Like the gems from which we've derived their name, Ruby Rabbits are very precious, special rabbits. They come in all sizes and shapes, every coat texture, with ears anywhere from darkest black to peppermint pink to snow white. In fact, Ruby Rabbits are a very diverse group!

What does set them apart from other rabbits are two characteristics; one we can see, the other we discover by opening our heart to a Ruby. The obvious is their rose-colored or ruby eyes. The secret surprise is how very charming these rabbits tend to be when they love and trust their caretakers. It has been said that living with a Ruby Rabbit is like having Valentine's Day every day of the year!

We've been lucky to hear from several of our members about their very special experiences living with a Ruby. If you would like to tell us about your Ruby, too, send it to Ruby Rabbits - HRS, P.O. Box 238, Broomfield, CO 80038 or by email to starbucket@comcast.net. Photos are welcome, as well, but certainly not necessary. If you send photos you want returned returned, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Much of this page is written playfully. We would not wish you let our fun distract you from our message:  All of us have found our lives enriched, brightened, and enlivened by our relationships with our Ruby Rabbits. We invite you to meet our resident Ruby Rabbits.

A Word from Nancy LaRoche Colorado House Rabbit Society Co-Manager

It astonishes me how so many Ruby Rabbits have such incredible personalities! There are, of course, exceptions, but in my experience, some of the most perfect rabbits are among the Rubies. It also astonishes me how many people who claim to want a friendly rabbit, one who will cuddle with them and let themselves be petted - a rabbit who is intelligent and easily trained - won’t even give themselves a chance to discover the inner beauty and great intelligence of the Rubies simply because of a prejudice against the color of their eyes. Thinking about adopting one of these truly beautiful Ruby Rabbits can be a challenge for some of our adopters. One of the first things we hear when they arrive is "We DON'T want rabbits with pink eyes. They creep me out." Personally, I think their white bodies and their pink or their dark ears are breathtakingly beautiful. I hardly notice the color of their eyes, but anything except what they are born with just wouldn’t "go with" the rest of them! I sometimes wonder if we should put something on the door of the Bunny Barn or send potential adopters an email ahead of time, asking them to not enter with a prejudice against a rabbit's eye color, but to be open to meeting some of the Ruby Rabbits, because most of them have such super personalities! Don't many of us warn our children not to pick their friends for their looks, but for what is inside - for their heart? I wish we could get away from focusing on the color of their eyes and start emphasizing these rabbits' personalities and overall beauty. So many people who have lived with pink-eared whites have declared them to have the best personalities of all rabbits. Gentle, loving, playful... Really, when one lives with a rabbit for years and years, isn't their personality more important than the color of their eyes? The above photos were taken of Nancy holding Grayson Bunnies Page, a Ruby Rabbit who not only loves to be held, he embraces you back!

My Rubies are Peppermint from Rachel Bellamy Colorado House Rabbit Society Co-Manager

I would be happy to sing the praises of my white bunnies, however.... I confess to frustration at the limitations of language when trying to describe their wonderfulness! I have never in my life done anything to deserve bunnies as wonderful as Rockshot and Houdini. Every day with them was magical. Gregarious, charming, cuddly, fabulous dancers - everything that makes a bunny wonderful, they had all of that and more. Rachel and her white bunny contemplate blue eyes vs. pink.        Rockshot and Houdini provided year 'round Hot Cross Bunns! And naps - well...seeing their little heads on the pillow, sleeping contentedly makes me feel all melty just thinking about it. AND....NEVER did they have an accident in my bed. Yes, occasionally they would wake up and want to play tunneling games under the covers, but their litterbox habits were immaculate. Smart, smart, SMART bunnies who would let themselves out in the morning and put their paws up on the edge of the bed as if to say, "Breakfast, please???" Skipper, who is with me now, will actually jump on the bed in the morning to make his breakfast requests known. Some mornings, I roll over, expecting to see Stu and instead - Skipper!!! Oh, and did I mention that Rockshot and Shmoodini both knew their names and WOULD COME WHEN CALLED?????? AND....that Skipper has a game where he snorgles under the pillows on the bed, looking for treats??? AND....that Rockshot had children's pull toys he would drag around the house by the string. His favorite was the "Buzzy Bee". He loved it so much we had to take it away at night as its "clack clack clack" would wake us up. AND that after little Yoda lost Leia, Rockshot and Shmoodini would lay on either side of him and each groom one of his ears, so that he looked like an upright eared bunny??? Skipper races around every morning with the sheer joy of being alive. When people say they don't like pink and white bunnies, I get the same feeling as if they said they don't like rainbows, or sunsets, or itty bitty baby ducks or....well, you get the idea. P.S. Oh, and I'm pretty sure a dessert in honor of the pink n' whites would taste just like peppermint creme.

Charlotte Brings 'Em to Their Knees by Heather Meyer

Everyone always notices Pinocchio first. He makes absolutely sure that everyone notices him first. In fact, many people assume I only have one rabbit at first. Then they spot Charlotte. Her beautiful white fur always makes an impression. Content to be safely tucked into the background, she lets Pinocchio take the limelight so she can scope out visitors without being seen. During my move in May, I had lots of people in and out of both my new and my old homes. Everyone always asked if they could pet the white rabbit. Big, tough moving men wanted to pet the pretty white rabbit. She’s as sweet as she is beautiful and appropriately, I often call her Princess Charlotte. She loves to spend time exploring in my sewing room, especially since it’s only permissible territory when I’m home. She rearranges piles of fabric and nibbles on little discarded pieces of my latest quilting project. When inspiration strikes she will hop up on the couch to take a quick look around before retreating back to her favorite box or spot under the dining room table.

Thoughts on My Ruby Marigold from Cheryl Almond

Hmmmm, Marigold is her name....a big white New Zealand. She begs for love as much as any other rabbit would. If I closed my eyes and ran my hands along her big flowing ears and soft back, I wouldn't know the color of her eyes, would I? If a child is born with a cleft lip, it may be a little disturbing to view at first, but there is no difference in the sparkle of passionate and alive spirit! We would dare not judge this little one, would we? Why should this loving bundle of white fur and soft pink eyes be any different? A parent only sees the gleam and spark of their child.....and is not "let down" by the differences they show the world. Why would my sturdy but gentle Marigold be any different? She has taught me the gift of silence.....silence in a visual way. When there is no sleek black coat, no cutesy floppy ears, no amazing spotted color patterns or thick rex-like fur.....there is a quiet soul left.....no encumbrances to take your eye or other senses away from the funny little creature in front of you. She is full of life and what seems to be an even more exuberant amount of personality than the "average" lovely rabbit. I'm hooked on the pink eyed fair haired bunnies......there are fewer surface distractions.....I feel I know my Rubies better than the others for some reason. Maybe its the opportunity to see deeper into their souls via a more open and exposed entry....that of their eyes. The eyes are truly the window to the soul. My love abounds for these special bunns! I've honestly never met an aggressive Ruby Rabbit. If anything, they are more sensitive in every way and would rather cower than lunge. Maybe the reason people view these unique rabbits in such a guarded or disturbed way is from being met eye to eye with another soul in the gentlest, but rawest, of forms. It may feel a little edgy, if you will, when one is greeted with a 100% "Hello" from another soul, especially by one who is as open and present as these Ruby Rabbits seem to be. May their love and gentleness bless those who need it most, and teach all those who need a little more openness in their lives.

Super Model, Christie (Kai) Meyer by Holly Meyer

Lily, a Holland lop, is always wanting to be the star of the show. She knows she's cute and she flaunts it like a 10 year old child, dressed up playing princess. Kai on the other hand is the true star. At 13 lbs (3 times the size of Lily), Kai is big, bold, beautiful and quite the model!! She's mature and sophisticated, much like a bigger sister would be. I'm one of those people who would never take a single glance at white rabbits with red eyes. We all have our certain tastes and venturing out beyond our comfort zone is scary, so we rarely do. When I was looking for two girls to accompany my male my first choice was Lily. She was so cute, I immediately fell in love with her. My male fell in love with her too. I left the choice of the second girl up to Nancy. That is how I met and fell in love with my first New Zealand White, Kai. Kai is very independent and likes to do her own thing. She'll sprawl out in the middle of the room feeling secure at home and then get a burst of energy and tear across the room doing dances. She's quite the character! If you pass by her she'll run up to you and settle down by your feet, requesting nicely that she be petted. She loves to be loved and she will sit there for hours! When I lay down on the floor with Kai and look into her eyes, I realize her eyes are actually blue! She has the most beautiful blue eyes with a light red tint. Then I look at her fur and am amazed at how white, like fresh snow, she is! She truly is one of the most beautiful rabbits I've ever seen. Kai's primary focus in life is being a model for the CO-HRS. She goes by her stage name, Christi, when on a modeling shoot. She hosts her own web page on their website, under Ways and Means. As Chairbunn, she informs people how they can contribute to the shelter. This means a lot to Kai, as she spent a bit of time at the shelter herself and she knows a little help can go a long way! Kai loves to pose for the camera and she seems to really understands her product, so she is by far the best bunny to represent it! When Kai came to live with me, she begged and pleaded with me to let her continue her modeling career. I promised her I would let her follow her dream for however long she wanted to. Her little sis, Lily, likes to come along and pose too, because she's so cute (remember?) But Kai just laughs at Lily and says, "No sis, THIS is how you pose!"

The Prince of Everything by Mary-Kaye Buchtel, (slave to the aforementioned prince)

Brandon was a surprise in my life! Since he was coming with his friend Bridgette for a temporary foster during the shelter's 2006 remodel, I didn't think twice about his color, his size, his eyes, his age - no matter any of those factors so seriously considered by potential adopters. Bridgette was really friendly to humans, so she got my attention. Brandon was a little standoffish. So what? They weren't going to stay, were they? After they arrived here, I'd visit with them for attention and treats several times a day. Bridgette was always so excited to see me and dropped her head the minute I was near. Brandon hung back, but if I made enough of an effort to reach aaalllll the way over to where he was so nonchalantly lying, he was "okay" with being petted. Then about 14 days after their arrival, I found him right there waiting for me with Bridgette. When I touched his face, he pushed into my hand so hard he lost his balance! I felt like he had finally decided he could trust me. At that point, there was no "going back to HRS" in their future. Who could betray the huge gift I found inside wrapped up in that little white body? Not I! Brandon shows me in so many ways how emotionally attached he is to me now. He was so upset he went into stasis the first time I left them overnight, even though a caregiver visited both morning and evening. His trust and desire for my attention has him following me about like a puppy. When he's snuggled in my arms, he looks up at me with so much love in beautiful ruby eyes graced by his long white eyelashes. Bridgette is a wonderful rabbit - friendly, smart, gentle, and velvety - no one could ever wish for a better bunny companion than she. Brandon is a wonderful rabbit, as well, with some personality quirks I've not seen in my other rabbits. He puts his feet on his pellet dish if we are late with their pellets. He stands up on his back feet to greet me even when I'm NOT bringing food; our other rabbits get down once they realize petting is as good as this visit is going to get. He holds his plate down when his veggies are served on a paper plate - wouldn't want his veggies to escape, I guess! Although he's not crazy about being picked up, he gracefully tolerates it because he loves to cuddle. So imagine my surprise to find out there are people who shun rabbits with eyes like his! Imagine how NOT surprised I was to hear Nancy say her experience has been that Ruby Rabbits are typically friendlier than others. I know my Ruby, Brandon, is the most loving of all the six loving rabbits who grace our home!

Snow – My Petite Ruby by Sandy McFall

Snow is a Netherland Dwarf Ruby Rabbit weighing less than 2 pounds. What she lacks in bulk she so makes up for in spirit! As with so many Rubies, Snow has a great capacity for empathy, and she spreads it freely in her family. Snow is our “comfort bunn”. When my Cocker Spaniel Samantha was dying, Snow was the one who locked foreheads with her and remained motionless at her head for a long time. Sammie was clearly comforted. When I had to wail in grief at Samantha’s passing, Snow is the rabbit I held. She would curl up under my chin and lie there, pouring condolence and understanding into my misery. When Tristan was dying, Snow was the member of his “herd” who so often lay next to him, and pressed her face to his in her trademark forehead press. It’s as though she telegraphs love and support in this head-to-head contact. And now, she comforts Bambi, Tristan’s widow, in the same way. Snow is our rock. I still seek solace in her forehead pressed to my neck. I gaze into her lovely ruby eyes and see the wisdom of the world. Our whole family is deeply grateful for her presence here. We invite you to meet our resident Ruby Rabbits