Our fortieth interview takes us to the Double Decker Rabbitry in Fulton, New York, where we are greeted by Jessica and Benjamin Decker. They have recently earned Masters Degrees and we begin by learning about their vocational pursuits. Jessica completed her studies at SUNY Upstate Medical University in the field of biomedical Immunology/virology/Microbiology where she studied the effects of heavy metal exposure on the cells of the immune system. She recently took a research position at the University of Rochester in the Department of Pathology. Ben earned his Masters at Syracuse University in Elementary Special Education and is currently a teaching assistant with the Baldwinsville School District where he teaches a boy who has cerebral palsy. Besides rabbits, their other interests include touring wineries, camping, and hosting dinner parties for family and friends.

As we approach their double garage rabbitry, Jessica explains, "Ben is very helpful when it comes to bunny chores on cage cleaning day and he feeds them every night while I fill water bottles. It was over 15 years ago when I first fell in love with rabbits as I toured the 4-H rabbit barn at the County Fair. At first, when I asked my parents for a rabbit, they said no. At the public library, I read every "how-to" rabbit book and asked again. Now it was "maybe". I convinced my mom to let me join the Orleans County 4-H Club and after a few meetings they finally said I could have one. Just one. We all started out with JUST ONE – right? At a visit with a local breeder, Dave Gerling, it was a Black Rex Jr Buck that took my heart with his gorgeous fur. Dave said he was a showable starter bunny for a 4-H’er. That buck was incredibly spoiled – every day after school, he got to go outside to run in a large fenced-in area originally made for dogs. He got pretty "buff" running around every day, and went on to win 3 Best in Show awards – 2 in one weekend! That Buck was the one that hooked me to the rabbit habit. Thanks to my Mom, I was able to stay in rabbits when I reached college and graduate school days. She took care of my bunnies during the week – I got home when I could to relieve her of cage cleaning duties, but I know she did her fair share too – winter care is especially difficult as we all know. My Mom deserves a gold medal for keeping my rabbits during those school years."

Inside the garage, Jessica shares her management experience, "after Black, we went on to raise Castor, Otter, White, Tricolor, Opal, Chinchilla, Blue, Seal, and Chocolate.. We use both garages and keep convention bunnies in quarantine for no less than a month after we return home. Some holes are wire bottom, but eventually I would like to convert more to wood, since juniors just seem to grow so much better on wooden floors. But, yes, WAY MORE WORK! We clean up wire cages once a week, wooden bottom cages usually twice a week, or daily if there is an older litter in them. The largest wooden bottom cages are 3 X 4 ½ feet for growing up litters. Retired breeding animals and gestating does are housed in 20"X22" cages. Ben and I built a six cage unit with wooden bottoms each 22"X36". We use water bottles until they start freezing, and this year we tried out crocks. We use both J feeders and crocks for pellets. Our large ventilation fan is set on a timer to run for 15minutes every 2 hours in winter and 24/7 in the summer months. I find culling to be difficult as I hang onto too many juniors at times waiting for a buyer, but for health I can be ruthless, for I believe in "better safe, than sorry". I keep updating our website for juniors available for sale. I really enjoy watching litters grow and picking one at 4 weeks as my next show bunny – sometimes I’m right, sometimes wrong, but it is fun watching them develop. One time I had the cage door open as I looked over a litter and failed to notice that our new kitten had followed me out to the barn. I closed the cage door, went inside, and then missed the little kitten. Back out to the barn, I found her in the cage snuggled up with 4 week old bunnies. The doe seemed indifferent to her presence so then we knew we had a barn cat for sure."

Jessica continues with relating their show experiences and goals, " I remember my beginning and I want to help out new breeders and 4-H youth whenever possible. We started attending National shows in Providence and try to get to those within driving distance. Des Moines was special since my Mom went along and our Blue doe, whom she had saved from a nest built on wire, won BOV. I have seen that judging at National shows can be quite different from placements back home. We especially enjoyed Louisville where we took BOV Otter, and BOV and BOSV Seal. I think the major goal is to win if we deserve it, lose if we don’t, be happy and humble about either outcome, learn something and make friends in the process. We enjoy the Pennsylvania shows we can get to – the people are friendly and the competition is good. The Mason-Dixon Club is a great bunch of breeders – very knowledgeable and friendly – Tonya does a great job with the website – I enjoy viewing other breeders’ websites on the links pages as well"

On our way back to Pennsylvania, we are grateful for our Mason-Dixon Club, and the special people who are able to attract top Rex breeders like Ben and Jessica, who travel a considerable distance to share in the fun and fellowship we all enjoy.