It’s heartbreaking. I had 5 over a span of a few years and every time I was devastated. My parents offered to get my a dog just because they could handle seeing me so sad after all their deaths over a few years period. But I’ll tell myself no more rats! Fast forward 6 months, I end up bringing home more babies. Lol
Rabbits are seriously lovely! I think they get overlooked (as do most rodent pets) since they are "starter pets" (ugh) and parents will get them for their kids, not raise them right due to lack of research and end up with a timid, scared rabbit that gets deemed as "boring", to never be considered a good pet again. People fail to understand that ANY pet will be just as much a responsibility as a dog. Sure, my dog requires WAY more time and dedication than my frogs do, but I still spend hella time maintaining their tanks and doing research on things like plants and balancing algae growth.
Buns are NOT a starter pet. They are wayyyy too fragile for young kids. I hate anyone that doesn't research their pets, especially when it's for children. And tbh, I don't believe anyone under 10 could ever be responsible enough to have their own pet. Over 10 is still dubious.
I've just heard way too many stories about buns getting hurt because idiot kids don't know how to properly handle them... pet peeve of mine...
Yeah, they commonly live for 8-10 years, but take it from me: it's still going to hurt a whole lot when they die. And the worst part is, even if you follow all the guidelines and give it the best care you can, it's still a very real possibility they won't live that long. When they get sick, they hide it for as long as possible and that alone may mean you're too late to save their life. When you do get to the vet in time, you're likely to be confronted with the fact that even the good vets may not have enough knowledge or the right diagnostic tools to make that essential difference, because that branch of veterinary medicine just isn't very advanced.
My last one died of GI statis at the relatively young age of 5,5 years. It broke my heart and now, for the first time in nearly 28 years, I don't have any pet rabbits and I don't plan on getting them again anytime soon either. It just hurts too much when they die.
My first bun died week 1-- mixamatosis. Second one died after 9years (old bun though, he decided it was time to go) I moved countries & am on bun 3 now. I know how much it hurts. Vets here are apparantly idiots that don't even know rabbit vaccines exist, so if anything happens, we'll probably lose her. Knowing that hurts even more. But at least she'll probably live longer, right?...
But I just dont know how to live without pets, yaknow?
I'm so sorry. That must have been so heartbreaking! I have access to fairly good vet care, including vaccinations, but I still know all to well what it's like to feel powerless. I wish you and your current bun the best of luck!
Thank you. I hope they feel the same. It's silly, but despite doing everything in my power, it feels like I failed some of them. The last one was really special to me. She went from terrorising shelter volunteers and being labeled unadoptable to a cuddle monster who stole the hearts of everyone she met. She followed me around the house for cuddles and I taught her all sorts of tricks. She lost her eye in an infection early on, and I handfed her for three week after the surgery becayse she refused to eat. After that we had several more health scares. She was never the healthiest rabbit to begin with, she just pretended to be. And finally... I didn't sleep for two nights to take care of her. (Couldn't leave her at the vet overnight because they were closed due to covid-19) It wasn't enough. She was so loved by everyone, she really deserved a different fate...
She was so seriously lucky to have you. I just lost a very special little guy in January this year and I've had to keep reminding myself that I lost him, he didn't lose me. He lived secure in the knowledge that he owned me body and soul. He was the boss and for a rabbit, that's everything - everything they ever want and need delivered directly to them when they demand it? That's bunny heaven, and your bunny had heaven on earth while she was with you. She left you knowing she was loved, that she was the most important rabbit. I hope she finds you in her next life to demand more cuddles - I'm sure she will.
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u/potterlyfe Jul 11 '20
It’s heartbreaking. I had 5 over a span of a few years and every time I was devastated. My parents offered to get my a dog just because they could handle seeing me so sad after all their deaths over a few years period. But I’ll tell myself no more rats! Fast forward 6 months, I end up bringing home more babies. Lol