First off, I want to say thank you to everyone that commented with such sweet words. It meant a lot to me. I kept those words with me, close to my heart as I took care of a very special being. That being, was my little rabbit, whom I have officially named...Hope.
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R.I.P. Hope. We love you and miss you.
As a lot of you know, I was bringing him to the vet on Saturday after having him in my home, in his very own little place for nearly a week. But let me tell those that don't know about Hope as I got to live with him. In my last post, I told the story of how my sister and her friend found a loose dog and were going to return the dog to where he came from. In doing so, they came across a sweet little bun underneath a car. He was an average-sized bun, mostly black with a few white spots. He had gorgeous long black ears and a cute little bunny puff tail. The only rabbit I have ever come into contact with, in all of my life. And was he a charmer. I took one look into those eyes and stared at that little wiggling nose, and I was in love. We immediately got him into a box and took him home.
Nearly every night, this past week, I went out to the pet store to get a bunch of different things that he would need. A nice comfy cage, a water bottle, proper bedding and even toys and a little litter bin so I could potty train him. Oh and of course, a carrier for when he would be going to the vet.
When I arrived at the vet, all of the people waiting to see the doctor were so thrilled to see a bunny. Most people around here don't really see them unless they go out to farmland and see the wild ones. I had to take him to this new vet because our normal vet only specializes in dogs and cats. This doctor was recommended to me for rabbits and it wasn't too far. So we went, everyone listened to how we were able to get a new pet rabbit. I had noticed from when I first got him, one of his legs seemed to be hurt. I hoped the vet would be able to treat it. And I wish my story would have a happy ending. Though while things didn't work out, I have learned it's not as sad as it began.
You see, Hope's back was broken. The vet handled him with care and told us that while he saw how much love he was being given, the best option for him was to put him to sleep. I was a mess when he told me that. But for someone that couldn't even go to the bathroom properly, that was no life for him. I signed the paper and said my very tearful goodbye. But now that I think about it, he seemed calm as I was petting him. As if he knew....
I cried all weekend, wondering if what I did was right. After talking with friends and family, that while it was hard to let go, it was the best thing I could do for him. It was getting cold and he was in a place he would never be able to do well on his own. So I was glad to have taken him in. I am glad that he is no longer suffering....even though I did not know about his back all week. But things have a strange way of happening. He never cried and grew to trust me. I kept him inside my home, warm, fed and very much loved. While I didn't want this to happen, deep down, everyone knew something would happen. But I guess that is because of having been very experienced in saving stray animals. It never crossed my mind that this rabbit could have had rabies or it would be vicious or something else. All I cared about was taking care of him.
I officially named him Hope on Saturday when it was realized how much we had done for each other. Every year during the holiday time, I think about how much I miss my grandmother who had passed on just a few years ago and also I had always been afraid to take care of some other animal other than a dog or a cat. I never had a rabbit before. And now I know I can do it. I like to think I gave him hope as well, because I don't know what happened to him before we found him but I gave my all to make sure he had a great life. At least for the little while we were together.
It just goes to show you that things happen for a reason. And all you need is a little hope. And this hope...will appear in places you would never think of looking. Whether it's another helping hand or a little rabbit.
I don't ever regret taking in that little rabbit. I never regret helping an animal. Because while we only knew each other for a short time, I felt it meant the world not just for the rabbit, but for me as well.
I just want to thank everyone for the kind words and the strength you have all given me to go on. And I will adopt a rabbit in the future, when I'm ready. Hope helped me believe that I can do it. And I'm sure he'll continue guiding me along. Just as all of the animals that we have cared for.
Farewell, Hope. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being a little angel sent from above to tell me everything will be alright. I hope you are having the best time ever, across the Bridge with all of the other animals there.
Love,
~ Kieli ~
