LPT, your story about the deer you saw after Stormy's passing really touched my heart. I wish I could ease your pain, I know how deeply you feel Stormy's loss. It is almost unbearable now, but it will get better. After the bunny love of my life passed away I was so overtaken with grief that I could barely function. Please, please take it a day at a time and know that you will get through this and your love for Stormy will never fade.

My parents surprised me with this necklace on the 1 yr anniversary after my Howie's passing:

http://www.evrmemories.com/silver-i...r123ss.htm

It is an infinity symbol - always together and never apart - and on the back the company engraved "H & E" for Howie and Elizabeth. I have not taken it off in 4 years except to clean it. There are many infinity pendants available in gold or with diamonds and such but the simplicity of this one in silver fit me best. I am allergic to everything under the sun, this is stainless steel with NO nickel plating and they gave me a black cord to use instead of a chain due to my sensitive skin. The pendant holds a tiny amount of ashes. I rub the necklace whenever I am feeling sad or just like I need a hug and I feel more at peace. I am of the belief that love knows no bounds, and that the spirits of our loved ones (furry and otherwise) remain with us.

I could never decide on an urn for Howie's ashes so I kept them in the little black box they gave me. I have several framed pictures of Howie on my dresser and the ashes are sitting there as well.

(((Hugs to you and Ricky)))

LPT, I think the deer were there to share their lives with you for a little while. In Animal Speak, deer are the symbol for Gentleness. A mother deer is very gentle with her babies, and you need to be gentle with yourself and your bunnies right now.

Grief is felt physically, not just emotionally, and you may feel this pain for a week or two. You'll know when it passes to a more tolerable level - you'll feel better in your stomach. Let it happen, eat soft, easy foods and just snuggle with your family. It is harder to lose someone, animal or human, that is part of your everyday life than any other way. You also are making some abrupt adjustments to your daily life. Your changes and routines to accommodate Stormy are not happening abruptly. You are afraid for Bindi (how is he today?) and like your bunnies, your routines are totally disrupted. Take care of changing out things that were Stormy's in small steps - whatever feels right. Don't set "I should do this now" deadlines. Not necessary. You do what you can when you're ready. Believe me when I say that in a week you will feel like you just came up for air.
{{{{{More hugs}}}}}}

I'm so sorry LPT, I was in your shoes this spring when I lost my cat of 15 years. I found that my other animals kept me going, I had to get them fed, cleaned up, and paid attention too and I believe that it made the process easier for me. And I still have moments where I just have to lay down, cry, and miss her.

I agree with RP, everyone heals at different speeds and in different ways. If it doesn't feel right to clean up his stuff, don't. I didn't clean my cats litter box out for almost a month after she died... which is really gross, but i just couldn't bring myself to do it until one day it just felt right.

Stormy will be missed by so many of us. I know things are so hard right now, and they will be for a while, but Olivia and Bindi will be there to comfort and distract you. BIg hugs to you all. He had a fantastic bunny life and was so lucky to live with you guys.

Binky free, Stormy.

I'm so sorry for the loss of Stormy, LPT.

Oh LPT...I am so sorry to hear this. I couldn't hold back the tears reading this. I remember when I lost my first bunny. I was really young. It hurt so bad. Nothing is like losing a pet, and my pets now are like my kids. My heart goes out to you and you will be in my thoughts.

I am so sorry. How terribly hard that must have been. You did the right thing as our animals don't always know what is in store for them, and so we have to make the torturous decision to prevent their suffering. That is love. And how lucky he was to be loved so much. What a wonderful day he had that time he could safely fall asleep in your arms, and enjoy what he could. Let that be your last memory and don't torture yourself about the very last moments. He knew he was loved and that's what matters. You were there in spirit with him. He had to have felt that. Replace the thoughts of "should have been there" with all of the moments he felt loved and cherished throughout is life, and even in the moment he fell asleep in your lap. His life as a whole is what matters the most.

He is at peace right now, no more suffering. I know now you are going through the mourning stage and that definitely can be filled with moments of "unreal", and sort of numbing at times. The loss is just too much sometimes, and your brain needs time to let it sink in in a way that you can heal from. Then there are waves and eventually time does lessen it so it's not overwhelming all the time.

I am so sorry though for the mourning you and Ricky are going through right now though. Time does heal, but for now, cry it out, get rest and take care of yourselves.

And of course we are always here to help while you are grieving. Hugs.

Binky Free Stormy!

I'm so sorry that you lost stormy, my heart goes out to you!

I'm sorry LPT, it is a very hard decision to make but I am sure he knows you were there for him, even if you couldn't be in the room. Binky free Stormy.

I just wanted to say LPT that I am so sorry! Reading this and hearing about Bindi just make me want to cry. I can totally understand the pain of seeing a beloved pet waste away. I am so sorry LPT. At least Stormy had a wonderfully full and loving life with you.

I've been thinking a lot about you and keeping you and Stormy in my thoughts an prayers. I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye to him. Binky free sweet little guy <3

I hope you are doing all right. I'm sure Stormy is waiting for you on the other side munching on all his favorite foods. I defiantly know how you feel. The bun that started it all for me died just a few months after I got her. I'm sure it's so much different after all those years and I can't imagine the pain you must be feeling. I hope you are doing a bit better now. It will get easier with time. Trust me.

OMG, I completely missed this thread. I'm sorry about Stormy. He was such a beautiful bun and had a great mom.

Thank you everyone. It is hard and I miss him so much. I miss seeing his little face begging for a treat and just spending time with him. He was the bun that was most bonded to me so I really miss that relationship. I keep thinking about how hard Christmas is going to be, when I unpack his little stocking.... My animals are part of the family so Christmas always includes them too.

I have so many wonderful pictures of my beautiful little guy. I will do a picture memorial soon in another thread.

(((((((((((((((((Huge hugs))))))))))))))))
Oh my goodness...I thought I was the only one to have bunny Christmas stockings...my OH always wants to know why I have them.

Just seeing that in your post makes me tear up all over again. :'(
We're all missing him right along with you, LPT.
Fiver is sending minirex bunny kisses your way. xx

I'm going to start the photo memorial in the Rainbow Bridge Forum.