I'm not sure where to put this, so I'm sure Matt will move it.

Our pet rabbit died this morning. Last night we heard banging and crashing downstairs but couldn't figure out what it was. Then we heard it again and it was our pet rabbit (of 6 years) trying to get his balance. All the crashing around was him rolling (sort of in one place) trying to get upright. He had "head tilt" which is a way you can tell rabbits are sick -- it's a symptom of many things. They can't really hop or use one of their front legs, so they end up sort of sliding across the floor on their side, going in circles. Rabbits really don't like not being upright so he was trying to right himself and just rolling.

I stayed up with him all night (well, I slept for a couple hours, I think) making sure he didn't roll again and break his back. Early this morning I called the vet and took him in. We decided that it was his time to go. Six years is fairly old for a pet rabbit, though they can live for 12 or more. He was a brown mini rex -- our real "chocolate bunny."

When kids came in for their portraits, often the first thing they did was to run to his cage to pet him. And we sometimes used him for Easter portraits, too.

I know it may seem weird to some people to get all worked up over a rabbit, but he was our pet. He loved kids and kids loved how friendly he was. These pictures are from when he was one -- just a baby. I couldn't find more recent ones.

Hey Adam,

Sorry to hear about your family's loss. Bunnys are so much fun. We had one but had to give it away because it was an attack rabbit! That doesn't lend itself to petting & kids much. But they are SOOO cute. I like the first photo a lot - good pet portrait.

Oh, Adam,


Sorry to hear that. I was all smiles when I read your tag line 'cause I thought you were going to say that you guys were expecting another child. That's how the ladies at the church used to say someone was pregnant without actually saying it around "us kids". I hope you and your family will be okay. He was a beautiful bunny!

Ginger

Adam,

That sucks. Losing a pet is hard. They are such a part of the family.

Sorry for the loss,
Becky

Hi Adam, I too am so sorry for your family's loss. I know I am very attached to my cat's and can't imagine them not here with me.
Candy

I've tried using that as a joke before, but all I got was blank stares. No one understands it anymore. Probably because they haven't had to test for pregnancy that way in a looooong time.

Thank you, everyone for your comments. Our 3-year-old is very sad (well, we all are). When I came back, he kept asking "Where's Coca, Daddy, Where's Coca?" Then a few minutes late came over and said he'd never have a happy face again. But he's at his friend's house, now, so I think he'll be OK.

oh goodness, i was so hoping you weren't being literal (lynn, don't be mad that i hoped you were preggers). i'm so sorry to hear about your loss. losing a pet, especially when you have kids, is incredibly rough.

I am so glad that all of you that think I am having a baby are wrong. I am so completely done ever being pregnant. I am the world sickest pregnant person.

I'm so sorry for your loss, your family will be in my prayers! I know how hard it can be having to find your animal dead or having to make the choice to have them put to sleep. I unfortunately have done both and it was so very very hard and more emotional then you except. Thank you for sharing your news with us, it is nice to know how truly open this forum is.

I just love all the people here on OSP

Karen

So sorry for your familys loss.
Its totally sad when you lose a pet whether it is a rabbit or a dog or in our case a guinea pig.Actually we think our guinea pig thought he was a dog ,he got sick one day and he died in my arms ,he waited till our kids got home from school and then when they stroked him he took a big breath and passed away .I have six kids and they were all so sad but my nine year old who would hold him every day said he felt he had lost a friend, pets really can be our companions they dont judge us or expect anything from except to be fed and treated kindly and I guess thats how they capture our hearts.

That's so sad. I had pet rabbits before as well. Hope your son will get over this soon.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

i'm so sorry to hear your news. pets are part of the family, too.

Oh NO!!!

Adam and Lynn, I'm so sorry to hear that Cocoa is gone. ((Hugs))

Leann

This is so sad ... I am very sorry to hear about this loss!

Thanks, everyone. Really. When our daughter came home from school, once she found out, her sobbing woke me from my nap (as I had been up all night). She's really the only kid who really remembers when we got him. And then, just a little bit ago, after she was in bed, she came down and cried for half an hour. But we talked about all the fun things he used to do with us. I think that helped.

He's the only pet we've had since having kids (so for 11 years), so we're all really sad. But he was getting old and it really was his time to go. Of course the kids were all talking about getting another rabbit. Or a dog, or cat. We told them they could talk about it, but don't bring us into the conversation. At least not until our life settles down a little more.

We really appreciate all your comments.

My sympathies go out to you and your family for the loss of your bunny. It's never easy to lose a good friend and companion, even the furry ones.

Oh Adam! I'm so sorry about that!! Wow..I definitely know what it is like to lose a pet!!

Funny story we had a rabbit that we got from a friend who had had it for 5 years, we had him for about a year, then passed it on to one of our other friends who had it for 8 years!!! Haha!! Craziness it's like the recyclable rabbit!!

I'm sorry to hear that too. When you are ready, if you are ever wanting to adopt please keep the House Rabbit Society in mind.

Their website is http://www.rabbit.org/

I used to volunteer for them and they are just wonderful. Even if you are in an area where they do not have a chapter, chances are they will have a mini chapter in your local animal shelter.

We got most of our information about rabbbits from there. We got him when we lived in San Diego (Oceanside, really) and there was a bunch of information on their Web site. There is a large active chapter here, too (in Columbus) and if we do decide to get another one, we'll be going there. I like to think that he was so easy-going in part because we followed their advice when he was young.

And if anyone wants information about rabbits as pets, it's a great resource. Especially if you've never had one. That way you'll know more of what you're getting into. Just like any pet that runs (or hops) around the house, they take a lot of work. I tell people they're more work than a cat, but less than a dog. They make great pets, but don't let them chew wires.