We recently lost a much loved pet. It was our black bunny named Sephy. She was supposedly a "minature" lop. I say supposedly because to me she seemed like a pretty good size rabbit but since seeing pictures on the internet of truly large rabbits that people keep as pets, I can see that Sephy was on the small size.
We originally obtained Sephy when a family member of someone who worked at Sheila's office had to find a new home for Sephy. It seems the young woman who received her originally as a pet from her boyfriend had not counted on her mother's disapproval of her keeping such a pet in the absence of having asked permission first. So, we ended up receiving Sephy as a very young bunny and we were told she was a dwarf lop.
The name is kind of odd but it is one my kids came up with based upon a character in an anime series. It was a funny name but it stuck.
We had Sephy for about 5 years. Some lops live longer, some shorter. She seemed to have developed a digestive problem (again) and it was too much for her. This had happened on different occassions in the past and we always seemed to manage it but this time it was just too much stress for her. Bunnies it seems have very delicate systems and can actually be frightened to death if you can believe that! It's true! There little hearts race at the least thing.
You might think a bunny is an odd pet since they really don't communicate much in the verbal realm. However, they communicate quite a bit in terms of how they cuddle with you and the attention they show when you come near to them. Of course they are very soft and warm and a very pleasant pet to hold (as long as you are careful not to get scratched by their claws). Of course Sephy would never intentionally bite or scratch you but a scratching could happen if she was startled and you didn't have hold of her quite right. In fact, the only time I know that she nipped at anyone was one time when she was out playing and Joy was busy with something else and ingoring Sephy so she wandered over to Joy and nipped at her (more of a pinch) to say "hey - I'm here - and desiring your attention!". That was pretty funny and one of the first indicators we had that bunnies DO desire attention.
Well, she passed away about a week ago and we've given thought to obtaining another bunny. Because lops are so very gentle and sweet, we have been discussing the possibility of finding a lop at a rescue center. They obtain bunnies from people who did not know what they were getting into when they purchased their "Easter Bunny". That's usually a terrible way to start with a new pet. It's much better to do the research and understand their behavior, habits and needs first. That way you can make a better informed decision about whether or not to keep one.
We will really miss Sephy. She was so sweet and good natured. She was a beautiful black color and loved to cuddle and play. I guess it might seem odd to "normal" folks that we would feel a rather profound sense of loss over a rabbit but such is the way with people who love pets. They come into your home and they live with you day in and day out and you come to know them as a personality - not just a critter. They provide comfort and calm when you enjoy time with them and they even lower your blood pressure (a proven fact associated with petting on dogs, cats, and bunnies). So, when one of them passes on, it's a little like losing a member of your family. Such was the case with Sephy. She will be greatly missed.
You know it's an amazing thing that the Good God of Heaven gave us animals that could be pets. It's rather odd when you think about it really. There are so many animals in the animal kingdom that prefer to have nothing to do with us or would just as soon eat us as look at us and then we have those animals that spend their lives as our pets. They fill a need in peoples' lives that is hard to express sometimes. They make no demands (apart from food and water) and all they really want is our love and attention. What a great blessing to have such companions and what a great way to teach your children about compassion and love. It is my firm belief that children who grow up with pets are better able to respond to others as compassionate adults later in life.
So, it is with great personal sadness that I say "goodbye Sephy". We will greatly miss your funny little bunny ways, your greetings every morning as we reloaded your food bowl, your cute attentiveness and sweet disposition. You were a great pet and loved member of our family for these last five years and you will be greatly missed. I would also like to say "thank you Dear Lord for creating pets and for blessing us with our many pets througout the years. They are indeed a great blessing to our family!".
Take care my friends and may God bless you,
Jerry
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