Murphy loved to sit with his humans and watch the sunset while sharing his favorite snack: strawberry cheerios!
Here is his story as told by Jeannie and Jeanette, it touched our hearts...
"Murphy's story began early fall of 2003 when he and 2 other Flemish Giant brothers were accepted by Heartland.
He was the smallest of the three and we estimated his age to be about a year old. That first week at Heartland was great fun for him as we gave the three boys free range privileges in the yard.
Late in the afternoon one day Murphy was out running in the yard where I was working. I happened to be watching as he did a binky and then slumped to the ground, crying out. He was dragging himself across the driveway with his front legs and I knew he was in deep trouble.
I immediately put him in the car and drove across town to our most trusted bunny savvy vet, Dr. Smith, who gave him an injection to minimize the swelling. The x-rays revealed a broken back. Dr. Smith said he had a 50/50 chance.
She said his skeletal structure was especially light, and that she suspected he sat in a breeder's cage most of his growing phase, which greatly weakened his bones.
His recovery is a long story and as you can imagine a very emotional one for us. I will condense it greatly in saying Murphy became such a part of our lives that when he was gone it was very hard to adjust to life without him.
Because of his paralysis he had to be with me 24/7. For him to survive it was necessary to express his bladder several times a day. If not he would have developed painful bladder infections and/or bladder sludge and stones.
When I had to run errands I placed him in a laundry basket with his blanket and put him in the seat next to me. He watched out the car window with interest and often brought smiles and laughter from the other travelers on the road.
It was a ritual for Murphy and I to watch the sunrise and snack on strawberry cheerios in the play yard. How he loved strawberry cheerios and being out in the yard.
At one point we were encouraged by what appeared to be some developing strength in his back legs and even some movement of his toes. Getting around in the play yard was no problem for him. He just pulled himself forward with his front legs.
Thanks to some very generous donors we were able to purchase a cart for Murphy. We had just introduced him to the cart, and we were so hopeful......
But, alas it was not to be.
He went on across the bridge unexpectedly not long after we got the cart. It took a long time for us to be able to go down the cereal aisle of the grocery store and not cry when we passed the strawberry cheerios section.
We are pleased to offer Murphy's cart to a fellow bunny in need. We truly hope it helps Roger. "
It is thanks to him and the generous people at Heartland Rabbit Rescue, that Roger from our previous newsletter will get his cart!!
A big noserub to Murphy...you're in our hearts and minds!
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