Clover

[CloversMom]

Grief is a strange thing. We all experience it in different ways. For me, I come in and out of it rather rapidly, which can be dangerous when I’m at work and I suddenly think of Clover. I can’t control the tears and I just break down…
Clover was a sweet, 2 month old mini lop that we brought home 5/20/18. My husband and I fell in love with her at first sight. She was very sweet and curious. We opened our home and hearts to her and we wouldn’t trade our memories of her for anything. And I will tell you, the pain of her loss is absolutely excruciating.
A week ago Friday, we noticed Clover was a bit aloof. She was keeping to herself and wanted to be left alone. We let her hide and left her alone until she came out on her own. On Saturday we noticed she had a case of “poopy butt” which I know is not normal. I cleaned her up and checked to make sure she was able to still poop. Sunday she stopped eating and stopped pooping. Since it was not only the weekend, but also a holiday weekend, I was thankful that a 24 hour vet clinic that saw rabbits was available. Prior to calling, I purchased some BeneBac. The vet told us that if she didn’t poop within 8 hours after administration of the BeneBac that we would need to take her in. She did poop but it was runny, diarrhea-type. I did a ton of research trying to figure out what to do and I worried that GI Stasis was the culprit. We ended up taking her to the emergency clinic at 7pm that night. They took xrays and determined the diagnosis that no rabbit owner ever wants to hear – GI Stasis. She was given an enema which I imagine was just horrible for her and subsequently prescribed several medications to try and stimulate her gut. We got home at 12am Monday morning. At 1:25am my husband heard a noise and knew that she had died…I’ll never forget the raw pain and guilt of seeing that innocent creature – our sweet Clover – dead in her little home. I froze and just couldn’t stop looking at her…my poor innocent baby. My husband had better presence of mind and grabbed a shovel so we could bury her. We found a little spot in our backyard and just after 1:45am on Monday we buried our baby, Clover.
That morning, our kids woke up, smiling and happy to face the day. I had to tell them that our baby had died. This was the first true loss either one of them have experienced and they both broke down. That was an overwhelmingly painful moment. Throughout the day, we were heartbroken. My husband couldn’t bring himself to clean out her habitat, which still had the impression in her bedding from where she lay when she died. Her little food bowl, her water bottle and a toy. All hers but she was no longer here to play and eat and drink and be loved by her family…
We are still devasted. While I know the pain lessens in time, her memory will stay strong. I have plans for a memorial garden by her grave and I’ve kept pictures we took of her. I feel all the emotions that come with grief – anger, frustration, guilt and complete and utter sadness and helplessness. We loved her and we love her still.
Thank you for reading…I needed to get this out because the words have been inside me screaming to be written and read by those who understand.

We love you, Clover. We always will. Love, Mom, Dad and your brothers ❤

[Azerane]

I’m not very good with words but I am so very sorry for your loss of Clover.

[Phil]

I just got my new bunny called Clover too, its very sad you have to be very careful with their diet at young age, she needed more fibre to settle tummy probs, she mite have had coccidia baby bunnies get that a lot, very sad news poor Clover x

[Bam]

I’m so very sorry you lost little Clover. It is true as Phil says, young rabbits are frail and diarrhea in a young rabbit is often fatal. Coccidiosis is not very rare and affects young buns the hardest. You did all that could be done, it’s so sad she didn’t make it. Her life was so short, but she did get to know love, not all rabbits are so lucky.

Binky free, sweet ****Clover****

[tobyluv]

I’m very sorry about the loss of your sweet Clover.

[September]

I am so sorry, Cloversmom. All here share your grief and we know exactly what you are going through right now. It doesn’t matter about age, 12 weeks or 12 years, we fall in love with them, they are always our babies and loosing them is painful beyond words.

As for grief, you just have to let it do what it has to do. Let it out, cry, shout, punch the cushions.

We have lost close family, but nothing ever affected me and my husband like the loss of Timothy. He cried as he put Timothy’s things away. Time is our best friend in all this. It will get better, not ever completely better, but easier. Because bunnies burrow into our hearts and make a home there too, so even though they are no longer with us, we can’t ever let them go. There is something so special about them.

Sleep tight little Clover.
Xx

[Gordo and Janice]

Sorry for you loss CloversMom. Excruciating is an apt word. Been there done that. Still miss my little girl so much after 5 months. You obviously know time is the trick. You said so yourself. I “mostly” smile now when I think of her. So you know better days are ahead.

It’s so sad that it was such a short life. Not fair. Never is. But with the devastation you are feeling as a family, you obviously were in love with the little girl and I guarantee you she knew it. Thanks for loving her so. I am always glad to hear of other people who took in a little bunny and that they loved them and felt about them the way I felt about my little girl. You are good people. Like bam said, “she did get to know love, not all rabbits are so lucky.” Thank you again for that.

Thinking of all of you.

Binky free sweet baby {{{Clover}}}

[Bladesmith]

As a parent to a Clover myself, my deepest condolences.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

I’m very sorry for your loss, it’s so horrible to lose an animal companion Binky free sweet Clover!

[Flakie]

I am so sorry for your loss of little Clover so so sad.

GI Stasis is in such a young bunny is so sad. My Flakie was nearly 10 when he died in January and had GI Stasis for a year and was back and forth to the vet constantly and tried different meds too.

As you said grief is a strange thing I sometimes get a huge sinking feeling and still get upset about my Flakie even though I now have given a home to two new bunnies.

So glad you were able to give Clover a loving home.

Binky free clover x

[CloversMom]

Thank you to everyone for your condolences and your beautiful words of comfort. I am blessed to be the mom of two other bunnies – Logan and Snow Storm… two wonderful and friendly cuddle rabbits. I wish Clover could still be here to experience the love of her family, human and rabbit. I take comfort in knowing that she’s no longer in pain and that she’s safe. Again, thank you all. You have been a great comfort to me and also to my husband during this difficult time.

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