Grieving Rabbit - what to do?

Hi everyone, I haven't posted here for a long long long time, but I am in need of some advice. For a few years now I've had only two rabbits, Domino and Pebbles. Domino passed recently, and I am utterly devastated (there's a post in RB for him.)

Now, I was exceptionally close to Domino. He was SUCH a people rabbit, and Pebbles isn't. She's 9.5 years old, and she's also pretty much blind, she has bad cataracts that are getting worse quite rapidly, and I feel that a solitary life for an old blind rabbit is quite sad. However, I have M.E/Chronic Fatigue syndrome which means considering another rabbit is a bit of a problem.

I find cleaning out the rabbit/s very draining on my energy, it's exhausting for me. I'm happy to do it, because they bring me so much joy, but I'd need a rabbit that is very tidy/clean and not one that's going to poop/wee all over the floor. This seems a bit of an unfair thing to ask a rescue, I feel like it makes me sound petty, but until he got unwell my rabbits were very tidy.

Another issue is age. Do I want to get an older rabbit, to help Pebbles in her 'old years', that seems logical. But, while my rabbits have never wanted for anything and have lived very spoilt lives, I cannot have a rabbit without insurance due to being on benefits because of my CFS/ME. So if I get an older rabbit, insurance won't be possible, and then I have bills that I cannot afford.

Pebbles isn't pining for Domino like we expected, she's eating, and she's interested in her food too, plus I've been getting her willow toys which she is demolishing. There are moments she looks sad, she just sits there all deflated looking. But, my main issue is her sight, with Domino, he was her eyes so you never noticed she couldnt see. So I feel she would be better with a friend. But...the fact she is 9.5 years old, with bad eyes, I feel like....I'm at a crossroads over what to do.

I know nobody can make this decision for me, but I just wanted to see what you guys thought. Should I leave her be?

This is such a difficult question SJ. I think the answer may lay in whether you want rabbits in your life for many years to come. If so them maybe look for a younger partner for Pebbles in the expectation that you will always then have a pair going forwards.

I am pondering this too as my Rosie has a heart problem which the vet and I have decided not to treat. She is a hands-off stress head of a bunny so we have opted for quality of life over quantity. She is eating well, binkying in the garden so this is how I would like her remaining time to be - not constantly hiding from me. She is 9 and a half, her partner BJ is coming up for 10 and they have been together for over 8 years now. In the future I would prefer one pair of bunnies but the thought of BJ - or Rosie - being left on their own does not sit well with me. I am pretty sure that bonding with Gabe and Mabe (well Gabe really) would not be an option.

So, I don't know what to suggest - maybe give Pebbles longer on her own before you make a decision?

Or you could look here, lots of older bunnies looking for homes

http://oabunnies.blogspot.co.uk/

I'm so sorry you lost Domino (I have seen your thread in rb).

I don't feel I can offer any advice, but would say perhaps give yourself some time to come to terms with things and also to see how Pebbles copes before deciding. Best wishes x

.......

I never want to have more than two again, because that's my comfortable limit. But it's a weird situation because my initial plan was to not have any more rabbits, to maybe have a cat instead. With renting, a lot of landlords have issues with house rabbits, but often say that a cat is fine. So I feel like, it could be easier to have a cat. Plus, I live alone now, so my house often feels quite quiet and when I'm unwell in bed or on the sofa, it would be nice to have a cat climb up and keep me company.

But then....can I imagine not having any rabbits at all? Not really. I want both, but my landlord isn't keen on both, and I know both makes renting harder in terms of pet allowance so i guess I need to choose. But, I can't imagine not having rabbits really.

If she had gone before him, this wouldn't have been an issue as he has been alone before when he was poorly and he was completely fine as he was so attached to me. I think i'll wait, so I know who I'm doing it for, is it for her, her and me, or is it a knee jerk reaction to try and fill a hole.

I've never had just one pet, never had just one rabbit, so my house just feels so empty and I feel so lonely because he would always run up to me and always want attention. He wanted noserubs 24/7 and would groom me all the time. Pebbles, while i love her so very much, she stamps her feet and moves away. So it just adds to my overall sense of the emptiness.

Difficult decisions!


I agree with what you're saying about Rosie, I'd be the same with Pebbles. Domino had no issue with any treatments or meds, but Peanut years ago hated them, and in return he hated me. She's doing well though, 9.5 years!

Also, Percy on OA bunnies is just....so sweet!

In the meantime, could you maybe get her a cuddly toy? I know quite a few single house rabbits that have their own teddy and although its not the same as a companion, it does have a similar effect.

I'm sorry I can't offer you any advice on what I'd do as I've always taken age into account and for the older pets I have if their friends pass away I tend not to get any more & just give them more of my time until they're ready to leave.

I've decided to just take each day as it comes, last night I sat in with her and she was tooth purring as I groomed her and she's been running around happily today. I think because she knew he was unwell, she's taken it a lot better. She was so stressed when he was coming to the end of his time, because his breathing was bad so I think that's helped her deal with it. I don't really want to adopt an older rabbit, if she was 6/7 I'd do it, but at 9.5 I feel like I'd be going round in circles constantly with old rabbits and that's not something I can deal with heartache wise.

I'm going to leave her be, and if I feel she needs a friend I'll adopt her one when that time comes. I'm sure I'll always have rabbits, but we will see how she goes and then in the future, I can start again with two rescue young rabbits. She's running around in her run at the moment, she's quite happy

Hi :wave:

I know this may sound strange for for additional comfort mirrors can help too - my bunny has a complicated glaucoma condition and his specialist vet feels he is pretty well blind now but he does seem to take comfort from his mirrors - I have one at the back of his hay tray and another one in his den area - he is an indoor bunny but at 11 ish he is very much in his twilight years now and like a long afternoon snooze which is generally in front of his favourite mirror - it may be that he can only see shadows but praps its enough for him to get some comfort from it.

You may find your girlie bun does develop more of a bond with you as she settles.

I think you are right to take some time to see how things go and a good sign if she is purring bless