It seems appropriate that you died in autumn, when the trees are giving us one last vibrant show before succumbing to the cold dark of winter. After living with head tilt for over a year, shortly before leaving us you faced the world once more right side up. You were such a brave girl, Peanut. I hope you know that you inspired many people and will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know you.

Before you left, Rex gave you one last kiss. At the vet’s office I held you in my arms and told you it was okay – you could go now. Stephen made you a beautiful box. We laid you in it wrapped in your favorite tie-dye blanket, a photo of you and Rex, a flower, and a prayer:

Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, thank you for having entrusted us with a loyal pet. We know that not even a sparrow falls without your knowledge, so we know that you are here with us today.Lord Almighty God, this animal brought sunshine to us and was a vital part of our lives. Her passing has created a void in our hearts that cannot be filled. We do not question the will of God, but ask Him to be merciful in our loss.

Thank you for letting her teach us unselfish love. Thank you for the memories that we can recall to brighten our days for the rest of our lives.

Although Peanut will be missed very much, we give thanks to you for allowing us to have so many wonderful years with her. Thank you for this and for all thy blessing, Lord. In gratitude, we return our pet to you.

Amen.

We placed you in a clearing, under the protection of a beautiful tree, and marked the spot with a statue of a lop bunny. On your box Hannah wrote, “Here lies Peanut. A loving pet and friend.” Your family will miss you so much, baby girl. Especially Rex. He took such good care of you this past year; I promise you now that we’ll take extra good care of him.

There’s no more pain, Peanut. You’re free. Please run and play, and don’t worry about us. You have given us so much and you will always have a home in our hearts.

Love,

Mom

a partial x-post from houserabbits:

A friend with experience in hospice care said that patients will frequently experience several good days right before the end. I think that’s what Peanut’s recovery signified. Over this past week her condition has rapidly declined. She is weak and she is tired. Her appetite is almost nonexistent. She is frequently dizzy and disoriented. And the hardest part is knowing that a natural death would be prolonged and painful. She does not have the option of simply letting go before it gets bad. That weight lies solely upon myself as her human – the hardest decision a pet mommy or daddy will ever have to make.

We’ll be bringing Peanut in tomorrow. It seems so sudden: Tuesday we found out she was ill and Friday she’ll be gone. Yet not once have I doubted that this is the right decision. I am a person of deep faith, and I believe that the overwhelming peace and assurance I have felt can only be from God.

The spirit of the bunny that I have loved for so many years is now bound by a tired and broken body. It’s time to set Peanut free.