Today, prematurely and unexpectedly, I had to make the impossible decision to put my dwarf bunny, Django, to sleep.

I am at a loss for ways to feel better and have wished over and over for an off button for some ephemeral relief. I know that sometimes you can find help and support in unexpected ways in unlikely places - and thought I would turn to the biggest community of animal lovers I know - you guys.

I thought we could share anecdotes or stories about loved ones, furry or two-legged (...or both?) that we have had to say goodbye to. I think it would help me, at least. Here it goes:

Django had the most adventurist spirit. I doubt very much he realised he was a rabbit, and probably likened himself more to a bositerous lion cub, or a wolf pup at the very least. He used to fly across the room when he leapt up on the sofa, the bed - you name it he could hop onto it! He came leaping over when I called (I will never admit it was probably just for food) and, when I lived in a small studio, I used to wake up to him either snoozing beside me, or because he would be bounding over my legs on the soft duvet.

You could only really tell his 'rabbit' side when the vacuum cleaner came out. My boyfriend dislikes the sound and used to go and do his...er...business in the bathroom whenever I started vacuuming. And as soon as I hauled out the wire to plug the vacuum cleaner in, Django used to sprint into the bathroom as well - and both would stay there until I had finished. The first time this happened neither myself nor my boyfriend had realised where Django was and I accidentally locked him in the bathroom cupboard. I searched for him for almost two hours before finding his hiding place - and only then it was because I had half opened the cupboard door to see his big, fluffy bum hanging over the shelf!

There was also the time he stole a piece of my sushi from out of my chopsticks, the time he sulked at me because we moved house, all the times he would wake me up at 5am for food, and the very last time we slept together - a couple of weeks ago when I slept on the sofa to keep him company the night before a surgery, and my sister came into the living room in the morning to find us both dozing in the early morning light.

Rest in peace you little fluffy prince. You made me feel important, you made me feel like I had a responsibilty to this world. You were 'only' a bunny, but I will love your sweet little face and twitching nose forever.

Thank you for reading.

Aw :(, I am so sorry for your loss!

I am so sorry for your loss.  Losing pets is always a tough thing. :(  I remember when I lost my first horse Pattie.  I was staying at my mom's that weekend, and my sister was watching my Dad's house while he was out of town.  Pattie was kept at my Dad's.  I remember my mother getting a call and sounding very somber with a lot of "are you sures" and "oks", and then finally "yes I'll bring her over right away".  I knew something wasn't right and was starting to get worried.

I swear it was the longest car ride I had ever had.  I kept telling my mom what-ifs... what if it was that the dog ran away?  ....what if a coyote got one of the chickens.... anything to not say it was Pattie, and that she's gone.  When we arrived at Dad's she was out front and visibliy not alive.  I burst into tears and just went out and hugged her.

She was the best first horse a girl could have.  She was patient, kind, and a great teacher.  I was very blessed to have her as my first horse and to learn the ropes on her.  I barely had a year with her, but it was enough for her to forever hold a place in my heart.  RIP Pattie ♥

Awh :( I'm so sorry ♥

Paints since 6-8-14

Tronic - I am so sorry about Pattie. I can't imagine what it must feel like to lose a horse. That car journey must have been really tough. Thank you for posting about it!

Thank you Sam and Audacious for your messages :)

I'm so sorry for your loss. Nothing hurts worse than when you have to let them go with no warning.

I've watched two cats go that way. Mine, and my best friends'. Both were perfectly healthy the day before, then Galahad developed a blood clot in his lung and Wesley had a heart attack. I stayed with both of them while they passed.

Link Tree

So sorry for your loss, Enapay. -hugs- There are no words or virtual squishes that can fill the void, but I hope knowing that others got to know Django a bit helps lessen the pain. ♥

I'm so sorry about Django *hugs*

I lost my ferret, Richter, unexpected while I was out of town last spring. I took a spur of the moment trip to stay with my grandma while she had a cardiac cath done and left him at work like any other time I leave. Working at a vet clinic, you don't normally think twice about leaving your pets, everyone just treats them like their own. Dropped him off on Friday and then I got a call on Sunday morning from my manager telling me he had passed. No one expected it as he's been acting perfectly normal up to that point. Turned out he had several large abdominal tumors, mostly hemangiosarcoma which is very aggressive. I still miss him and it's one of those things where I catch my self trying to act like he'll just be back tomorrow. Just takes time to heal and learn to live without them.

Thank you for your kind words Enapay. I hope you are feeling better today. -snugs-