04/02/2025
Remembering Carrot – A Heartbreaking Goodbye 💔
I want to start by saying I’m sorry to those who have reached out and haven’t received a response yet. I’m still trying to process everything—it all happened so fast.
When I first heard about Carrot last May, we were at capacity, as always. But when I saw the videos of him falling over, heard that he was dumped and in critical condition, I knew we had to help. He was covered in fleas, couldn’t walk straight, and was being abused by people in the neighborhood. The kind finder who was feeding him told me that others would throw away the food she put out for him. He was all alone..until he found his way to us.
Once at Exotic Bird Hospital, we did everything we could to get him healthy: bloodwork, X-rays, E. Cuniculi testing, a dental trim, vaccinations. His teeth were brittle from eating only fresh grass instead of hardy hay, and at first, I thought he was a senior. But the X-rays revealed he was just a baby, under a year old. His issues were deemed neurological related with no available treatment.
Once he was stable, we made the tough decision to neuter him. We wanted him to have the chance to bond with another bunny because we knew adoption would be difficult for a special needs rabbit. During the surgery, his heart rate and oxygen dropped, but thanks to quick action by our vet, he recovered. We almost lost him, but he had always been a fighter.
Not long after, we rescued Zoe—another stray found just 10 minutes from where Carrot had been dumped. She had a permanent head tilt from an old ear infection, but when we introduced them, it was love at first sight. Their bond was unlike anything I had ever seen. Because Carrot had trouble moving, Zoe became his protector. She was always the big spoon, wrapping herself around him, helping prop up his head, always making sure he was comfortable. Anyone who visited them could feel the love between them.
In January, we noticed Carrot’s mobility declining. He started choosing to lay on one side more often. After another checkup, we couldn’t find a medical reason—it was just another version of Carrot. We worked on getting him a wheelchair and adapted everything so he could still get to food and water with ease.
Then came Tuesday morning. The night before, he was eating and drinking like normal. But by morning, he was cold and unresponsive. His temperature had dropped to 91°F—dangerously low for a rabbit. I rushed to warm him up, and got him to Exotic Bird Hospital as an emergency. By the time we arrived, his temperature was back to 101°F, and he was looking more alert. I had hope.
But when the vet saw him, she knew. His X-rays showed something devastating—his stomach had ruptured between the layers of his stomach wall, causing gas to spread all the way up to his chest. His organs were severely dilated, his kidneys showed hemorrhaging. There was nothing we could do to save him.
This was my first euthanasia. We have lost rabbits before, but it was always sudden. We had one euthanasia before, for Charlie, who was hit by a car, but his foster was the one by his side. This time, it was me. I held his head, petting his nose the way he loved. I whispered to him how loved he was.
Carrot survived so much cruelty in his short life. And yet, he was the sweetest soul. He would fall asleep while being pet, grinding his little teeth in happiness. I wish he had found a forever home, but I’m grateful he had Zoe. She is lost without him.
There have been a lot of tears lately, and honestly, I’m not emotionally okay. I keep reminding myself to keep going, because it’s bunnies like Carrot that need me. But rescuing comes with so much heartbreak.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out and checked in on me. Right now, I’m taking time with my husband, eating ice cream, trying to breathe. I’ll update on Zoe tomorrow.
If you would like to donate in Carrot’s memory, your support will help us continue saving rabbits like him. We were able to give him safety, love, and a best friend—all thanks to you.
Thank you for loving him with us. Rest easy, sweet Carrot.
Bebette's Bunny Rescue is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization by Samantha Burns.
