How long does my remaining bunny need with his departed friend?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 4sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 7 months ago by Meg.

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- 09/15/2018 at 1:52 PM
  Meg
  Participant
  560 posts
  Hey.
  
  So, as I mentioned on another thread, my beloved, first-ever bunny, Athena, passed away this morning. Her BFF, Teddy, was with her.
  
  These two are my first and only bunnies, so I’ve never been through a bunny bereavement before and don’t know what Teddy needs. I understand he needs time with her after she’s passed, but how long?
  
  Athena passed at about 8:30 this morning. She and Teddy are free-range buns, and he was a couple of feet away, near their litterbox area. He stayed in that spot for a few hours, and then he came out, went past her without really stopping for more than a half second to sniff her, and he went under the bed, where the bunnies usually spend the day until about 4 or 5pm. So if he comes out at the usual time, that will be in about two hours.
  
  My question is, should Athena still be here when he comes back, in case he needs more time to say goodbye? Or is he done, and would her being here freak him out? I don’t want to scare him… I just want to do whatever he needs.
  
  Thank you so much!!
- 09/15/2018 at 1:58 PM
  Bunny House
  Participant
  1241 posts
  Have you left him alone with her without you peaking in on them? It might help him go to her and realize she’s gone. I let mine be with hers for 30 minutes and she acted like she wanted nothing to do with him.
  
  I would keep the blanket you have her on near him so he can still smell her and slowly be able to come to terms with it.
  I don’t want to be gross but my boy started to smell after 3 hours after passing so I didn’t want to keep him long before taking him back. It’s totally up to you, see how he reacts when you take her away and if he starts searching then you can bring her back.
  
  Just make sure to keep his place the same for a couple of days and not do any heavy cleaning so her smell can slowly dissipate and allow a nice slow acclimation for him.
  
  I’m so sorry, again
- 09/15/2018 at 2:10 PM
  Meg
  Participant
  560 posts
  Thank you. Yes, I have. I know he knows she’s gone, I just don’t know if he needs more time with her or if keeping her here a few more hours would scare him.
- 09/15/2018 at 3:29 PM
  Bunny House
  Participant
  1241 posts
  I think he is good with the times he’s spent with her, but of course, you know him best.
- 09/15/2018 at 4:35 PM
  Meg
  Participant
  560 posts
  OK, thank you.
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