08/02/2020
I am having a hard time finding what needs to be said, so I'll just do my best. My mom is Cristina, or as most people know her Criss Bieling of Bieling's Bunnies. In 1990 my mom, my sister's Laura and Crissy, and I bought our 1st trio of Netherland Dwarfs. They were pedigreed, turned out they had great type, and they were $5 a piece! 30 years ago we moved from the city to our new farmhouse in the country. It didn't take long for domestic rabbit's, particularly Netherlands to find a permanent place in our hearts and lives. For the next 24 years the weekends were all about 'going to the Show' and the 4H fair in August. In the Spring we had ANDRC National's and ARBA Convention was in October. I had many wonderful years showing our Dwarfs and in the colder months we bred our does. Unfortunately, I was not very active in the hobby when I married my best friend, Dan Sorbie 20 years ago and we started a family. However, I would always come and visit mom and into the rabbitry we'd go! I'd check over the new Junior's and tell mom who to breed together to get that next Grand Champion. My mom kept up with the hobby and became more active over the years! She was always dedicated to her daughters. She became a 4H leader, the 4H Rabbit Superintendent and Fair Superintendent at the Eastern Michigan Fair in Imlay City, Michigan. She also helped form 2 clubs that she held multiple offices in. The Michigan Netherland Dwarf Club and The Lapeer Area Rabbit Raisers Club, and they both meant so much to her. She was also a member of the ANDRC, ARBA, Michigan State Rabbit Breeder's Association, Ohio Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club and Tri State Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Breeder's. She went to most monthly meetings. Near the end of my mom's show career she was consistantly getting Best of Breed, Best Opposite of Breed or Best in Show. Many times, she won with her beautiful Dilutes, Lynx and Squirrels. I think we can all recognize how difficult it is to accomplish those wings with those varieties. She never took Best of Breed at National's or Convention but had Best display a couple of times. Her proudest moment was when her Otter Sr Buck took Best of Group at Convention. He was so close to getting Best of breed, and my mom was so thrilled when he was instead chosen to be the Netherland Dwarf pictured in the Judging 101 program! She also won Best Agouti with a beautiful Jr Squirrel Doe. Her Chin's were desired all over the world. The future looked bright! In the Spring of 2011 at the age of 59 she had a minor and freak accident at Gerneral Motors were she was employed. She fell and hit her head. Shortly after that my My mom started to forget things. I would come home to visit and she couldn't remember which rabbit was which. She forgot nest boxes. She didn't write down breedings. The big eye opener was when mom couldn't find the Convention in Hershey Pennsylvania. She drove for 28 hours straight until she fell asleep on a backroad near Ohio. By the time she was found she was so confused, and even had hypothermia ...finally mom got a bunch of tests done in summertime and In the Fall of 2013, we got the diagnosis. Her seemingly unimportant head injury had most likely caused Lewy Bodies Disease in her brain. It's a severe form of dementia and Parkinson's of the frontal lobe. She was only 61 years old. We were all devastated! She could no longer drive to shows or long distances. She had to step away from her commitments. But, my Dad and her have amazing faith in God. We decided as a family we would take things as they came. 4 years ago my mom could no longer be left alone and my Dad still works. So, we moved back into our home town and I've been with her almost everyday for the last 4 years. I'm so blessed we had those moments and that time together. 2 years ago we were in good enough financial condition, I wanted to take over the family rabbitry and save my mom's legacy. She didn't have many rabbit's left. I put something out on Facebook about what was going on with my mom and that I wanted to get more Dwarfs.OMGOSH- the overwhelming response from our fellow breeder's and 'mom's rabbit family that' got in touch with me welcoming us back and most were shocked to hear why my mom had just stopped showing. No one really knew what was going on with her or why she had just disappeared from the shows I couldn't believe that so many people wanted to help me. 2 years later Bieling's Bunnies is back! We have gotten at least 2 legs at every show we've participated in. Including a Best in Group at every show. It's no BOB. However, my family loves this hobby, too! My husband can't stop asking questions and the kids are learning showmanship. It's brought my family closer! Unfortunately it didn't happen fast enough. My mom started to rapidly decline this Spring. The last 3 weeks have been an absolute rollercoaster nightmare! It's one set back after another. I look at my mom and I see the proud, independent, opinionated woman she always was even though she's so frail at times. We are losing her. She may have 6 months. We just don't know. But, I do know so many of you remember her and even had her breedings or lines in your rabbit's. Some of her 4H kids have become judges, like Jeremy Watmuff. She's so proud of you ,Jeremy! I just want you all to know she remembers you! Many of you are truly family. .I wanted to say a very special thank you to Bert Ainsworth. You were our 1st mentor. You saw that we wanted to learn and you have been with us for 30 years! Thank you!! Lesa Rose, Diane Swihart, Barb Snook, Leslie and Fred Bond, Pam Jones, Steve Carpenter, Doug and Molly Covert, Tracy Willett, and Steve Parker, THANK YOU for being her rabbit family! I can never say thank you enough to my new mentors and friends! Pat Carroll and Heidi Hammond Wolfe, thank you for being there for me! Even at 1:00 in the morning to help me save a rabbit with GI Stasis. You both have so much class, knowledge and you're kindness and patience is needed in this hobby! I can't forget Susan Meier! You helped me get our 1st new stock! I love and Cherish the 3 rabbits we got from you. And you too are always there to give some great suggestions and to be a great friend! Josh Humphries and Ethan Harvill-you guys really helped us get instant quality lines with the 2 bucks from you! You probably saved us from years of mediocre rabbit's. HHM'S Flash, Black otter buck has the most offspring with multiple legs. And, when we bred HHM'S Dash, Chestnut buck to Suzy's Gracie, Black Otter doe, we got our 1st home grown Grand Champion, Bieling's Chester, Chestnut buck! We have an amazing Agouti line because of that breeding! Thank you so much Josh for everything you've done for the ARBA. I can't wait to see what you'll do in the future, Ethan! Thank you Jeremy Collins for emailing and encouraging our daughter Josie to follow in her grandma's path. You really are an amazing president and leader. I'm so grateful that in these strange and sometimes insane days you're our ANDRC President! You're in our thoughts too...Cole Simons, you have been a true friend! Thanks for joking around and just being there. We can never thank you enough for Polaris, the Chin does, Beautiful Selena, and of course RJ. You won't ever regret trusting us with those beautiful rabbit's! And, I can't even say Thank You to Jerome Brown! It wouldn't sum up how grateful I am! I know you and my mom were very good friends. This sucks...but, I'm so glad your my friend now! You've helped me more than you know! Not to mention you've given us priceless advice and beautiful rabbit's from your best lines! Thanks for understanding why I haven't been able to make it down. It's been one thing after another for weeks. Dan Sorbie,, my 'thank you' list would not be complete without you on it! You're my best friend and I'm so thrilled you're enjoying this journey with me and the kids! I love you so much! Thank you for helping me during this unbearably hard time. You and our amazing kids make everything better! If anyone would like to come and visit my mom please message me! If you want to send her a get well card that would make her day! I know I could never fill my mom's shoes but I'd like to walk in her foot prints... but I can't do it alone.
