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dajeti2
06-06-04, 09:35 PM 06-06-04
A year ago we decided we wanted to add rabbits to our family. After six months of research we decided on a show quality breeding pair of Flemish Giants. We contacted the breeder and he said he would let us now when he had what we wre lookkng for. Almost four months later we got the call. We were so excited. My son had spent a whole month thinking of names for our babies. He was studying Greece at the time. He chose Athen-the goddess of wisdom & beauty for the female. He chose Apollo-manly beauty for the male.
We drove 5 hours to pick them up. When we first laid eyes on them it was love at first sight. Athena was a little two month old light gray. She was so scared and shy. Apollo was a four month old all white. He was relaxed yet friendly and out going from the start.
Apollo quickly settled in and loved the pet bunny role. Athena was slower to warm up and feel at ease around us. They were as different as night and day.
Sadly, our dear Athena passed away after being with us for only a month. I was home alone that day. After I found her I was grief stricken. As I sat crying Apollo jumped in my lap and put his head under my chin and stayed that way until my tears dried. He followed me everywhere. When I laid down he laid against me. Every time I cried Apollo was right there in my lap comforting me.
When my son came home I knew I had to break this to him gently. As he cried I held him in my arms. Apollo was right there beside him, trying to comfort my son as he had comforted me. Apollo didn't sleep in his cage that night. He slept in front of my son's bedroom door all night.
We learned that although our dear Athena can no longer be with us, her spirit will always be with us. She taught us love doesn't have to be showy and flashy. Love can simply be quietly enjoying each other's company. She brought my family closer together.
Apollo has also become closer to us. He was already very loving and friendly. Athena's passing brought us closer still. He has devoted himself to me. He follows me everywhere. He lays next to me whenever I lay down. He grooms me daily. And when I cry for Athena Apollo is right there cuddling me and offering me comfort.
Next April our home will be home to not one but three more rabbits. We will be getting another light gray like or Athena. We will also be getting a light gray male and an all white female. My son wants to breed APollo to the light gray female. The first little light gray female born already has a name. My son suggested and I agree, her name will be-Athena's Angel.
Through the tears and pain-love and hope endure.
Tina
Athena We miss you and will always love you.

Bunny Hunny
06-07-04, 03:10 AM 06-07-04
Oh dajeti2! That's such a touching beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.

So sad that Athena died so young. If you don't mind me asking, what did she die from?

Bunny Hunny
06-07-04, 03:12 AM 06-07-04
Oh and forgot to say that Apollo is a wonderful bunny. The way he comforts you and your son reminds me of how dogs are. There are not many rabbits like Apollo. He's a treasure.

dajeti2
06-07-04, 07:15 AM 06-07-04
We believe her heart gave out. She was fine, the picture of health. I was will so I took a nap. An hour and half later when I woke up I noticed she wasn't standing with her nose out of the cage. That's when I realized what happened. She looked so peaceful. Like she just went to sleep.
We are so lucky he have Apollo. He's the only rabbit that I know that is so in tune with us. Like you said, like a dog. He comforts us when we need it. He is also a clown. The harder we laugh the more he does to keep us laughing. My son has taught him to sit up and beg like a dog. It is impossible to say no him.

Bunny Hunny
06-08-04, 07:24 AM 06-08-04
Had a rabbit, Bubble, which died just after two weeks. She was only about 2 months old. My hubby who leaves for work later than I do, found her dead one morning with lots of soft poo in her cage. She died of diarrheoa and we didn't even notice there was anything wrong with her the night before. It was so sudden and we were pretty hard broken. I cried too but Beany didn't know nuts about comforting humans. LOL!!

It's strange how some animals can be with us for such a short while but leave such behind such deep imprints in our hearts. Button was a lovely rabbit and we miss her dearly.

Apollo's a clown too? He's really a wonder rabbit! :grin: :bouncy: You are so lucky to have him!

dajeti2
06-08-04, 12:07 PM 06-08-04
I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard.
Apollo is really amazing. I never realized how different he was until I started reading peoples posts about their bunn. Apollo loves to be picked up and carried around. From everything I've heard this is pretty unique. He comes up to me and stands in front of me & puts his paws on my knee. If I don't pick him up right away he starts pawing my leg lol. He also doesn't mind his harness or being dressed up in little people clothes lol.
When all the bunnies had a meeting on how to act Apollo must have been taking a nap lol. He is so special. I don't know what I would do without him I really don't.
Tina

Bunny Hunny
06-09-04, 12:44 AM 06-09-04
Thanks Tina. We're alright now. It's been more than half a year since Bubble left us. Button (my 6 month old angora) is Bubble's 'replacement'. We wanted Beany to have a bunny friend.

We've grown to really love Button now, hubby says she's actually cuter than Beany! Looks like Beany has been dethroned as hubby's fav bunny! Haha!

I still miss Bubble though. She's definitely the sweetest amongst the three rabbits. When she lies on our chests she has that habit of resting her head on our hands. She was completely not afriad of humans (the others were abit shaky when they 1st came, Beany the biggest chicken among the 3). She was just the sweetest thing. Beany is relatively skittish, and Button the energetic one. Bubble was the sweet one. She was an angel. :angel: She'd be in bunny heaven now. And making friends with Athena. :EL: :)

dajeti2
06-09-04, 08:14 AM 06-09-04
Before we got the rabbits my husband said they were for my son and I. We wanted them we wanted to show them we wanted to breed them it was our thing. I guess he was trying to be a tough guy lol. From day one he would pick up Athena and baby talk to her and cuddle her.
We had Athena for a month and Apollo for two months now.My husband,the same man that said bunnies were not his thing is desperately looking for a Broken Black Mini Rex and an English Lop of his very own.
Funny how a bunny can change your life.
Tina

Here's to the Rainbow Bridge :rainbow1: Athena & Bubbles

Bunny Hunny
06-09-04, 08:22 PM 06-09-04
I think I’m quoting someone on this but can’t remember where I’d seen it; sometimes the biggest hearts comes from the smallest creatures. :rainbow1:

dajeti2
06-09-04, 08:37 PM 06-09-04
How true! How very true.