Sweet Miss Binks was reunited with her Dearest Fluffy on Wednesday, July 8th, 2015, at 9:23 am.
12 and a half years had taken its toll, and her arthritis
and spondylosis were greatly affecting her mobility. 12 days ago she began to
display very mild head tilt, and on Tuesday, July 7th, she began to have issues
swallowing. By the next morning it was clear that her time had come. We could
not ask her to stay another day, and our wonderful vet Dr. Deb guided her gently and
peacefully across the Bridge while her dad and I cuddled her and sang her
favourite song.
Binky was our first bunny, the one that "started it
all". Because of her, we found Fluffy at Mississauga Animal Services, and Fluffy led us to Rabbit Rescue Inc. Binky is the reason I am here,
why I am the person I am today. She is the reason why I rescue rabbits, why I
have become a rabbit advocate, why I have found such beauty, inspiration and
purpose in my life. Binky is the reason Rabbit Rescue's BunFest event exists. I
created it in her honour so that her legacy could reach far and wide to other
bunny lovers and their rabbits. So we all could have a place to gather, learn,
talk and share our knowledge and love for these most precious of creatures.
While letting her go was heartbreaking, we knew that it would be a joyous day at the Rainbow Bridge. Fluffy was
waiting for her, and I know that the moment Binky slipped away from this world,
she was gone in a flash, ecstatic to see her husbun again. I know that together
they are running through the fields of clover and binkying towards the
strawberry patch that is always in season. She has perfect vision (something
she never had in this life), no more breathing issues, no more pain. She is in good hands....
She had a wonderful life and my husband and I are so
grateful for the many years we had with her. We will look back and celebrate
all of the joy, laughter and love she shared....but there will always be a
Binky-sized hole in our hearts.
I guess this is the final chapter in Fluffy's blog. He is gone, but he now has his beautiful Miss Binks by his side once again. She is grooming his ears and he is giving her eyeball washes, just like the old days. It is incredible when I think back to the many years we shared together as a family. My heart is so very heavy with sadness right now - I feel as though an entire part of my life is over.
There are no words to adequately describe the impact Binky and Fluffy have had in my and my husband's life. We are such better people today because of them, because of their love and their guidance, their pureness and vitality, their honesty and beauty. Our hearts have been stretched open in ways we never knew possible and we will be forever grateful to them both for filling our lives with such incredible joy.
I know in time, once
our hearts have had a chance to heal, that we will continue to rescue rabbits
and welcome new friends into our family.
That is what Binky and Fluffy would want, and I can think of no better way to
celebrate their lives than by saving another....
I'm sorry it's taken me some time to get this update on Fluffy's blog, and even now, when I think I'm ready, I'm kinda not. But then again, will I ever be? Please bear with me, this post will be as long as it needs to be....
Fluffy left this world on Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 at 10:45 am.
As per his last post, his health was declining and his mobility hit an all-time low. Severe arthritis robbed him of 90% of his mobility and walking became next to impossible. My husband and I had been hovering over him during this part of his life, always trying to read in Fluffy's face what he truly wanted. I made the same promise to him as I make to all my pets: "If the time should come where you are no longer happy, give me a sign and I will help you along in your journey. I don't want you to be here a day longer than you want to be." But as hopeful and strong as we all intend to be, when you are facing the last stage of an animal's life, especially one that you love so tremendously, it can be hard to read the signals.
I had done much research on how to care for a bunny in Fluffy's state. Using diapers to keep him clean, butt baths, massages, exercise and pain relief. I was prepared to do whatever it took to make this part of his life as enjoyable as possible, but there was one problem; Fluffy would have nothing of it. In order for me to care for him, I needed him to understand that he needed to be still, to rest his weary body and let me take care of him. No matter how many beds I made, pillow set ups I created to help him maintain an upright and comfortable position, how many exercises I tried to do to keep him as nimble and flexible as possible, he fought me, every thump of the way.
He would scramble from any place I put him, and usually ended up rolling and kicking and not being able to right himself. The few hops he could manage would result in him barreling over towards Binky, because he knew he would end up crashing, and his beloved Miss Binks would be there to break his fall (Oh sweet Miss Binks). I would tuck him in at night knowing he was fed and clean and next to his girl, but half way through the night when I would go to check on him I would find him somewhere else, sprawled in a most uncomfortable position, unable to move. And when I picked him up he would lick me so very graciously in gratitude and snuggle in my arms. Who was this snuggle bunny?
There was a lot of licking during those last few weeks. He seemed to only find comfort when he was in our arms, or up on the couch atop his Stupid Blankets, which he continued to battle with to the very end. I think that was the only sort of happiness he could find, shredding those Stupid Blankets, other than cuddling with his #1 Girl.
I knew what he was saying to me. "Mom, this isn't what I want. I don't want to sit still. Never have, never will. I hate this body of mine and I want to go. It's time. My life has been amazing, but now my life needs to continue elsewhere...."
You weigh the pros and the cons, every day, every hour, every minute. Is this a good day or a bad one? A good afternoon but a bad evening? How do I let go of him? And what about Binky? How do I take Fluffy away from her? She will be devastated.....
The day before he left, he had a check up with Dr. Deb. He was down to .93 kg (2 pounds) from 1.18 (2.6 lbs) two weeks previously. This was obviously due to him not being able to maintain any muscle mass and his body starting to atrophy. There was nothing we could do. That evening my husband and I cuddled extra long with him. While Fluffy was always my Little Man, he seemed to favour his Dad that night, crawling over to him to rest and lick him. My husband had been out of work during this time and cared for Fluffy during the day, while I was at work. He and Fluffy had bonded closely, and it was beautiful to see him showing such gratitude towards him. My husband and I knew that the time was near. We had Fluffy scheduled for a check up on the upcoming Saturday, and between the two of us, we silently knew that that day would be "the day".
But of course, the Big Tough Lop had his own plans. The next morning as my husband and I were with him, I heard him breathing funny. I knew that rabbits in his state often had breathing issues, due to extra pressure being placed on the lungs, as a result of laying on their sides for extended periods of time. Here was my Big Tough Lop, struggling to breathe. I look at my husband and said, "This is the sign. It's time."
I called Dr. Deb and she told us to come right in. We packed up Miss Binks in the carrier and I had Fluffy wrapped up in my arms and held him the entire drive to the clinic. When we got there, we were taken to the Quiet Room, and I laid out a blanket on the couch and put Fluffy and Miss Binks together. She sat over him while he lay on the blanket and Norm and I gave him kisses and pets. I told him that this was the day he gets everything back. I said through my tears, "Fluffy, you're going to fall asleep, and when you wake up, you are going to be young again! We're going to set you free! You will be able to run and jump and binky and these stupid legs of yours aren't going to hold you back any more! No more pain, no more cloudy eyes, no more falling over - you are going to be so happy!"
Dr. Deb came in and gave him a needle to make him sleepy. "It's okay Fluffy, you can go. You've had a beautiful and wonderful life. Thank you Fluffy, my Little Man, my Big Tough Lop. We will be okay. Don't you worry, we will take care of Miss Binks for you and one day she will come to be with you too. One day, we will all be together again." Once he was sufficiently sleepy, Dr. Deb took him out of the room to shave his leg and insert the i.v. for the other needle. She brought him back and we placed him back beside Binky. We whispered our love for him in his ear, stroked him, kissed him and cried for him. Then my husband and I sang his song, "He's a Fluffy Man, he's a Fluffy Man, he's a Fluffy, Fluffy Man!". When we were ready, Dr. Deb took the last needle and gave him the injection. And in a matter of seconds, she felt for his heartbeat. But it was gone. My beautiful, funny, crazy, delightful Little Man was gone.
We were left alone with him. All we could do was pet him and cry. He was so small. Once his spirit left his body, he really was just a shell. Binky remained stoic. I'll never forget the look on her face. Such pure sadness, but also, strength. It was then that I knew, she knew this day was coming. She knew exactly what was going on and what had happened. Her husbun of over 10 years was gone, and she was now alone. She bent her head down towards his and groomed him. She didn't try to nudge him, she didn't wait for him to reciprocate, she did not expect acknowledgement. She knew. And our hearts broke a thousand times more. And when she was done, she sat in silence, staring off into space.
Now, our main concern was Binky. How would she handle this loss? Would she be depressed? Would she stop eating? Would she look for him? Or would she simply carry on, unaffected, as some animals do? We prayed that she would be able to be happy without him, that she could find the strength to live the rest of her time without her precious husbun by her side. That night, for the first time in over 10 years, Binky slept alone.
Over the next few days, her appetite did wane, but she still nibbled on her pellets and hay, and picked at her greens. I think for her, there was so much enjoyment in eating with Fluffy. She would hear him munching on something and would immediately appear by his side and sniff his mouth or by his feet to see what it was. 9 times out of ten she would steal whatever food he was eating and Fluffy never once seemed to mind. But now the thrill was gone. No one ran to the salad plate with her when dinner was announced, hearing those breakfast pellets tinkle into the bowl every morning failed to excite, and even the freshest handfuls of hay went untouched. The family room seemed very quiet now, not that it was loud before, because bunnies don't really make loud noises, but there was a definite silence in the air. Fluffy's personality had been so huge and uncompromising that, once he was gone, it was like the volume had been turned off. No little bunny running to greet you, to nose bonk you for treats, tossing rattles, digging in blankets or thumping his displeasure.
But slowly, Binky did adjust to this new phase of her life. She found immediate comfort with Blue, a stuffed bunny that my husband bought them for Easter. Before long, she was snuggling with him, snoozing beside him and grooming him. While this brought comfort to us as well, there is no doubt that our hearts were broken to see that she longed for Fluffy's affection, and that no matter how many kisses she gave Blue, he would never be able to give any back. But she seemed okay with this. Bit by bit, she ate more, fell back into her familiar routine and her diva personality slowly returned.
Binky has always been a Daddy's Girl. She hasn't kissed me in over 10 years, but she smooches her Daddy on a regular basis (and I'm totally fine with it). But after Fluffy left, her kisses stopped. My husband would hold her in the familiar position and ask her for kisses, but none would come. It wasn't until 3 weeks after Fluffy's passing that one evening, cuddling with her Dada, she once again graced his nose with licks of her soft little tongue. That was a real turning point for her, and for us. Knowing that she was able and willing to share love again stitched our hearts back together just a bit and gave us the glimmer of hope that we needed that she would be okay.
This journey has been long and difficult, and it still continues. But it has been an unforgettable process that I was blessed to have experienced. "End of Life" care is such an emotional time with much questioning, second-guessing, reflection, sadness and even joy. You say goodbye in bits and pieces, never really knowing when the final farewell will be said. But as hard as it is to watch a loved one reach their end, it is a precious time that is both a blessing and a privilege. Fluffy's final months, weeks and days were his to live, and I was honoured to help him live through this time with comfort, dignity and as much happiness as possible. In the end, his tired little body could not keep up with his boisterous personality, and he refused to confine his spirit in any way. Leaving this world was his wish. I feel very lucky to have been blessed with the ability to listen to my pets - I mean, really hear their words, their desires and what they feel deep within their hearts. It was my job to set him free, free to continue his life unhindered by the earthly weights of age, health and time. He did not leave this earth a day too soon or a day too late. It was the exact date that it was supposed to be, and I am so grateful to know this for certain in my heart and in my mind.
I know other things too. I know that Binky was worried about him. I know that she knew he was sick and I am certain that they had even discussed this inevitable outcome on many occasions. I believe that while his passing was very hard for her, she found some relief in knowing that he was no longer suffering, that he was at peace and that she would see him again one day. I know that I myself was blessed to have found Fluffy at Mississauga Animal Services, to have welcomed him home and spent the next decade waiting on him (and Binky) hand and foot, serving him the love, devotion, security and companionship he deserved. There was nothing my husband and I wouldn't have done for him, and that Big Tough Lop rewarded us with endless laughter, immeasurable joy and the sweetest of love, the kind of love that only a bunny can give. I am grateful for this blog, so that I can look back and read all about his silly antics, his Bunny Misadventures, like when he hopped in the paint tray, found the yarmulke under the stairs or ran away from home (with me in hot pursuit!). What an incredibly funny, amazing, loving and animated Little Man he was....
If you are still reading this, I thank you. I had no intention for this post to be this long but I promised myself I would write it all out, however long it took. This post was actually written in bits and pieces, over a period of three days, simply because I had to stop here and there to let out more emotion, to cry a little bit more, and take some breaths. It's been very therapeutic for me, and I hope it has offered some closure and reflection for all of you who have followed him over the span of his life. His Peeps. He loved you all so very much and I thank you for all of the love and support you have sent over the years.
I will wrap this up with my favourite video of Binky and Fluffy. I will miss watching this display of love so very, very much. There is nothing quite as heartwarming as watching two bunnies who adore each other quietly revel in each others company.....
For you, Mama's Little Man, my Big Tough Lop, my heart will always cherish every moment I shared with you...
Sometimes when I look back at my life, I can't believe what a lucky bunny I have been. I don't even remember my first year of life before Mom and Dad adopted me, before I met my beloved Miss Binks. The days become years and the years become a decade and all of a sudden I'm 11 years old! I have been with Mom and Dad and Binky for 10 wonderful years, and I have loved every minute of it.
I have lots of time to think about these things. As my days pass, I nap for most of them, and dream about all the wonderful times I have shared with everyone. I'm a lot more tired now, and my back legs don't take me places as fast and swiftly as they once did. Sometimes I fall over but I always do my best to get back up and head off to wherever I was going. Binky also takes very good care of me, often positioning herself on my weak side to help prop me up and keep me from falling over. I love that girl so much, she makes growing old kinda okay.
I am still battling an ear infection which involves two types of ear drops, and you better believe I can still thump Mommy after she gives them to me! I am also on two types of pain meds to help me manage my arthritis. My stupid joints seem to have forgotten how to move back and forth - HARUMPH!!!!! But don't you worry, I still know how to get those stupid blankets on the couch! Mom plops me up there and I tear right into them! Still the Big Tough Lop Ive always been! Here's a video to prove it!
We had a bunderful Christmas and Santa Paws was very kind to us! We got lots of treats and some new toys and blankets. Binky has always loved her carrot patch and she gets a new one every year. We also got our favourite Bunspace Bunny Bags, they are always filled with yummy stuff! Here is our Christmas video!
What a lucky bunny I am. I try to remind Mom of this everyday, but her eyes have been leaking a lot lately. I know that seeing me get old and struggle breaks her heart, but us bunnies, we just keep marching on. No time to feel sorry for ourselves, we've got naps to take and treats to eat! I tell her that its okay, its all a part of life. I tell her she has nothing to be sad about because she and Dad have given Binky and I such long and beautiful lives, and we have lived every day to its fullest! So many bunnies never find their forever homes, but we did. We found the best one in the world!
So I'm going to keep plugging along as best I can, for as long as I can. One day I'll be ready to go to the Rainbow Bridge and Mom and I have it all worked out. She says she doesn't want me here one day longer than I want to be here, and that when I'm ready, to just give her a sign. Well, I'm not giving any sign today, or the next, because I've still got some life left in me! I'm gonna continue to enjoy every beautiful moment I have in this world with Miss Binks and my family. Life is beautiful, so enjoy every single minute and never look back.....
Yup Peeps, this update is a long time coming and I'm sure there are a few of you who may be wondering what I've been up to. Truth of the matter is, not much, but there is still a lot to share.
Firstly, here is our Christmas card for 2014! I hope all of you have been sweet little angel bunnies like Binky, Ana and I have been. Santa Paws is always watching so you can never be too good :) I am banking on a stocking full of treats and can't wait until tomorrow morning so I can rip into my stash!
You may have noticed that our card is a bit different this year. Yes, sweet Scooter MaGoo is missing :( Scooter did very well in his old age despite being blind and deaf. He had developed arthritis and some mobility issues and began slowing down. Mom had always told him during their nighttime cuddles, that she didn't want him to stay a day longer than he wanted to, that when he was ready, to just give her a sign. So when the day came when he just stopped eating, mom and dad both knew that he had made his decision - he wanted to be reunited with his sweet little Ella who he lost 4 years ago. They got to spend a wonderful last day together and Scooter cuddled with them all day and night. He even kept mom awake the entire night giving her kisses - enough kisses so that whenever she would miss him, all she would have to do is remember all the licks she got on that last day and she would know he was always with her. When the sun rose, Mom and Dad took him to see Dr. Deb and she helped him cross the Bridge. He cuddled in Mom's arms as she sang to him and was peacefully and gently reunited with the love of his life. It was a super sad day for Mom and Dad but they were able to find comfort in knowing that Scooter and Ella were together again and were bunny angels that would watch over them until they could all be together again. We all miss him very much and this Christmas will be hard without him. Here is a video mom shot on their last day that shows Scooter giving mom lots of licks......Binky free Scooty Bear :'(
A few weeks before Scooter left us, our sweet little hamster friend Houdini passed away. We all thought he would be with us for so much longer but I guess he was older than we thought. He was so silly and wonderful and he had the best hamster hair ever! Mom did notice that he was slowing down a bit, but when she went to check on him one evening and saw that he had not touched his breakfast banana, she knew that he was gone :( Sweet little Houdini was found curled up in his little igloo, having just fallen asleep and drifted off to the Rainbow Bridge. He left a big hole in our hearts. Here is the last video mom took of him, giving him a massage one evening a few days before he left us. Farewell sweetie pie :'(
On a happier note, a few months after Houdini left us, Mom went to the Alliston Humane Society and adopted a new little friend! He was deemed unadoptable because he would bite children but mom thought that was actually very charming, plus she knew he probably only bit them because they were loud and rough with him, as children tend to be around small animals when they are not supervised properly. So she scooped him up and brought him home! His fur is marbled in colour, shades of dark, light and caramel brown, with little white mittens on his feet, so he was given the name Marbles. He is not one for being caught, but once in your hands, he likes to crawl and play - and he's never bit anyone yet, not even when mom goes in to give him raspberries on his belly ;) And he LOVES to run in his wheel! He had a rather large plastic wheel in his cage but he ran so fast and so often that he actually started to shave the plastic off of one side that rubbed against the metal bar that held it to the cage, and the force of the spinning would shake the cage, causing it to actually inch it's way across the table on any given night! So mom switched it out for a much quieter Silent Spinner and now he can run until his little hammy heart is content :) Here he is trying out a plastic ball for the very first time....
So other than these big changes, Miss Binks and I have been enjoying the retired life. We both have arthritis (we take meds for this) and Binky has developed a bit of a sneeze. She had a cat scan that revealed a little piece of hay trapped deep in her nose. The procedure for removal is quite invasive and not guaranteed to solve the issue, so with her being almost 12 years old, and the issue not being life-threatening, mom and dad decided to hold off on doing it, but they are keeping a close eye on her to make sure she doesn't get worse.
Me, well, I've developed some mobility issues. My little back legs don't work like they used to. Sometimes I can't fold them up properly underneath me when I sit and sometimes I lean towards the left. I'm currently battling a minor ear infection which is causing some balance issues, but I'm actually doing quite well despite everything. Mom says I have to learn to slow down, that I'm not the Big Tough Lop I like to think I am. What does she know?! I can still run around the room and give her a good thump or two, or three, when I need to put her in place. I'll ALWAYS be a Big Tough Lop! And to prove it, here is a recent video of me getting those stupid blankets that sit on the couch. Oh yes sir! I still need to keep those stupid blankets in line!!!!
So that's pretty much our update for 2014. I want to thank all of my Peeps who have been asking about me - I hope all of you are well and will be enjoying the holidays. I shall leave you with last year's Christmas video and hopefully I will post this year's as soon as it's ready! Merry Christmas and Hoppy New Year to you all!!!!
Look at all of us up there! Aren`t we just a good looking bunch of bunnies? And a hamster? It's our 2013 Christmas Card and Mom mailed it out to all of our friends and family :)
It's been a long time since my last post. We've been very busy and a few things have been going on....
Last June, during an intense heatwave, the air conditioner broke down. Well I don't have to tell you how absolutely gross it was! It was so hot, poor Binky's whiskers were curling! Mom and Dad called in a repairman who was less than honest, and after completely overcharging them, he forgot to reconnect the hose from the air conditioner to the output, and the basement ended up all wet :( It warped the floors in our room and ruined the carpet so us bunnies had to move. Due to massive flooding later that summer, our insurance company was overwhelmed with clients needing repairs, and only last weekend was the work finally finished in the basement - new floors, new under padding and a freshly cleaned carpet.
So Miss Binks and I are back in our room where we are happiest. I will say that I am very impressed with
the new under padding. It's much thicker and it makes my thumps sound a lot more menacing than they really are. It's a great punctuation to my deep disapproval, which I usually need to express after Mom feels the need to pick me up and kiss me all over.
This morning we woke up to an ice storm. It had been brewing all night and by morning all of the tree branches were hanging heavily, covered in a thick coat of ice. They groaned and creaked and cracked all day, many of them ripping away from the trees and crashing to the ground like chandeliers. Luckily, so far we've been safe and our power is still on, unlike many of the homes in nearby Toronto. Here are some pictures Mom Instagrammed....
Hopefully it will warm up enough to melt all the ice and make the streets and roads safe again. Otherwise, how is Santa Paws supposed to come on Christmas Eve and deliver my presents?!
Mom and Dad were really upset to have lost Bella Hamster in the summer. They knew she was old when they adopted her and that their time with her would be short, but 6 weeks just didn't seem fair, and they miss her very, very much. But as we all know, Mom and Dad have very big hearts and a few weeks later, Mom found a sweet little albino hamster who needed a home. Because he was white and had red eyes, people thought he was scary and he kept getting passed over for adoption. Mom thought he was just the most adorable little thing she'd ever seen (other than me of course) and she traveled an hour and a half to adopt him. His name is Houdini and he has turned out to be quite the funny and energetic little guy! He is especially attached to Dad and loves to snuggle with him. Here is a picture of him and Dad watching hockey, and some funny shots of him crawling all over Mom...
Ana Banana continues to be a grouchy little bunny. That's just the way she is and Mom and Dad love her that way. Mom and Dad like to invite her up on their bed and give her cuddles, or at least try to give her cuddles. It takes her a while to stop digging in the blankets and settle down for a rest. That's when Mom moves in and gives her head scritches and massages. But the other week, as Mom leaned in for a snorgle, Ana Banana got a little excited and Mom ended up with a bite on her head! Ha! Luckily Mom captured the funny moment....
I'm not sure, but I think Ana is smiling in this picture...
Us bunnies have been very good this year. I told Santa Paws all I wanted was treats so hopefully by my keeping it simple and straight to the point, I will stick my head in my stocking Christmas morning and find lots of noms!!! I'm a very lucky bunny. I have my beautiful Binky who keeps me warm each and every day and I have a wonderful life in a home that is full of love and happiness. I want to wish all of my peeps out there a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! I hope that you all get what you want for Christmas and you take an extra moment to love your human(s) and spread the joy <3 p="">
Mom would just like everyone to know that BlogSpot hasn't been working properly on her desktop - that's why most of my Peeps think that I have gone missing and have posted my picture on the side of milk cartons! Don't worry my friends, I am alive and well!
Summer is winding down and in all honesty, Miss Binks and I haven't been doing much other than napping in the sun rays that shine through the patio doors and enjoying the central air conditioning.
Mom decided to go somewhere she hasn't been in a while - to her Photobucket Account. She'd forgotten about all of the stuff she had in there, including all these great old pictures of us bunnies in our younger days. She thinks my Peeps might enjoy a trip down memory lane to see what kind of shenanigans Miss Binks and I have gotten into over the years.....
Here is Miss Binks investigating a suitcase. Mom and Dad were going away and we were off to the bunnysitter's. You can see our blankets and our igloo inside and Miss Binks is all "Hey! What are you doing with my stuff?!"
Here is our first Christmas card, circa 2005! As I am sure you can tell by the look on my face, I am none too pleased with wearing bells around my neck! Mom still pulls those stupid things out every year....THUMP!
Here's me after I lost my manhood. I was chewing my stitches so I had to wear this hideous cone on my head. I am about a year old here.....
This is a picture of me and Boo. Boo was the first hamster Mom and Dad ever had. He was awesome, mainly because when he would roll around in his ball, I would lower my head and he would park it right against my forehead and pluck at my fur through the air vents. He would groom me for hours....
And here my Peeps, is the picture that started it all. This is Miss Binks when she was at the Toronto Humane Society, just after her eye was removed. When Mom and Dad decided to foster a bunny, Mom found this picture of Miss Binks on their website. She took the picture and made this poster, adding the words, and sent it to Dad. They went and picked her up that weekend. This was also when Mom and Dad discovered that they sucked at fostering - Miss Binks never went back, but was adopted instead :)
Perhaps I will share more pictures from my past in another entry, but for now I would like to leave you with one last picture. Back in June, we lost our sweet hammy friend Louise. In July, Mom and Dad welcomed a new little girl hammy into our family. Her name was Bella and she was surrendered to a shelter at the ripe old age of 2 years and 7 months. She was looking for a retirement home and Dad surprised Mom one day by adopting her and bringing her home to live with us. Despite her age, she was full of energy! She would climb the sides of her cage, fly around in her ball and give her wheel a good work out. She never sad still and was always scurrying about. It took no time at all for her to burrow her way into all of our hearts. Sadly, sweet Bella passed away last weekend. We may have only had her for about 6 weeks, but we all loved her as if we'd had her since she was a baby. She was funny, silly, happy and friendly, and we will never forget her. Rest in peace little Bella, we will miss you very much.....
Mom never jumped on the Facebook bandwagon. Misguidedly, she was convinced it was merely a passing fad. Wow, she missed that boat. But despite the undeniable dominance of this little corner of social media, Mom has never made herself an account. But Mom is no stranger to "connecting" with the world using other means - my blog being one of them. She Tweets and Vines and was Instagramming before it was even cool. Alas, she still hasn't figured out Tumblr....
Above we see one of many experiments she has being doing trying to find the perfect Instagram framing app. Aren't Miss Binks and I adorable? And speaking of adorable, here are Miss Binks and I canoodling in our tent....hopefully this link works...
Ah yes, there we are, we just can't get enough of each other ;) A bit of an explanation about that clip: Miss Binks and I have been residing upstairs in the living room for the last few weeks. We had air conditioner problems and unfortunately, a very shady repair company came in and charged a fortune for what really ended up being a blown fuse. But the icing on the cake was when they left without reattaching the hose that connects the water drain to the output, resulting in water all over the basement, and in the family room where we live. I tell ya, when Mom got home and saw that mess, she called those people and complained, but they just hung up on her. Then Dad called back and he started speaking in what I can only describe as a completely different language - "colourful" language some people might call it - certainly words I'd never heard before. And whoever he was talking to must have been hard of hearing because Dad sure was yelling awfully loud. Anyway, our home insurance will be repairing the damage and us two have been relocated until said work has been completed.
Mom has finally gotten around to editing that other clip of me having a misadventure in the furnace room. I LOVE the furnace room! I'm not allowed in there because there is too much trouble I could get into, but every now and then, Mom or Dad might leave the door ajar and that's when I take full advantage. So I leave you with this clip of me not listening to Mommy.....and make sure you watch to the end so you can see me giving the business to a blue pillow I found in there....
Summer may *technically* still be two days away, but the weather outside has jumped ahead to full-on hot and sunny. Fresh air from the screened patio door keeps Miss Binks and myself on our toes - her, with her nose pointed in the air sniffing the freshness that wafts in, and me, wishing once, just once, that the door might be left open so that I can dash out for a full-on rabbit run! Alas, history dictates that I don't know how to behave properly when I am let outside without security, so staring beyond the mesh is all I can do, while Nutters and Butters mock me from the squirrel feeder.
But the nice weather means that Mom takes us out side in the x-pen so that we can get our toes in the grass and the sweet scents in our nostrils. Binky is especially fond of being outside - she thinks she is a wild bunny when she is out there, not a worry in the world, periscoping on her back feet, her nose a-twitching. Me on the other hand, I took a nap....
The Bunny Misadventures continue. One I will talk about in another post as Mom hasn't edited the little video yet, but I did get into some other trouble that Mom and Dad did certainly not find funny....
Mom came down to give us our evening salads and she noticed that I wasn't in the family room. The gate was open, which means there is a very good chance that my vagabond bunny feet have taken me someplace I'm not supposed to be. Mom immediately checked the furnace room, as that has been my recent go-to hiding place when I get the chance. But I wasn't in there. She then checked the storage area, long known to have hid me on many occasions, but not this time. This was when Mom started to worry.
She called Dad and told him I was missing. He came downstairs and that's when the all-out search began. Flashlights in hand, the furnace room was inspected again, moving all the x-pens, foam squares, the central vac hose, the toy box.....but I was not found. Next they emptied the storage area - luggage sets, pictures, boxes, Rubbermaid totes, all hauled out into the hall. Dad even crawled right to the back and turned the corner to see right under the bottom of the stairs......but I was not found.
Mom's shaky voice called out for me as she opened every cabinet door and Dad stared in bewilderment of where on Earth I could possibly be. "Did you do outside for any reason? Into the garage?" Mom asked. Dad thought to himself. "Uh, well I did go into the garage to get my wallet out of the car but then I came right back in...." Mom raced to the door that goes into the garage and ran around the car calling my name.....
She found me by the garbage cans.
"HE'S HERE!!!!!!" she screamed to Dad as she swooped me off the ground and squeezed me extra tight. She wasted no time flying back into the house and plopping on the couch, rocking back and forth, crying into my fur......"Fluffy!!!!! Why do you have to scare us like this?! Why must you always get into trouble!" Well, I certainly didn't mean to. All I did was see Dad go out the door, so I followed him. Then he turned around and went back in the house and left me in there! "Look at you! Your feet are dirty, and your whiskers are covered in dust!" Well, yours would be too if you just spent three hours exploring garbage cans, recycling bins, snow tires, shelves, lawn chairs.........
Mom was just so happy that Dad didn't actually open the garage door, because we all know, I would have been gone like a flash, and with a three hour head start, it's doubtful I would ever have been found. She plopped me down by Miss Binks who proceeded to immediately start grooming all the yuckiness off of my fur. "Where were you Fluffy? I didn't know where you went..." she said. "Binky, did you know that right through that door lies a bunny adventure playground beyond anything you could imagine? It was uncharted territory and I just had to explore it all!"
"Yes, but something could have happened to you. You could have got hurt, or got lost outside....what would I do without you?"
"Oh, I guess that's true. I'm sorry I worried you my Binky Girl. I'll try to be a good bunny and always be by your side......."
I feel bad that I caused so much worry, that I made Mom's eyes leak and Dad's hair turn a little more grey. Us animals that share this house and life with them mean the world to them, and losing any of us is not something either of them ever wants to think about.
Unfortunately, our hearts were broken last week when our little Louise Hamster crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It happened so fast and unexpectedly, it was a complete shock to us all. One evening, Weezie was running around exploring the couch cushions, and the next evening, Dad found her weak and cold by her food dish. He called for Mom to come. They tried to warm her up but it didn't help, she was just slowly fading away right in Mommy's hands. Mommy kissed her, stroked her and cried in her fur. It was clear to her and Dad that Louise was dying, and as hard as it was, Mom said "If you have to go Louise, please go. Don't hang on for us. We love you! We love you so very, very much and we will miss you. Please don't ever forget how much we love you, sweet baby......." And within minutes, sweet Louise took her last breath and lay still in Mommy's shaking hands.....
Mom has always said that love knows no size, that even the smallest of creatures can love and be loved. Weezie may have been hamster-sized, but the love we shared with her was giant-sized. You will be missed sweet Louise - you were a very beloved friend and your absence is deeply felt in all of our hearts......
Well, after a torturous few months of eye drops and antibiotics, I am very happy to report that I am all better! My tear production is back to normal and my eye ulcer is completely gone! I do still have to have drops everyday, but they are just the saline ones to keep my eyes nice and hydrated, not the medical drops that would sting. It's taken me a while to stop thumping every time I see Mom or Dad - I keep thinking they are just going to try to medicate me again. So overall, I am a very happy Big Tough Lop!
And what would a Big Tough Lop be without a bunny misadventure?! Hee hee! I'm still at the top of my game as you will see from the video above. Mom was sitting in the family room when I trotted on out into the hall to see what sort of mischief I could get into. Mom heard me rustling around somewhere so she decided to go have a look. Knowing that there is a very good chance of me being in trouble, she filmed me on her iPad. Have a look!
So Peeps, the lesson today is you are never too old to get into trouble! Eat your hay, eat your salads, take your meds ("like a good bunny!") and play safe :)
Me at the vet, sulking in the very back of the carrier....
Yup, there's been a loooooooot of thumping going on around here.....
So it turns out that I have an ulcer in my left eye. For the last month, I have been on two different types of eye drops twice a day (thump), along with sulfatrim to fight my infection (thump), on top of the metacam I take regularly. Oh yeah, AND stupid Critical Care (thumpthump)!
I had a recheck two weeks ago and my ulcer is doing much better so the sulfatrim is gone, but the eye drops are still around. And Mom is running out of new and different ways to get me to eat Critical Care....
I must have been a huge bunny in a previous life, one who could not be bossed around or made to do anything I didn't want to do. And now, in this life, I am 2 1/2 pounds and pretty much defenceless when it comes to having to take medication and Critical Care. Mom knows just how to hold me so that I can't use her body as a spring board to escape, and it doesn't seem to matter how tightly I keep my trap shut, she manages to get that syringe in there anyway. All I can to is stare her down, spasming out every time that syringe comes close to my lips, my ears hanging like cold, wet socks behind my head....
"Fluffy, mommy mixed it with apple and banana baby food today! It's yummy! YUM!!!!"
"Stick it in your ear! I don't want it!"
"I tasted it myself! You're going to love it!" And as always, after 3 or 4 false attempts of me spitting it out of my mouth, eventually I succumb to the fact that I'm not going anywhere until I eat. So eat it I do. And she's right, it tastes pretty good today, but I sure as heck am not going to let her know that!
Yesterday she made the mixture a little too wet and it made a big mess under my chin. After I bolted from her arms and triple-thumped my disapproval, I ran to my sulking spot by the fireplace and proceeded to shake my head violently, splattering the mess all over the wall and on Binky's back. "Fluffy! You got Critical Care all over my white Dolce & Gabunny tracksuit!" Mom waited until it dried, then Furminatored it off of her.....
I have a recheck next week. I hope they tell Mom and Dad that they can stop with the eye drops and I have gained enough weight that they can stop the Critical Care too. Until then, I shall continue my futile protests and thump thumpthump every time either Mom or Dad come into the family room.....
Look at me. Aren't I a sorry little sot? This was what I looked like after my vet visit yesterday....
So I've had a bit of a crusty eye for about 6 months now. I've been on eye drops and for the most part, it never really developed into anything. That is, until this past weekend.
Mom was heading out the door and was saying goodbye to Miss Binks and I when she noticed my face. "For the love of bunnies! Fluffy!What happened to your eye?!!!!" She was on me like stink and before I knew it I was scooped up in her arms. "Oh my Little Man! Your poor eye!" My eye wasn't just watery, it had white goop all over it and was almost completely crusted shut. Out came the warm washcloth and Mom gently wiped it all away and washed the fur all around my eye. Wow, it felt nice to get rid of that gunk. Then she cradled me in her arms and got all mushy with me. "My sweet Fluffy Man, my poor, poor baby...." She buried her face in my fur and rocked me back and forth. Then she finally set me back on the floor and I promptly gave her about 4 thumps to let her know that, although I appreciated the warm washcloth, all that extra baby stuff was embarrassing.
So yesterday it was off to the vet. Here is a picture of me all burritoed for my duct cleaning. Dr. Erin had to give me a needle for some sedation and then my eye duct was flushed. It got all of the gunk out and I felt much better. But by the time it was all over, I had just about had it with all the poking and prodding and managed a few drowsy thumps when I got back into my carrier, hence my sourpuss face in the first picture.
And of course, once mom got home and heard all about my ordeal at the vet, I got scooped again. "Oh Fluffs, my sweet little man! What a horrible, horrible day you've had! Mama's little bunny boy, are you okay? Are you feeling better?" She knew I was because in between all of her mushy kisses I was trying to wriggle out of her arms. She put me back on the floor and of course, I thumped my disapproval. "That's my bunny boy!"
So I am on eye drops 3 times a day, doubled doses of metacam and baytril. The vet says I could stand to put on a few ounces so I am also getting alfalfa hay and Critical Care mixed with baby food. I go back to the vet for a re-check in two weeks. Until then, I will enjoy all of the extra treats I am getting and do my best to stay out of Mom's reach *sigh*.
If you're a hockey fan, this season has been a looooooong time coming. But the lockout is now over and NHL hockey is back on the ice!
Dad looooooves hockey. It's been tough for Mom lately because while the lockout was going on, Dad had nothing to do Saturday nights, which meant Mom had to entertain him. "Let's watch a movie. Can we watch a movie? Harry Potter is on!" A Harry Potter movie is ALWAYS on somewhere in the television universe at any given time of the day, and Dad will ALWAYS find it.
So hockey is back and Mom has Dad out of her hair and back on the couch watching hockey every Saturday night, and us bunnies get to watch with him. To show our support, we put on our hockey jerseys because that's how happy we are to have Dad back, hanging out with us in the family room. Between Dad's yells of "SHOOT!" and "Oh come ON! How can you MISS that, you MORON?!", we get snorgles, pets and treats. And sometimes Dad gets distracted and gives us extra treats, not remembering that he gave us each a raisin 10 minutes ago.....
So here is a little video of Miss Binks and I in our jerseys as we watch the Toronto Maple Leafs. GO LEAFS, GO!!!!
Yes, it's that time of year. At the beginning of every year, all us bunnies get carted out to see Dr. Deb for our annual check ups. Here I am on the table getting molested by Dr. Deb. Don't get me wrong, she's nice and all, but I just don't understand why she has to poke at my belly and stick things in my ears and mouth. I try to wiggle out of her grasp, but being such a light bunny, they can get a pretty good hold on me. The verdict? I'm a lean, mean, Big Tough Lop Machine! And I showed everyone just how I felt when I was allowed back in my carrier - I gave them a Big Tough Lop thump!
Here is Binky in Daddy's arms. She had her check up first and then Daddy snuggled her for the rest of the visit because that's what she likes. She can be a Nervous Nellie so he likes to make sure she is all calmed down before she goes back into the carrier. And she got a treat too. We all get treats after our exams for being such good little bunnies - even when we are not such good little bunnies :) Dr. Deb says that Binky has really good muscle tone for her age, and that for *almost* 10 years old, she is in very good shape. Binky attributes this to all of the beauty sleep and snorgling she insists on getting.
Scooter was next. Poor Scoots. He has being showing his age as of late - he turned 9 in November. Mom and Dad are pretty sure he's deaf and he has also developed cataracts in both his eyes, rendering him pretty much blind. Because he can't hear or see means that he's slowed down a lot. It's been hard for Mom and Dad to watch but they count their blessings every day. Scooter still eats well and poops well and plays with his toys so he's still a happy boy. But Mom and Dad sure wish old age wasn't catching up with him - or with any of us for that matter. But otherwise, Scooter is a healthy boy, so Mom and Dad are very happy about that :) Here is a picture of him in his new Christmas Sweater!
Ana Banana was last and of course, she was an absolute angel. The angry, grunty, boxy, bitey girl we've all grown to love didn't show an ounce of her true self. Dr. Deb didn't believe us when we told her what Ana is really like at home until we showed her the video of Ana ripping apart her Christmas stocking and attacking everyone. *sigh* But that's why we love her - she's a real firecracker! Ana does have some sore hocks on her feet so Dr. Deb showed us how to use vet wrap to wrap her feet up. Well, let's just say Ana Banana is none too crazy for her new footwear and has turned shredding vet wrap into an Olympic sport. Poor Mom keeps trying to put them on, sometimes even using fingers from gloves as little legwarmers but Ana will have no part of it. Mom is going to keep trying though in hopes that Ana will just get used to it and leave them alone. *snort* How silly is that idea?
So we are all done for another year. Oh yeah, and I'm back on that stinky panacur for 30 days that helps keep my EC at bay. Can't wait until I finish that bottle!
Hope all of my peeps are staying nice and warm during this cold winter! McFluffersons, over and out!
I've been giving Mom the business because it's taken her so long to post about our Christmas haul. Mom said she had an issue with the video and wanted to wait until she could fix it, so here we are!
Christmas was great! Santa Paws once again looked the other way when I was bad this last year and brought us all kinds of cool stuff! Binks and I got this new straw Carrot Patch toy which I initially wasn't too impressed with, but I really like tossing the carrots now. Mom will put them all back in the patch and that is my cue to sprint over and rip them all out and fling them in the air with reckless abandon.
Binky got her highly coveted bag of persimmon slices from the Bunspace store. She loves them very much and Santa brings them every year just for her. Mom is in charge of making sure she shares because when it comes to treats, especially her persimmon slices, sharing is not on the top of her agenda. Me, I'm not too fond of them so I usually let Binks get them all and I will happily take a raisin instead.
Scooter, one of the bunnies that lives upstairs, got a cardboard Christmas Tree that he has been shredding on a daily basis. He is really into cardboard so Santa Paws really hit the nail on the head with that gift for him. And Ana Banana, the other upstairs bunny, she got a willow boot, which she managed to completely decimate in about a day and a half. She is a very angry girl and decimation is her specialty, as you will see in the video as she opens her stocking.
And wee Louise, she got lots of hammy treats and a wooden bridge to hang in her cage, although Mom isn't sure there will be enough room for it in there. Louise already has so much stuff in her cage - two fiddle sticks, a corn husk tunnel, a swing, a ledge, tunnels, a wheel and her Sputnik, Mom will probably have to remove some things in order to get the new bridge in there.
So without further ado, here we are in our Christmas video! I hope all of my peeps had a great holiday and a very happy new year!
Behold! It's the Family Christmas Card! Yup, Mom has worked her Photoshop magic and created another dandy of a greeting that is being sent in all of our Christmas cards. That's the beautiful Miss Binks on the left and that handsome bunn snorgling next to her is me ;) Then we have wee Louise right in the middle, followed by Ana Banana and Scooter MaGoo on the right.
Mom is one of those people who loves Christmas so much, she put the tree up in November. Like, the second weekend of November. And she was late this year. She had gone out to the garage to pull out the Christmas tree and discovered that some mice had been living in it. All of the pine cones were chewed down to nubs and there were peanut skins, seeds and tiny poops all through the branches. She shook her fist, "You darned mice! You have ruined my beautiful tree!" So that postponed the putting up of the tree until she got a new one.
Christmas lights in the window, festive garland on the fireplace mantle, boughs and bows outside with more lights - it's all done. And there is the festive addition of a leg lamp in our living room window. One of Mom's favourite movies is "A Christmas Story" and she has always dreamed of having her very own leg lamp to display in the window every Christmas. This year, her dream came true, thanks to kijiji. If you have never seen "A Christmas Story" then this leg lamp will just confuse you. Go watch the movie and get back to me....
I hope Santa Paws remembers what a good little bunny I have been this year. Apart from a few poo-flinging incidents, none of which I was ever convicted of, I've been an angel of a rabbit. And it's not like I want a lot of things for Christmas. Us bunnies, we have it pretty good and there is not much that we don't already have, but there is always room in my belly for more treats. Oh yeah, more treats!
I don't care what kind they are. Carrot Slims, Veggie Puffs, raisins, hay cupcakes, I'll take it! Miss Binks' favourite treat is dried persimmon. Hopefully Mom remembered to order those from the Bunspace Store. And oat groats. I hope there are oat groats in my stocking!
Other that dreaming of what I want Santa Paws to bring me, I wanted to extend the best of Christmas and Holiday wishes to all of my peeps out there. Recent tragic events in Connecticut have made even the most cheerful of bunnies very sad, and it is a reminder that life is precious. Love everyone around you, spread cheer and give hope, and live every day to it's fullest. You only get to live your life once, so make sure to pack it full of love, happiness and optimism. I will share with you Mom's favourite quote, one that she tries to live by every single day....
I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again. ~ Stephen Grellet
Smooches and snorgles to you all, and to all, a good night.
Here she is, the First Place Winner in Bunspace's "Giving you the Eye" photo contest! Miss Binky Binkowsky!
That's right, my beautiful Miss Binks entered this picture and it won her top spot. Isn't she pretty?
"Thank you Fluffy....:) I figured I would enter because I only have one eye I can give."
"Were you excited when you found out you had won?"
"Oh, absolutely! There were many great pictures of bunnies giving the eye. I think perhaps the Tiffany scarf I'm wearing is what gave me the advantage. That, and the fact that I am actually smiling in this picture, tee hee!"
"Is there anything you would like to say to your Bunspace Peeps?"
"Why yes! I would like to thank everyone for voting for me! Everyone pretty much knows how much of a Diva I am, but it's always nice to get reassurance once in a while ;) I feel very special to have won first place."
"Awwww, Binks my girl, you are always first place with me!"
"Fluffy! Don't make me blush!"
And we would also like to thank my peep Babette the Rabette and her mom Tamara for sponsoring the contest and donating bunny t-shirts for first, second and third place! Check out Babbette's blog here and if you have a bunny who has special needs, check out Tamara's website www.specialbunny.org!
I've been called worse. But every once in a while I like to remind Mom of how soft and warm my kisses are :)
She smelled really good that day. A mixture of hay, banana and raisins. And perhaps I was feeling kinda smoochy myself, having just filled my belly with choice selections from the Evening Salad. I had assumed the "loaf position" when Mom decided to lay on the floor with me for some one-on-bun time.
"Who's my Little Man? Oh, I'm sorry, I mean my Big Tough Lop? It's Fluffy! Yes it is, Mr. McFluffersons..........*gasp*.....kisses! Mama LOVES kisses! Thank you my Little Man! Mama wuv you sooooooo much!"
I love when she pets me, but only when I get to keep all four paws on the floor. Then she can rub my head all she wants. I especially like it when she comes really close and nuzzles my neck. She makes these "nom nom nom" sounds and it gets all warm with her breath. Then she will sniff me and snorgle my ears - I REALLY like that! And then if she stops too soon, I might give her a little nip to remind her she is not done - hee hee!
So Peeps, it's always a good idea to remind your 2-foot how adorable and loving you really are. Have you snorgled your human today?
We're a pretty photogenic bunch, us bunnies, especially me. Now I don't mean to toot my own horn, but seriously, I'm a pretty good lookin' Big Tough Lop wouldn't you say?
Mom and Dad recently went away and we all stayed at our friend Jessica's house. Jessica loves us bunnies as if we were her own - and she has 5 of her own :). Jessica is also a great photographer and while we were there, Mom arranged for us to have our pictures taken. Again.
We all know Binky is beautiful, and the funny thing is is that she knows it. She will wear just about anything and hold her head up high because she knows she's pretty. She has even been known to sit completely still until she hears the click of a camera, and then she will move. Here she is wearing one of her Coach scarves as well as her Tiffany scarf (her Dada loves to spoil her!). Mom and Dad swears she is actually smiling in the last picture!
Here are Scooter MaGoo and Ana Banana. Scooter is always weary of the camera, as his eyesight is fading with his old age and it makes him nervous, but he takes such great pictures! He's a nervous guy in general but he can also be really sucky when he wants to. And he is also impossible to turn away for treats. Ana is wearing a Coach scarf in her picture, but unlike Binky, there is no hint of a smile here! Perhaps it's the Rex face that always looks so disapproving, but she is definitely not impressed with her own adorableness.
And even Louise Hamster go in on the photoshoot! I know, how many of you have ever seen a hamster glamour shot? Well, here you go! Louise is so full of personality and humour. She is a very friendly girl and has no problem with being handled, carried around and having raspberries blown onto her belly. Yes, Mom and dad do that.....
And of course, this post would not be complete without a completely self-indulgent inclusion of myself. After all, I am the most handsome Big Tough Lop of them all. So to all my peeps out there.....
