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All that exists in this world is finite, all things of earth must pass away.

It is in the remembering that we are ultimately led to healing and a grateful heart.

Acknowledging and thanking the Creator for the time spent together as

the family of creation.

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Oliver, a handsome orange Holland Lop rabbit was rescued off the streets this past summer by the Humane Society of Greater Dayton and the Dayton Area Rabbit Network; he and two other domestic rabbits had been hanging around together.

Unfortunately, during the rescue, one bunny bolted in front of a car and was killed. Ollie and the second bunny went to the HSGD; I decided to foster Oliver (hahahaha – that lasted about 2 days before I realized I was never giving him back).

Oliver had dental problems- big dental problems – that were hindering his ability to chew; he needed surgery. I became an expert in cutting carrots into toothpicks; at one visit Oliver apparently came to the clinic with a carrot toothpick in his mouth and shoved it into the doctor’s examining instrument with his tongue! As weeks passed, however, his appetite fell off until he was only taking yogurt mixed with Critical Care, but he maintained his weight. At Christmas, while he could not chew on the toy I had gotten him, he would run the sisal rope tassel through his mouth; it looked for all the world as though he were flossing his teeth. Santa also brought him another container of his beloved Strawberry-Banana yogurt drops.

His appetite had worsened; he was no longer enthusiastic about the yogurt drops nor his Lemon Burst yogurt. The veterinarian said it was time to act, so one night after Christmas, Oliver and I sat for a half hour while I rubbed his ears and head as he purred (yes, rabbits can purr).

I dropped him off for his surgery at 8 A.M., with some more pets and yogurt drops. The doctor called me at 10:30, and it was not good news. With my OK she was going to continue the procedure but wanted to give me the heads up that it was more critical than we had imagined; the jaw would need to be “pinned” (screws put in, jaw wired) and there was a definite possibility that euthanasia would be the kindest option.

I work outdoors. I cried quietly all the way back to my car. I prayed. I told God that I knew that this was His creation, and that Ollie was only on loan to me. I said I surely wanted to be able to continue to enjoy Oliver’s company here on earth, but that I was putting him back in his Creator’s hands. I said I wanted Oliver to have a good quality of life and not to be in even more pain; I asked for His clear-cut guidance if I had to make a decision. Corny as it may sound, once I “gave Oliver back” to the Lord, I had peace of mind. I was grieving, but had peace of mind at the same time

The doctor called back at noon to tell me that the bone itself was so compromised, it was crumbling; there was no bone structure strong enough to support the screws. We were out of options. I had my clear-cut guidance; I made the decision.

I think that the third rabbit, the one that was hit by the car, was there to greet Oliver in heaven. Yes, heaven. The same one (human) believers go to. God does not make mistakes, nor does He make anything unimportant. If God thought rabbits (all creatures) important enough to create them in the first place, I don’t think He allows them to pass into oblivion. He thinks animals are important enough to make covenants with (Genesis 9:8-17), promises to (Psalm 36:6, Psalm 104:21, Luke 12:24) and gives them a role in the final judgment and restoration (Ezekial 39:17, Hosea 2:18, Revelations 19:17-18). My faith says that when a human baby dies, it automatically goes to heaven, as it is an innocent. So, too, are the animal creations of God innocents.

Oliver had several good months here on earth: he learned to play with toys and strip wood off doors off doors. He had his beloved yogurt drops. He dozed in front of the television, and learned to ring a bell for attention. He had many a good ear rub, and sat on my lap for snuggles and petting while I wrote Examiner articles (one-handed) at the computer.

Now he’s back in the hands of God.

Note: I continue to miss Oliver terribly. 5 days after he went Home, it snowed. Walking to his gravesite, I noticed a set of bunny tracks. A few more steps and I saw two more separate sets of bunny tracks coming from different directions and converging with the first set, all headed in the same direction as I. Upon reach the grave, I was amazed to find it surrounded by bunny tracks in about a 3 foot radius from the grave. They were everywhere – it had been a full blown bunny party! How amazing that the wild bunnies had all met in that one particular spot out of the entire (large) backyard, and obviously spent some time there visiting with each other.

Last night, it snowed again (welcome to my world). I made my daily trek to his grave and again saw bunny tracks coming from all directions, converging and then heading in the same direction – where apparently they had another Rabbit Rave around his cairn. Go figure. There was no food there, no bird feeders from which to scavenge fallen seed, and no compost piles are nearby.

I plan to put a garden near Ollie in the spring, and plant all sorts of things that wild bunnies might like. I figure Oliver was on his own for a long time before his rescue; he would probably have appreciated finding some tender snow peas in someone’s garden. The wild bunnies can help themselves; I have lots of seeds for replanting.

I think Oliver would be pleased.

~Phyllis O’Beollain

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I am absolutely convinced that our beloved pets can and DO go to Heaven! And that those that preceded us will greet us upon our arrival ‘up there’…Last May, @ midnight, my 14 year old Tortoise Shell Calico, Smudge, a female, was meowing FRANTICALLY outside the house on the front driveway. The meows were so sharp, metallic and rapid fire, that at first I thought it was an electronic device going haywire! I came out of my doze with a start and realized it was Smudge!Well, Smudgers, as I always called her, was trying to get my attention big time! I dashed out the door in my skivvies and T shirt, as I thought she was injured, and scooped her up in my arms. As always, I held her furry face, like smooth black velvet, to my face and asked her whatever was the matter? Smudgers instantly launched into her loud ‘hyper-purr’ at my caresses and I held her close for 10 minutes like that. Mind you, space does not permit me to relay why she was the smartest animal I had ever met, and certainly the smartest CAT. But smart old Smidge had a reason for her frantic midnight call: she wanted to say “goodbye”. I had had her for 7 years, obtained from a good friend who was ‘downsizing’ to a smaller house and who needed a loving home for Smudge. And, Smudge, I firmly believe, knew she was dying but made sure she called on me before she went off, as cats are wont to do, to purr herself into Eternity. Her adopted little sister, Daphne,a Siamese Calico mix, misses her ‘big sister’ dearly. Occasionally, I ask Daphne, “WHERE’S Smudgers??” and Daphne, on 2 occasions, has paused to look OVER HER SHOULDER TOWARD THE STREET to see if Smudge is sauntering up the drive…she cocks her head left to right and scans La Pluma Dr for her beloved big sister….Yes, I know Smudgers is in a better place, and waiting for me…I hope St. Francis has met her, and talked to her about her ‘jealousy’ thing LOL!!! I miss my Smudgers….she was a beautiful, loving cat with an enormous personality…My mother adored her….she was her favorite!

…Only

God could have ‘nudged Smudge’ to tell me goodbye, and have me comfort her in her distress….we never saw Smudge again after that. ~Jon Wilder

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The greatest dog in the world showed me the braveness of a gladiator and the heart of unconditional love. She was my “brave heart.” Dutch, you were one of the Creator’s best designs and we give thanks to Him for the gift you were in the life of our family. Father, we acknowledge your purpose and destiny for all that you have created as we reflect on your Son Jesus’ words; “Behold, I make all things new!” (Rev. 21:5) That is enough for us. ~Susi Pittman, Switzerland, FL

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