Lola’s story

[LouJayne]

Five years ago I went to Pets At Home with my friend just for a browse as my friend lived nearby and we wanted to check out the cute bunnies. Right, right, right at the back of the store, I found the animals that nobody had wanted, all who had their prices knocked down.

There I found the cutest, cheekiest looking lop eared rabbit- Lola. Who went by the name of Matilda at the time.

Something told me I must have her! I believe in fate, and thought.. if I can find an affordable hutch, and get a lift home, I will take that as I sign that I should adopt her. To my surprise, I managed to make these things happen and I was soon on my way home with a little Matilda in a carry case on my knee. I knew there had been a reason why I didn’t already have a rabbit because I always wanted one, it only dawned on me when it was too late that the reason why I didn’t have a rabbit was because my housemates boyfriend was allergic.. wups. I soon brought Matilda home and introduced her to my flatmate. We scratched our heads for a while and decided that this beautiful 8 week old rabbit should go by the name of Lola.

I had Lola for 5 years, we moved house about 4-5 times ( I lose count ) she kept me sane when my housemate would stay at her boyfriends a lot, she kept me going with her upbeat spirit when I got messed around by a certain male over and over, she kept me smiling when people continued to make life hard and she kept me uplifted when I was trying to write my dissertation. 

She was a big ball of fluffy, happy energy. And I had something to look after and take care of, which I found therapeutic and nurturing. 

She would binky around my flat, and soon found out how to open her cage herself (I still don’t know how she figured it out) She was so good, she always used her caged to go to the toilet and never chewed anything. She just kept me company and made me laugh.

For 4 years Lola was in good health and I think only went to the vets on one occasion but that wasn’t for anything serious, she was always a happy healthy rabbit and you could see this by her energy.

I moved in with a couple of people I knew, and she really loved to destroy this house- I would like to think she sensed I wasn’t happy here and this affected her. She would rip up carpets, chew the settee. I moved out before my tenancy was up back to my parents, I soon found out that I owed £100 worth of damage due to her pesky little outbursts- but I could never stay mad at her.

We lived at my parents for a year just until I got myself in a stable situation. Immediately my mum fell in love with her- I would find my mum singing to her, overly giving her treats, cuddling her. It was lovely and Lola very much enjoyed it. 

It was sad when we had to move out because I could tell my mum had grown attached to Lola.

Soon after the move, me and my sister decided we would get my mum her own rabbit as she was quite clearly attached to Lola. We went to Pets At Home where we found Poppy- another gorgeous bundle of fluff. We gave my mum Poppy, and since then, we have never seen her so happy. My mum has now got Poppy a new friend called Bob, they are best mates and so beautiful together.

 I moved in with my sister who had had a very tough time and was struggling quite a lot. Me and Lola joined forces to try and do everything we could to help her, and within a year, my sister was back to her normal happy self I would find Sarah chilling out with Lola in the garden, having cuddles on the floor etc. It was nice to see the smile back on my sister’s face, and it was due to this gorgeous bundle of fluff. It brings me absolute peace and happiness to know that Lola brought so much happiness to not just me, but to the most important people in my lives. My dad has even showed his softer side and is always talking about Poppy and Bob, you can tell how much he loves these two and how happy they make him, which makes me happy.

Lola’s character through the years grew and grew, she would follow us EVERYWHERE- and I MEAN EVERYWHERE. She loved the sunshine in the garden and would always be hopping over the grass or running through grass tunnels she had made. 

Her appetite was bigger than that of a humans and would physically run full speed even if she even smelt banana on your hands. She was amazing company to keep, and even if no one was home, you would feel like somebody was home because of Lola’s big heavy feet ..from this she gained the nickname ‘Flomp-a-domp’

In the past year, as Lola got a little older, she did go to the vets more than she ever had, but usually for things that were only little and I didn’t ever think it was something to be too concerned about until before Christmas.

Lola became incontinent.. at the time I thought maybe she had just got a little lazy with her toilet habits and couldn’t be bothered to go in her litter tray. Through this her fur got matted and she started to smell and look quite unhappy, which was unusual for her.

Whilst my parents were visiting, I asked my mum to help me groom her. We cut a lot of her matted fur away and gave her a good brush. What we discovered was heartbreaking; all of Lola’s skin was bright red from urine burns. I felt my heart drop. She must have been so uncomfortable. I ran upstairs to get some salt water to try wash her skin, but when I came downstairs, Lola had lost the use of her back legs. We got her straight to the emergency vets where they diagnosed her with ecuni culi. This was why she had incontinence and lost the use of her limbs, as well as lose weight which I hadn’t really noticed. They gave us antibiotics and shampoo to help her burns, so for a month straight I had to force feed her antibiotics which she hated. This was the point I started to lose the Lola I knew, and I  could see things weren’t how they should be.

After the month had passed, we had had moments where we thought she was okay but she would soon start weeing on herself again. And every time she did, it was so disheartening. The next step was to have her bladder drained, so we got her booked in for that within the space of a few days.

I took the day off work so I could collect her as soon as she was ready to come home. I dropped her off first thing in the morning; I went home and waited for the phone call to say she was ready to be collected. Only, the phone call wasn’t what I had hoped it would be. The vet rang 2 hours after I had dropped her off so I knew something was wrong, and the vet then informed me that Lola had a stomach tumour. I felt as though someone had ripped my heart out. I was inconsolable. The vet said, they can put her down then and there or I can bring her home and see how she gets on. As she seemed okay (minus the incontinence) I brought her home. I took 5 days off work to stay with her and spent those 5 days in mourning by her side, not knowing when she was going to leave me.

I was absolutely blessed as I was given another 6 weeks with her. Although, those 6 weeks would be the most heartbreaking weeks as she went really downhill 4 weeks down the line when she started having seizures.

Her first seizure was very quick and we weren’t sure if she had just fallen over, but a week after, she would have seizures every 2-3 days for about 15 seconds which felt like hours. I would hold on to her praying for her to come out of the seizure alive, and being a fighter, she always did. And would bounce back up to go have something to eat whilst I am in a ball crying my heart out for her. She wasn’t even fussed by the whole ordeal!

I knew once the seizures became more often that I should prepare myself for the worst and I took her back to the  vet just to get there opinion on the seizures and whether they think it’s time. But they reassured me that it didn’t necessarily mean she’s in pain and they reassured me that she still looks happy and like she’s still got bounce in her.

A week or so after the trip to the vets, on a Saturday evening I stayed in with her and spent the evening in mourning because I knew her time was drawing to a close. By this time she had chewed off the end of her tail, which said to me she was uncomfortable or in pain, she also had diarrhoea and was weeing on herself more than usual. She looked uncomfortable when she sat down and I knew the tumour was growing.

On Monday I was in work when my sister rang me crying and I knew it was time. Lola had lost the use of her legs and was really poorly. I got myself home with an hour spare to spend with her before the vets appointment. This was my last hour with Lola. I asked my mum and my sister to take Lola to the vets because I was worried if I did, that maybe I wouldn’t go through with it.

Before Lola went to the vets, I asked her for a kiss and she reached her nose to my mouth. And I said my goodbyes.

I have never felt loss like this before, I have never lost anyone I am very close and I dread the day I have to again. Lola was my best friend and she helped me through a lot of dark times in my life. She helped all of my family gain happiness and I am grateful to her for that.

She made us laugh when she would watch TV with us, when she would open the door herself, when she would pick up a shoe and start throwing it around. She would stand in the doorway to the kitchen and watch you cook until you gave her a treat. She would follow you upstairs and wait outside the bathroom door. She would look up the stairs wondering where you had gone. She was the most funniest, most gorgeous little friend anyone could ever ask for.

I will always miss her, but I am so glad that she was part of my life for the past 5 years because I don’t think my life will have been the same if I had never had her in it.

Who ever knew such a little fluffy thing could have such an effect on someone’s life.

 

Thank you Mrs Mouse, I miss you to the moon and back and back again. Mwah xxx 

[Auburnie]

I have been watching this forum religiously the past few days. Reading every story and hoping that a new one wouldn’t come in. When I saw a new topic had been started my heart sunk.

Such a beautiful story you shared. There are no words for things like this. We all understand how big of an impact our babies have on our hearts. They are our children, and they are our happiness.

It sounds like this bunny has changed the lives of more than just one. And you’re very blessed to have had such a beautiful little creature in your life. Beautiful positive memories. I wish you the best during this time of grief and mourning.

Binky free, Lola.

[tobyluv]

I’m very sorry about the loss of your sweet Lola. It sounds like she brought a lot of special meaning into your life and into the lives of your family members. I know that you miss her so much. She loved you and knew that you all loved her in return.

[Bam]

Lola’s story is full of the most beautiful love. I’m so sorry you lost her. I’m glad you had her, and that she had you. Your bond was very special.

Binky free Lola.

[Q8bunny]

I don’t think I can adequately express how much your story touched me. Thank you so much for sharing it. Lola sounds like love incarnate and I am truly sorry that you had to say goodbye to each other. (((binky free, little one)))

[LouJayne]

Thank you for your kind words everybody.
I can’t believe it’s been a week already that she’s been gone.
The stress and worry has gone now which has left me feeling peaceful but I feel sad about her everyday. This is the longest I haven’t seen her in 5 years.
Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, and I planted lots of flowers where she is buried in the garden.

Thank you again everybody, you’re all lovely xx

[cinnybun2015]

I am so, so sorry LouJayne. Lola’s story and her friendship with you was absolutely beautiful, and my heart breaks for you. I am glad that the stress and worry is gone and that you are feeling peaceful, but I know that the grief of a loss will never really heal over. I can’t really say anything much more than that.

(((Binky free, Lola))))

[Hopper]

I am so sorry! I was read your still story it felt as if my heart was tearing, and I don’t even know you or her! It would be horrible.
You guys shared a GREAT bond and, one day, you’ll meet again and you’ll never have to worry about losing Lola agin. You, your family, and Lola are in my prayers.

[LongEaredLions]

There were definitely tears shed as I read your story. You had such a special bond with Lola. Even though I know this time is hard, it is so nice to see that you can look upon her time with you with joy. Sending hugs.

[Author]

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