Goodbye Cupcake, You Were Wonderful

[dandelionwhiner]

The rabbit that belonged to the family that lives in the same building as I do passed away on Monday. After seeing how my rabbit lived in my home without a cage, they tried their best to bunny proof their home for Cupcake. They were too busy to notice that he ate too many bad things. I feel so awful, and partly responsibe, for not trying to help them and give them more information. I guess I was too caught up in my own little world to take the time to notice.

A few days before he died, while the family was on vacation, I was asked by the grandmother, who was home at the time, to visit with Cupcake and give him some much-needed attention. I noticed that he didn’t take a raisin from me, and that his food bowl was full, but I just thought that she had filled it up that morning. I know now that he was not eating and that I could have done something to help him; I wish I hadn’t been in such a rush to get out the door on time to an event. I just feel so awful knowing he was in pain.

Atleast I was able to be with him one last time; I already miss our occasional visits. He was a special little guy, full of life and affection. He would chase me around their appartment and sleep on the couch. He was almost one year old.

We had a funeral in the back yard. Someone read a poem about Cupcake. I put flowers on his grave today.

 

 

[RabbitPam]

I’m very sorry to hear about Cupcake. He sounds like he was a cute little bunny and very dear to you.
You absolutely cannot take any blame for any of this, and I hope you will stop thinking that way. If anything, you provided some education to this family to start them on their way to making a better home for Cupcake. If they didn’t bunny proof their home it was due to lack of effort on their part, even if you believe they did it to the best of their ability. The could have asked more questions, read up on rabbit care, or researched on line. They could have talked to a vet. I don’t mean to disparage your friends and neighbors, but clearly they could have done better, and to blame yourself is just wrong.

Cupcake was in the care of their grandmother. Again, though well meaning, she was focused on attention rather than being informed of what are important health indicators. She was responsible for noticing that he hadn’t eaten, and yours was a natural assumption. I’m sure she feels really terrible that he passed while in her care. Don’t make it harder for her or yourself by imagining that you should have spotted what she didn’t. It takes education and observation to know the subtle signals a bunny gives off when ill, and I would never expect a visiting family member to know that without my explicit instructions. Even then, an experienced bunny owner can miss the signs because bunnies hide them. It is very sad, but neither of you are to blame.

Cupcakes has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, knows how much you cared, and is happy to have a place in your heart. He will be missed.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry about the loss of your special bunny friend. (((((Binky Free Little Cupcake))))

[Author]

Messages