my snoopy

[Cherub T]

Hi everyone, I have a pair of house bunnies, one of them (snoopy) i've had for 8 years and he was a rescue, so he is an elderly bun. He isn't doing too good, the vet says he is just getting old. He is losing weight and i know the time is near for him. I feel so alone, my husband is away for two weeks working and I understand if my bunny was in serious pain, then i'd have to take him back to the vets. I was there today, but the time wasn't right for me to let go, then i brought him home and he has been munching away at his greens and carrots. I wouldn't let him suffer longer than needed, but my instinct today was to bring him home. I have some meds for him to take that the vet thought would help.

I feel so silly as i am 30 years old and i've never lost a pet before. I have experience with loss though with losing my father at 20. I was strong for my mum and then 6 months later it really had an awful effect. Soon after my gran passed. I guess Snoopy and i both need healing here (we all do). I'm scared it brings up the feelings i had before. I'm really sensitive indeed. I pick up others emotions easily too and very much an empath. Anyway my main concern is obviously my poor bun and his wee partner, they have bonded and the loss of one has an awful effect on the other. I just felt i needed someone to talk to.

Also i feel on my spiritual path i will come across loss frequently, i just don't know how to stop crying today. sniff! x

[eraser]

Ah, you poor dear. Here, have a hug from a stranger. :hug2:

A major part of life is dealing with loss. It's inevitable, as we age, that those near and dear to us pass on -- animal friends as well as human ones. Each loss hurts because it leaves a hole in our lives. But we need to take comfort where we can and where I take mine is in the knowledge that where they've gone is a good place. A good place where they needed to be. And a place that we will visit ourselves when our time here is done.

I can flat-out guarantee you that Snoopy isn't worried one little bit about dying. Snoopy takes each moment as it unfolds. (That's just one of the very many things we can learn from animals.)

Snoopy doesn't want you to worry either. Learn from him. And when he passes, if his "wee partner" shows signs of too-prolonged mourning (more than a couple of days) you might begin to consider whether or not there's room in your home and heart for another companion.

Try not to worry. Everything will be all right. :)

[Cherub T]

Hi eraser, thanks for the cuddle, snoopy seems to have a half smile on his face. I just couldn't let the vet take him today. He was a rescue, so he is at least 9 years. I just can't stop this crying, I'm trying to tell myself it's snoopy that's going, but yeah it's the gap they leave. I'm sensing my dad near me too. I've been dreaming a lot recently and also about the bunnies.

Oh gosh the female that will be left (starskey) is a tricky customer indeed. I'm not sure if shed chase another away that wasn't snoopy. Lol

It's hurting so bad, I've never cried so much before. I keep trying to think of the good times. I feel so alone just now x

[Celeste]

The fact that he is eating shows how accepting he is of death. He's not in pain either, probably thanks to the vet. Before we put our Dalmatian Dice to sleep, we took him to eat french fries. He enjoyed them. And I agree with eraser that you might want to consider getting another bunny to fill the void. Don't think of it now, but later down the road. Maybe another rescue that is about the same age as Starskey. It may be your first animal you are losing, but trust me, it doesn't matter, first or last, it is still hard. I have lost and mourned so many animals, and it is still not easy. So, know that you are not weird for your tears, and I hope you feel better, soon.

[Lamby]

Hi Cherub,

I saw this topic after I saw your prayer request on the bottom part of the forum. You're doing the right things, waiting and watching. It sounds like you're plenty sensitive enough to know if you need to have the vet intervene. Trust yourself. You're going to do right. You've already done right. No fear.

I know not everyone knows a lot about bunnies - but I think Cherub's hesitation on adding another bunny was due to the fact that rabbit's bond together. Her pair has been bonded for 8 years. If you try to replace one of the pair, the other rabbit may not only reject the replacement, but may try to harm it. Still, it might be possible with careful maneuvering.

I'm still sending all the good energy I can for you and your bunny boy. Just remember to treat yourself kindly, too.

(As a side note - do you have any clean dandelion leaves near your property? They are loved by rabbits and are very healthy. It might even have enough beneficial properties to make him feel a little better despite his condition.)

[Cherub T]

I'm not sure there is clean dandelion nearby, but he has some in the hay. He's not ate alot of the hay or pellets, but he's scoffed nearly a bag of greens and a few carrots. He's not done much in the way of pellets but that's prob due to the decreases hay intake.

Yeah Starskey wouldn't welcome a newbie i fear, they've bonded so much together as a couple.

The vet wanted me to put him to sleep, he said he could have two days or two weeks, but i'm glad i brought him home and that he is eating. It's sad to see him so wobbly on his feet. He is so thin too and i know there is no turning back. He is failing, but doesn't seem to be in pain (my instinct). I would not let him suffer, but i think the times not right yet.... but when is?? x x

[Cherub T]

rip snoopy x

[Xan]

Cherub... Losing a well-loved pet is hard... but with some time and weeping and breathing and letting go you can go on to love another.


Xan

[Silver]

rip snoopy x

I'm so sorry to hear~ ~ ~
:love9:

[cheeky_monkey]

Me too, I'm so sorry to hear of Snoopy's passing. You and little Starsky are in my thoughts.

[Cherub T]

Thanks for the comments, it was the hardest thing I've had to do. I feel that animals are equal and I really didn't want to be the one to decide. I nursed him for two days and nights, I never slept as snoopy got more unsteady. I imagined him binkying and being happy, I felt there was a reason that I had been made to make this decision. It was horrible driving to the vets and it was teeming down with rain, but after snoopy passed. I sat alone with him in the room and I heard little birds singing outside the window. I hope he is okay.

X

[Celeste]

How are you doing?

[Cherub T]

Hi Celeste, I think it's been so long since i've grieved, that i forgot how hard it is. It's loads of emotions and don't know how i feel really. Yesterday watching a film took my mind away for a while and then "bam" it hits me about what happened. I try to figure things out in my head. I feel awful that i had to make the decision of euthanasia.

I've also read about a woman that is a pet undertaker, she takes your animals, cremates them and returns them on the same day so you can start the grieving process, she's also a trained counsellor on this subject. She decided to do this as a profession as when one of her dogs died, the guy that came to collect her dead pet and said "is this it?", picked it up and it's neck broke. When she got the ashes back it was a plain box and then i read a few people wonder if it really is their animals ashes that get returned as a lot of vets go with what company will give the most profit. It made me sad.

I've just to wait on a phone call (they said it could take 2 weeks) till i get to go and collect Snoopy's ashes in the vets (whilst people are sitting with their animals). I know it's the shell that's left and that he's not there, but i'd hate to think of his body not getting the respect it deserves, or any other animal for that matter. I'm praying it will be Snoopy ashes that are returned to us. We don't have a proper garden so I'd like to spread his ashes on some roses. x

[Native spirit]

((((Cherub ))))



I Had to have my dog put to sleep a few weeks ago, its one of the hardes positions

to find yoursels facing, but as you said yourself you cant let him suffer,

its hard and the tears will flow, but its only normal.

putting him to sleep is the kindess thing you can do for him now,

Namaste

[Cherub T]

Native spirit, sorry to hear about your dog. It is indeed a hard task to carry out. There is a very fine line when it crosses from illness over to the animal suffering. Bunnies tend not to show any signs of pain as they are prey, so i wondered how much pain he must've been in. I hope he arrived at rainbow bridge okay and is happy. I just feel so sad. I think this will take time. x

[Summerkat]

Lots of hugs Cherub. I have had to put animals to sleep too and I know how horribly difficult it is. But Snoopy was so lucky to have you. You did everything you could and it was an act of love to help Snoopy on his way.

I just lost a pet bird day before yesterday and so I do know what you're going through. BTW, I love the name Snoopy...another bird I had was named Peanut and he was my favorite.

Yeah its gonna take a while. Just keep feeling the love you had and you can visualize that rainbow bridge. When you need to go there in your mind. Reach out to Snoopy with love and you'll feel love coming back to you. You can hold Snoopy or pet him again in this place. And just have some time together. Thats what I always do and it helps a lot. They say not even death can break love.

All the best to you and your Snoopy. hugs!

[Cherub T]

Hi Summerkat, I'm so sorry to hear also of your recent loss. I felt Snoopy with me the other night. I imagined him in the room and he was hopping about. I'm wondering if he was there in spirit or if it was indeed my imagination. It was a place he had never been in, but it seemed like he was there having fun. No one else saw him of course. (well not that i know)

[Celeste]

The way you know if they are truly Snoopy's ashes is if you took him to a reputable vet.

How is Starskey doing? I hope you are feeling a little bit better today. But like you said, these things take time. Grieve in any way you wish and for as long as you need to.

I hope you don't take it wrong, me putting the little pink bunny upper left. It's in loving memory of Snoopy.

[Cherub T]

:bunny: :bunny: :bunny:

Hi Celeste, It was a good vets that i took him too, but the bodies get sent to another place for cremation and it takes nearly two weeks till you can collect them back from the vets. This womans site i came across brings the ashes to you that evening with the name on the box, so you know it's your pet and you don't have to go into the vet whilst everyones sitting with their pets. I was on a pet bereavement site and a lot of people wonder if it's really their animals ashes. I hope it's okay. I want him to live through my roses i think.

Starskey is a completely different bunny, Snoopy used to nudge you for a cuddle but Starskey just runs away and is very independent (apart from when she used to cuddle into Snoopy). Snoopy used to groom her and clean her eyes. Bunnies sometimes get discharge and Snoopy always took care of her. She's not eating her pellets and hardly any water. She's having some greens and her hay. I dreamt the other night that she died. It is in the back of my mind i suppose as she is a good age and it's not uncommon for bunnies to follow the other if they've had a strong bond.

I was working last night and I've got work later today, also i have to get some cleaning done. I just couldn't be bothered with it at all.

On the 20th November I'm doing free facepainting for an animal awareness event. There will be talks, crafts, food, hair wraps and lots of other bits and pieces. I'm also putting together a leaflet in honor of Snoopy. It will have rabbit care on it and information about health. Also to give awareness about adoption too. I think it will be good for me to focus on that. x:hug2:

[Celeste]

That is very nice what you are doing for animal awareness.

Well, let's hope she is just grieving and will be better soon.

I'm sure whatever you did regarding the ashes is fine. You followed your intuition.

Relax and be good to yourself.

: }}}

[Deer Running Softly]

Just 2 weeks ago, my darling cat Suki was put to rest. She was 20 years old, ancient for a cat. The deciding factor on when to put her to sleep was when I asked her what she wanted. The last time I asked, she indicated that she wanted whatever would end her suffering, so I did. As she died, she sent me the image of a playing kitten.
I have had previous experience of pets returning to their people, and I look forward to having her return in a healthy, happy kitty body very soon!