Binky free Aeryn! (3/17/06-11/23/16)

[ScooterandAnnette]

Hi everyone!  It’s been too long!

Unfortunately, we have bad news to report.  Aeryn, our brilliant little mini-rex who could open her padlocked cage, finally succumbed to bone disease on Wednesday night.

About a year and a half ago, Aeryn broke her right femur.  Repairing it was not feasible, as there was evidence of bone disease and it was too soft to take a pin.  Amputation wouldn’t work either, as the vet deemed that her blood chemistry and the fact she was over 9 years old at the time would mean that she wouldn’t survive.  She was given painkillers, and within weeks made a miraculous recovery on her own.  If we didn’t know any better, we would have sworn she faked the whole thing.

This past February, she broke the bone again.  Again, there were no options available, and we debated about putting her down.  However, she was still eating, chewing on things, grooming herself and her cagemates, getting into trouble as she loved to do, and otherwise enjoying her life.  So we decided that we would not give up on her as long as she was willing and able to fight.  She was given metacam indefinitely to manage the pain, and went through about half a dozen prescription refills.  Fortunately, she enjoyed the taste.

As time wore on, the bad leg essentially collapsed, and her mobility steadily went downhill.  But even as late as several weeks ago, she would scoot about using her good leg to push her about to us, to demand her breakfast banana in the morning.  Her bad leg looked awful as she dragged it around, but she insisted on life as normal.  We know that bunnies hide pain, but she would sit and lie relaxed, ears up and open, calmly plotting to take over the world.

Two weeks ago, she was unable to move at all on her own, and was stuck on her side.  We built her a sling so she could stand upright, which she enjoyed.  We planned to put wheels on it so she could move, and indeed she was able to use her front legs to push herself along even without the wheels.  But after a few days, it became clear that she was going downhill fast, as her right front leg started to lose mobility.  And it was clear that she was clearly in distress.  This was no life for her, so we finally decided to let her go.

Even up to her last vet visit, she kept fighting.  She struggled to stand up, even as we took her into the back room so she could be put to sleep, and licked our fingers to say goodbye to us.  She was a fighter to the end, but her strength finally simply gave out.  Both we and the vets who have treated her are in awe of her strength of will.

We will miss her.

A couple of photos of Aeryn in better times:  our photo used by the Edmonton Humane Society, where she was born, for their 2008 wall calendar for July “Adopt a Rabbit Month”; and the one time she surprised us and raided the bag of tortilla chips on the coffee table (she wasn’t allowed to do that after that!)

 

[PruenPiper]

They say a bunny who has lived a long life was a very loved bunny! I’m so sorry for your loss Binky free Aeryn!

[Azerane]

I am very sorry for your loss, what a long and wonderful life she must have had with you. Binky free, Aeryn.

[jerseygirl]

My condolences to you and Scooter, Annette. Aeryn was amazing in how she did after those breaks. I’ve mentioned her story to other rabbit owners when discussing just how well some rabbits can cope. She has had a wonderful long life in your care. She is such a beauty!
***Binky Free Aeryn***

[tobyluv]

I’m sorry about the loss of beautiful Aeryn.

[Bam]

I’m so sorry for your loss. I remember Aeryn’s amazing broken-bone story, part I and II, very well – because of her remarkable spontaneous recovery and her determination to live and enjoy life. There’s no doubt she was a very happy bunny. We were very lucky to get to “meet” her here.

Binky Free, brave and beautiful *****Aeryn*****

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry for your loss. And I myself am very sad to hear Aeryn has passed. She was indeed a very strong little girl. That’ probably because she knew how much you loved her. May she remain in your hearts always.

((((Binky Free Aeryn)))))

[MimzMum]

I’m so very sorry to hear this news, Annette. Aeryn was beautiful, witty and obviously loaded with charm. I find the rexes are quite different from other rabbits, their personalities are not to be matched. She had a wonderful life with you and Scooter, and was so very blessed to be in your care. Sending you many hugs at this sad time.

Binky free, Aeryn. Heaven has a new bunny angel in charge. <3

[Emmsy]

Awh So sad to read. Sorry to hear, but she seemed to enjoy her bun life with you.

[Author]

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