Gone to the bridge, but not forgotten (feeling guilty)

I think of them all often. The rabbits I've had in the past. I had a number of pets of the years guinea pigs, parakeets, hamsters, dogs, cats, etc. It is the rabbits I remember most.

Peter was the first rabbit I had. He was an Easter present from my grandparents. How original. I was a kid. I vaguely remember Peter. It was about 40 years ago. Peter (not sure if Peter was a he or she) was a big black NZ (I guess). I don't think he lived long. Maybe a year or so. The rabbits were outside in hutch that my father built. I know one of the rabbits had a litter. I can't remember what happened to them. I don't think they survived. I believe Peter was killed by a dog or some other predator. Sad. I believe there are pictures of Peter somewhere. My mother probably has them. I didn't get another rabbit until 1982.

Starbuck went to college with me. He was a cute dwarf mix rabbit I bought at a pet store. I wish I had treated him better. I was ignorate of what it took to care for him. He died in 1986 from fly strike. I have a picture of him hanging on the wall.

Two weeks after Buck died I got Opie from a breeder. He was one those really special bunnies. Tears are welling up as I think of my sweet lop boy. Sad he only lived for four years. Probably neutering him would have a good thing. Not sure if it Pasturella or something else that he died from. He died in his carrier on the way to the vet.

I got Clover from the same breeder. This one rabbit I was I had not gotten. I really didn't take good care of her. We didn't bond well together. I was desparate for another rabbit friend. She lived for a few years. Not sure what happened. I suspect it was cancer. She was not spayed. I think the vet gave me some amoxicillin which probably hastened her death.

I waited two year before getting another rabbit. Actually my parents found Toy in May 1993 hopping around in friend's yard. They couldn't leave him there. I almost named him Hammy. He looked like a teddy bear hamster. That's what I thought he was when my mom handed him to me. I almost said 'Gee thanks for the hamster.' I managed to save myself on that one and said rabbit instead. I did tell her I what I almost said. We laugh about it now.

Toy helped me though some transitions in my life. Moving, starting a new job, leaving that job going to another new one, moving again. He lived for almost ten years. He was a beatiful Jersey Wholly. I did have him neutered. Another rabbit I wish I had treated better at times. I surprised and amazed that he lived as long as he did. He was surlly little bunny. He didn't like to be combed. I tried to cut the mats out. I often cut him at times. I felt bad. He suffered at the end. I think he may had GI stasis. I think about that and what I could have done to help him through that. I need to stop before I really start crying here. More later.