Alabama EARS

The Rainbow Bridge

Author Unknown

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 have 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.

	Rusty was truly loved by two bonded humans who were truly devoted to him. He was obviously a properly spoiled bunny who no doubt was the Head of Household. We know that Rusty's parents are special bunny caretakers, and that they gave him the fabulous life we so want so badly for all bunnies.
	Daisy went to the Rainbow Bridge suddenly and without a long illness. Her best bun friend Binky was with her to say goodbye. Daisy was a social girl from the first day she arrived (with Binky) at the foster home--we couldn't understand why she was surrendered. Then, a wonderful forever home came along and we thought it must have been fate that sent Daisy and Binky to us.
	Glory went to the Rainbow Bridge after a short illness. Although she is no longer with her human family - she has joined her cagemate Blaze who died a couple of years ago. 1999-2007. Goodbye Glory.
	Ozzie was an EARS foster bunny who touched the hearts of many. He was one of the most enthusiastically social rabbits we have ever met. His foster parents referred to him as "the politician" because he would go up to anyone and climb all over them for attention. He would give kisses and most notably he would do flips in his pen when he was excited. Ozzie's start in life was very difficult, and when he came to us from Huntsville Animal Services he was soaked in urine and his muscles had atrophied from being kept in a tiny cage. His foster mom remembers that even though he could hardly hop, he still tried to do binkies with joy at being in a large space with lots of water and food. Ozzie left us suddenly after a brief illness. He died in his foster mom's arms, and we hope he knew how much he was loved. No words can ever fully describe him. He was a one of a kind rabbit. 'I stand up. I walk. I fall down. Meanwhile, I keep dancing' "
	Panchis was a very sweet, fluffy little girl. She is the joy and topic of conversation of her parents who have always been very proud of her and love her terribly. Panchis' favorite part of the day was to wait in front of the refrigerator while mom or dad got her lunch (veggies)ready. She also loved to jump on mom and dad's bed and take a nap in between their pillows. She will always be in our heart.
	Professor Snacks Lapin Oppenheimer-Grey. It hardly seems fair that a bunny who did so much for other bunnies had such a short life. Professor Snacks, or The Professor as her humans called her, inspired two of our EARS members to become rabbit advocates. Their dedication to the welfare of house rabbits has truly made a difference for the bunnies, and they attribute all of their efforts to their beloved Snacks. "When she came to live with us, it changed everything in our lives--for the better!" Snack Pak is missed everyday by two humans who each have a bunny-sized hole in their hearts.
	Mocha Latte was a happy, active bunny when an uncommon defect suddenly ended his life. His caretakers rushed him to the bunny emergency room but there was nothing that could have prevented or diagnosed the defect, or saved his life. He was "soft as a pillow and just as cuddly. He was my little Noodle. " He was also a gentleman--after self-trimming his toenails he'd trim those of his best girl bun's. Mocha Latte is missed everyday by two humans who still have a hard time realizing he is gone, and who aren't ready to sand the baseboards that Mocha worked so hard to round off.
	Furry, friendly and fabulous was our beloved Miss. Bunny. She was a happy and playful girl who lived a long life. We miss her!
	Jasmin was a beautiful white bunny with baby pink eyes. She was adopted into a wonderful home in 2001 and had the company of her two best bunny friends Bubbles and Charles. Sadly, Charles is also at the Bridge.
	Sophie was a shy girl--she took a long time to trust anyone. But once she warmed up to a person, she would enjoy being petted and loved on. We wish she was still with us.
	Jakob went to the Bridge recently and left his mom and dad heartbroken. He was such a sweet little boy bun and so full of life. If there had been an Olympics for binkies he would have won a gold medal! Jakob was originally an EARS foster bun and so we miss him, too, but we know that after he was adopted he had the happiest life any bun could have, and that his mom loved him like crazy. We are so sorry he is gone, he will be missed very much
	Frosty was a California breed, approx. 7 years old. I used to call him the "Garfield" of bunnies because his priorities were eating and sleeping! He was very sweet natured and brought me such joy for the past 6 years. He crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge on April 12th, 2006. Godspeed Frosty--Buster and I miss you! The photo is Frosty giving Buster a little grooming session.
	Moose was a foster bunny with EARS from (almost) the beginning. We were very sad when he went to the Rainbow Bridge. We miss you Moose!
	Little Pooh was 10 years old when she went to the Rainbow Bridge after a short illness. Pooh was a petite girl weighing not quite 2 lbs. She was 6 years old when she arrived at her EARS foster home with her husbun Mark. At first, Pooh was *very* overweight and had little interest in anything other than lounging about in her litter box and eating. But, Pooh's foster mom, and eventually her forever mom, was dedicated to this special girl bun. Through a carefully restricted diet and a conservative exercise program, Pooh became an active girl at a healthy weight. Pooh is sorely missed by her mom, dad, and husbun Mark. Pooh is also missed by several of EARS' foster parents who know that Pooh was a success story--at first an unwanted, uncared for bunny who came into foster care, was adopted to a wonderful home, was given love, attention, care and was as important to her forever parents as all bunnies should be.
	Andy was a sweet boy. He lived a full life despite having only one front leg. He had two surgeries to try and clear an infection in his other leg, but we had to have it amputated to save his life. He was a tough little guy and appeared to never really miss his lost leg and lived about three years after. Andy crossed the Rainbow Bridge February 19, 2005 at just over fours years old. His sister, Izzy misses him very much.
	Mirage, a.k.a Miss Bunny, was 11 when she went to the Rainbow Bridge on Sept. 24, 2005 after an illness. Even though her life started out grim (she was rescued from a wildlife sanctuary!), she was adopted into a wonderful forever home where she was doted upon and spoiled with all the love, toys and attention that she deserved. Mirage was quite the chewer--barrettes, laxatone, baseboards, baby keys...anything she could get her little teeth on. Her parents had to be very creative when it came to bunny proofing but they didn't mind because they loved her so much. Mirage is missed by her mom, dad and best bun friend Loki. Mirage's mom and dad are very grateful to Dr. Alvin Atlas, Chris Traina and the Staff of Riverview Animal Clinic.
	Snowflake was an EARS foster bunny who was not in our care long before she went to the Bridge. She was not very old when she was rescued, but she had devloped uterine cancer which probably could have been prevented if she had been spayed. Although we didn't known Snowflake for long, it was clear she was a sweet and gentle bunny with a playful personality. She was named Snowflake because her fur was like beautiful drifts of snow, and she had the fullest and most lovely eyelashes of any bunny we have ever met. Her foster mom and dad miss her so much. She is one "snowflake" that will never melt, but will be in our hearts always.
	Ollie crossed the Rainbow Bridge September 4, 2005. He was nine years old. He was a wonderfully loving little guy who would run to you when you came in the room and would let you pet him for hours. He joins his buddies Licker and Beans at the bridge and leaves behind Tully who misses him dearly.
	Camille (pictured right) was the beloved bun of Rhonda and Bobby. Camille was also the best-bun friend of Charles-Marie (pictured left). Camille is missed dearly by her mom, dad and best-bun friend.
	Gizmo was the sweetest bunny anybody ever met. He was so calm and relaxed, he was like a ragdoll. His best friend was Shelby, a 50 pound Australian Shepherd, that Gizmo would chase around and nip at her heels. When he wasn't chasing her, he would sit still so she could give him a "bath." This snuggly little teddy bear was nearly 7 years old when he crossed the rainbow bridge on June 15, 2005. He is terribly missed.
	Scoot was a grand bunny gentleman who was nine and a half years old when he left us for the bridge. He loved to chew on his cardboard boxes and wooden house. His favorite activity was to escape his roomy pen and come to surprise us in the den. He thought dogs were the perfect things to chase around! He was a mellow guy who could race around or lay at your feet for hours. He joins his long time companion, Piglet, at The Bridge.
	Matilda was a wonderful little guy who had a hard start in life. He was born with a rotated hip and femur but it never stopped him from getting around and enjoying life. He couldn't jump high but with ramps he was able to reach high places. He loved to climb up to high places and lie there looking at the world around him. He loved playtime outside his roomy pen and visiting the other rabbits in the play room.
	Piglet was the bonded buddy of Scoot and lived with Kelsey and Val Rocco. He was a tiny netherland dwarf who was full of energy and loved to race around and play. He was eight years old when he crossed the Rainbow Bridge on September 11, 2003. His buddy, Scoot, misses him dearly as well as his human family. Piglet you are missed!
	Licker was the sweetest bunny girl who lived with her bonded buddies Beans, Ollie and Tully. She was a curious rabbit and the first to investigate anything new in her room. She was almost nine when she crossed the bridge on September 27, 2004. She was loved dearly and will be missed by Val and Kelsey Rocco as well as her bunny boys!
	Beans was a wonderful bunny boy who loved his three companions, Licker, Ollie and Tully. He was nine years old when he crossed the bridge December 5, 2004 to join his beloved companion, Licker.
	Chloe became an EARS bunny after she, her mother and her sisters and brother were surrendered to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Chloe was an adorable little girl filled with curiosity and playfulness. Unfortunately, she was not very strong and she crossed over the bridge in Janauary of 2004. Chloe's foster mom, Sherry, gave Chloe a warm, loving home where Chloe was able to play with her sisters and eat all the pellets and hay a growing bunny could dream of. EARS is sad to lose Chloe, but we are grateful that much of her short life was spent in a home filled with love.
	Sparky was an adventerous bunny who was clearly the head of household. He would use his front paws to box his best friend, Boogey Bun, at dinner time (Boggey Bun never seemed to mind). Sparky also used his little face to express himself. He'd curl his lip in an Elvis-like style and twitch his nose as fast as we've ever seen in anticipation of veggies.