Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
It is a year today, 27th March 2007, since I had to say farewell to my very special Bun Jack My world changed forever that day and will never be the same again. I would like to take some time to tell you about Jack.
Jack came into the world, along with his 3 Brothers and 4 Sisters, on 1st December 1998. His Mum, Beatrice, was one of my very first Rabbits
Beatrice
She was bought from a Pet shop :shock: along with her two Sisters, Megan and Eleanor. Beatrice became pregnant as a result of my ignorance in not knowing a recently castrated Buck (in this case Seamus) can remain fertile for several weeks post op’
Seamus
I learned the hard way as he impregnated two other Does aswell :shock: :shock: I kept every one of the babies from all litters (15 in total). There began my rather ‘eccentric’ lifestyle living amongst lots of Bunnies!! :lol:
Jack was the runt of the litter, always much smaller than his siblings and with a deformed front foot. But he was such a little character and always up to mischief.
Jack on Top of His Brothers and Sisters
Baby Jack
He lived in a group with his Brother Ronan and his two Aunties, Megan and Eleanor. I was lucky in that Jack and Ronan never fought prior to neutering, were neutered on the same day and so were never apart from the day they were born.
Sadly we lost Megan to Ulcerative Pododermatitis and Osteomyelitis Then we lost Ellie to Mandibular Osteomyelitis Ronan and Jack remained close friends. They were always together lazing in the sun or digging up my garden!!
Ronan and Jack
Jack Digging!!
In 2004 I became very poorly and for a while it looked like I may not be able to cope with looking after my Rabbits I had the threat of enforced hospitalisation hanging over me and I felt so hopeless The final straw came on 10th November 2004.
I was upstairs at about 430pm and suddenly I heard a blood curdling scream. The scream of a Rabbit……. I ran downstairs and in the kitchen found a scene of carnage. A Fox had come INTO THE HOUSE via an open window and murdered Ronan It was a sight I would never want anyone else to see. Jack witnessed it all and was just screaming and screaming I thought he would die from shock.
Jack survived, although badly traumatised. I, however, was so weak and useless compared to him. Things for me went badly wrong and a few weeks after losing Ronan I did something very irresponsible and selfish. But it didn’t work and I came too on the kitchen floor with Jack nibbling at the sleeves of my jumper. How could I have ever thought of leaving him and all my other Rabbits.
Since then I may, at times, have got to a very ‘dark place’ with depression but I KNOW I could NEVER let my Rabbits down. I honestly believe Jack saved my life that day….
A few months after losing Ronan I managed to bond Jack with Maggie. They became very close friends In the summer of 2005 Jack developed a lump on his left thigh. A biopsy showed it to be benign but my then Vet still thought it should be removed as it was likely to grow quickly and become disabling. Unfortunately once under GA it became apparent that the mass had attached itself to lots of ‘internal structures’ and removing all of it was not possible Over time the lump grew and eventually meant Jack had little use of that leg. Amputation was the only option. But I did not feel I could put Jack, now aged 7, through such major surgery. He was not in pain and so I felt it kinder to allow Jack to enjoy his remaining time without the trauma of a hind limb amputation. For several months Jack remained very mobile and able to jump up onto his favourite place in the garden But eventually the mass began to interfere with the blood supply to the effected leg. Jack was less able to get about but still remained very happy and ate huge amounts!! By now we had registered with a new Vet, the lovely Christobel She suggested starting Jack on Metacam just incase he was in pain. Although not once did he appear to be. Eventually, due to the poor blood supply to his leg, it became very oedematous so Jack was started on a diuretic to keep him more comfortable. We knew he was very much on borrowed time
Jack with His Poorly Leg
Jack and Maggie
The diuretic did reduce the oedema in Jack’s leg but it also caused him to leak wee. This in turn made him sore despite my vigorous efforts at keeping him clean and dry.
My Vet explained that due to the poor blood supply to Jack’s leg the skin would eventually begin to break down. I knew that when that happened I would have to let Jack go On the afternoon of 26th March 2006 I noticed the first sign that the skin on Jack’s leg was breaking down We spent our last evening together and Jack had lots of his favourite food and snuggled up to Maggie.
Jack on the Evening of 26th March 2006 Eating Treats
On the morning of 27th March 2006 after Jack had had a big tasty breakfast I took him to see Tim, Cristobel’s colleague. As I held Jack Tim gently helped him to The Bridge
I really did not know how I would go on without Jack. Some days I still don’t know. But Jack was always such a positive, brave, happy Bunny and I owe it to him to do all I can to help the Buns who are still with me.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my wonderful Jack Rabbit
Jack, missed every day, adored forever
Jane x
Jack came into the world, along with his 3 Brothers and 4 Sisters, on 1st December 1998. His Mum, Beatrice, was one of my very first Rabbits
Beatrice
She was bought from a Pet shop :shock: along with her two Sisters, Megan and Eleanor. Beatrice became pregnant as a result of my ignorance in not knowing a recently castrated Buck (in this case Seamus) can remain fertile for several weeks post op’
Seamus
I learned the hard way as he impregnated two other Does aswell :shock: :shock: I kept every one of the babies from all litters (15 in total). There began my rather ‘eccentric’ lifestyle living amongst lots of Bunnies!! :lol:
Jack was the runt of the litter, always much smaller than his siblings and with a deformed front foot. But he was such a little character and always up to mischief.
Jack on Top of His Brothers and Sisters
Baby Jack
He lived in a group with his Brother Ronan and his two Aunties, Megan and Eleanor. I was lucky in that Jack and Ronan never fought prior to neutering, were neutered on the same day and so were never apart from the day they were born.
Sadly we lost Megan to Ulcerative Pododermatitis and Osteomyelitis Then we lost Ellie to Mandibular Osteomyelitis Ronan and Jack remained close friends. They were always together lazing in the sun or digging up my garden!!
Ronan and Jack
Jack Digging!!
In 2004 I became very poorly and for a while it looked like I may not be able to cope with looking after my Rabbits I had the threat of enforced hospitalisation hanging over me and I felt so hopeless The final straw came on 10th November 2004.
I was upstairs at about 430pm and suddenly I heard a blood curdling scream. The scream of a Rabbit……. I ran downstairs and in the kitchen found a scene of carnage. A Fox had come INTO THE HOUSE via an open window and murdered Ronan It was a sight I would never want anyone else to see. Jack witnessed it all and was just screaming and screaming I thought he would die from shock.
Jack survived, although badly traumatised. I, however, was so weak and useless compared to him. Things for me went badly wrong and a few weeks after losing Ronan I did something very irresponsible and selfish. But it didn’t work and I came too on the kitchen floor with Jack nibbling at the sleeves of my jumper. How could I have ever thought of leaving him and all my other Rabbits.
Since then I may, at times, have got to a very ‘dark place’ with depression but I KNOW I could NEVER let my Rabbits down. I honestly believe Jack saved my life that day….
A few months after losing Ronan I managed to bond Jack with Maggie. They became very close friends In the summer of 2005 Jack developed a lump on his left thigh. A biopsy showed it to be benign but my then Vet still thought it should be removed as it was likely to grow quickly and become disabling. Unfortunately once under GA it became apparent that the mass had attached itself to lots of ‘internal structures’ and removing all of it was not possible Over time the lump grew and eventually meant Jack had little use of that leg. Amputation was the only option. But I did not feel I could put Jack, now aged 7, through such major surgery. He was not in pain and so I felt it kinder to allow Jack to enjoy his remaining time without the trauma of a hind limb amputation. For several months Jack remained very mobile and able to jump up onto his favourite place in the garden But eventually the mass began to interfere with the blood supply to the effected leg. Jack was less able to get about but still remained very happy and ate huge amounts!! By now we had registered with a new Vet, the lovely Christobel She suggested starting Jack on Metacam just incase he was in pain. Although not once did he appear to be. Eventually, due to the poor blood supply to his leg, it became very oedematous so Jack was started on a diuretic to keep him more comfortable. We knew he was very much on borrowed time
Jack with His Poorly Leg
Jack and Maggie
The diuretic did reduce the oedema in Jack’s leg but it also caused him to leak wee. This in turn made him sore despite my vigorous efforts at keeping him clean and dry.
My Vet explained that due to the poor blood supply to Jack’s leg the skin would eventually begin to break down. I knew that when that happened I would have to let Jack go On the afternoon of 26th March 2006 I noticed the first sign that the skin on Jack’s leg was breaking down We spent our last evening together and Jack had lots of his favourite food and snuggled up to Maggie.
Jack on the Evening of 26th March 2006 Eating Treats
On the morning of 27th March 2006 after Jack had had a big tasty breakfast I took him to see Tim, Cristobel’s colleague. As I held Jack Tim gently helped him to The Bridge
I really did not know how I would go on without Jack. Some days I still don’t know. But Jack was always such a positive, brave, happy Bunny and I owe it to him to do all I can to help the Buns who are still with me.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my wonderful Jack Rabbit
Jack, missed every day, adored forever
Jane x