His "Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits" has sold over a quarter of a million copies! His latest book, "Rabbit Housing", just went into a second printing of another 10,000 books. He first came out with "$$&DOUGH" in 1983 as a way to share rabbit info and put buyers and sellers in touch with each other. Being the author of a popular rabbit book, Bob got numerous letters requesting stock for some of his famous Tans or where a person could find such and such breed. Seeing this need to put people in touch, Bob started his quarterly newsletter. There were always helpful hints, new product info, marketing ideas, a list of recommended breeders and lists of people looking to purchase stock. A lot crammed into one little newsletter that many anxiously awaited in their mailbox every few months.
Times they are a changing and sadly at times we have to go with them. People seldom write letters, obtain information thru the mail or even shop for stock by picking up the phone. These actions have been replaced by emails or Facebook posts, google search for info or networking. Never now calling a breeder directly by phone, though God knows that phone is glued to many folks hands! (but don't get me going on that!)
What all this means is that Bob will be discontinuing his newsletter. He has raised rabbits for more than 60 years but no longer raises them. When stepping away from any hobby you lose touch with current happenings, new products and folks. I know I did when I stopped showing Quarter Horses, though the memories of those days are certainly fond ones. Bob will continue to publish until each subscription has run out, likely sometime in 2015. I will miss this as it is one good connection to the rabbit world He plans to keep sending out his list of recommended breeders and sources of rabbits.
Thanks Bob for all that you have done for the Rabbit Industry over the years. Readers of Domestic Rabbit magazine, the American Rabbit Breeders Association's publication have you to thank for its' existence as Bob was the original editor. You will still see Bob's name come up in the ARBA's Membership Contest as who knows how many NEW ARBA members he has signed up over the years. Come to think of it Bob probably does know how many as he is an awesome record keeper too! There are few people with such an impact on a "hobby" industry and fewer still on the horizon. So Hats Off to Bob and a BIG THANK YOU from your favorite "Maine-iac"!