Carol and I just got back from the Golf Rose Animal Hospital.

We dropped off Indy the Bunny.

Indy died in my arms about an hour ago after a very long illness.

She was old for a bunny - 11 years. Back in April, I found a lump on her hind quarters. I thought it was just part of her hip or leg - until it grew and finally pushed through her skin.

We had a big big decision to make back then. We couldn't afford the vet bills to take her in, get her examined, and - potentially - attempting to fix her. But, she was an elderly bunny. She might have been able to survive any surgery, let alone recovery.... and any drugs that she would need.

She wasn't too bothered at the time. She exhibited no change in behavior - she still ran around, she still ate, she was still the same loving Indy the Bunny that she always was. We made a decision to not have her treated, and have her live out her days with us.

I thought she would never see May. And then I thought she would never see June. And then July. August. September. October. November.

When November came, things started to change. The growth was huge now, about the size of a golf ball outside the skin, but you could see that the whole hard mass was about the size of a baseball. She started favoring the leg on that side (her right side) She still ate, drank, and was interested in things just like normal.

Then her left leg wasn't very operational. Soon into December she wasn't able to move both of her back legs, though she was still alert and eating normally.

The last 2 days was a dramatic change. She was weaker. It was difficult for her to move. She stopped eating. Yesterday she wasn't moving very much, but she still wanted to be out of the cage and moving around the best she could.

We had to go babysit my nephew Jack tonight. We left Indy and Chip out while we were gone.

When we came back home tonight, Indy was laying on the floor, but her legs were splayed out unnaturally. I got down on thew floor, and I propped her up and got her legs underneath her the best I could, to make her lay down the best I could.

As I moved her around, she let out this very soft almost inaudible high-pitched moan. I saw it in her eyes. Her time had come.

I laid down on the floor and petted her... nuzzled her... talked to her... she just settled into me holding her... and slowly, peacefully... she passed.

I am TOTALLY convinced that she waited for "Her Dad" to get home so that she could go. I truly believe this.

Indy The Bunny has been a wonderful part of our lives for eleven years. She was special - we saved her life by protecting her from being a snake's lunch when she was a few week old baby. She immediately won our hearts - and now tonight our hearts break...

Farewell, Indy... you know that you've always been"Daddy's Little Girl"

... and tonight I grieve.