In the middle of the night on December 15, 2007, Bunjie, my sweet bunny, took his last breath. In the early hours of the morning I poked my head in his room to check on him, and found him laying on his side, his beautiful brown eyes half-open and peaceful, as though he were sleeping. At a closer look, I realized that he was not sleeping but had in fact passed away, in his nineth year.
My children, husband and I, gathered around him. My son bent down and kissed the mocha-coloured fur on his lovely forehead. My daughter, too young to understand the sadness of the moment, ran around the room happily singing, Bunjie is sleeping.
Finally, my husband and children left the room. I sat next to Bunjie, and kissed his soft ears, forehead and little paws one last time. It seemed too hard and too unthinkable to imagine Bunjie not nestling his head against my fingers again, or looking up at me first thing in the morning through his oversized dog cage. He was the only bunny we knew who lived in such a facility.
It hurt to think of the all the happy years that we shared because I knew that the preceding years would not include him. I thought of the special connection we shared and how its often stated how people have complicated relationships with their animal companions because of this close connection and the sense of peace that exists when they are together.
I felt inconsolable as my husband wrapped Bunjie in the blue blanket he had died on. I watched as my son tucked two carrots inside the blanket because he wanted his bunny to have something to eat on his journey to heaven. My sadness was punctuated by my husband gently placing Bunjie in a tan wicker box that I was going to deliver to our veternarian.
I dreamed lastnight of Bunjie. Happily eating out of my nephew's hand, happily climbing on our laps, encouraging us to pet him and scratch his back. I should have called him Happiness.
This morning, as I opened my eyes, I thought of the ashes that will occupy the space within a small pale urn in our china cabinet. I am attached to the idea of the body even though I believe in the here-after.
I hope my father, who passed away, and Bunjie's brother, were there to greet my sweet companion. Good-bye Bunjie, and thanks for teaching us about love, compassion and happiness.
My children, husband and I, gathered around him. My son bent down and kissed the mocha-coloured fur on his lovely forehead. My daughter, too young to understand the sadness of the moment, ran around the room happily singing, Bunjie is sleeping.
Finally, my husband and children left the room. I sat next to Bunjie, and kissed his soft ears, forehead and little paws one last time. It seemed too hard and too unthinkable to imagine Bunjie not nestling his head against my fingers again, or looking up at me first thing in the morning through his oversized dog cage. He was the only bunny we knew who lived in such a facility.
It hurt to think of the all the happy years that we shared because I knew that the preceding years would not include him. I thought of the special connection we shared and how its often stated how people have complicated relationships with their animal companions because of this close connection and the sense of peace that exists when they are together.
I felt inconsolable as my husband wrapped Bunjie in the blue blanket he had died on. I watched as my son tucked two carrots inside the blanket because he wanted his bunny to have something to eat on his journey to heaven. My sadness was punctuated by my husband gently placing Bunjie in a tan wicker box that I was going to deliver to our veternarian.
I dreamed lastnight of Bunjie. Happily eating out of my nephew's hand, happily climbing on our laps, encouraging us to pet him and scratch his back. I should have called him Happiness.
This morning, as I opened my eyes, I thought of the ashes that will occupy the space within a small pale urn in our china cabinet. I am attached to the idea of the body even though I believe in the here-after.
I hope my father, who passed away, and Bunjie's brother, were there to greet my sweet companion. Good-bye Bunjie, and thanks for teaching us about love, compassion and happiness.
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