What Grimlock taught me when he stopped breathing.

On Friday Grimlock went for his usual operation on his teeth and eyes, and under general anaesthetic stopped breathing for five minutes.

I was so upset as you can all imagine and I had to wait for my vet 'A' to finish being on call before I could pick Grim up and speak to her which wasn't until quarter to six. And to everyone's surprise he was so happy and hyperactive, digging away in the carry case and pushing Samus around. You wouldn't believe he'd almost died. And my vet explained everything and then said she was so sorry she couldn't do more for him. And I thought wait a minute... in July of last year he had his incisors taken out and the vet who did it found two huge jaw abscesses in the cavities. He rang me up and advised that I let Grim go under the anaesthetic as it could not be treated properly. I told him no. I wanted to fight for Grim. And my vet 'A' rang up a specialist in Scotland to find the right treatment and saved his life. So how could she do more than that? And I told her so.

My friend said that since July every day with Grim has been a blessing. And it has. He shouldn't be with us now but he is. He's a fighter. But it was seeing him so happy and lively in that carry case on Friday that really made me think. I'd been upset all day, worrying about him and he was just so... happy. He came home and ran straight into his hutch (while Samus had a little nap in the carry case... ) He had a pee, had a drink and tucked into some food! I couldn't believe it. After all he's been through he's just so happy and full of life, you wouldn't imagine he's so ill.

So what Grimlock has taught me is that you should cherish and be happy every day of your pet's life. Take each day as it comes. If they're ill, don't spend the time worrying and being sad, because they don't. Spend the time loving them and being happy they're alive. And when they pass you can say that every day was the best it could have been.

Grimlock is an inspiration for me. He's such a fighter. He's constantly ill and he's had so many problems but he happily carries on. Samus looks after him so well, she cleans his bad eyes and snuggles up to him, but he cleans her too. Well, slobbers on her because of his lack of front teeth. He actually makes her sticky...

I love my bunnies. And we now say Grim is a zombie bunny, he's officially undead, and loving every minute of it. May he have many happy years with his beloved Samus and I hope his story can inspire everyone with sick rabbits. They can have just as happy a life as any other bunny.

pearl taught me the same lesson many times over.. her heart was so wrong yet she never once had a down day, always happy and grooming

awwww thats lovely - the same moral could be used for humans and to live every day to the full... these bunnies certainly teach us some lessons..

Im glad Grim (although poorly) is loving life and continues to do so!!

What a worrying few days for you - take care x

What a shock for you, but you're so very right.

My bun has had a good day today, but he's often less well.
I got most of the crying over a few months back & now take each day as it comes, like he does. We play a lot on the good days & on the quiet days he loves to be stroked. I hope we're making the most of the time left to us.

what a lovely post ...and so very true ..

I agree 100%

Thanks for sharing Grims story, what an inspiration

I hope he continues to have many many happy years with you

So very true but sometimes we need a little reminder not to take them for granted

I also nearly lost Esme as she stopped breathing when she went for her spay, it took a while to get her going again They just reversed the anaesthetic and the op didn't happen. She also was absolutely fine after a little rest, bless her. *goes off to cuddle Esme*

what a lovely story. Lots of vibes for the little man for many more happy days. xxx
Angela

What a lovely story! He is an inspiration and that has made me feel very positive and hopeful about lots of things. Thank you. And hope that his happiness and inspiration continues for ages yet x

they are amazing aren't they.. they just live for the moment, and be happy. the way matt copes amazes me. he is so good, he isn't bothered by his nebuliser, his injections and all his medicines. he just gets on with it, binkies round with bisc, and it's amazing.

Aww you have inspired me to keep my chin up too with all the problems my bunnys have.

I have 4 of them in the vets month in month out and one who has snuffles who is a fighter. She prefers no meds, just love and fuss help her heal the most. She's my little princess adonia and i love her so much. I don't know what i'd do without my bunnys.

My other half knows it's me and my bunnies all together and is happy to help contribute to vet bills, even though he has absolutely no interest in bunnies.

I have always found them an inspiration. Sitting with them, when i was a little girl, they always had such a serenity and grace when they moved and interacted. Such a pleasure to be around. Thankyou for sharing your story,

Ambience x

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

Grim is a super special bunny. I feel, though, that I don't really talk about Samus that much and she is just as special. I adopted her from BARC (bunny madhouse and mopsmum) in November and they are inseperable. She is Grim's pillar of solidarity and she cares for him so much. She cleans his eyes, shields him from the wind by sitting on the outside of the hutch, and as I was looking through some pictures of them together I noticed she always seems to be on his right side. That's the side with his worst eye where he's lost a lot of sight. So I just needed to say how amazing she is too.

thank you for sharing grim's story xxx

Lucy passing broke my heart.

However every day I had with her was special. I was honoured to call her my rabbit - instead of wishing for her back I now remember each funny thing she did and you can all call me daft but when troubled I ask myself "What would Lucy want you to do".

She had such a **** start but didnt let this bother her. She didnt need a fancy hutch or toys - food, sleep and nose rubs made her estatic.

These little buns teach us so much x

That was a lovely post and all so true. It's brought a little tear to my eye actually.