{ Alfie }
Jan. 13 2001
Bunny
I bought my rabbit from the pound for just 20 dollars
which seems quite ironic
given that this was a bunny worth his weight in gold.
I didn’t want a rabbit too much trouble.
But each week I went to the pound
he would be there and love the attention of a quick scratch
behind his floppy ears.
I told myself I had to do something.
His chance as a rabbit to be adopted were slim.
So I told God that if he was there in two weeks
when I got back from Canada I would do the right thing.
He was a floppy-eared white rabbit and
although he looked like a stuffed toy
he was obstinate lovable but fearless like no animal I’ve seen.
My brother’s border collie tried to herd him.
Alfie went up on his hind legs and charged him like a bull.
He would never hurt anything but he wouldn’t let anything or
anyone make him afraid.
He was amazing.
I had four cats and he would run after them hoping they would play.
He put his head underneath their chin asking them
to groom and lick his head
just like a kitten and he would sit and gaze at my cat Chewie
as if he loved Chewie like a boyfriend
although they were both males and Chewie fled most of the time.
But Chewie had showed him attention once and
that was the end of it my bunny was in love!
He was only two when he started getting sick.
He had a common disease that rabbits get from an infection
in the respiratory system.
His eye watered and not thinking it was too serious
we left for our vacation for Hawaii and took him to my parents for medicine
which probably added stress to be in another place.
We also used scoopable litter
which we didn’t realize is horrible for rabbits.
Once we found out we changed.
Rabbits should have Yesterdays News from pet stores.
After months of doctor visits a 1,000 operation and shots everyday
we knew it was only getting worse.
It had spread and he had lumps going down his body.
The night before we went to have him put to sleep
we held him in the bed and he still had that determined personality.
He took the shots and medicine like a trooper.
I held him all the way and when the doctor took him
it was quick and I didn’t feel like I had time to say goodbye although
I said a 100 goodbyes throughout the past week.
I guess there are never enough.
I will always remember how he was taken to be put in a
gas chamber to be put to sleep.
How he must have stood in there unaware of what was happening.
Although I knew it had to be done
he was only two and had a fighting soul
one that shouldn’t have been taken
one that I shouldn’t have gone on that vacation and
shouldn’t have used that litter.
There are always the what ifs after a pet dies.
Perhaps he could have lived if I hadn’t made mistakes
that’s what can make you not sleep at night.
I wished he had died naturally.
Nothing is worse then taking your pet to die.
I buried him next to one of my cats that had died years before
so he would have someone to watch over him and
hopefully give him the closeness he wanted from my other cats.
It always gets better in time and now it only hurts once in awhile
but I hope he is in heaven with his yogurt drops he loves
able to run free and chase the cats that he loves.
I love you Alfie and I wish I could have saved you.
I miss you. I believe
(or I try to believe to remain sane)
that the our pets that have died watch over us like angels.
I could just see my two cats that had died watching over me and
my little rabbit hopping behind not wanting to be left out.
Surely God has a place
for these beautiful creatures somewhere.
For anyone who reads this
please remember that rabbits are loving pets too and need a home.
They take work but if you get one like mine
you’ll be the blessed one.
Deb
| Alfalfa Sprout |