless others weighing in with their interpretation and perspective. I guess I'm no different. 

In answer to the title on this posting: What do George Orwell, Albert Einstein, Fidel Castro, actor Brad Pitt, and director Francis Ford Coppola all have in common? You probably already guessed they’re all born in the year of the rabbit. Below, you'll find out what that means. It's rather entertaining, if you like that sort of thing!

And while the zodiac stuff is fun, I mainly write about this because it brings up an important issue of what happens when an event comes along that spurs people to go out and purchase the "in" animal. Every time 101 Dalmatians makes a comeback, lots of people go out and buy the lovely spotted canine only to discover they aren't compatible with an animal who needs massive amounts of daily exercise. The result: abandoned dogs. So with this being Year of the Rabbit and  six animated films featuring cute cartoon versions scheduled for release, Chinese children will likely be clamoring to buy them. And not just children want rabbits this year. Owning a rabbit in Chinese culture is thought to bring good luck. There are so many people wanting rabbits that pet suppliers can't  keep up with the demand for these cute, little fur balls. 

That face is hard to resist! They are indisputably adorable. I'm not saying don't buy a cuddly bunny. Just learn about the animals before you buy. As Dorothy Hoffman writes about pet rabbits, " Rabbits – as innocent and cuddly looking as they appear – can actually prove to be a real handful for the unsuspecting adoptive parent expecting a soft, gentle little ball of fur contented to stay in a cage all day and snuggle on their laps when they’re in the mood."

In her list of what to know BEFORE buying a rabbit Dorothy cautions:

Bunnies may look harmless and innocent, but they can wreak havoc on your woodwork, furniture, carpets, electrical and phone wiring – and anything else in your home that’s chewable. Like rodents, rabbit’s teeth continue to grow throughout their lives, so they will constantly be on the lookout for all kinds of things to gnaw on. In my experience, the little critters inevitably prefer whatever you DON’T want them to destroy to the nice little carrot-shaped chewing blocks or assortment of chew-toys you thoughtfully provide for them.

It’s absolutely vital that you thoroughly rabbit-proof your home before you let your bunny companion to roam. READ HER FULL ARTICLE (good reading especially if you have children in your home.)

THE RABBIT PERSONALITY

A person born in the year of the Rabbit possesses one of the most fortunate of the twelve animal signs. The Rabbit, or Hare as he is referred to in Chinese mythology, is the emblem of longevity and is said to derive his essence from the Moon.

When a Westerner gazes at the Moon, he may joke that it is a ball of cheese or tell a child the story of the Man in the Moon. When a Chinese looks at the Moon, he sees the Moon Hare standing near a rock under a Cassia tree and holding the Elixir of Immortality in his hands.

During the Chinese mid-Autumn festival when the Moon is supposed to be at its loveliest, Chinese children still carry lighted paper lanterns made in the image of a Rabbit and climb the hills to observe the Moon and admire the Moon Hare.

The Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel kindness and sensitivity to beauty. His soft speech and graceful and nimble ways embody all the desirable traits of a successful diplomat or seasoned politician.

Likewise, a person born under this sign will lead a tranquil life, enjoying peace, quiet and a congenial environment. He is reserved and artistic and possesses good judgment. His thoroughness will also make him a good scholar. He will shine in the fields of law, politics and government.

But he is also inclined to be moody; at such times he appears detached from his environment or indifferent to people.

The Rabbit is extremely lucky in business and monetary transactions. Astute at striking bargains, he can always pop up with a suitable proposal or alternative to benefit himself. His sharp business acumen, coupled with his knack for negotiation, will ensure him a fast rise in any career.

Although the Rabbit may assume an outer air of indifference to READ MORE 

THE RABBIT CHILD

A child born in the Rabbit's year will have a sweet disposition. Even-tempered and obedient, he will be sensitive to the moods of his parents and act accordingly. He may or may not be talkative, but he won't be rowdy or offensive. He can sit quietly and concentrate on one toy or game at a time. READ FULL DESCRIPTION 

Before you buy a rabbit for the new year or Easter or any other fly by night impetus, stop and think about the full picture. Is your desire going to be short lived? What does that mean for the rabbit? Just think before you buy ... and learn about the animal's needs.

Animal ownership should not be entered into on a whim ...

Link to Dorothy Hoffman's article about having a pet rabbit

Here's one more thing to think about to help these
 lovely creatures in the Year of The Rabbit: 
BUY PRODUCTS THAT ARE CRUELTY FREE (list of companies provided below)

BE RABBIT FRIENDLY WHEN BUYING YOUR COSMETICS AND OTHER PRODUCTS....
Although no law requires that cosmetics and household products be tested on animals, some companies—such as Clorox and L'Oréal—continue to test their products on animals. Fortunately, hundreds of cosmetics and household-product companies—including Avon,Bath & Body Works, Revlon, Newman's Own Organics, and many more—have turned their backs on animal testing and are taking advantage of the many sophisticated non-animal test methods available today. A full list of cruelty-free companies is available here or you can browse through the document below and see if your favorite company is on the list.

ALL OF THE ABOVE PHOTOS ON THIS POSTING CAME FROM: http://www.freerabbitpictures.com/

Yesterday this little rabbit let me sit about 8 feet from her while she munched on some snow and dried grass. She let me click as many pictures as I wanted. There's never one time, not one moment, when  I don't feel a sense of awe and wonder when I'm around wildlife.