Gotcha day: February 5, 2005
ATB: April 18, 2005

a.k.a. Captain Pishpuddle
I found Flopsy just after Trapper went to the Bridge. Flopsy's was one of those bunnies that most other rescues wouldn't help because he was 7 year old (a senior), he needed a lot of medical attention, and he didn't have a very good chance of finding a home even after all that. He was kept in an outdoor hutch his entire life, neglected and ignored and without proper food or care. He was essentially just kept alive and miserable - a lonely desolate desperate suffering, prolonged at the hands of an ignorant and irresponsible caretaker. When he was rescued, he needed to gain weight and then have several surgical procedures. I was searching for such sad stories through petfinder.com and well, Flopsy's won, hands down. A blessing for 3Bunnies Rabbit Rescue for giving this little guy a second chance at a decent life so late in the game. That's where I come in - together with the rescue, we get to make sure his story's ending is
"and then he lived happily ever after"
instead of
"and then he was euthanized".

Flopsy is an amazingly affectionate rabbit. He's all snuggles and love. If I stop petting him for a second, he starts to fret and fume and thump his foot for more attention. It amazes me that an animal that was abused his entire life would still be happy around humans, but Flopsy is a strong soul. And starved for love his entire life, I don't blame him for sponging it up now.

For two weeks I had to keep Tamari and Flopsy separate. Whenever they were out together, I had to supervise closely, and still she would find a way to sneak up on him and attack him. He would roll over and pee, and then run away and pee with her in hot pursuit. A lot of fur came off his rear end and decorated the hallway this way. Flopsy had no fight in him for battling another rabbit (or anyone else, for that matter) - a lifetime of battling the stifling loneliness, depression, and confinement drained him of any aggression. It didn't take long, though, before Tamari started tentatively grooming Flopsy, which he loved, and now they hang out together more and more still finding a bond, but as of this writing, they've only known each other a month.

Flopsy is a perfect example of what happens to many rabbits - he was loved and cuddled and given attention when he was a cute, cuddly, baby bunny novelty. Then the excitement wore off, and at some point long ago (perhaps it was always the case) he was moved to an outdoor hitch, and basically forgotten about. So at a very young age, he learned the love of humans and came to believe that this would be the life he enjoyed, and then he was forced to spend almost his entire natural life starved of love and attention. He grew old and infirm while his family basically just kept him alive, and only barely at that. He bears the scars of untreated medical problems (like the hock sores and flat feet), his body is slightly underdeveloped, and for years his life was as empty as it could be. Because the form of his abuse was abject neglect, he never associated humans to his pain, and so he still thrives on human contact and in fact he gets upset whenever I stop petting him, even for a second.

Flopsy's misery is enough to drive a reasonable person to psychosis or neurosis, and in fact many animals do suffer exactly the same way. Imagine being in solitary confinement from adolescence to old age, because that's exactly what happened to him. I don't think I could have survived it; most rabbits would have died long ago (not just of exposure, but from the loss of will to live), and some rabbits who endure such treatment and are then rescued cannot be saved because of the extreme trauma they have suffered at the hands of humans. But Flopsy is a strong soul, an old soul, and he has now received his earthly reward. He lives with me now, and he has Tamari as a loving mate, and he has all the good food he could ever want, and all the loving and snuggling he can stand. He has the life he dreamed of for all of those years.

This is the original text I found through petfinder about Flopsy:

Notes: Flopsy was surrendered at a shelter who feared he would not get adopted since he is 7 years old and needed some medical attention. So 3 Bunnies took him in to help this friendly guy. He is a wonderful friendly, affectionate bun who still has some years to go. Buns can live approx. 10 to 12 years and have even exceeded that. He deserves a forever home to live out the rest of his life. Sometimes buns as Flopsy don't get a 2nd chance. 3 Bunnies tries to help save rabbits like this who are at risk for euthanasia. Flopsy is doing great in his foster home and his foster Mom raves about him.Flopsy- Affectionately known as "Fig", this 7yr young lop has led a rough life, but is one of the most loving rabbits ever!! Surrendered to the local shelter after living his life in an outdoor hutch with no medical care when needed, Flopsy had to be treated for mites, have tear ducts flushed and a benign tumor removed. It is apparent at one point he suffered sore hocks which left him "flat footed" in his back feet. He gets around just fine and demonstrates this by taking flying leaps off his play house!! Flopsy will stomp his foot for attention and loves to press his "chubby cheek" face into your hand giving kisses and teeth purrs. This angel lives for hugs and kisses. This special boy deserves a special home and perhaps a special bunny friend!!!!!

Epilogue:
April 18, 2005 - I woke up to find Flopsy laying in an odd position, on his left side. This was unusual in and of itself, but when he showed absolutely no interest in treats, I became really worried. I picked him up gently and placed him down in a more typical position for him, and he leaned over to the left like he couldn't keep himself upright. I picked him up again and placed him down, and he hopped once and fell over on his left side. I knew this was serious, but still didn't know what to do or what I'd tell the vet if I went to the ER, and it was a holiday and the regular vets were closed, and I hoped he could hold out until the following day so I didn't have to make a run to the emergency room. I brought him onto my bed with me and we lay next to each other and snuggled for hours, and he lay quietly and relaxed, but I could tell something was definitely wrong - his eyes didn't close the way they alawys do when he's relaxed. After several hours of just quietly snuggling, he wanted to get down off the bed, so I picked him up to help him down so he wouldn't fall and hurt himself. He yelped, his bladder let go, and I knew the worst was happening. I gently placed him on the floor and just held him for a few minutes. Then I went into the other room to make a call to set up an ER visit, and less than a minute later I went back to check on him and he was gone. My dear sweet Flopsy was gone. Seven years of misery, and I only got two and a half months to love him before he left. My heart was once again broken. I cried for several days, as did the woman who rescued him and got him all the medical care he needed. We put so much into that little guy to clear the way for happiness. It was a big investment, and although our time together was short, it was the last thing he remembered, and he left for the Bridge enveloped in love, caring, and a memory of the happiest time of his life - with me and Tamari.

For several nights after he left I have had dreams of him, brief glimpses of him running around my apartment, no limp, no scars, no sign he ever had any medical problems. In each dream he would stop, look back at me, and then round a corner and go out of view. I would say "Flopsy!! But, I thought you were..." and the dream would end. Then for several nights, as I was falling asleep, I had lucid visions of him sitting on my pillow and grooming me. I really think he is trying to tell me that he is okay now, that he is in a better place than this world, that he made it to the Bridge.

Flopsy, this candle will burn for you until we are re-united. I'm sorry our time together was so short, and I hope at least you knew love and happiness and comfort and security. I look forward to our reunion, my special friend. You will always have a special place in my heart, which now hangs heavy in your absence.



Other stories and tributes