I was so curious and bubbling with enthusiasm when my friend
told me that she got a pet baby rabbit. I was painfully counting the seconds
tick away until I could go meet the tiny cute rabbit… I finally packed up from
office and went over to her flat, and there he was.. a tiny Gray ball of fur
with long ears and big black pearls of eyes. He was so tiny that we were not
even sure if it was girl or a boy rabbit (Eventually we figured out that he was
a dude :-D )
He was so timid of us - giant humans and would shy away. But being the curious guy that he was, he couldn't resist anything new. It wasn't long before he came near my and started sniffing me, going around me in circles
making tiny hops. Occasional bumps with his tiny pink nose… I later read up
that this is a rabbit’s way of checking out stuff and maybe it was his way of
saying “hi”. I took him on my lap and was stroking this adorable little thing
making him comfortable… Maybe he got a bit too comfortable seeing that he dint
mind using my lap as a litter box. :D
Not for the pee and tiny droplets or poo on my lap.. but I
fell in love with this little guy. It was a part of my routine to visit him
every morning. As soon as he would see one of us near the door, he would start
scratching the door to be let out free. We would watch the excited little bunny
scurry around, while we cleared his litter. Bonding with the little adorable
guy also brought me closer to my friend there as well :-)
Even though he was technically not mine, I thought of him as
my baby.. :D I would swoon at his every jump and twist, the playful nod,
curiosity to open the kitchen cupboards and sit inside them, get under the tiny
gap beneath the fridge, jump into the laundry bag, nibble the books lying
around, chew the paint off the walls, rummage through the dustbin and create a
mess.. Chew away every single wire within reach..scratch..bite..lick..run..
this guy..he was so naughty. He definitely had a personality of his own : - )
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| Hey! are you clicking my picture? |
He generally likes his own free space and detests being picked up. He would squirm and try to get away. I would hence glare if any
random person came and tried to lift him and pet him. Even though he wasn't mine.. I grew so attached to him.
Eventually, the situation required for the tiny bunny to get
a new home. And my happiness knew no bounds when I got to take care of him. I
still remember bringing him home. I had arranged for a tiny box just to carry
him home. He was petrified when I put him in the box. Would try to run away. His big eyes bulged out in
fear.. deep shallow quick rapid breaths.. I tried my best to pat him and
console him. We finally introduced him to his new place.. Hardly 5 minutes..
All the fear was gone. He was exploring his new home.. sniffing around..
probably selecting his favourite spots.. and immediately started his binkys.
Binky is a cute rabbit dance, where he runs, and jumps in the air and does a body
twist (or multiple body twists) and shaking his long ears behind him. That was
the best possible moment. To see “Tinku” enjoying himself.. Completely
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| Tinku enjoying a lazy siesta |
He soon became loved by everyone in the house, including my
mom (who had proclaimed that she hates animals). He would eagerly play with any
kids who visited too. He picked the habit of banging his plate against the cage
to draw out attention. He could melt anyone’s heart with his playfulness,
innocence, energy, charm, trust on us and of course the oodles and oodles of
cuteness. Not to mention that he was so smart. He was like the king of the
house.. pampered.. played with.. cared for so gently. I always wondered if he
was happy with us. But then I would look at him run around.. do another binky,
run to me, or tease my mom while she was hanging out clothes.. I knew that he
was happy with us too. I could feel it in his eyes.
We however wanted to make him more at ease with the company
of another rabbit, and got him neutered. After the surgery, he was so dull that
it broke my heart. Tinku was everything that he was not. So listless and low.
He would just lie down and hardly eat. However this was just the recovery phase
and much to my delight, he was back in form. This was when we introduced him to
his lady, a delicate white rabbit with pinkish eyes, “Pinky”. While Tinku was
so curious and loved to jump on us/scratch us or play around, Pinky was a quiet
shy girl who was scared of us and would not move around much. I guess opposites
attract in the animal kingdom as well.
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| Complementing each other like Salt and Pepper! |
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| So much of love !! :-) |
Tinku and Pinky – They bonded so well, and so quickly. They were
always sitting together, sticking to each other, grooming each other. I was
worried that Tinku might become bit detached from us because of his new friend.
But that was not so. : - ) he would still come to us and lie down near us and
ask to be petted. I would beam and think “that’s my boy”. Pinky slowly came to
trust us and they both would cuddle together and I would pat them
simultaneously. And they would gently grind their teeth in pleasure and relax.
These were the good days.
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| Always together.. |
The monsoon of 2013 took an ugly turn and seemed to affect
Tinku. He was hardly 2 years old then. He lost his appetite and would hardly
move. This worried us terribly, when we sure that it is not one of his food
strike (He would be very choosy of his food, and not touch it if we put the
same vegetables on consecutive days). We immediately took him to a nearby
doctor who suggested that it might be a tooth infection and pain due to which
he cannot bite. He gave Tinku a dose of antibiotics. Tinku still did not
improve. His temperature went low and was troubling. We took him to the doctor
again who said it might be some infection or indigestion. Doc gave him a dose
of antibiotics and some vitamin supplements and packaged apple juice to be
given as supplement, and glucose. We went ahead but did not see much
improvement. At this point, we were worried sick with his deteriorating condition.
We would also feed him mashed rice, mixed with water or juice.
When the condition still did not improve, and we went back
to the doc, he gave up and said this is the normal lifespan of rabbits, and
apparently nothing could be done further. I would like to add a piece of advice
here which I should have done for Tinku. If you are taking your pet to a Vet,
Please ensure that they are well knowledgeable to treat your animal. Most of
the Vets only know to handle dogs or cats. However, it is always better to show
your animal to someone who knows the field thoroughly. If you cannot find any
local vet to treat your animal, you can always get a consult from the city
Veterinary Collage, which would most certainly have a hospital attached.
We later got to know that apple juice is acidic and must not
be given to rabbits.
We found another doctor by luck who could diagnose Tinku
and was alarmed at his condition and explained and showed the symptoms of
slight yellowing in his mouth, eyes and ears indicating a liver problem. And
the paleness in his ears. She immediately got us started on a liver activation
and another tonic for supplements. Tinku improved and I was hopeful of his
recovery. I prayed for him and my prayers were answered. He started eating
solid food on his own.. Bit of sprouts, channa, spinach. Meanwhile Pinky was
kept separated from him in case the infection was contagious.
It was a Sunday – November 17th 2013 when my mom
and I went to give Tinku his morning dose of medicine. He was positive and
responsive and gobbled up his channa and sprouts after that. We went for his
afternoon dose. He was low and dull. I could sense something wrong and stayed
with him throughout. I carried him to my room against the cries of my mom of
rabbit hair in the bedroom. I was talking to him and asking him to cheer up.
Took him for a walk around the house.. He was so dull that it worried me. It
pained me badly to see him like that. It seemed like he was tired and terribly
weak. He was in my arms all day. And my mom joined me for his next dose of
medicine. I held him to open his mouth, so my mom could pour it in. His head
just rolled back in a very uncomfortable manner and he did not swallow the
medicine. We got worried and my mom rushed inside to reach for her mobile and
call the Doc to for advice. Tinku was still in my arms, breathing. But the
breaths were ragged and broken. Not as usual. He suddenly opened his mouth,
eyes wide open.. shivered vigorously. There was a choking sound.. and then
suddenly he was completely still. He was still in my arms. I couldn’t grasp
what had just happened. No.. He was fine in the morning. He was eating. He was
moving around. He was okay. Tinku..wake up. But he dint.
Everyone tried to console me.. I couldn’t take it. I still
cannot. I still feel guilty that the tiny rabbit trusted me.. and I couldn’t
look after him.
Tinku.. I am sorry, I failed you. I couldn’t give you the best
care. I am still tortured that your last moments were in pain. You were in my
arms but I couldn’t help you. I dint know how. I hope you could know how much I
loved you. Wherever you are, I hope you found peace and have your playful,
loving and inquisitive spirit.
Not just me. You left Pinky alone too.
She doesn’t say, but
she misses you. She is slowly bonding with me. She spends time with me. She is
a shy, docile girl unlike you. While you would run and scratch and jump, she
prefers to sit. But she is not comfortable with me. I think she knows how much
I love her, because she comes quietly and cuddles against my leg and makes the
deep gentle tooth grind when I pat her. I hope I can keep pinky happy. She has
slowly started doing binky. She plays a bit.. and comes and sits on my lap. Now
she is my baby. I hope I can keep her happy and healthy for a long time.
Tinku, when you left me, it broke my heart. I still cry when
I look at your pictures and videos. But thanks a lot for coming into my life
and for loving me. If I could get a chance to take care of you again, I would
do it a hundred time over. I am extremely thankful for all the memories and joy
that you have given me. You changed my life. You made it brighter. At times,
you were the only person who could make me smile and brighten the day.. just by
being you. I miss you…more than I can say
