Departed and very loved pet rabbit

[jpmac55]

Phil - sorry to hear about Maya.

I think most of us are animal lovers first, opting for a dog or cat or rabbit to bring into our homes. They become family members. They depend on and trust us to provide food, water, snacks, walks, a good romp in the yard or walk in the park. All they give back is unyielding loyalty and an unconditional bond that you'd have to be an animal owner to truly understand.

I had a run of 25 years with a few Golden's in our home that ended the same weekend Irene the hurricane rolled into town last summer. So like many of us, we understand what it's like to lose a pet.

 

[farlymac]

From one Phil to another, I'm sorry about your loss. One can get very attached to a pet, and the care you and Katelyn gave Maya, and are still showing for Ollie bespeaks of your kind souls. The photos are a fine tribute to your friend.

PF

 

[loneranger]

Very beautiful story, And wonderful pictures. Thank you so much for sharing. Just when one starts to feel blaze about life, comes a story like this..

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Again, thank you all for your kind comments.
While this story gets us down, I've found inspiration and motivation from it. I'm filled with more resolve to get done what I want to get done in life.
Maya was stubborn as hell and if I push half as hard as she did for something I want, I'll make it happen. I'm letting her memory teach me a little bit more about life and that I need to really grab onto it (even with my teeth if need be.)

Phil Forrest

 

[robklurfield]

condolences.

as owners of three dogs and a cat currently, I still mourn the loss of our fourth dog a couple of years ago. he was nasty, having suffered some abuse; high-strung; would occasionally take a nip out of me; freaked out during thunderstorms; was incontinent; noisy; annoying, etc. And, when he wasn't all those things -- heck, even when he was all those things, he was lovable and we miss him.

Your bunnies certainly look sweet in your photos. Thanks for sharing your story and images.

 

[FrankS]

I recently had to put down a family pet for medical/compassionate grounds. Hardest thing ever.

 

[Haigh]

No apologies needed. Animals have a strange way of quietly becoming family members so that when they depart one feels a real sense of loss.

 

[Archiver]

Phil, I feel for your loss. I adore rabbits and I look forward to having a routine where I will be home enough to care for one properly. It never occurred to me that I would like rabbits so much until a few years ago when my then-girlfriend bought one for her son; in time I came to love that rabbit more than her! She was sometimes jealous of the attention and affection I gave it: "you don't look at ME like that," she would say.

Several years ago a stray cat came into the backyard and stayed for a few years. She was a calico with a rich tortoiseshell back and white front, and we fed her every day and watched as her fur became smooth and shiny. Towards the end she became strangely ill and sluggish and then disappeared one day. I looked for her in the streets but never found her.

More recently a ragdoll cat has been coming through our yard. Huge blue eyes and lovely brown/black points. Just a few weeks ago I found that even though she has no collar, she belongs to a family up the road. I sometimes imagine that our calico cat was the same, coming to our house but belonging to someone else, so when she disappeared she went back to her real home. We can have our dreams, sometimes.

There is something wonderful and deeply endearing about the way animals can become part of our lives. They enrich us deeply and they return our love.

 

[John Robertson]

I'm just thankful that there are people like you and Katelyn who are prepared to take in abused/stray animals. A stray cat adopted us a few years ago and he has the biggest personality that I have ever seen in a cat. He makes every day brighter with his antics and companionship.

Same here with Oskar, had bad depression two yars ago without him I might not be here. 🙁 Love him to bits silly old fart that I am!!🙂 Snores like a pig at night and likes tomato ketchup on his cat food.!!🙄