Cara
Active Member
Hello Everyone,
A little over a week ago, I got married on the beach in Florida (it was a small elopement) and our first few days of marriage were wonderful. However, after the 4th day of being home, our Standard Rex bunny, Walter, passed away. It was quite unexpected and we've been heartbroken ever since.
Six and 1/2 years ago, I was going through a particularly rough time and was looking to get a bunny to help with depression and loneliness. A set of unfortunate circumstances kept me from being able to get a bunny on the day I had planned (my 30th birthday). My best friend Ashley, sensing my hurt, introduced me to a bun she had seen at the store earlier in the day. She insisted on taking me to look at it with her and see if I would want to take him home? Sure enough, I fell in love with this small grey bun (he was 8 weeks at the time) who was just casually lounging by himself in a cage. I named him Walter.
Over the years, Walter would meet many friends and family, including my now-husband, Tony. Everyone who crossed paths with Walter loved him and knew how much of a part of my life he was. He had a huge personality and big heart, a truly unique bun who was with me at the lowest point in my life and left me at my happiest time. It's almost as if he was closing one chapter of my life, leaving me only once he saw I was gonna be okay.
I found it has been therapeutic to talk about Walter with others who have suffered a loss of a pet, but I find that rabbit owners would especially understand what I'm going through. Tony and I do intend to bring home a pair of bunnies at some point, but are not ready at this time as we are still grieving the loss of Walter. For anyone who has recently lost a bunny, I want you to know that I understand and am here if you need to talk. I know you may not want to look at photos or see your bunny's toys still laying around (painful reminders), but please allow yourself to feel the pain. Looking at past photos and videos of Walter with Tony has actually helped me in some way even though it's still been very hard. It's as if we are celebrating his memory.
Time goes by so quickly, especially for bunnies, and before you know it they are old, even if they don't seem old. In hindsight, I feel there are so many things I could've done differently to prolong Walter's life; indeed the guilt has been very real, but I keep reminding myself what I great life he had, and that he was never without anything. Thank you for letting me share this with you, and please hold your buns close today and always.
Cara
A little over a week ago, I got married on the beach in Florida (it was a small elopement) and our first few days of marriage were wonderful. However, after the 4th day of being home, our Standard Rex bunny, Walter, passed away. It was quite unexpected and we've been heartbroken ever since.
Six and 1/2 years ago, I was going through a particularly rough time and was looking to get a bunny to help with depression and loneliness. A set of unfortunate circumstances kept me from being able to get a bunny on the day I had planned (my 30th birthday). My best friend Ashley, sensing my hurt, introduced me to a bun she had seen at the store earlier in the day. She insisted on taking me to look at it with her and see if I would want to take him home? Sure enough, I fell in love with this small grey bun (he was 8 weeks at the time) who was just casually lounging by himself in a cage. I named him Walter.
Over the years, Walter would meet many friends and family, including my now-husband, Tony. Everyone who crossed paths with Walter loved him and knew how much of a part of my life he was. He had a huge personality and big heart, a truly unique bun who was with me at the lowest point in my life and left me at my happiest time. It's almost as if he was closing one chapter of my life, leaving me only once he saw I was gonna be okay.
I found it has been therapeutic to talk about Walter with others who have suffered a loss of a pet, but I find that rabbit owners would especially understand what I'm going through. Tony and I do intend to bring home a pair of bunnies at some point, but are not ready at this time as we are still grieving the loss of Walter. For anyone who has recently lost a bunny, I want you to know that I understand and am here if you need to talk. I know you may not want to look at photos or see your bunny's toys still laying around (painful reminders), but please allow yourself to feel the pain. Looking at past photos and videos of Walter with Tony has actually helped me in some way even though it's still been very hard. It's as if we are celebrating his memory.
Time goes by so quickly, especially for bunnies, and before you know it they are old, even if they don't seem old. In hindsight, I feel there are so many things I could've done differently to prolong Walter's life; indeed the guilt has been very real, but I keep reminding myself what I great life he had, and that he was never without anything. Thank you for letting me share this with you, and please hold your buns close today and always.
Cara
