[Petbunny] King Valentine ATB

[Ruth Barnhart]

Rhonda:

I am sooooo sorry for your loss.

King Valentine will be missed.  We will light our bridge candle when I get home from work.

Ruth B




-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Rhonda Welch <welchkin at gte.net> 

> Please light a candle for my Valentine. 
> 
> King Valentine had steadily been going downhill since he was diagnosed with 
> bloat a few months ago. He recovered briefly from bloat, began eating with 
> gusto, pootying, being his usual bratty little self. Then slowly he showed 
> signs of continuing to lose weight even though he was eating. Over the course 
> of the last week he began decreasing the number of pellets he was eating. On 
> Sunday he refused his banana slice (his FAVORITE), then last night he refused 
> his daily serving of oats. I was giving him oats in the hopes he would gain 
> some weight. 
> 
> This morning he came out of his condo when I opened the door and went straight 
> to the hidey box. He was still there when I got home today. He was dirty, 
> smelly (not a poopy butt smell) and weak. I knew in my heart it was time. I 
> sat him in the middle of the floor while I got his blankets, called the vet, 
> called Dale and got ready to go. He spread out flat on the floor and peed. 
> Valentine was always meticulous about grooming, he had perfect litter habits 
> unless he had a urinary tract infection. Today, he made no attempt to make it 
> to his pan. His right front leg was turned in under his body and he couldn't 
> stand up or hop on it. I wrapped him carefully in his favorite blanket and took 
> him to the vet. 
> 
> He had an inoperable mass (tumor) in his abdomen. I told Dr. Hempel (who's been 
> with us since Valentine was neutered eight years ago), I was more about quality 
> of life rather than being selfish and keeping him with me. I didn't want to see 
> him suffer. She told me I made the right decision. I know in my heart I made 
> the right decision, but my heart is shattered. 
> 
> Valentine was, well, my Valentine!! He was my bossy, bratty, thumping, 
> supervisor who kept me in line. 
> 
> I'll always love you Valentine..... you will forever be with me in my heart. 
> Everytime I see Pointed Ear Shakes I'll think of you. 
> 
> Love, 
> Your Mom 
> & Clem, Vanessa, Cassidy, Clancy & Cricket 
> 
> ()() 
> ( '.' ) 
> _(") (")_ ***A bunny is an angel with long ears instead of a halo***