You may or may not know that Stitches, our delightful angora rabbit, has cancer for the third time. I’m not sure that I have said that “out loud” here, but tumor number three was found shortly after we moved to NH and around the time of my Dad’s stroke in the spring so it may have just been too much at the moment.

She had surgery for this same tumor twice while we were in NJ and after a lot of wrestling with the thought we decided not to seek treatment this time around. It wasn’t one of those decision you make and you say out loud or you sign a contract for. It’s one of those decisions that’s just been hanging in the ether for awhile. And even though we did not make the decision lightly and it means that the end of her life is more certain, we think it’s for the best.

That definitely doesn’t make it easy. And waiting for the inevitable is excruciating at best. We know what to look for after discussions with various people. She’ll start to loose weight (which I’m beginning to accept has begun) and a day will come when she’ll stop eating and it will be time to do the same for her that we had to do for Simba last December. I’m dreading that day. I know it’s coming but I dread it with all my heart.

I recently picked her up, which I hadn’t done in awhile and had a good look/feel of the area. The tumor is about as big as the palm of my hand right now. You’d never know anything was wrong with her from looking at her. She’s still happily munching away and laying in the hallway or bouncing around the house like she always does. But I cried. A lot. And I finally did something I’ve been putting off for awhile. I sent for her medical records from NJ. When the time comes I want the new vet to know that she wasn’t neglected.

My friend Diane knows about all this. Diane is one of the sweetest people you would ever meet and I’m lucky to have her in my life. She’s got her hands full with her own life stuff right now and yet she found the time to do this:

At the Southern Adirondack Festival there was a vendor selling needle felting kits. Diane bought the bunny and with some of Stitches fiber and a few pictures she made it into a life like replica of our little girl!!

How amazing is that? Even the ears are perfect!

I’m going to cherish this forever. And when our baby is no longer with us it will be a sweet reminder of the little life we tried so hard to save.

Thank you Diane. From the bottom of my heart.