Rabbit - An Obituary

Rabbit passed away this morning, aged 14 years.

He was a dwarf rabbit and had been my daughters pet since she was eight.

We never really agreed with rabbits living in a hutch, but it was kind of foisted on us.

Anyway, he was off his food yesterday (unusual for rabbit) and was a bit wobbly on his pins

Apparently, he perked up a bit in the evening and was moving around and took some fresh greens that were given to him.

This morning, he wasn't too good.

He was brought into the house and made comfortable on a bed of hay in a box. Rabbit was just laying on his side, snuffling and his breathing was laboured.

At least, he had human company and was stroked.
Apparently, Blue, our cat, just sat and watched him, as if he sensed it.

As Rabbit wasn't getting any better, they took him to the vets but he died in the car.

He was only a rabbit and rabbits get killed on the road every day or end up in the pot.

However, any life is precious and all animals leave an imprint on your heart.

I often used to feed him some greens or his favourite treat - rabbit yoghurt drops.

He was very tame and would let you stroke his back and ears while he ate them.

Rabbit will be cremated - no flowers please.



Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

W.H.Auden


RABBIT 1995 - 2009 R.I.P