Thursday, July 9, 2009

Sniff, Sniff.

Yesterday was a really sad day for me. I had to put my bunny to sleep. I’ve had him for 12 years (which is unheard of in the bunny world). But he was old. He’s been blind for a few years and had other minor health problems. However, when he no longer had control of his hind legs, I realized it was time. A bunny who can’t hop or stand isn’t a happy bunny. It was to the point where he’d fall onto his side and couldn’t move back onto his tummy. He basically stayed in one place whether it was to eat, drink, or “go potty”. Anything else meant pulling himself along with his front paws.

I wished he could’ve gone on his own, but he was a stubborn bunny. Even the veterinarian had a hard time doing the deed because his skin was so tough it bent the needle. Darn bunny just didn’t want to go.

I questioned my decision over and over because I didn’t want to play God. However, the bedsores and urine scalding were enough for me to accept this wasn’t the quality of life he deserved. The veterinarian agreed. There wasn’t anything more we could’ve done for him. I have to keep reminding myself of that because I feel so guilty.

Have you ever had to go through the loss of a pet?

20 comments:

  1. Aw! That's so sad! But I'm glad you were able to keep him healthy and happy for so long before he failed like that. He was like 250 in bunny years!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lots of times. :-( Sorry to hear about this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so sorry for your loss. I've had to make that decision more times than I would have liked with my dogs, and it never gets any easier.

    I'm sorry you feel guilty too. The feeling is unavoidable, but you performed the ultimate act of kindness, saving him from more pain and suffering. Nature is cruel, and we are in a unique position to help make that final transition gentler and more peaceful. You did the only kind thing that could be done, hard as it was.

    Hugs to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So, so sorry. That's lousy. He's in bunny heaven now -- think big, grassy fields full of clover and butterflies. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, 12 years is a long time. I'm sorry you had to do that.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Losing a beloved pet is tough but you did the RIGHT thing.

    We lost our house cat a few years ago. The worst was telling the kids.

    ReplyDelete
  7. So sorry for your loss. My 16-y.o. faithful Boston Terrier died last August. It's like losing a little part of your family.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm so sorry for your loss. Yes, we've taken dogs to the vet to have them put down and it is hard and sad. You will think about him for a long time I know.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lynnette, I'm so sorry to hear about your bunny. I had a bunny years ago and had to give him away. That was hard enough; I can't imagine having to part with one like you did. Hugs.
    -Amy

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm so sorry that you had to put down your bunny. It sounds like he had a very long and happy life.

    My dog died when I was six (but the next day there was a bus accident and a couple dozen local teens died, many of whom I knew) so that memory is very...different. I'll be devastated when my dog or cat passes away :(

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes, I've lost pets. It's so sad. *HUGS*

    There's gotta be a bunny heaven.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Many, many times. It is a difficult choice to let a pet go but sometimes we have to do the humane thing and let them have some dignity. Sometimes they just don't know what is best for their quality of life. We lost a beloved pet this last winter after 16 years. It was very, very hard to say goodbye but I still think it was the right thing to let him go home to a home he'd be happier in.
    God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Like the commenter above, we put down the family dog this spring after 16 wonderful years. Even on her last day - blind, deaf, barely able to stand, no control over her bodily functions - she still wagged her tail when someone patted her on the head. She kept in excellent spirits right until the end, which was why it was so hard to say goodbye... but she just couldn't live anymore, she was simply existing. Plus, we had no way of knowing how much pain she was in, and we didn't want her to suffer anymore.

    Losing a pet is so, so hard. I'm sorry you had to say goodbye... I hope you're able to fill the hole in your heart someday soon. *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  14. So sorry to hear about your bunny. I always got sad when I was younger and our pets died. It was almost worse when we had to put them to sleep.

    ReplyDelete
  15. We had to put my childhood dog down this year. He was just under 17. It was the same situation. He just wouldn't give up. And we too chose to have him put down when his back legs gave out.

    I'm so sorry to hear about your bunny. It's so hard.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Several times. It never gets any easier either. With me it's cats.

    So sorry you lost your bunny, but it sounds like you gave him a very happy life.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have. And it's a hard thing unlike no other.

    I'm sorry, Lynnette.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh that is sad,but well done on caring for him for so long.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for all your support. Your kind words have helped relieve some of the guilt.

    Lynnette Labelle

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've never had to put a pet to sleep and I'm sorry for this. I think you did the absolute best you could, and a lot more than most would have done. And for that I think you should take comfort.

    Sorry your bun is gone. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete