Wednesday, August 1, 2007

All About A Bunny



We've had a couple of rough weeks here in House O Possum.
And it's all because of a Bunny.

Name: Bouncer Bunny
Age: 1.5 years
Breed: Miniature Floppy Ears
Nature: Extremely Cute

Two weeks ago, said Bunny escaped from the back yard - and after numerous searches, he was nowhere to be found.

Picture this - 3 girls - various levels of emotional distress - depending on the age and the capacity to feel the full effects of the loss. Mum and Dad just trying to console as best we can.

We just started to move past it all a little - when 1 week later - neighbour tells us that someone up the road had found said Bunny - and had handed it into the RSPCA Animal Shelter - half an hour away - on the other side of this fair city!!!

Photos were gathered to prove ownership. Family flew down the road hoping that Bouncer really could be found. Excitement reigned. Bouncer Bunny was there - and he was brought back to his family home, safe and sound.

(I even had quite a few cuddles over the past few days - and smiled deeply as I watched him once more bounce freely around our backyard during his 'Bouncing Times')

Late yesterday - something was wrong with Bouncer.

He didn't jump away when MissG went to collect him to replace him in his cage. He was in fact rather limp when held - and he was struggling greatly to move at all.

We checked him out. We tried to coax him to move. We attempted hand feeding and giving fluids gently with a tube. I sat for hours with him on my chest, starting to realise that something was just not right at all.

We tried to make him comfortable and warm for the night - hoping that the rest would do him well and he'd be a little better in the morning.

This morning, after dropping off said girls (again in various degrees of grief) off to school and preschool - I rushed straight to the Vet.

I immediately couldn't stop crying as I saw that Bouncer was in fact even weaker than the night before - and this was the same Vet that had to put down both our dog and our cat many years beforehand - on two very seperate and traumatic occasions.

The Vet's plan of action - try to rehydrate - give him a thorough physical - keep him warm and medicated for pain - and see how he was in 2-3 hours. I got to the car and fell into a heap.

Bloody rabbit. Bloody pets. They make our hearts bleed when they're sick.

I kept myself busy for most of the day. Praying, hoping that my worst fears would be swept away.

I called. Not much change. He hadn't moved much all day. Wasn't interested in food. Prognosis wasn't looking real good. But we left it another 3 hours just to see how he would go.

School pickups - and attempts at keeping the troops busy. Not looking them in the eye. Explaining that he really was very very sick. Trying not to let on how upset I really was.

Then at 4pm - I made the call - and together with the Vet - we .
decided to let Bouncer go.

So - tonight - I'm a bit of a mess.
Until today I didn't realise how very attached I'd become to this Bunny. And now he's gone - and I hurt for him - and I hurt for my girls - who have now lost a very special friend.

RIP Bouncer Bunny.

You were greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

you poor buggers... checked in this morning to see how things with bunny were, just knew you would pay tribute to him.... hugs to all of you, have a great trip to the snow and some lovely family time. take care and enjoy the cold, i am very jealous, i love it (snow that is)
take care
leonie

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss.
People who don't have pets just wouldn't understand.
It's another member of the family!! I am crazy about my dog. I once risked my safety to get her when there was an intruder at my home. Probably a stupid thing to do, but I love her to pieces. Luckily the intruder wasn't so much dangerous as mentally ill...but that's another story haha...
Well, I hope you have a lovely holiday and I am sure that you and your family will have a lot of lovely bunny memories to hold onto. Those pets you have when you are young are so special long after they've gone. I'm sure it will be the same for your kids.
xox

juliaNY07 said...

Hi there K fam, I am so very sorry to hear about Bouncer, what a terrible shame for him and all of you. I hope that you all recover quickly and that the K house is not too sad for too long. Enjoy Skiing, you are right, perfect timing for a holiday. Thinking of you as always. All my love Jxx

actonb said...

Oh Possum, that's no good at all.
Hugs for all - bunnies are very loving things, and a pet is part of the family, and a bunny is no less a valuable pet than a cat or dog.

Anonymous said...

Oh poor bunny, that's so sad. Are the girls ok?

Anonymous said...

Oh Possum - I'm so sorry about your bunny. May Bouncer have unlimited veges in bunny heaven.

Possum said...

Thanks for your lovely messages and your kind thoughts dear friends.
It was a tuff week indeed.
Blah!
Poss. xxx

Anonymous said...

a very cute rabbit