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Rabbit could be world’s longest (From Oxford Mail)
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Rabbit could be world’s longest
10:00am Saturday 11th July 2009
A rabbit whose food bill tops a staggering £50 a week is in the running for the title of biggest bunny in the world.
At first glance Benny, a giant Flemish buck, could be a contender for the heaviest, as he tips the scales at 22.4lbs.
However, the Guinness World Records no longer records animal weights because of problems with owners over-feeding them.
But the two-year-old giant, whose owners Martin and Sharon Heather claimed measures 85cm in length, is now in the running to be crowned the longest rabbit in the world.
Previous record holder Amy, a continental giant doe who died in May, measured a paltry 81.5cm.
Mr and Mrs Heather have set up a Facebook site for Benny and are using his new-found fame to help save the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, which is under threat due to a funding crisis.
The couple, of Merton Close, Eynsham, have picked up three of their four bunnies from the sanctuary in Stadhampton and want Benny’s fame — he already has 270 friends on his Facebook site bennyheather — to spread the word about the centre’s plight.
Mr and Mrs Heather are awaiting a vet’s appointment where Benny — who munches through £9-worth of fruit, vegetables, rabbit food, biscuits and treats a day — will be officially measured in front of independent witnesses, before their application goes in.
Guinness World Records spokesman Amarilis Espinoza said: “The longest rabbit is currently under research as we have had a couple of contenders.”
Mr and Mrs Heather, who have three children, came across the giant bunny at the sanctuary in February and Mr Heather brought him home as his birthday present.
Since then the couple have adopted two other rabbits from the sanctuary — April, a giant lop, and Flossy, a lop-eared rabbit.
Mrs Heather, 39, said: “On July 3, I really started pushing Benny’s Facebook site to try to get more people aware about the sanctuary.
“All the rabbits that have come from the home are a credit to the staff there as they are all so well-tempered, it’s unbelievable.”
Benny, whose ears alone measure 20cms, is house trained and likes to sit with the family dog Archie, a cross breed.
Mr Heather, 52, said: “We leave the back door open for him — he doesn’t try to escape, he is happy as pie.
“He also gives kisses and says what he wants. If he wants treats, he will jump up on the sofa. He lies with the dog and kisses the dog sometimes.”
Benny enjoys eating broccoli, but his favourite treats are fig rolls.
Mrs Heather said: “It is a real pleasure getting up in the mornings, finding the dog on one end of the settee and the rabbit on the other side of the settee.
“I am sure he is just a little bit confused about whether he is a dog or a rabbit, but he is definitely the business.”
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Your Say YourOxford
LanceIot, Abingdon says...
10:23am Sat 11 Jul 09
jf, Oxfordshire says...
10:24am Sat 11 Jul 09
Grumpy09, Oxon says...
10:46am Sat 11 Jul 09
LOL...no, he IS a pie!! lol
security word food-tiny!
oxfordborn, ex-oxford says...
10:51am Sat 11 Jul 09
oxfordborn, ex-oxford says...
10:51am Sat 11 Jul 09
Andrew:Oxford, Oxford says...
3:44pm Sat 11 Jul 09
An interior designer could do a fare bit for £2600 (subtle hint)
Grumpy09, Oxon says...
5:31pm Sat 11 Jul 09
Zaxharias Ziegla, Rose Hill says...
6:07pm Sat 11 Jul 09
Green123, Witney says...
7:53pm Sat 11 Jul 09
jf, Oxfordshire says...
8:53pm Sat 11 Jul 09
jf, Oxfordshire says...
9:12pm Sat 11 Jul 09
Andrew:Oxford wrote:Please come and do my kitchen please! lol
£50 a week! That's £2600 a year...
An interior designer could do a fare bit for £2600 (subtle hint)
Old zimner, cowley says...
5:09am Sun 12 Jul 09
LanceIot, Abingdon says...
2:05pm Sun 12 Jul 09
jf, Oxfordshire says...
8:34pm Sun 12 Jul 09
LanceIot wrote:May I ask why you say that-there are many people who have 1st and 2nd names combined.My husband included.(been married 22 years and can be trusted 100%.not just by my me-but all his friends and family!)
Never trust someone with two first names :o)
I would be so grateful for your explanation please.
Plus-what has this to do with this article?
Old zimner, cowley says...
2:52pm Mon 13 Jul 09
Oxon123, Witney says...
3:13pm Mon 13 Jul 09
Oxon123, Witney says...
3:28pm Mon 13 Jul 09
LanceIot, Abingdon says...
3:28pm Mon 13 Jul 09
jf wrote:It's got nothing to do with it at all. I just wanted to see what saddo would respond. Well done!
LanceIot wrote: Never trust someone with two first names :o)May I ask why you say that-there are many people who have 1st and 2nd names combined.My husband included.(been married 22 years and can be trusted 100%.not just by my me-but all his friends and family!) I would be so grateful for your explanation please. Plus-what has this to do with this article?
Oxon123, Witney says...
3:30pm Mon 13 Jul 09
Zimmer wrote:Its you mate!!! You are the SAD individual
Is it me or is this SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oxon123, Witney says...
3:33pm Mon 13 Jul 09
jf wrote:Doh!! Read the story. They have 3 children. I hope you don't have any?? Grow Up idiot
Very sad Zimner. Maybe they don't have any children?
Oxon123, Witney says...
3:34pm Mon 13 Jul 09
oxfordborn wrote:Yeah we heard you the first time!
So the Guinness Book of Records sees the sense in not encouraging this treatment of pets- but the Oxford Mail just doesn't get it
Oxon123, Witney says...
3:35pm Mon 13 Jul 09
Andrew:Oxford wrote:Well Done!! Did you do that without a calculator? Doubt it!!
£50 a week! That's £2600 a year... An interior designer could do a fare bit for £2600 (subtle hint)
Oxon123, Witney says...
3:37pm Mon 13 Jul 09
LanceIot, Abingdon says...
3:38pm Mon 13 Jul 09
Oxon123 wrote:Language Timothy!
Following my previous comment I would like to ask the Mail/Gazette a question. Why do you allow such insulting comments to be posted on here when you have published a genuine article from a member of public. Comments like "Maybe they don't have children" "They may have been refused IVF" These are VERY personal insults and are YOUR responsibility. If I were Mr and Mrs Heather I would ensure the next article in your papers was "Paper pays couple compensation for personal insult" GET A GRIP AND STOP THESE SAD PEOPLE INSULTING PEOPLE ON HERE WHO THEY DON'T EVEN BLOODY KNOW.
jf, Oxfordshire says...
6:35pm Mon 13 Jul 09
Oxon123 wrote:for your information-I was not being insulting!Some people can go over board and compsenate with animals and treating them like humans.nothing more than that!
Following my previous comment I would like to ask the Mail/Gazette a question. Why do you allow such insulting comments to be posted on here when you have published a genuine article from a member of public. Comments like "Maybe they don't have children" "They may have been refused IVF" These are VERY personal insults and are YOUR responsibility. If I were Mr and Mrs Heather I would ensure the next article in your papers was "Paper pays couple compensation for personal insult" GET A GRIP AND STOP THESE SAD PEOPLE INSULTING PEOPLE ON HERE WHO THEY DON'T EVEN BLOODY KNOW.
Maybe I hadn't read the story properly and missed the part of them having children.However-do not insult me personally like that.
You have no right to speak to people like that.
Writing your comment to the Witney Gazette like this-seems like the pot calling the kettle black!
jf, Oxfordshire says...
6:46pm Mon 13 Jul 09
Old zimner wrote:II think you are right and I fell for it! Oh well-we all dumb moments from time to time! LOL
Jf, I think it was a joke.
LanceIot, Abingdon says...
7:16pm Mon 13 Jul 09
jf wrote:Apologies jf, the article is semi serious, but I do try to get reactions.
Old zimner wrote: Jf, I think it was a joke.II think you are right and I fell for it! Oh well-we all dumb moments from time to time! LOL
We'll call it quits
jf, Oxfordshire says...
9:44pm Mon 13 Jul 09
LanceIot wrote:Yep-no problems!
jf wrote:Apologies jf, the article is semi serious, but I do try to get reactions.
Old zimner wrote: Jf, I think it was a joke.II think you are right and I fell for it! Oh well-we all dumb moments from time to time! LOL
We'll call it quits
Thanks! After Oxons quote-yours was mild really!
I appreciate your apologies though.
Take care.
Old zimner, cowley says...
3:25pm Tue 14 Jul 09
jf, Oxfordshire says...
12:06pm Wed 15 Jul 09
Old zimner wrote:LOL Old Zimner-Run Rabbit-Run Rabbit!
I hope somebody doesn't let OXON 123 out of his/her cage. Or we will all be in trouble. That's All Folks
I dare not write anymore lyrics-otherwise I would be shot!
Martin Heather with 85cm Flemish buck Benny
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Zimmer, Oxon says...
10:18am Sat 11 Jul 09