Craig 1965
Warren Veteran
Leo,
Our paths crossed just over 2 years ago. Our lives were empty, having lost our dashing zooming nethie, Henry. Lillian's life was torn apart and she needed a very special rabbit to win Lillians heart. I will never forget the day we were invited to meet you. You had a wendy house for a home and an outside run. You allowed us to stroke your beautiful mane, whilst accepting an offer of some fresh parsley. Your temporary carer said you could be adopted with us and your journey with us began.
At the time you arrived, I was poorly with pneumonia. But I could see that you wanted to be with your new hooman family and spent as much time as I could with you in the garden. You brought your special ball with you and you were keen to show off your amazing skills on our lawn
Watching the wind blow through your beautiful bronze locks, you looked every inch the rockstar, but with the sweet gentle nature of a gentleman.
You had lived on your own before we adopted you. And you had a big challenge ahead in learning to live with another rabbit. Not just any rabbit - this was Lillian. She was really fussy about who she let into her life. And at the start of your relationship, it had it's ups and downs. But with patience and time, you and Lillian became special friends.
You and Lillian became inseperable and you helped Lillian overcome her emptiness when she said goodbye to Henry. Your kind and gentle manor and calming nature gave Lillian the support she needed.
Leo, you loved the garden. You loved sunbathing and sitting next to Lillian in the warm summer sunlight. You were always by her side and when it was time to come inside, you and Lillian loved to sit under our living room table, occasionally making mischief as you would stand guard whilst Lillian would sneakily chew on a few files in the book case. "It wasn't me, mum", you would be thinking. And when it was bed time, you found another love in your life - Cranberries and a forage mat. You adored cranberries - they were irrisistable for you. But the forage mat was your favorite. Every night you waited patiently for the forage mat to arrive filled with treats and fresh herbs. It was your nightly routine. A special routine that only you could make. We all oved watching you tuck into the forage mat every night.
But then Lillian had to say goodbye in January. She had battled so hard with her own illness and it finally became too much for her. You stayed by her side and said goodbye. You were her guardian at the end and you were dignified and respectful for your dear wife-bun. She left a huge hole in all our hearts but you found comfort with us - your adopted family. But we knew you still had space in your heart for another friend and we found Flo for you.
You knew how to make friendships work and whilst Flo was wary of us, she knew that you were a special rabbit - someone she could trust and share her life with after her own traumas. You became friends quickly and you gave Flo security.
You showed her all your special places in the garden, the best sunbathing spots and those quiet romantic spots where you could sit close and let the warm sunshine bathe you both. Flo fell in love with you and she allowed you into her heart.
It was a special place to be and you were so happy.
Then you suddenly became poorly. You were so brave and so proud, you didn't let us know. Flo knew. But you kept it from us. When we saw you were poorly, we took you to the specialist vet who could tell that something was wrong. A team of nurses and specialst vets found what was wrong and tried to put it right for you. You must have been so scared, alone, in a strange place away from your home, your family, your Flo. But you were so brave. So brave my little boy. You wanted to prove the statistics wrong. You fought - fought so very very hard Leo.
We were always ringing the vet up and asking for updates. We were told you were fighting hard and slowly making progress. I was allowed to see you at the weekend - the first time you had seen us in almost a week. You looked poorly but your spirits lifted when you saw me and I saw that sparkle in your eye. Leo was there - in spirit and he was proud. Despite the discomfort, you still wanted to show us that you were Leo - the lion. The proud and unique special rabbit we fell in love with 2 years ago.
But sadly, last night, it all got too much for you. We had got everything ready for you and Flo was excited about you coming home. In fact, she had been doing zoomies in he morning as celebration of you returning. But sadly, when we brought you home late last night, your huge heart, the biggest heart in the world, finally stopped beating in my arms. I held you as you said goodbye. I know you didn't want to leave us, but it was time. You had given everything in your fight following surgery. You had nothing left to give and so you had to say goodbye to us, and to Flo. You quickly and silently went on your journey to the bridge, where I am sure Lillian and Henry would be there waiting patiently for you. For now it would be there time to show you all their new friends and endless pastures of dandelions, herbs and probably cranberries. You will be pain free now, my dear sweet boy. And my heart aches like nothing I have ever felt before, Leo. I cannot follow you on your journey now. But I can still see you. I can feel you. Your presence is everywhere and yet we cannot touch you. Flo is missing you in her way. You gave Flo hope when she had none. When everyone else found Flo challenging, you rose to that challenge and you showed her what your spirit and your heart could do. It was easy for you because all you knew was kindness, love, friendship.
You had the ability to charm hoomans and rabbits alike. Love shone from you, like a bright beacon. You were, you are Leo. You are a lionhead, and the brightest shining spirit in the darkness ahead.
It is not yet a day since we said goodbye dear Leo. And yet it feels like an eternity. Our home feels empty. Those floofy feet are not pattering round the living room, pushing through the door into the kitchen and waiting for the forage mat at 9pm. Our hearts are broken and our eyes are full of tears as you allowed us to say goodbye to you. You had the strength to hold on until you came home, so you could say goodbye, with the people who were proud to call you part of OUR family. You will always be part of our family Leo. Always. And we will never forget you.
Binkey free with all your friends Leo. Until our hearts meet again in time.
Craig, Jan and Flo xxxxxx
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Our paths crossed just over 2 years ago. Our lives were empty, having lost our dashing zooming nethie, Henry. Lillian's life was torn apart and she needed a very special rabbit to win Lillians heart. I will never forget the day we were invited to meet you. You had a wendy house for a home and an outside run. You allowed us to stroke your beautiful mane, whilst accepting an offer of some fresh parsley. Your temporary carer said you could be adopted with us and your journey with us began.
At the time you arrived, I was poorly with pneumonia. But I could see that you wanted to be with your new hooman family and spent as much time as I could with you in the garden. You brought your special ball with you and you were keen to show off your amazing skills on our lawn
You had lived on your own before we adopted you. And you had a big challenge ahead in learning to live with another rabbit. Not just any rabbit - this was Lillian. She was really fussy about who she let into her life. And at the start of your relationship, it had it's ups and downs. But with patience and time, you and Lillian became special friends.
Leo, you loved the garden. You loved sunbathing and sitting next to Lillian in the warm summer sunlight. You were always by her side and when it was time to come inside, you and Lillian loved to sit under our living room table, occasionally making mischief as you would stand guard whilst Lillian would sneakily chew on a few files in the book case. "It wasn't me, mum", you would be thinking. And when it was bed time, you found another love in your life - Cranberries and a forage mat. You adored cranberries - they were irrisistable for you. But the forage mat was your favorite. Every night you waited patiently for the forage mat to arrive filled with treats and fresh herbs. It was your nightly routine. A special routine that only you could make. We all oved watching you tuck into the forage mat every night.
You knew how to make friendships work and whilst Flo was wary of us, she knew that you were a special rabbit - someone she could trust and share her life with after her own traumas. You became friends quickly and you gave Flo security.
Then you suddenly became poorly. You were so brave and so proud, you didn't let us know. Flo knew. But you kept it from us. When we saw you were poorly, we took you to the specialist vet who could tell that something was wrong. A team of nurses and specialst vets found what was wrong and tried to put it right for you. You must have been so scared, alone, in a strange place away from your home, your family, your Flo. But you were so brave. So brave my little boy. You wanted to prove the statistics wrong. You fought - fought so very very hard Leo.
We were always ringing the vet up and asking for updates. We were told you were fighting hard and slowly making progress. I was allowed to see you at the weekend - the first time you had seen us in almost a week. You looked poorly but your spirits lifted when you saw me and I saw that sparkle in your eye. Leo was there - in spirit and he was proud. Despite the discomfort, you still wanted to show us that you were Leo - the lion. The proud and unique special rabbit we fell in love with 2 years ago.
But sadly, last night, it all got too much for you. We had got everything ready for you and Flo was excited about you coming home. In fact, she had been doing zoomies in he morning as celebration of you returning. But sadly, when we brought you home late last night, your huge heart, the biggest heart in the world, finally stopped beating in my arms. I held you as you said goodbye. I know you didn't want to leave us, but it was time. You had given everything in your fight following surgery. You had nothing left to give and so you had to say goodbye to us, and to Flo. You quickly and silently went on your journey to the bridge, where I am sure Lillian and Henry would be there waiting patiently for you. For now it would be there time to show you all their new friends and endless pastures of dandelions, herbs and probably cranberries. You will be pain free now, my dear sweet boy. And my heart aches like nothing I have ever felt before, Leo. I cannot follow you on your journey now. But I can still see you. I can feel you. Your presence is everywhere and yet we cannot touch you. Flo is missing you in her way. You gave Flo hope when she had none. When everyone else found Flo challenging, you rose to that challenge and you showed her what your spirit and your heart could do. It was easy for you because all you knew was kindness, love, friendship.
You had the ability to charm hoomans and rabbits alike. Love shone from you, like a bright beacon. You were, you are Leo. You are a lionhead, and the brightest shining spirit in the darkness ahead.
It is not yet a day since we said goodbye dear Leo. And yet it feels like an eternity. Our home feels empty. Those floofy feet are not pattering round the living room, pushing through the door into the kitchen and waiting for the forage mat at 9pm. Our hearts are broken and our eyes are full of tears as you allowed us to say goodbye to you. You had the strength to hold on until you came home, so you could say goodbye, with the people who were proud to call you part of OUR family. You will always be part of our family Leo. Always. And we will never forget you.
Binkey free with all your friends Leo. Until our hearts meet again in time.
Craig, Jan and Flo xxxxxx
