Posts Tagged ‘Make Mine Chocolate’

Thanks to the efforts of our super gift buyer, Carmen (and her predecessor, Lamphao), we have a ton of really nice items out front just waiting to fill Easter baskets. From jewelry to bubble bath to “nail art,” you can find something for all the children (and adults) you are making Easter baskets for.

We also have a lot of very pretty stuffed animals that will fit perfectly in an Easter basket. And while we are on this subject, stuffed animals are the kind I would encourage you to purchase for your kids’ Easter basket. The live chickens and bunnies and ducks may be appealing in the spur of the moment, but the appeal quickly wears off after the initial instantaneous excitement.

Living animals are a commitment of time, money, and care that can last up to ten years for rabbits. A stuffed animal is a one time monetary expenditure. A stuffed animal won’t bite, chew, or scratch. They are soft and cuddly and like to be clutched in a death grip at night in bed. And when the child is done playing with a cloth rabbit or fabric baby chick, it doesn’t need an adult to feed it or clean up after it. And it won’t die if it is neglected.

The bunny rescuers have a whole campaign at Easter: “Make Mine Chocolate.” They encourage parents to buy chocolate rabbits rather than living ones for Easter. You can read more about the campaign HERE.

I would add that at Plain City Druggist, you can also make yours stuffed–not just chocolate!

I would ask anyone who is thinking about buying a living animal for Easter to stop in and pick out one of our fluffy, soft, faux ones instead!

Beyond the basket goodies and stuffed animals, we also have items that remind people of the true meaning of Easter. We have beautiful gifts for grandparents, pastors, and parents–not just the Plain City kiddos.

So please stop in and fill up a shopping basket with everything you will need for Easter. And if you need some help, ask Carmen or Cherie or Lamphao or Monica or any of our other friendly staff for help making the perfect Easter purchases!

Don’t forget–we have 2 for $1.00 Easter cards, too!

A few years ago someone dumped a tame rabbit in my parents’ yard. Although Dad tried to catch it, the little guy was scared and refused to be nabbed. So we had to pull out the humane trap and catch him the way we do feral cats.

Jackson Jefferson (J.J, for short) was very sick when we caught him. He had an inner ear infection that caused him to hop in circles and he was not neutered. After months of medical care and a neuter surgery, J. J. was ready for his own family. Don’t ever let someone tell you that rabbits are easy to care for. I spent more time with J. J. than most of the cats I had nursed to health. I also spent a great deal on his vet bills (not to mention all the “green” that went for organic dandelion greens at Whole Foods–yes, I spoiled this rabbit).

J. J. did find a wonderful home where he rules the roost and leads two big dogs around to do his bidding. But he is one of the lucky ones.

At this time of year, unfortunately, many people think it would be cute to buy children a live “Easter bunny” or a baby chick or duckling (sadly, a family member bought me a baby duckling when I was a child and our dog killed it on Easter–talk about being scarred for life). While these animals are cute in their baby stage, they do grow up and they do require care.

After the Easter holiday, many rabbits end up in shelters, “set free” outside (a definitive death sentence for a tame rabbit), or even dead following accidents with small children who may not know how to hold them or other pets that may act on instinct and attack the defenseless creatures.

The Columbus House Rabbit Society started a campaign a few years ago that has gained national attention. Called “Make Mine Chocolate,” the program asks people to forego live rabbits in favor of chocolate ones. You can read some of their “Easter Bunny Stories” HERE to discover why they are pushing so hard for the chocolate alternative.

Make Mine Chocolate has recently partnered with Rescue Chocolate, a candy company that produces 100% Vegan products, insuring that no animals are harmed in making their delicious treats. In addition, 100% of net profits are donated to rescue groups nationwide.

Check out their vegan bunnies for the Make Mine Chocolate campaign HERE.

Rabbits, baby chicks, and ducks deserve responsible, caring homes. They are not novelties for a child’s Easter basket. Stuffed or candy animals are the best alternatives, so please think before buying a living, breathing, feeling being this Easter holiday.

If you do make the decision to bring a rabbit in to your life, please do it responsibly by adopting (not buying from a pet store or obtaining from the FREE animal sections in newspapers or on Craig’s List) from a shelter or rescue. The Columbus House Rabbit Society offers a wonderful web page that lets people decide if a rabbit is truly the right companion animal for them. You can visit that page HERE.

Please download the flyer below by clicking on the link. Print it out and hang it up to let those who see it know that you choose chocolate rabbits (and marshmallow peeps) over the living, breathing animals.

mmcflyer