how to prepare

[armynurse]

Hi everyone. This has been my biggest concern over the last year or so. Oliver will be 10 this August and I know he’s old and I know he won’t last forever. As I’m sure most of you understand, this is my BABY we’re talking about. I don’t have kids, i’m 26 and single with two rabbits and I’ve had him since I was 17. I’m SO scared i will come home from work one day and find him dead. I know that’s morbid. But I’m not sure what I should do when that day comes. Do I leave his body so Meg can check it out for a little while? Where do I take his body? I don’t have a backyard, or I would put him somewhere near and dear to me (my first rabbit was buried in my parents backyard when he passed at the age of 9). I feel so unprepared for that day and as crazy as it sounds it scares the crap out of me.

[Monkeybun]

Definitely let Meg see and smell him, it will be easier for her if you let her do so. Otherwise she will just search for him and get depressed. She may still get depressed after he is gone, and may seek you out for comfort, or hide herself away. You’ll have to be prepared to even possibly have to force feed her to keep her going until she can let him go.

I looked in the phone book recently, and found some pet crematoriums in my city. If one of my buns passes before we buy a house, I will get them cremated so that I can spread their ashes in the garden when I do get a house. That way i won’t be leaving them behind if I have to move. So that may be an option for you as well.

[RabbitPam]

It is understandable that you fear the scenario you’re picturing, but let me suggest a more likely one. You will find him very ill one day, and you will make a trip to the vet with him. You may even have several days of care with trips back and forth. Ultimately, the vet will let you know what is going on and what to expect if it’s terminal. If there is nothing you can do to save him, you will probably work with the vet on a plan to make your baby as comfortable as possible, either at home or at the vets with you. If at all possible, have Meg along with you so she can smell him after he is gone. If you want, the next time you see your vet you can ask what she generally does in these instances, because she may have several options for you to decide on when the time comes. Even if he goes quickly as you described and you find him, you can call your vet to ask what arrangements you can make. It is illegal in some states to bury an animal in your yard, although who would really know if it came to that. I guess what I’m saying is that you can be a little more prepared to handle it all with the help of your vet, rather than expecting the worst and finding yourself in the weeds about it. You can have your support set up to make your decisions quickly each step of the way, and to not feel alone. You will want to take comfort from Meg, and comfort her in her grief as well.
Now go play with your happy bunnies. Enjoy them today.

[MarkBun]

My girl is getting up in years as well and I often wonder if I’ve loved her enough, done enough, etc. Most of her life is spent in her condo, I don’t get greens to her every day, etc.

But then I work at the local shelter – where two buns live in a cage barely bigger than a filing box. And the feral ones that are shot by people, eaten by predators and live for only a couple of years without the warmth and love of a home. In the end, I know that my Maryann has had a better life than 99% of the rabbits out there. And every time I see her flopped out on the floor, laying curled up next to Dono, that she has lived an incredible life.

And, when the time comes for her to cross the rainbow bridge, I know that she’ll be happy in her knowledge that another bun will soon know the love and warmth that she enjoyed for so many years. And having trained me (and Dono) to be even better slaves to the next girl in need of love.

And that is what I take comfort in.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I don’t think any preperation will make it easier. That’s the nature of it-it’s hard. Definitely leave the body for Meg-it’s easier on them if they know. Also-don’t miss the vet just because he is old. There is a lot you can do for comfort and health even at an elderly age.

As animals and people age there are deficits-so prepare to work with those-we’ve dealt with blind crippled and otherwise disabled bunnies so feel free to ask for hints!! BB is a great resource and we should adapt to the aged bunnies as we would our relatives.

AS for the body-I buried Kokanee at my parents house-and regret it-sadly. Chuck and Noot I had cremated and for me-that’s what I want. I feel like they are here; in their urns with me. I wish she was too. But it’s personal so it’s up to you. There are pet cemeteries, famlie’s yards if you don’t have one and cremation, scatter boxes etc. It’s a personal choice *hugs* It’s hard to think and plan ahead I know *hugs*

[armynurse]

thank you for all the support and information. It seems like this one will be harder than my first one since I was an adult the majority of the time I’ve had him. He’s so happy and I guess they really do have it good compared to some other ones. But I always still have that ounce of guilt such as did I spend enough time loving on him. was I gone too much? Guess it’s one of those things you deal with when the time comes. Until then, he and meg seem pretty darn content (they better be. thanks to them i get to replace the carpet in my apartment! lol)

[Author]

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