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› Forum › RAINBOW BRIDGE › Not been a good week
As some of you know my wonderful Flakie passed away on the 17th January aged 10. I have been feeling a lot better recently not crying every day and I’m waiting on two lovely rescue bunnies which I collect next Sunday,
However this has been a bad week and I’m more upset than usual crying again and thinking of him a lot and the day he died and it still distresses me. I’m always looking at his pictures and wondering what more I could have done for him.
Maybe I’m feeling guilty for getting two new bunnies and I know they will never replace him and his brother and will have their own wee personalities.
I haven’t told my family how I feel this week but I feel binky bunny members will understand my loss and sadness.
I read the posts on rainbow bridge and I cry at them all even when I’m replying offering support.
Time is a healer and perhaps my new bunnies will help me smile again x
so sorry to hear about Flakie how long did you have him? it sounds like he lived a good life with you and was well-loved.
i know it might feel like youre trying to replace him, but youre giving a home to two buns in need, which im sure Flakie would be supportive of!
and i promise, after you meet the new rabbits, your heart will open up again
I am sure everyone on here understands. Grief is a slow process, and I think from what I am reading pretty much everyone has some degree of guilt or regret. I know I do. “What if I had done this… what if I had been there… etc”. This is all normal (and awful). In your case I suspect that the approaching adoption has stirred you up a bit. However, perhaps you can view it as honoring Flakie, who taught you how to love and interact with a bunny perhaps… and now you will be sharing that gift with two little ones that might not have love otherwise. I was thinking last night about that saying “it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all…” and it made me wonder, if we really knew that pain we’d experience at the loss of our rabbit would we have chosen the experience of loving them anyway? (I hope so.) The pain is a part of the package because in most cases they are meant to be here a shorter time than us. Afterwards we must pass through the grief of their absence, except they left us with hAnd appy memories we would not have had otherwise. I was wearing a pullover last night and noticed the holes in the shirt that my bunny loved to nip in them ( I have no idea why). .And it made me smile, “Bingo passed this way.” Anyway, if I could change the details of my bunny’s passing, I would, but that is not in my power, and it is a bitter dreg…. But to balance that are the licks and binkys and bunny stares and flops and hiding games…and more… that I’d never have otherwise… and there are gifts we gave them too that they’d never have had otherwise. Did we in our human frailties fail them sometimes? Yes, did we in our human gifts bestow love upon them, o yes. Flakie made it to age 10! How wonderful! And you’ve been inspired to share love with others in his wider bunny family. How wonderful as wel! I am sorry though you are having a hard week, just know others do understand!
Melissa we had him 10 years I joined the forum here when he died for support which has been great. Flakie is now buried in my garden with his brother and his favourite blanket which he adored. Miss him loads x
Thanks Bingos dad. Your kind words do help. Yes I think the upcoming adoption has stirred the feelings again. My son did me a wonderful screen saver on my iPad with pictures of my late bunnies and my new bunnies and for mother’s day they gave me a bunny ornament and bunny socks.
I am looking forward to the new bunnies one has now been in rescue for 23 weeks a long time so does need a new home and hopefully we can provide everything they need. Gut stasis is horrible and we battled it for nearly a year on and off and I was with flakie when he died likewise with him brother Poppy (we thought he was a girl). .
Thank you for understanding and I am so glad I was able to care for them for such a long time x
Its very hard to live without your bunny you had for a long time, I miss my Jasper so much still more than ever, I find looking at new bunnies helps me as its so lonely now, once you have had the love and happiness from a wonderful bunny, that all that matters, so many bunnies have had a sad life. I think its great to give one a new home, with love and care.
Thanks Phil. I read about your Jasper what a lovely bunny. I too started just looking at bunnies and saw Basil up for adoption and now waiting on two of them as we needed to get him a wee lady to spend his life with.
I posted a little tribute to Flakie on the uk rabbit Welfare Association in remembrance of his life and cried my heart out as I wrote it.
He was a wee chancer annoying his brother and loved his treats and loved parsley and baby sweet corn.
Binky free Flakie and Jasper and Bingo x
Just got home from my dads its so awful coming home to empty house no Jasper, I to did remberance on RWF, I still blame myself for letting him have anasitic at his age, I look at bunny’s every week in pet store as my life is so empty without my little darling, I’ve been so I’ll with it all, just can’t imagine rest of my life without him, I loved him so much, I’ve seen some very sweet bunnies and just know ile get a new jasper when I feel confident enough, I think your amazing to get new buns.
Phil I saw your post on the RWF site about Jasper. He like Flake was a good age and you did try everything you could for him.
I looked at bunnies in pet shops too but decided to have rescue buns as they need homes and they are there through no fault of their own.
I will post pictures once I have them home. I’m sure in time when you are ready you too will possibly have another bunny.
❤️ To our bunnies
Yes Flakie. Couldn’t have said it more perfect than BingosDad. I’m sure the new adoptions are bringing up all kinds of subconscious things. I too am grateful that you are helping to give two more little bunnies a wonderful life. They have won the lottery and don’t even know it yet.
I smiled when you said, “I read the posts on rainbow bridge and I cry at them all even when I’m replying offering support.” Same here…right along with you. I can’t help it. Because we empathize. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this forum, website, whatever the proper name, has been a God send. So desperately needed at just the right time for Janice and me. A tremendous help.
I also smiled at your “wee lady” and “wee chancer” comments. I’ve heard several people from Scotland use the “wee” adjective. Not that only people from Scotland use it. But it marks you! In a good way of course. Love it. It brings recognition to the fact and reaffirms how great it is in this day and age and the current technological advances of computers and internet and such that we as bunny guardians and bunny lovers are able to come together from all corners of the world and share and support each other. Pretty cool in my book.
Anyhow, thank you for being the bunny person you are. Look forward to seeing some pics and hearing some stories about the new bunnies’ personalities.
Hi Gordo and Janice, yes we tend to use the word “ wee” a lot here in Scotland. I know I do lol. This website like you said is a Godsend being able express feelings about my bunnies in a place that understands. It’s lovely too that we all come from different parts of the world but come together to share our bunny experiences.
My wee bunny lady was getting spayed before I get her and her new husbun so she is still in foster care till we collect them both from the rescue on Sunday. The carer sent me a picture of her last night sitting on her couch. I had taken a picture of Flakie the week before he died on the couch and they were in the same position and she looked so like him.
Thank you so much and look forward to sharing their stories x
So sorry to hear about your Flakie, and we all understand ‘those days’. I’m 7 months without Timothy and I still have days that come out of the blue when I just want to sit on the floor and sob. I don’t think of them of ‘grief’ days now… more of the ‘I’m here’ days when our buns come back to visit us. We feel their presence more strongly, we know they are there, but we can’t see them, touch them, hold them. So it causes us great sadness, because we know they are there and we want to see them so much. It makes it easier to think that way, rather than going back to the early days that were so overwhelming painful to even think about. I don’t want to go there again.
I wasn’t aware of the UK Rabbit Welfare Association, so I had a look and I am going to make a donation.
Your two new buns are very lucky to have found a wonderful home with you and I hope they go some way to filling that little hole in your heart. I suppose we all have reservations about getting another bunny, but we know when the time is right. It isn’t for us yet, but we won’t say never.
Look forward to seeing your photos …..
Lynda
x
Thanks Lynda it’s good to get support from everyone. My sister and mum don’t understand think of my buns as just rabbits which annoys me a lot. My husband and kids understand how much Flakie and Poppy meant to me.
The rabbit welfare Association is good you can join for £20 a year and get a magazine with info on bunnies and they have stuff on their website too.
I also called the Bluecross bereavement service and you can call them and speak about what happened to your bunny and cry as much as you like and call as often as you like. The lady I spoke to was lovely and I called back a few times. A really good service they provide and it’s a charity .
I just feel so lost having no bunnies and my children are growing up so don’t need me as much and my new buns need a home so I decided to go ahead with the adoption.
Binky free Flakie, Poppy and Timothy ❤️
Hi just to say I understand people who never been so close to a bunny don’t understand how much it hurts to loose our wonderful companions. I still feel empty sad and everyday life is such a drag. I contacted lady called Christine fro RWF. She is so understanding. Helped me quite a bit when jasper first died. I was distraught. Lost my little angel. So so sad.
Phil i hadn’t realised at the time that the RWF had a bereavement service as I probably would have called them too.
Everything is cats and dogs and very few rabbit savy vets either. My vet is ok but was quite annoyed when we were sent home and flakes tummy was really gasy and larger than usual it wasn’t our usual person we saw that evening. I hate the fact that he suffered more than he should have and really should have been put to sleep sooner! Although it’s hindsight I would have done things differently.
Yes they have, I like you feel I didn’t take more care with Jasper before anasetic, think he had sniffles, this is fatal with anasitic. Vet didn’t check for this, I feel awful today..
Christine. She’s so understanding her number is 01158400202 you can call any time. Phil
Thanks for Christine’s number. Oh so sorry you not good either today. Suppose we are going to have good and bad days for a while.
Thinking of you x
Hope she can help. I’ve been so desperate at times, even now I’m out enjoying sunny spring day, why can’t my little Jasper be here too, im so sad
Just wondering how your doing, did you get new bunnies, I’m not doing well, everyday life problems are really getting me down, miss Jasper more than ever now!
Hi Phil thanks I am feeling a bit better. New bunnies come tomorrow we have a 104 mile trip there and back . We have been so busy getting new things for them had to get new run and toys etc. Keeping my mind busy with work and going to keep fit classes and preparing for the new buns arrival.
So sorry that you not doing so well today. Think we will both have our up and down days for a while it’s hard I know as we miss them so much. Maybe in time you too might consider a new bunny or another loveable pet to share your life with.
Thinking of you Phil and hope you feel a bit better soon. Think of the wonderful life you gave wee Jasper and the love that you gave him throughout his life with you. He needed the operation for the testicular cancer and you provided the best for him throughout.
Binky free lovely Jasper x
Wish you best of luck with new bunnies, they are going to a new wonderful life with you, let me know how it goes, thank god for people like us, I’m excited for you and them, sure Flakie would be happy too. X
Thanks Phil will let you know how they are and post pictures of them. Quite nervous about having young rabbits again as you know Flakie was nearly 10 and our Poppy was 9 and caring for our elderly bunnies was something to treasure always.
Hope you are feeling a bit better and that my pictures when I post them will hopefully make us both smile.
Take care x
Was wondering how new bunnies are doing, and your ok, I’m still very lost without my Jasper.
How’s new bunnies doing, i m getting new bum myself in a month, its been so hard everyday without Jasper, not too sure if I’m doing right thing still.
Hi Phil sorry been so busy with the new bunnies never saw your post. I am delighted you are getting a new bunny it will be good for you !!!!!
I thought the same as you was I doing the right thing getting new bunnies ? but I am so so glad I did.
I love my new bunnies just the same as I did with Flakie and Poppy no different and both their characters are totally different.
I managed to bond them in a week and a half been so lucky with that and they adore each other.
I have Flakie and Poppy’s graves in my garden and I take my new buns over to see them and tell them about how wonderful they were and that I missed them both.
I am loving having new bunnies to care for and they are full of life and mischief!
I posted pictures in the April or match forum of them hope you saw them.
A month will pass so quickly for you and hope to see some lovely pictures of your new bunny. Have you thought of a name yet?
You looked after Jasper so well and I’m sure he would be happy that you are going to give your heart to another bunny who needs a loving home x
I’ve found new bunny but I’m bit scared to get him its not my Jasper.
Just real quick Phil. I agree with everything Flakie said. I think getting a new little bunny will be good for you. Of course it won’t be Jasper. But you know that. Knew that before and know that now going into this new companionship. It can’t and shouldn’t be Jasper. It will be who it is. And that is who it is supposed to be. I am sure you will be fine. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just give your new bunny the same love and attention you would give to Jasper. You two will have your own special relationship. Like Flakie said, Jasper would be happy for you and happy for the new little bunny. He would be thrilled that such a good bunny owner, his (you), is not going to waste (so to speak). Look forward to hearing about you two and seeing some pics!
Hi Phil agree with Gordo and Janice you and your new bunny will have your own special relationship and you will love him/her for who he or she is.
The minute I saw my two new bunnies in the rescue centre my heart melted and I’m sure you will be the same. We all here are bunny people and love ? bunnies for what they are lovely companions that we can share our lives with and your new bunny will be the same and will give you wonderful years together.
Look forward to hearing all about the new bunny.
Thank you he’s an adorable mini lop, the breeders keeping him for me for a few weeks, as I’m still bit worried, I loved my Jasper so much, feel bit dubious, ile post his picture, think ile call him Clover, that name springs to mind
What a lovely name Phil. My new Holly is a mini lop cross in grey and she is the sweetest thing ever.
Clover sounds adorable as you said so looking forward to seeing his pictures so excited for you getting new companion to shares your life with you Phil.
Arr sounds just like Clover he’s mini lop cross lionhead lop Jasper was a dwarf lop. I’m not sure how to post pictures, can’t find your new buns x
hi Phil sorry you cant find the pictures of my new buns. here are a couple.
Arr, their just like a mini Flakie so adorable
Oh my my my! Are they real?! What a perfect pose with them together. I’m not sure who is luckier, them or you. How precious! Two perfectly adorable “wee” little buns!
Thanks Phil and Gordo and Janice. my daughter is a keen photographer and has some amazing pictures of them. Holly is supposed to be a cross lop but tends to have helicopter ears so adorable.
They will do anything for food Holly almost jumped over my shoulder to get the food dish my son was holding. I love feeding them by hand love the interaction of the two wee cuties.
They love going outside in the garden and zoom about and binky – different when its time to come in though – the chase wee rascals – usually end up catching Holly mid jump little imp.
I’ve got some great pictures of my new bunny Clover, can’t seem to send them to binkybun. Its so amazing to see new little bunnies so full of life, their so wonderful x
So glad you have pictures of your new bunny Clover. I found it tricky to download my pictures. Went into the section on technical issues and it worked. I had to use my PC rather than ipad as I couldn’t get it to work on it.
› Forum › RAINBOW BRIDGE › Not been a good week