Bunny's Story
Bunny came into the DDBSA Rescue in October 2007. She was emaciated and had partial facial paralysis, and she was probably over 7 years old. Her history was unknown as she was found wondering the streets in Southern California. We pulled her from the shelter and transported her to our vet, Dr. Craft with Monarch Veterinary, where it was discovered that she was very, very pregnant with at least 10 puppies and she should give birth in probably a couple of weeks.
Working together with several other rescue groups, we put together a 1200 plus mile transport to get Bunny to a place where she could not only deliver her babies, but have a permanent home as a previous adopter offered to open her home and heart to Bunny and her babies.
Transportation for Bunny was set for a Saturday morning, everything was ready, all the volunteers assisting in the transport, a new whelping box built for her and her babies, supplies and supplements for her and the babies were collected.
When our amazing vet arrived at his hospital early in the morning, he discovered that there was no way Bunny could make it on the transport, she had given birth to 6 of her babies and her labor had stopped as the 6th pup was stillborn. Dr. Craft performed the emergency C-section and delivered the last 4 puppies. Needless to say, the transport was postponed.
Bunny was moved to a temporary foster home with another volunteer, but something wasn't quite right, she was not really healthy enough to nurse the babies and started rejecting them, killing one. Bunny's milk was tested and discovered to be toxic.
The puppies were removed from Bunny and fostered by one of the vet techs (who is also a previous adopter!). Half of the pups were doing well, but half were not, they were having seizures and had to be euthanized. The remaining 4 pups, all girls, are doing well and will eventually be ready for adoption at the beginning of 2008.
Bunny was spayed and again, transport was arranged, this time, with Bunny's new mom flying to Southern California, picking her up and driving her over 600 miles to her new, forever home.
On the drive home, Bunny and Linda, her new mom, stopped and stayed the evening at a motel. Bunny cuddled with Linda and was so happy to be loved and cuddled. In the morning, when Linda woke up, Bunny was gone. She had passed in her sleep, most likely from an aneurysm. Bunny knew, maybe for the first time in her life, what love was, if only for a few hours, it was what she needed. Bunny is now at peace and is buried in her yard that she never got to know, but she was loved. Bunny touched the hearts of people who never got to meet her and all of those who assisted in her rescue. This is why we do rescue, to love them no matter how long they are with us whether it's 12 hours, 12 days, 12 months or 12 years. Rest in peace Bunny.
You can donate to the Bunny Fund through PayPal to DDBSRescue@aol.com , or donations can be mailed to DDBSA Rescue, 7160 Goodrich Highway, Oakland OR 97462, put "Bunny Fund" in the description field. Funds will be set aside to help the ones that come to us pregnant or with pups and needing our assistance. The year 2006 saw a first for rescue, a pregnant female coming into the program as well as a few young pups. 2007 saw more of an increase, not only with a few pregnant females, but with several pups, just weeks old coming in the program needing immediate medical assistance. They deserve a chance at a decent life and they deserve the chance to be loved. Please help us help them. Thank you!