Thank you all. Your kind words mean so much to me-I can't thank you enough.
I've been putting off writting Chuck's memorial because it seems so final, but I have to tell it.
Chuck came to me just about two years ago. After Kokanee left me, I was searching for a special bunny. I looked at many rabbits, but when I saw Chuck's picture and read his story I knew he was who I was looking for. Most people thought I was kooky to go to Vancouver to adopt a rabbit but it felt right and soon I was approved for adoption and headed to Vancouver with Kahlua and Rupert in tow-to meet Chuck.
Chuck came to the rabbit rescue after a history of neglect, that sickness had not been treated and had left him blind. We soon discovered after he came home that he was deaf too. Chuck was amazing though and moved around like a normal bunny. He was cuddly and sweet. And such a big eater. He loved nothing more then shredding and chewing towels and paper.
Rupert and Kahlua bonded with him, but it wasn't right. Although there were never any fights, Chuck wouldn't leave his little area he claimed so the only time he was with them was when they were in that area-the roamed the rest of the apartment otherwise. I got Chuck a stuffed lion, and he took to that more so then Kahlua and Rupert. He groomed his lion and slept on him, and it appeared he even tried to feed his lion-often taking his veggies to the lion when he ate.
When Noot came into my life I had no intention of bringing him home. Like the other rabbits in the shelter, I'd have loved to take them home but couldn't. But Noot had just lost his family and his companion bunny and stopped eating. I knew he wouldn't live much longer on his hunger strike. He seemed like a 'get along with anybunny' bunny and Chuck was that type too. So I made a decision and brought him home. I was scared of upsetting Chuck, should this strange bunny hurt him. I shouldn't have worried. They hardly sniffed each other, they just cuddled right up and that was that.
Chuck got sick last November. Looking back at the pictures of that first night when I realized, I don't even know how I knew it was head tilt. His head was tilted so slightly and he wasn't rolling or stumbling. But I knew. I phoned my vet at home and she got Chuck in to see her immediately. We began treatment, and she consulted with a specialist in Saskatoon every step of the way. Chuck and Noot lived in a dog bed and then a crib in my living room for that time, to facilitate less disturbance while giving medicaiton-and to help me change bedding-which needed to be done four times a day. Chuck couldn't or wouldn't use a litter box anymore, so I used puppy pads under towels and had incontinence pillows specially made.
This spring Chuck got better and almost completely recoved, but for a small tilt. I had just thrown the crib away and remodelled the bunny room so Chuck and Noot could have their space back-finally lots of room to stretch out. Then within a few weeks his tilt came back. I was devastated and took him right back to the vet. We did the same treatment as last time, and then did more treatment. And then tried more treatment. Through it all Chuck ate heartily and happily-in fact he didn't lose any weight at all-which suprised the vet. Groomed Noot and was groomed. I found them snuggling all the time.Chuck even engaged in play, chewing and tossing the corners of his towels. He loved his treats he got after meds, always waited for them-he knew the routine.
And nothing was working.
With no treatment options left for him, I pulled him off his medications and started just letting him have some happy time with no bugging from mom. And I phoned my vet and told her I was ready to say goodbye. No, not ready, but it was time.
These are the last pictures I took on Friday
Chuck-I love you. And Noot loves you so much. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry I couldn't fix you. You were the sweetest little man and I adore you. I miss you so much and I can't wait to see you at the bridge. Because, then, you will see me too.
BInky free my sweet Chuck.
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