Siblings continue passion for rabbits at county fair

LOGANSPORT, Ind. (AP) - Sydney Moon and her brother, Hayden Tomlinson, were inspired to get involved in Cass County 4-H a few years ago.

For Tomlinson, 18, it was a farm scene project his friend did. For Sydney, 14, it was a desire to raise an animal.

But there isn't enough room on their Twelve Mile property to raise cows, goats or sheep, so the patriarch of the family, Pascal Moon, suggested rabbits.

"I'm like, 'I'll take it!'" Sydney recalled outside the Rabbit and Poultry Barn at the Cass County 4-H Fairgrounds Monday morning.

Between the two of them, the siblings showed 16 rabbits across multiple breeds at the fair July 11. They have 22 more at home and still own the first two they started their 4-H tenures with. As their collection has grown, so has their opportunities to learn responsibility while enjoying competition and fellowship.

They were among almost 60 kids who showed rabbits at the fairground.

Sydney, who is president of the Cass County 4-H Cottontails 4-H Rabbit Club, watched young contestants clutching their rabbits as they stepped up to the judge's table. There they placed their animals in the row of rabbit-sized stalls. Some patiently waited wiggling their noses while others hopped out before their turn, sending their caretakers reaching to return them to their compartments.

Around the judge's table, kids hauled rabbit cages while spectators relaxed in lawn chairs and proud parents snapped photos.

Sydney and Tomlinson explained they take care of their rabbits by giving them food and water each morning and evening and cleaning out their hutches every Sunday after church.

"There's a lot of hours spent in them," Sydney said.

Show judge George Raisor made his deliberations Monday by using his hands to gauge the rabbits' muscles and commented on the animals' coat quality and color as he stroked their fur.

That part makes Sydney nervous when she shows her rabbits, she said.

She's not the only one with butterflies when her bunnies are on the table. Sydney said her mom, Beth Moon, always crosses her fingers during evaluations.

Sydney said she spends most of showtime wondering what a judge thinks of her animal.

"I'm really thinking, 'Does he actually like him?'" she added.

It's not uncommon for the answer to that question to be "yes," as Sydney and Tomlinson have garnered multiple ribbons over the years.

Tomlinson said it's one of his favorite parts of 4-H.

"There are a lot of people, a lot of rabbits," Tomlinson said. "If you got the best one, it feels pretty good."

Participating in 4-H teaches important lessons in an enjoyable manner, Sydney said.

"I really think it's a leadership activity and it shows you how to be responsible also," she said. "But at the same time it's really fun to meet new people and find out what other people are involved in."

Pascal Moon agreed, adding it's one of the reasons he supports his children's involvement in the organization.

"I told them it's a good experience to learn," he said. "It shows you a work ethic."

He expects he won't be the only one pleased by his kids' participation in 4-H, adding future employers will likely find the commitment required for it admirable as well.

"You spent this much time in 4-H, you had a dedication to do something," he said.

He seconded his daughter's feelings about the fair camaraderie too.

"You see people maybe that you only see twice a year total," he said. "It's a big family. Everybody knows everybody during the week."

A few years and dozens of rabbits later, the siblings remain grateful for the opportunity to raise the animals.

"I've learned that it does take a lot of time and I'm happy that I don't have a cow because I think that would take more work and more time," Sydney said, laughing as her father wagged his finger at the mention of an animal too big for their yard.

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Source: (Logansport) Pharos-Tribune, http://bit.ly/29N9ZHD

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Information from: Pharos-Tribune, http://www.pharostribune.com