Shredder Emery,

A Six Pound Black Dutch Life Support System For Teeth That Chew

Rescued July 4th, 1995 · Passed On June 19th, 2006

4,004 days at 17 Cypress Street, St Thomas, Ontario N5R 1N2

 

In Late June of 2006 The human injects:

Dear Friends:

It think that some of the elements that kept Shredder alive and in good health for such a long time are listed below:

a)    A Great Diet with Fresh Fruits and Veggies and Herbs – Blueberries, now classed by many nationalists as a “super food” were given to her daily.  She had limited amounts of pellets in her adult life;

b)    Being a free range bunny Shredder always had lots of exercise time

c)    Constant attention and affection.  Even when I was busy with something, even one of my own hobbies that would otherwise be performed in solitude, such as taking care of the webpage at http://www.tiffanysmiles.com I always tried to include Shredder somehow.  Often just giving her ear rubs and speaking aloud with her. 

d)    A psychologically stimulating environment.  When she was able to bounce around we always had a few cardboard tunnels set up for her to chew and explore ;)

e)    Regular vet visits and being constantly vigilant for changes in appetite, etc… and following up on those changes

f)      And More than Anything else was having great, quick and creative advice that was always “on the mark” available from fellow PetBunny people.  Shredder arrived in ’94, a time when the information super highway was still very much a dirt road, but it was then a great avenue, now a more complete route to discover bunny care tips, etc,… 

Initially we were not going to get another bunny,… for a couple of reasons I think we will open our home to a friend with a lot of spunk fairly soon

Shredder, Thank you for being you and bringing so much joy and more into my life, especially when I needed you most!  Thank you!

--DAR

And now back to the Bunny’s narrative:

Ok Everybunny:

Have you ever had a really bad day?

Well, I’ve had two.  The day I arrived here and the day I left.  I’m trying to be positive because I’m in a much better place.

Anyway, the below was mostly written while I was on earth,… so read and enjoy and know that there is actually a happy outcome to this ;)  When you reach the end that will become apparent.

On July 4th, 1995 I was dumped on this guy's front lawn. Then I weighed in at two pounds, seven ounces of sneezing fur. Seeing that I was eating the dandelions and clover and working my way to the flowerbed I was taken inside. (They told me I was rescued because they didn't want me to become cat or dog food. I just think they didn't want me tasting, . . err, . . yes, . . . tasting the flowers.)

Figuring that I might have been an escaped bunny the head bunny slave looked for signs, read the classified in the newspapers and so on. I could have told him that I was a dumpee. When I left noticeable teeth marks on the baseboard he figured out that no one in their right mind would want me. (It was new a year before my arrival.)

Early on these folks went to a pet store to get me some food and other bunny stuff. Well, they dropped about one hundred dollars on primarily useless junk. The cage that I refuse to use rang in at fifty bucks. TOUGH BUNNY TIP: The first night I was in my cage I learned I could ensure release within five minutes by banging a plate against the bars. That was the only length of time I have spent in the prison. Now it is only used during trips to the vet clinic.)

For the first few weeks here I was a nervous wreck. Every sound made me run for cover. The noisy automatic dishwasher and equally loud bread machine are two appliances that I will never fall in love with, however I do presently tolerate them.

Shortly after my rescue I was taken to the vet clinic for a check up. That was a really bad experience. I was poked and prodded and had a BIG q-tip shoved up my nose. The culture produced from that established that I had a respiratory pseudomonas infection. The literature dealing with pseudomonas indicates that it is notoriously difficult to treat. We went with Baytrill therapy. Baytrill tends to be fairly bunny friendly, but one must remain alert when using it. (Most commonly reported complication is central nervous system damage. That is rare, but from time to time it does happen.)

The Baytrill therapy worked well. After several months the sneezing spasms were minimal. However what finished it off in the end was advice from Tony of the House Rabbit Society of Ontario regarding vitamin B-12 used in combination with the antibiotic.

Before long I learned how to go to the computer, toggle the power switch and type! There are a bunch of manuals describing how to proficiently use this device as a communications tool. When I discovered internet electronic mail I figured that it was high time to communicate with some other bunnies. (I'm the only bunny in this household and one can never have enough friends.)

During we have found the place on the information super highway for bunnies is the petbunny mailing list. If you have internet e-mail you can subscribe to the service by sending the single line message "subscribe petbunny" to listserv@lsv.uky.edu and then following the instructions you receive. And for more information on the mailing list the PetBunny Homepage will is a good place to look. Also Ken Albin has put together a dictionary of petbunny terms at http://userpages.aug.com/~albink/pbd.htm.

Another resourse worth keeping at hand is a book entitled House Rabbit Handbook : How to Live With an Urban Rabbit by Marinell Harriman which can be ordered at a discount from Amazon.com by clicking on the image :) It's probably the best $7 you can spend on a bunny!

This mailing list has been of great value to me. It was the first credible source of lagomorphic information that the bunny slave had.

It has often times proved useful.

By way of example, last Saturday at lunch unknown to the head bunny slave the evil sister brought some foliage from her yard for me to eat. Being the trusting fool that I once was I chomped down on it. Six hours later I went to the find the comfortable spot under the commode and sure enough the bunny slave found me lying there like a wet limp dishrag. The first thing he did was to check my gums for a nice pink colour, . . . if they were blue he would have suspected some respiratory or circulatory problem. They were nice and pink. Then he started a poke and prod and found my stomach was rock hard. He knew I was having a G. I. Stasis event so he phoned the vet clinic. The vet on call was, by his own admission unfamiliar with bunnies and suggest a call to the emergency clinic. The vet there also was unfamiliar with lagomorphs. The head bunny slave found our vet's home telephone number. My doctor was out, but did return a call upon returning home.

So, that Saturday evening I was sitting in the bathroom oblivious to my favorite treat foods and everything else with a rock hard tummy. Then D'Arcy abandoned me and headed to the computer. He sent a note to everybunny on the mailing list and starts surfing the world wide web. Sure enough a few minutes later he finds the petbunny article dealing with G. I. Stasis He prints that off and does what it says to do. He got the over the counter baby gripe water (Ovol - pediatric suspension of simethicone) from the drug store and he did the tummy massage thing. (That was really bothersome.) Ten minutes later I showed improvement by hopping away from the poking and prodding fingers. He maintained the almost constant tummy massage despite some modest effort on my part to be left alone. (Somedays a bunny rabbit just gets no respect from those who usually worship her.)

About an hour later D'Arcy found out that I had been eating part of a tree called EASTERN RED BUD. D'Arcy telephoned the posion control centre and they had no information on it. (Half the calls to posion control centres in the United States are pet related.) He also surfed the web doing a search for "toxic plants" and found a lot of information, but nothing relating to this particular tree.

Our own D.V.M. returned the call and reviewed the petbunny G.I. Stasis information with D'Arcy and both figured that I was having a toxic reaction to that plant, specifically that it caused a lot of gas.

Also, at that time my bunny slave noticed that my tummy was shrinking and I was more and more active! So our experienced bunny vet asked a few more questions and concluded that I was in good hands. As long as the recovery seemed textbook he was to proceed as per the G. I. Stasis instructions and to bring me early in the week for a checkup. Sure enough the recovery was uneventful and complete. I produced the world's supply of stinky bunny farts for that day and shortly after the phone call I behaved like the little piggy that I am. I munched on everything in sight!

Some of the lessons learned from that event is that it is important to:

1.    Never to accept gifts from people who don't know what bunnies can and can't tolerate.

2.    Discover the name and toxicity of every plant in your household and yard that a bunny, other pets or children might be exposed to.

3.    Call for appropriate medical advice if a living thing (bunny or otherwise) consumes a plant of unknown toxicity. Watching for symptoms to appear is grossly insufficient. Had D'Arcy known about the Eastern Red Bud tree he could have taken action sooner; and

4.    Don't be shy about asking for your experienced bunny vet's home telephone number. Seeing a bunny in G.I. Stasis isn't fun. Finding a bunny vet at 6:00 PM on a Saturday isn't an easy thing.

The next business day I was kidnapped to the vet clinic and given a very complete examination. Like, really complete, too complete.

I was even stretched out and X-Rayed!!

And you should be able to see my great big tummy and properly aligned spine. D'Arcy did the scan of the x-ray on an inexpensive scanner -- it looks a little too dark to show all the detail clearly.

Incidentally with the passage of time a stain has appeared on the x-ray. I bet someone at the clinic spilled a coffee on the radiograph.

Well, About two years have passed since I encouraged,... yes,... encouraged D'Arcy to type of my bio.

I remain the picture of mischievous health! And I'm happy that I'm named something suitable for a tough bun!

Actually I got my name Shredder by demonstrating that my teeth can give Black and Decker powertools serious competition.

And for some really cute photos of my friends in Florida, Tommy and Sir Francis have a peak at http://userpages.aug.com/~albink.

January 7th, 1999

Well, obs.empath.on.ca went down with a disk failure and the machine won't be connected to the internet again. So I looks like I will have to find a new home for the bunny related info documents.

and there aren't enough links on the world wide wait pointing to Dr. Charky's Drug Dosage Calculator for Rabbits.

Dr. Timothy Morris' long note regarding antibiotic therapy and bunny sized critters is in text format available by clicking here

Now, if you are really into try to figure out what your bunny is saying visit The Language of Lagomorphs at http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html

Feb 10th, 2000

 

This past year we rec'd a card from Carin Bossink her two bunnies, Skippy, Bopper and cat Poes.

This one really brightened up our day! It is so cool to get a Christmas card from the other side of the planet. Yes, Carin and her crew live in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Actually the head bunny slave met Carin (he tells me that she is beautiful) when she was here in Canada presenting a paper and visiting other people who love bunnies. Periodically one of the bunnies (who shall remain nameless keeps cutting the telephone cable between the modem and the computer. We aren't impressed. When that happens we don't hear from Carin as often as pleases us. So, Skippy,... chew on something else!! I recommend baseboard. (See toughbun tips above.)

About Carin,... she deserves special mention -- aside from being a wonderful bunny and kat loving person - Some of the last communication from her indicates that she is completing her PhD thesis. :) We wish her God's Speed!

Of course I shall dance Blinkies and do the Bunny 500 when I hear that Carin has completed her research.

Spring, 2001

I'm still bouncing. Here's a recent photo of me having some beets!

And of Course Carin & her Crew Sent Us A Christmas Card!

And Carin outlined parts of the card with her own Gold pen :) It's a nice touch.

Shredder’s publicity photo of 2004. ;)

June 2006

When Shredder was 10, ancient in bunny years, her bones became brittle and she developed a spinal chord problem.  Effectively she was left with limited mobility in her rear paws.  Her vet prescribed an anti-inflammatory and we bent over backwards to see that she maintained a life worth living.

The information gained from both Petbunny and The Disabled Rabbit mailing lists was totally awesome

We cared for her,… And of course she was totally responsive to ear rubs, people and blueberries.

In her last three days on this earth we could see that Shredder was getting ready to move on,…

As her appetite declined we syringe fed her,…

And of course paid extra attention to her

At 2:00 AM  With both my father and mother awake, Shredder mildly responded to an ear rub from her grandfather (my father) and he turned to the crossword puzzle, did a couple of words and then noticed that Shredder had moved on to the next life.  As my mother has a mild to moderate dementia, probably Alzheimer’s Syndrome, I felt it best to quickly return Shredder’s remains to the front lawn where she was found.  She was laid to rest with her favorite cotton towels, my mother selected. We plan on getting a black & white stone to mark her spot

Anyway, whenever I go past the produce section at the A & P or am in the house alone and it is too quiet,…I tend to think of Shredder with tears welling in my eyes.

For reasons I’m not going to go into at any length ( If you really want to know ask me ++1 519 933 3844 ) I’m sure Shredder is in a much happier place and kicking up a storm,.. that is, of course, until she is re-incarnated ;) as someone totally awesome ;)

Getting in touch with a person I’ve known for ages, Sharon in Massachusetts ( Ocean1Mist @ hotmail.com ) was helpful too.  She has the gift of mediumship.

Anyway, Shredder was with me for about 25% of my life.  So I miss her and look forward to finding her in the next world,… if she’ll wait.  Chances are she’s working a deal with The Big Bunny

What has been very helpful are the replies to the news that Shredder passed over.

Below is the original post sent 1½ hours after Shredder’s burial and the replies.

 

Dear Friends

My long time friend, Shredder Emery since her rescue, found on my front lawn July 4th, 1995 passed on to the Rainbow Bridge this morning at 2:00 AM.

We haven't posted on Petbunny for some time and last week in one of the digests found a note about getting a book published.  I'll ad my 2 cents about finding a literary agent in a day or so.

I don't mention this much, but for the three days before Shredder appeared physically I kept on seeing images of her, not any black Dutch bunny, but her with her distinctive markings.

With some relief as I was preparing her resting spot, (the front lawn where I found her 11 years ago) I could visually see her playing around,. catching glimpses of her,.. obviously some will say this was my imagination.

In her years here she was never hungry or thirsty, (even though she always wanted another cilantro margarita), always had vet care, an inside bunny, and was in over all good health the vast majority of her life due to the advice and counsel from people & bunnies here on the petbunny@lsv.uky.edu mailing list. Thank you.

This weekend when I noticed Shredder decline I was on the phone with Loraine Keshner of Brooklyn, SevenRabbits @ aol.com whom I don't believe posts here anymore however, still cares for eight rescued bunnies.  Lorraine was great on the phone!  Our own bunny savvy vet was then unavailable. I think Sir Francis is one of the few bunnies left from that era who still posts ;) Waves to you Ken ;)

When I look back at what Shredder fought through - she scared the heck out of me with her first of two G.I. Stasis events. the odd seizure.,.. a tape worm that grew to over a foot in length,.. that still mystifies me.

I should have figured she'd live over a decade as when she returned from being spayed that very same afternoon she thumped.  Not a big thump, but a thump that let me know she had heart. As if doing the bunny 500 perpetually went unnoticed.

Sometime I'll update her page, http://www.odyssey.on.ca/~d.emery/apa/darcy/shredder.htm Or http://tinyurl.com/m72w2

There's a more current photo of her at http://www.TiffanySmiles.com

(That is a fan page. when Shredder, sometimes a Klingon bunny, would get tired of me petting her ears or giving her the dreaded bunny butt bath,. she and I would sort of sit at a computer and work on the page and such. Shredder even sent Tiffany the odd letter and has one composed on the computer for me to deliver sometime in future.)

The disabled bunny list was also informative and I'm still on digest there too.  Been a lurker way too much.

I think she was only "old" the last few days of her life.  She was a free range bunny who would do anything for blueberries.  Basically give "the bunny stare" - i.e. bunny mind control vibes - until the right treat arrived in front of her nose.

Shredder entered my life at the perfect moment. I can say that with 20/20 hindsight and I think I'd appreciate her here longer.  I that Shredder did spend her life being a life support system for teeth that chewed.  I think I'll let the marks in the baseboard go unrepaired.

Anyway, right now I'm wondering what to do with her cage and such. Her cage isn't a very good a particularly brilliant one.  As it has a totally solid bottom we found it only useful for taking her to and from the vet clinic in it.  If she were unrestrained she would have elbowed herself into the driver's seat and I know she would have driving when a lead foot, well, heavy paw.

We are thinking of a) giving it to someone who has a bunny show up unexpected in their life; or b) one of the local rescue groups.  Any one else's thoughts are welcome?

As for me, My mother is 74 and has serious memory loss, is expected to get

worse and the family doctor has stated, after significant testing, that there isn't anything that is going to change that.  Both my parents have also been Shredder's caregivers too for some time now.

As for me. I'm heading back to school for another round of learning and hope to move from Canada to San Diego, California.  That could be three or so years away.  Then I'll probably again get  myself into caring for a life support system for teeth that chew.

My friend Chuck Baltrusaitis, all is well with him. ;) ;)  Helen: I'll say more when the civil action is settled.  I know his lawyer is asking for significant restitution

So with love for all and some very special memories. Paul be careful what you do when you are eating peanuts..Thanks for all your help over the years.  Part of the credit for keeping Shredder alive and well goes to so many of you.  It's a debt that I just can't repay.  When she showed up on the front lawn the only think I knew was that with black & white colouring she wasn't a "wild" bunny.

I have more to say,.. .just not now

Thank you

--D'Arcy Emery

PS:  the most important thing I learned wasn't from Petbunny... rather was earned the hard way.. Don't ever mess with a bunny... they are so stuborn  they will get their way every time.

Dear D'Arcy,

I am so sad at reading about Shredder. We know this time has to come for  everyone but it seemed like Shredder was indestructable, lasting through most of PB's history. Our  thoughts are with you in this very difficult time. The PetBunny community salutes a very brave community  founder who leaves us for the beauty of the Bridge. The PB world will be a poorer place now that dear  Shredder has left us.

Sir Francis and Ken Albin

D'Arcy,

I can't believe that dear Shredder has gone off to the Rainbow Bridge! I'm so sorry! We will light our candle tonight at Our Warren in memory of Shredder, and remember all of stories you've told about her over the years. Nobunny was better loved than she, and there will be a wonderful reunion at the Bridge even as those of us who are left behind will feel our world has become a less happy place for her having left it.

But I do what it feels like to lose an elder heart-bunny who has spent most of his/her life with you. I guess I'm still not over Hunny (age 13.5) or Belinda (age 10) and I guess I never will be. I've planted a garden in Hunny's memory and I work on it almost every day - today, the big rose bush bloomed for the first time and it's pink! Of all things. I thought it would be a more "manly" yellow...

The rabbit-shaped hole in your heart carved out by Shredder won't ever quite heal, I'm afraid. It will always be with you and it will continue
to hurt - but it's what you will do with that energy that will live on to become a legacy of her passing. Will you be bunnyless or will you open your heart and your home to another bunny who is sitting all OnAlone in some soulless shelter? Will you continue through life as one who has love to share with a rabbit, but are withholding it out of loyalty to a bunny who has already completed her destiny in this place? When you feel that rabbit-shaped hole most keenly, perhaps then is the best time to examine your world through Shredder's eyes and imagine what Shredder would wish for you to do.

You can't exactly ever fill the rabbit-shaped hole. That's Shedder's forever and there's just nothing to be done about it - not now, at least. We can wonder - and imagine -  about what lies ahead (and the bunnies who have left us already know!) but we still have to deal with those bunnies who here, waiting, in silence and in hope, for someone whose heart has already been tuned to vibrate in harmony with the "key of bunny."

Sending ~*~*Sympathy*~*~ and ~*~*Hope*~*~ vibes to you
Charlotte from Our Warren

Charlotte & Brian Harper and EveryBun at "Our Warren"
vze334vw @ verizon.net
Our Warren's HomePage: http://hawthorns_homes.tripod.com/ourwarren
"The Hay Diaries" Bunny Blog:
http://hawthorns_homes.tripod.com/haydiaries
RIFRAF Info: http://hawthorns_homes.tripod.com/belindabunnysbunnychat
"We are stewards, not owners, of the planet." - The Rev. Dr. V.M. Sheay
"Alla Us Togedder; Nobunny OnAlone!" - Our Warren's Motto
"I can't be habbin' wif dis..." - Belinda Bunny <acktybist> (1994-2004
ATB)
"Hab sum hay, habba nap; I hab sum to share." - me,Hunny <Senior Bun>
(1991-2005 ATB)

D'Arcy,

I was saddened to hear of the passing of another of the original PB bunnies.  Shredder lived a full and happy life with you. We will all live with fond memories of her, I have no doubt. My condolences on your loss.

Cindy

--
Cindy Fisher

I am so sorry to hear about Shredder.  I remember that little one.  All of mine from Shredder's time passed in the last two years.  Life is too  short for them.

Many hugs,

Sandy Hansen

D'Arcy .I'm so sorry about Shredder.

Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Ms Rosie Rosebud remembers Shredder as well.She came along in 97. She's a dutch dwarf.Black and white,of course,with a tremendous appetite for Rose buds,of course ;-))
So does Charky (Charcoal)who came along in 99.
Again, we're so sorry for your loss.

Robert

D'Arcy,

We are so very sorry to hear about Shredder leaving for the Rainbow Bridge.  Our sincere sympathies and condolences to you.  We will of course light a candle for Shredder's journey to the Rainbow Bridge.  She will be there waiting for you when the time comes for you two to be together again.  Lots of comforting and supporting vibes for you.

Sincerely,

Darin, Lynn, Caitlyn, and the buns, Amelia, Tweek, Pepe, Vinnie, Panda,
Miffy, Jackson, and always and forever
Guido (ATB 20040404), Frosty (ATB 20051014)

Dear folks;

I'm saddened by the departure of Shredder but awed at her age.  May all our
bunnies live so long or longer.  I'll light a candle in her memory tonight.
Paul Simon was right when he sang, "Preserve your memories, They're all
that's left you."  May our bunnies be the bookends of our lives.

Yours,

Bruce Atchison - author of When a Man Loves a Rabbit.

Please check out my book at:
http://www.bookstream.biz/cgi-bin/bookstream/bookstore.cgi?overlord=Details&store_id=102

If you live outside Canada or America, write to ve6xtc @ telusplanet.net for
details.

We're so very sorry to hear that PB legend Shredder has died.  Shredder has most likely been introduced to my bridge buns Bun, Pee Wee and GT by now, and has found lots of new things to chew on.  We hope that when the time's right somebun else will turn up in your life.

Sending lots of healing vibes to you during this tough time.

Mary

6. Re: Shredder @ The Bridge // Re: [disabledrabbits] Digest Number 692

    Posted by: "Michele Carrion" bunnylover @ rocketmail.com

    Date: Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:32 pm (PDT)

We will light our special bridge candle this evening for Shredder, one of the PetBunny legends.  What a wonderful long life for Shredder, but never long enough for us humans.  I know you are grieving Shredder's loss, but you should definitely rejoice in her life.  We will keep you in our prayers; I hope you find comfort in the life you were able to share with Shredder.

              Michele

Re Shredder @ The Bridge // Re: [disabledrabbits] Digest Number 692

Posted by: "Kate Hays" rabbitude@yahoo.com   rabbitude

Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:19 am (PST)

--- In disabledrabbits@yahoogroups.com, "DAR Emery" <dar@...> wrote:

>

>(snip) With some relief as I was preparing her resting spot, (the

front lawn where

> I found her 11 years ago) I could visually see her playing

around,. catching

> glimpses of her,.. obviously some will say this was my imagination.

No, D'Arcy, we won't.

>(snip) I think she was only "old" the last few days of her life.

That all our bunnies should be so unencumbered!

>(snip)I think I'll

> let the marks in the baseboard go unrepaired.

I can think of no finer tribute. And if I moved, I think I'd take the baseboard with me, just because. Let someone wonder about it.

She was a lucky bunny to find you, or to let you find her. I'm sorry for your sadness & loss.

Kate

Life goes on and I’m sure Shredder has a plan ;) and is in a better place and happier space

Shredder, Thank you for being you and bringing so much joy and more into my life, especially when I needed you most!

--DAR

You Are So Beautiful

(B.Preston/Fisher)

 

YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL TO ME

YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL TO ME

CAN'T YOU SEE

YOUR EVERYTHING I HOPED FOR

YOUR EVERYTHING I NEED

YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL TO ME

 

SUCH JOY AND HAPPINESS YOU BRING

SUCH JOY AND HAPPINESS YOU BRING

LIKE A DREAM

A GUIDING LIGHT THAT SHINES IN THE NIGHT

HEAVENS GIFT TO ME

YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL TO ME

Rainbow Bridge Poem

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown...