It absolutely kills me to actually have to write this -  We just got bad news a couple of days ago when Jack's ultra sound confirmed that he has cancer.  He has a cancerous mass inside of one of his lungs that is spreading little tumors throughout his lungs.  The time that is given, (where I will have to help him peacefully pass over), isn't very far away. Could be a few weeks to a couple of months. Right now, it makes him tired, but he still eats, lounges with Vivian, uses the litterbox just fine.  He is not struggling to breathe and I won't let him suffer.  Right now he breathes heavy but still can enjoy a few things.  The vet suggested that when he has no more interest in anything but to just breathe, then that will be the time as it will be before any real suffering happens.  

Vivian takes good care of him as she cuddles with him and grooms him alot these days.  She is just sticking by his side. 

This is going to be a huge loss for us. My heart is broken. I know he's a senior but I just imagined him being around for a couple more years. I just love that big white goofball of a bunny so much. I just can't imagine my life without him.  So, for now, I try not to dwell on what's coming and just love him every day.  I might cry when I first get up or as I write this post, but in general I take a few minutes to get the sadness out each day,  and then go into Jack and Vivian's space with just love.  I don't want to bring in any sad dark energy into their space.   

I will keep the webcams on for only a few hours a day  from around 11am - 3pm, when I know they are the most relaxed and at peace enjoying their window box together, or hanging out on the ground near the food and hay. Also, with the cams off, I  can spend more time with Jack and Vivian.  I will probably only have the cameras on for a week at the most or until I feel things are disgressing to a point that it would not be appropriate.  Currently,  Jack still enjoys Vivian's cuddles and he purrs, and he even tried to give her a half hearted honk and hump last night, but the cancer just makes him more tired at this point.  But you can see the sweet things on the cams and please send love, joy, peace vibes their way.    

 I changed my avatar to Jack's binky because that is how he has lived most of his life - just a fun goofy silly emotional little spirit, and I don't want to get caught up in this upcoming ending as that is such a small part of his overall life.   This is who Jack really is: 

This next part is how I discovered something was wrong and maybe it would be helpful to others. 

He has a cancerous lump inside of his left lung, (nothing you can see externally) that has spread little tumors to the rest of the lung and the other lung and causes fluid around the lungs.  Being that he is a senior bunny at an estimated 9 years old,  his gradual slow down was normal.  But a couple of weeks ago, I noticed just a little less umpf than his normal. He still ate, pooed, pursued Vivian nightly though with less energy.  It was time for him to get his regular check up so I decided to make a vet appointment to make sure it wasn't some bladder thing returning. 

A few days prior to the vet appointment, I noticed Jack's breathing pattern was different.  He didn't seem in distress, as he was acting normally that maybe I had just caught him after romping around.  But then when I spotted him at complete rest with this strange breathing patttern, I knew something was wrong and moved up the vet apointment.  Thank goodness I took video his breathingt because when Jack was stressed at the vet, you couldn't see the strange breathing pattern, and everything else in his exam came out normal.  So when the vet looked at the video, she knew something was wrong and we had xrays done.  The xrays revealed an enlarged liver and the lungs did not look normal -- which could have been due to an infection, heart problems or cancer.  But only an ultra sound would be able to reveal what was really going on and that was done days later -- which confirmed cancer.

NOTE: UPDATE -- I originally posted that he has a mass in his chest that spread to his body, but after speaking with his vet in more detail just now,  (as I was a bit foggy headed when I first got the news), I discovered  he has a cancerous tumor that is in his left lung that has spread little tumors throughout the lungs. So if you have read this and have seen some of the details change -- that is why.    I asked her if there are any causes that she was aware of this and my vet said no.   But that it is normal for older bunnies to get cancer and the time line given is based on her experiences (and she is an extremely rabbit savvy vet).  

I just thought I'd post this cute pix of Jack I had saved once. I just love him.

Thank you very much for such kind words and support, it really does help us. (Steve and I) and I know all of your prayers, vibes and positive loving thoughts will benefit Jack and Vivian too.  Very comforting. .

It's such a wonderful thing to hear how some of you mention how Jack represented BinkyBunny and how his life will live on through what everyone (myself included) has learned. That means soooo much.

THANK YOU.


Cheddar - I'll try and post a video of the type of breathing Jack does. It's not the same as noisy breathers (like Vivian). I can't even hear him breathing like I hear Vivian. His breath isn't a consistent smooth in and out. His chest will rise normally with an inhale, but he will exhale fast. So for example, take a normal breath in, and the push your breath out as fast as you can. That is how he breathes.

longhairmike -- I will mention what you told me to my vet. My guess though is it may not be recommended because if I speed up his system via a steroid, and yet he doesn't have the lung capacity to keep up with his energy level that the steroid can provide, it could cause distress. Like if a had the energy to run as fast as possible but my lungs couldn't bring in the oxygen I needed to sustain it. But I will definitely talk to my vet about it as I only know how steroids have affected me (when I got into some very nasty poison oak and nothing worked to get rid of it except a steroid....and that kept me on the go for sure!

Oh my Lord, is there nowhere this disease will not go? *shakes an angry fist*
Jen, I am absolutely gutted right now reading this, so I can only imagine how you must feel. Your courage in only wanting Jack to feel the love and compassion and not the apprehension at what is to come is awe inspiring. Ironically, due to Mimzy's rather odd moods of late, off and on inappetance and subsequent low energy, I Googled cancer in rabbits last night and was reading up on the symptoms. So seeing this post made me feel kind of like I am fresh out of the Twilight Zone.
Knowing how tuned in you are to both Jack and Vivian, and all your other darling lovebunnies you've had, Jack is blessed indeed to have you as bunny mum to care for him. I will keep you all in my prayers and I plan on setting up a luminary for him at the Relay for Life this Friday.

I don't know what else to say. There is nothing really. Words seem so worthless at a moment like this. I wish there was more I could do...that SOMETHING could be done to avert this. But all the warm, golden, hopeful vibes I can muster are coming your way. (((((((((((((((((((((((((God Bless Jack)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Don't hesitate to let me know if you need something. Even if it's just an ear. I'll be here. We all will. This wonderful place has Jack running through it always. And I would've been lost long ago without you, his happy face and all others who come here, drawn to the love that emanates from it.
Bless you all. (((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))

I am so sad to hear this! Poor bunny boy I've so enjoyed having the webcams on while I work and watching Jack & Vivian as a little "bunny break" when I get stressed. In the time I've been able to watch him, there have been many instances that he's made me laugh or smile just when I need it. And I agree with the others, Jack IS BinkyBunny and he always will be.

Lots of hugs and vibes to you, Jack and Vivian!!!

I'm so sad to hear about this, Jen. I will be thinking about you and your bunnies non-stop. We will be here for you through this!

Jack really is does represent Binky Bunny. Your stories and photos of him and your motivations for the website played a big part in the life Frankie has been lucky to have. You've taught me so much over the past couple years thanks to your little dude <3

You've given Jack a great life and he is lucky to be part of all our worlds.

Jack really is does represent Binky Bunny. Your stories and photos of him and your motivations for the website played a big part in the life Frankie has been lucky to have. You've taught me so much over the past couple years thanks to your little dude <3

You've given Jack a great life and he is lucky to be part of all our worlds

Though it is painful in some ways to know what's ahead, I am grateful I am able to be aware so that I can be sure to spend more time with Jack and especially to make sure to prevent suffering.

And this also gives me the opportunity to have time to gain strength from you all. I can't express how touched I am by everyone. Thank you so much. I have linked this thread to my toolbar so I can be sure to come here to read all the wonderful things you have said throughout this time. It gives me strength and comfort. Your love, hugs, prayers, vibes will help us through.

Jack just got finished eating some greens and snuggling with Vivian -- until he decided to give her a little love honk, then he stretched out in a relaxed superman pose. So looks like the all the good vibes are helping him stay happy too.