My bunny died this week...

[Hand]

My little black bunny Violet is gone. She was a sweet little thing that we adopted from the SPCA three years ago. She was only four years old and in the prime of life and had never been sick. Then on Wednesday she had a bowel obstruction and died from bloat that afternoon.

She was the sweetest, most affectionate of the bunnies we've had over the last fourteen years. Every night when I went to bed she would come to my side of the bed and hang out with me to be petted and munch her hay and play with a stuffed bunny that she liked to beat up on. I'd really expected that she would be with us for many more years like our other bunnies.

It all happened so suddenly and I'm still in shock. Her body was still warm when I came home and found her. I don't think that I could have done much to save her--bloat comes on suddenly and is almost impossible to treat in small animals.

I miss her. She was a wonderful, affectionate being with a quiet nature who only wanted to be loved and cared for and bring a smile. The house seems so empty without her.

Goodbye, my sweet loyal friend. I'll always love you and never forget you.

:cry:

Violet, 2001-2005

[RevCheesehead]

1. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I know the pain of losing your beloved pet is deep. I hope you find comfort from the years you had together. :hug:

[Hand]

6. Thank you!

I know that I will once I've got over the hurt, as I did when our other bunnies passed on. It's harder this time because she was still so young and it happened so suddenly. She'll always bring a smile.

[ofrfxsk]

2. I'm so sorry!

I know it hurts so much to lose an animal friend. People don't realize it's much the same as losing a human for us animal folks.
You gave Violet a good life. She knew you loved her. I'm just so sorry for your pain. :cry:

[Hand]

9. Yes...

It's the hardest part of having animal companions; you always know that you will lose them sooner or later, but you can't help loving them with all your heart. I'm just glad we were able to get her out of the shelter, where she was next to a noisy dog room in a small cage, and give her free run of the bedroom and spoil her rotten.

She was lucky, but we were luckier.

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. Oh I am so very sorry...she looks exactly like you described her

What a sweet little girl. :( :hug:

[Hand]

10. She had amazing ears...

Sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes upsy-downsy. She was a funny little girl!

[friesianrider]

4. Aww, I'm so sorry!

I have 3 bunnies, and over the years we've lost several to things like this. I know it sucks, I'm so sorry :( :hug: Maybe after some time has passed, you might consider adopting again? It's the greatest gift you can give an orphaned animal, and a great way to honor your Violet.

Best wishes and thoughts are with you! :hug:

[Hand]

11. I really want to get another bunny...

We've had one or two in the house for the last fourteen years, all with such amazing personalities. I know that many, many of these gentle creatures are abandoned every year. Right now my wife doesn't want to get any more bunnies, but I think that she's mostly reacting to this loss.

That would be a good way to honor her; I'll keep that thought in mind.

Thank you! :hug:

[friesianrider]

16. Oh you're a gem :)

People who keep their bunnies indoors rock! I take it yours were litter trained or just in cages? Either way, bunnies take on such distinct personalities when they are inside rather than out.

I'm sure it will take your wife some time to get over it, I know it's tough. Just give her time and maybe you can convince her in the near future to get another furbaby :)

My thoughts are with you guys :hug:

[Hand]

20. Yes, all indoors and free-running...

More or less. We had to install baby gates here and there when we had two in the house, except for our first bonded pair. The widowed bunny of that pair hated the new boy bunny we brought home so they ahd to live separately. When she passed on at the ripe old age of nine and a half, we eventually brought Violet home--and the boy bunny didn't like her at all, although she was fascinated by him.

They all used the litter box quite well, which amazed visitors. They gave us great fertilizer for the garden, too!

[miss_kitty]

5. I'm sorry

those furry little pets really steal your heart away. I'm sorry your sweet bunny died.

[Hand]

21. They sure do...

They give so much without hesitation and teach us gentleness. That's such a precious gift.

Thank you! :hi:

[Fox Mulder]

7. I'm sorry to hear that.

She looks like a bunny I lost some ten years ago.

:( :hug:

[cssmall]

8. I am so sorry for your loss and am sending good vibes to you.

:hug: I know the feeling. I finally got my own indoor kitty and he was killed. I just was shocked and amazed about it all. :hug: It will get better and I tell you what my dear friend told me: "they never are truly gone, they will always be there watching you and protecting you.:

[Hand]

39. Yes...

I think that all of our bunnies are still looking after us--how sad to lose your kitty. I hope she's still snuggling up against you in some way.

[SeattleGirl]

12. I'm so very sorry

She looks so sweet. I know it hurts so much to lose a pet. :hug:

[Hand]

28. Thank you...

This was hardest because she was still so young and it happened suddenly. Coming home and finding her like that had been the one thing I hoped would never happen.

I really appreciate everyone understanding how precious these little ones become. It's worth the pain of losing them, I think.

[flamingyouth]

13. I'm sorry

What a cutie. :(

[philosophie_en_rose]

14. I'm so sorry for you.

She looks like such a sweet bunny.

[hickman1937]

15. Oh lord, I'm so sorry.

I'm so tired of losing the small ones. I know that's the risk we take choosing to spend our lives with beings with such short life spans. I've lost two cats in two years. When my first cat goes, I'm done. It just hurts too much. My heart goes out to you.:hug:

[Hand]

17. More pictures here, by the way....

...of her and our other bunnies.

http://community.webshots.com/album/133256710YIIxos

[barb162]

19. They are all so beautiful

and in every picture look they are perfectly at home and content.

[Hand]

25. Thank you...

We did our best to spoil them rotten--usually successfully. But they always gave better than they got, effortlessly.

[barb162]

18. Oh honey, I am so sorry. She looks like the sweetest little baby

[roguevalley]

22. what a lovely bunny. I lurve bunnies. I am so sorry, honey. Losing

a good friend is so terrible. Maybe God needed a good bunny. If it gives you comfort, he had a lovely life with you.

[Hand]

33. Thank you...

We did try to give her the very best life possible. She was a homeless bunny that somebody dumped at the SPCA when we found her, and I hope that she enjoyed her life, although it was much too short.

[fortyfeetunder]

23. My sympathies on your bunny's passing

Violet looked like a sweetie pie. So sorry she left you so soon.
:hug:

PS the pictures were wonderful. My fave was Ferdinand(?) in the fridge.

[Hand]

24. Ferdinand was really a cool bunny

He was actually a pedigreed French Lop from a lineage of best-in-show bunnies that our vet used to raise. He was big and strong and handsome and knew it, so he was also very vain. :-)

He lived more than eight years, which is unusually long for a big bunny; he was completely exaggerated and enthusiastic about his existence and always enjoyed eating and sleeping and charging up the stairs. He was really cool. I miss him.

[AccessGranted]

26. Awwww....That's Sad

A friend of mine had a bunny named Puff Daddy and it was so cute. She cried for a month it died.

[Hand]

34. They're wonderful animals

Bunnies are sweet, contrary, endearing and often hilarious. They worm their way into your heart just by being around the house and being who they are.

[GreenPartyVoter]

27. I am so sorry *hugs*

[Hand]

35. Thank you

It's been healing just to hear from people. I really appreciate it.

[put out]

29. I'm very sorry for you, for all those who loved her. I lost a pet 10/6.

I wish it didn't happen to them. We loved our cat, Happy Birthday, but she fell ill. Liver failure. She went to the vet on Wednesday. She died sometime after midnight. She was 11.

I am still finding her hair every place. She always smelled so good.

Rest easy, sweet Violet.

[Hand]

37. Thank you. I'm sorry about your kitty.

Perhaps she and Violet met on the way to the Rainbow Bridge and are playing together now. :hug:

[put out]

40. Violet and Happy Birthday.

Finally, another furry person with whom she may get along. If not, KICK HER ASS, VIOLET. Tell her Kim says behave right now.:hug: you too.

[Justpat]

30. I am sorry to hear about your bunny.

My daughter had a rabbit named Bob that was with us for nine
years. He died last year and we all still miss him. Whenever
the whole family gets together everyone shares their favorite
Bob story. He was a much loved member of our family.

[Hand]

38. They never really leave us, do they?

Especially when they're with you for a long time. Bob must have been a very happy bunny to have enjoyed such a long life.

[Justpat]

43. Bob was pretty special.

My daughter took him to Colgate when she went to college and even
though pets were not allowed, everyone on campus, including the
professors knew about Bob but no one ever said anything. He even
had his own web page at school one year. He loved college but he
loved traveling with Jess even more. He crisscrossed the country
with her many times and even once got frisked at the airport
during the post 9-11 hysteria. Everyone loved him.
Thanks for all the pics of your rabbits. They make me smile
to see them.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

31. I'm very sorry - she was a beauty

We grow so attached to our furry friends, and it's agonizing to lose them. They just don't live long enough!

[Hand]

56. Thank you...

I was looking forward to watching her bloom as she grew older, but it just didn't happen. Our last two bunnies lived long and full lives, which was a blessing to them and us.

[HEAVYHEART]

32. I'm so sorry

:cry:

[WCGreen]

36. Pets, or rather animal companions, are so hard to loose....

I have pics of my dear Friends all around me.....

[BobMorr]

41. My sympathies are with you

Indeed are pets are very special. Until you meet them again. http://indigo.org/rainbow/

[BobMorr]

42. I'm so sorry!

Indeed are pets are very special. Until you meet Violet again. http://indigo.org/rainbow/

[UrbScotty]

44. Oh dear Hand...

:hug:

[Caoimhe]

45. HUGS

:hug:

i am sorry for your loss. i heard a great quote the other day that brought tears to my eyes after havlng lost two of my beloved cats ln one day this march.

"lf love could have saved you... you would have lived forever"

you gave her love and gained love in return and there is nothing worth more to the human or animal heart imho

:hug:

[Arugula Latte]

46. Wow. I was just playing with my little black bunny.

"Munchy" could be Violet's identical twin. he even has a trace of brown hair like she does. We found him in our yard this summer. I couldn't quite bring myself to bring him to the Humane Society because I didn't want to lose control over the quality of care he gets.

He's really sweet, like your Violet. I've never had a bunny before, and, I must say, they are quite entertaining (and a lot of work -- more than our three kitties!).

I really feel for you and Munchy and I send out our condolences for your sweet bunny.

[Hand]

60. Thank you for giving little Munchy a home!

He would never have survived without you--and now I'm sure that he's a happy little guy. They're a lot of work and need as much attention as a dog, but they always give back more than they get, I think.

[Arugula Latte]

61. Thanks. I'm glad we kept him.

He's got a 3 ft. by 12 ft. pen in our playroom with lots of toys, etc. We let him out a lot, too, to play with his kitty pal and the kids (and me).

Even though we live in Portland proper, we have coyotes roaming (I've seen them in our front yard), so a tasty little morsel like Munchy would have been a nice snack for them.

I talked to a woman at a rabbit rescue group here when we first found him and she said they'd been completely overrun with "dumped" domestic bunnies this year ... What kind of a person would do that? :grr:

[Hand]

62. It happens all too often...

People buy bunnies for Easter presents, then six months later they have a teenage bunny with raging hormones who desperately needs to be spayed or neutered, and they dump them. I'm saddened by how many people treat these intelligent, sensitive creatures like throwaway toys and dump them at the SPCA or (worse) abandon them in the woods to die quickly from predators or disease. Huge numbers of people think that domestic rabbits can survive in the wild--they can't.

Violet was a dumped bunny who was living in a tiny cage next to the dog room at our local SPCA. They gave her as much care as they could, but were overcrowded and overworked. I'm so glad that we were able to give her a good home and watch her blossom.

[Pool Hall Ace]

47. What a furry sweetie. I am so sorry.

:cry: :hug:

[Darth_Kitten]

48. I am so very sorry....

:hug:

Violet looked like a little sweetheart.

[redwitch]

49. she was beautiful

bunnies are wonderful and I am sorry for your loss. :hug:

[crispini]

50. Awww.

:hug:

[Polethebear]

51. I'm sorry

She seemed like a personable little creature.

[imperial jedi]

52. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Violet was a beautiful bunny. I still mourn the loss of my fave dwarf bunny Rasputin. he got very sick and i had to put him to sleep. It's been 10 years but i still miss him.

[AtomicKitten]

53. Beautiful bunny

I'm so sorry for your loss. If it's any consolation, the time with you were the best years of her life. That's a lot.

[Robeson]

54. What a beautiful friend. And I'm so sorry for your loss....

...so very sorry. :hug:

[WillParkinson]

55. I'm very sorry for your loss, Hand....

HUGS to you and kind thoughts for your family.

[Shell Beau]

57. She was beautiful!! I am sorry!

:cry: :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

58. What a cutie!

I'm so sorry for your loss... :hug:

[Dastard Stepchild]

59. Ohhh.... I am so very sorry... I can relate...

I lost one of my little guinea pigs last Christmas. On Christmas Eve. :cry:

They are wonderful little pals, and I know exactly what you mean about them being sweet little things. Got my little Ramona from a piggie rescue. Her sister Beezus is still with me, but it's still sad to look in their cage and just see the one in there.

:hug:

[Hand]

65. Piggies are beautiful little guys!

I've always loved guinea pigs with their expressive faces and many vocalizations, though I've never had one. They seem to have as much character as bunnies and I'm sure that they wiggle their way into your heart the same way bunnies do.

Beezus and Ramona--that takes me back to the third grade!

[Dastard Stepchild]

67. I used to love the Ramona Quimby books...

when I got my two little girls, who happened to also be sisters, of course I had to name them that! :)

[bigwillq]

63. So sorry for your loss.

She was a pretty rabbit.
:hug:

[jerryster]

64. Sorry for your loss

I lost my bunny in July of last year. Very similar in appearance to yours. Latte would have been 10 in October. I miss him very much. I'd never had a rabbit for a pet before we found him. (He was abandoned.) Violet found a wonderful home for 3 years. Sorry it couldn't be longer.

[lildreamer316]

66. So sorry

for your bunny loss. What a sweetie........awwww.

[Rhiannon12866]

68. What an adorable little being! I am so very sorry!

She really looks like personality plus! I have lost several of mine and know it is. I am so terribly sorry.;(:hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

69. Aww, sweet Violet!

What a great expression on her little bunny face... she looks impish and clever and sweet and charming all at once. And happy, too. A little princess bunny.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you find some solace in the fact that you brought comfort, joy and love to her every day.