I thought that today I would spend time reflecting on and writing about the Automattic Grand Meetup, from which I’ve just returned. It’s the one time in the year that all of Automattic gets together to train, develop, discuss, and party. However, that reflection will have to wait as I have something closer to my heart to think and write about.
While I was away my precious bunny, Kaylee, developed gut stasis. It is a very dangerous condition for rabbits where their digestive movement slows or stops, and because they can’t vomit, everything they consume gets stuck in their stomach, which then gets enlarged. Kaylee had a history of this issue; as much as we tried to give her a high quality, high fibre diet, she went to vet hospital several times for it over the last few years. Usually it passed on its own with fluids and medication, once she had to have surgery. This was her second surgery, and without it she certainly would have died. Sadly, her little body couldn’t handle the trauma, and although the surgery was successful and she woke up after it, she passed away a few hours later.
I got the news as I was checking in for my flight home from Vancouver. I’m not sure that anything could really make it any better, but I’m sorry I wasn’t home to say goodbye to her, and to be there with my husband. Anyone who knows us, or follows my Instagram, knows that we love our bunnies dearly and they are a big part of our lives. Our friends always ask after them, almost as if they were our kids. My heart hurts to think that I won’t get to hold her again, and that Monty has lost his mate.
Kaylee was adorable. She was fluffy! She looked a lot bigger than she actually was because of all the fluff. She was a voracious eater and a terrible beggar; she used to try to pull food straight out of the fridge when we opened the door, and a couple of times she succeeded! When she was young, before we got Monty, she would sit on the back of the couch with us and watch TV, or watch the wall, and groom us (chew our hair). Once we got Monty she spent more time on the ground with him, but it was nice to know they always had each other for company. Kaylee was curious and adventurous, she was usually very quick to explore a new space, and she figured out how to get down the stairs to the garden with only a little encouragement. Kaylee was good to our guests, she would sniff at their feet and if they were on the couch she might even jump up and check out their heads and shoulders. Kaylee tried to be the dominant bunny of the house by relentlessly humping Monty once he grew to be bigger than her, it was ironic since he is such a gentle boy, that she was probably dominant anyway! She was also good at keeping his eyelids clean after he lost one of his eyes to an infection. We miss her greatly, and I hope and pray that Monty does not get too depressed at her loss.
Here’s a tribute to her in pictures.
Love you bun bun! Thank you for everything. <3
I’m so, so sorry for your loss, Kristen. As you know, I have four pups, and I know that someday I will have to say goodbye to each of them, and just the mere thought of that rips my heart. I’m sure it will actually be a thousand times worse in the event. Sending my condolences and love your way.
Marjorie