Friday, October 27, 2023

Farewell, P The Rabbit


P the rabbit passed over The Rainbow Bridge yesterday


She was at the Vet's for combination of teeth issues and eating issues.  They put her under anesthesia - the only way you can file down a rabbit's teeth, and hers were growing into her tongue - and her heart stopped.  It is not an uncommon thing.

They tried resuscitation but to no avail.  I was able to talk to the doctor on the phone and stopped further measures.

The worst part, of course, is all of this happening when I am half a country away.

She was my angry little rabbit, a deaf girl who had almost no socialization skills.  I tried to pair her with Joy; she would have nothing to do with her and so spent her life by herself.

That said, she eventually came out of her shell.  She was always super excited when food was in the offing: she would stand up on her back legs and press against the cage bars, waiting for her turn to get whatever was being distributed.  And she would take attention, at least on her terms, sitting quietly next to me on the chair as I read or wrote (sometimes one of these posts), always nervously breathing.  She never seemed to relax.

Now she gets to run free, hopefully hearing (for the first time) the wonders of an eternity of green hills under rainbows and blue skies when the hay is always crisp and the fruits and vegetables always waiting around to be eaten.

24 comments:

  1. Nylon125:53 AM

    And no foxes or 'yotes around either. Sorry to read about your loss TB.

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    1. Indeed, Nylon12. Although likely she would thump them.

      Thank you.

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  2. Anonymous6:43 AM

    Holland Lop?

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    1. Yes. We have mostly had lops over the years. For some reason, they seem to be more chill rabbits. They are my favorites (well, really all rabbits are my favorites.

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  3. Kindness to others is often its own reward. Sorry for your loss.

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    1. Thanks Michael. And yes, kindness is often its own reward. One of the great lesson my mother drilled into me.

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  4. Anonymous7:42 AM

    I'm sorry for you and your family's loss. Losing an indoor family pet is particularly hard when the passing wasn't expected. It sounds like she will be missed.

    Our family had an indoor cat pass this past Tuesday. Sabrina was 17, soon to be 18 in November and her passing was expected as she was exhibiting signs her passing was imminent. Her three feline room mates are still looking for her.

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    1. Thank you. It was not expected, but always a risk as rabbits can be delicate creatures, especially with medication.

      I am sorry to hear of your loss as well. It must be hard for her room mates. It does make wonder how pets see these things - Do they suspect? Or is it just part of life?

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  5. Poor old P! I can see how a person could become attached to the grumpy loner. She needed your love even if she didn't think so. Condolences.

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    1. Warren, she was very adorable, if at her speed and not yours. I really do wonder if being deaf from the beginning inhibited some of her socialization. She did come around, though.

      Thank you.

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  6. Condolences, TB. They are family.

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  7. Oh man. The memories of a true friend are a comfort.

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    1. They are, STxAR. And fortunately we have plenty of them.

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  8. It is always tough losing a beloved pet. Death by anesthesia is probably a highly desirable way to go though.

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    1. Ed, that is what I comforted myself with. At least there was no pain and she simply went to sleep and woke up in a completely new place.

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    2. Anonymous10:51 PM

      But when it's unexpected like this (from the rabbit's perspective), don't be surprised if, for awhile, you see a little rabbit sized dark shadow hanging around. When my dog died in 2016, the wife and I both saw a a shadow her size hanging around.... and the toenail clicks on the linoleum would make the hair on your arms stand straight out.

      TB, google this and you'll find a lot of people have had similar experiences.

      Anon-o-mouse

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    3. Anon-o-mouse - I fully would not be surprised if something of that nature happened. I certainly expect her in my dreams at some point.

      Thank you for stopping by.

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  9. Condolences to you all, TB. God bless.

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  10. Such sad news and I'm sorry to hear it. Sounds like you were the perfect human for her.

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    1. Thank you, Leigh. I think we were able to give her a good life.

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  11. I'm sorry to read about the loss of your well-loved rabbit, TB. What a sweet picture you paint of her sitting at your side as you would read or write. Love.

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    1. Thank you Becki. Rabbits are pretty much the original lap animal.

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