10/31/2024 0 Comments An Update on BunnyOn October 11th, 2024, our shelter pet and Resident Blogger, Bunny, crossed the rainbow bridge. Bunny was surrendered to our care in December of 2010 at only a few months old. She was deaf and had canine compulsive disorder (CCD), which is similar to human obsessive compulsive disorder. She required a strict routine in order to manage her CCD. Bunny stayed in our care for 5 years and in 2016, HSWM decided to officially adopt her! She was originally going to be put down because of her CCD, but we worked hard to care for her and give her the life she deserved. Bunny loved going on her daily walks, getting into fights with snakes and swimming in the lake. She loved our staff, trainers, and volunteers, and we all loved her right back! Being 14 years old, Bunny's well being began to decline and we ultimately knew this was going to happen. Bunny is a special girl. She had a lot of people in her life that have loved her over the years. The last week of her life we spoiled her with car rides in the truck (her favorite!) and on October 11th, she went on her final walk and everyone got the chance to say their goodbyes. Bunny's legacy will forever be kept alive at HSWM. We've decided to rename Bunny's Blog to Bunny's Buds, where her shelter animal friends will take on the role of Resident Blogger! Remembering BunnyWe piled our photos and videos of Bunny to make a tribute video for her. Bunny may be gone, but she is forever in our hearts. Our MemoriesSome of our staff and volunteers have written words for Bunny, filled with memories and final goodbyes. Kristen O’leary: Next to Jauxer and Diamond, this will be the hardest goodbyes and the most appreciative thank yous. We think of goodbyes from a human perspective, and not from the way of a dog. That we want to be selfish and keep them around longer, but I know that Bunny knows her work here is done. It never makes it easier, but it makes it okay. It makes it okay to say goodbye. I started back in 2011 at HSWM around the same time Bunny made her appearance at the shelter. I absolutely adored everything about her and that golden heart of hers. She definitely found her home at the HSWM and has received all of the love a dog could ever need from so many people throughout the years. I am so proud of every challenge she has overcome and the many skills she has learned during her time here. I appreciate the immense amount of things she has taught me and the amount of love she has shown me. Although a part of me will be lost without her, the rest of me will continue to uphold her legacy and tell her story to everyone I cross paths with. Not everyone has had the pleasure of meeting her, but everyone will have the pleasure of knowing her. So, here's to you, my friend. You were the best dog that I have ever met. You taught me compassion, to love without condition, and to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Your memory will forever be etched into my heart, a bittersweet reminder of the wonderful dog you are. You may no longer be with me in body, but I will forever hold you in spirit. Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge, dear friend, run free, bask in the sun, tell all of the stories you can to Jauxer about all of the adventures you had since the day he made it to the bridge. This will be one of the things that will continue to provide me comfort, knowing that you two will be together again. Always know that you were, and always will be deeply loved and deeply missed. I love you, Miss Sasshole! Nathan Taylor: said he really enjoyed the time he got to spend with her. He was thrilled when he reached that point where he was trusted enough to be able to work with her. He said he was walking her around the pond, and she caught sight of a snake. He said she caught it and had done her kill shake before he hardly knew what was going on. Emily Morgan: All my favorite things about Bunny. When she would come into your office to say ‘hi’ and magically ended up with her head in the trash. The way she traumatized animal care by shredding any poor critter dumb enough to cross her path while she was on a walk. Snakes were her favorite. Deaf, but you couldn’t help but talk to her. She was always such a good listener. How important it was that you stick to her schedule because she was “special”. The joy she got from being a menace, and the laughs she would get from us when she came in covered in pond water and mud. The spinning in the back of her kennel because you didn’t close her guillotine fast enough. The look in her eye when a new kennel tech took her out for the first time, wondering how many holes she could get away with digging. Deaf, but somehow always knew when you were coming around the corner with her evening meal, or when a car started in the parking lot. Hilary Brown: What a special soul she is and loved by SO many of us! I will always remember her fierce spirit on the trail and her love for getting in the POND. She always put a smile in my face when working at HSWM. Love and miss you, good friend. Sending you a big hug. 💙🐾 Theresa Nolan: Bunny, I had a great time playing and working with you on "trainer's night." But it was so much more. I so needed what you shared with me during those times together. Thank you for instructing me on how to be a better trainer and human. You shared that humans talk way too much, so you educated me on finessing human body language to speak dog! You taught me more about shaping than any book, video, or seminar I ever explored. I think I should call shaping -Bunny steps instead of baby steps! Do you remember at the end of training night we would be in the training room and I would give you a massage? Muscles softening, eyes half open and sometimes a roll to the side. I too relaxed leaving my crazy day behind! That was a wonderful experience to share with you! Because of all you shared with me I am a better trainer, partner to my dogs and a better human. Thank you. Bunny, you will continue to walk with me for the rest of my life. Love you little sister. Theresa Loren Knipp: I've never met another dog quite like Bunny, I don't think anyone has or ever will. There's something about her that's just so special, let alone her endless quirks. Her stubbornness, sassiness, fondness of terrorizing new staff, or her swampiness. The list would truly be endless. In addition to crazy, she is such a kind, gentle and sweet soul. I'm so grateful for and will never forget her chin kisses and cuddle breaks along the trails, they'll be so incredibly missed. Despite not being able to hear us, I think she knows just how much she's adored (and may or may not use it to her advantage). She may not have always been easy, but she is exceptionally easy to love. Namiko: Bunny broke the mold when she came to us. I talked to the person who supposedly rescued her and tried to find a way to work with her. I got the help from the best behaviorist to come up with a session routine. She had a lot of people on her side and worked with her religiously. We all learned so much from her and I can’t thank Bunny enough for sharing so much of her life with us. We owe her so much and are so fortunate to have been a part of her life. Jessica Borgeld: Back when I first started, Bunny was always my favorite part of the day. She always gave other people trouble with critters on trails (Bunny the Snake Bounty Hunter) but she never gave me the trouble that other people experienced. Bunny and I came across a Gartner snake one day, and as it slithered past us, we both made eye contact, I shook my head, and we continued to walk peacefully. Stopping at the one spot on the pond and watching her look at the fish was a fun ride too- especially when she would jump right in. I also found it very entertaining when Bunny would haze the new kennel staff members. There were quite a few people who would come through, quite hesitant to take Bunny out due to the behavior she would show in the kennel. That was just Bunny though. So not going to lie, one of my favorite parts of Bunny was watching her haze them and making them jump back. It's just part of her process to show that she is actually the kennel manager. She's just a little sassy sometimes. Her daily inspections of our office were another highlight of my day as well. Somehow, she would always end up with her head in the trash bin- but that's part of the inspection, ya know? Bunny walked around with the confidence that no other dog had. She owns this building and she knows it. I am incredibly grateful to have spent the last 5 years being in the presence of Ms. Buns. She taught me that life is worth living, you just have to figure out what works best for you. Love you forever, Buns ❤️ Emma Longworth:
I remember one morning after a blizzard, I took bunny on her morning walk (because bad weather never stopped her) and was knee deep in snow and she was nose deep. We made it around the pond trail and there was a huge snowbank between us and the parking lot so we decided to try and go around it. We started walking and quickly I was in thigh deep snow and bunny is fully plowing her own path at this point, so we decided to go over the snowbank. We both start climbing but bunny was struggling a bit so i was helping her up with her harness. She got to the top before I did and got so excited that she made it she decided to run down the other side and in the process pulled me to my hands and knees. I started screaming BUNNY!!! But we all know she can’t hear! So as she’s running, she’s pulling me and I’m struggling to get on my feet. Long story short, we both made it back inside safely, and Bunny was very proud of herself! I miss that spunky girl. She always kept me on my toes. I know she be plowing through all the snow in her next life too. Love you forever sweet girl 💛
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Meet Our Paw-fessional Blogger!If you don't already know me, my name is Bunny and I am a permanent resident of Humane Society of West Michigan! I have been a beloved pet here for over 10 years. I live at HSWM because of some limitations I have that would make it hard for me to live outside of the structured and loving environment here. But don’t worry - I get about eight walks a day, I always have the comfiest kennel full of blankets and stuffies, I get loved on by all the staff and volunteers, and work hard to help train the humans around here! Archives
November 2024
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3077 Wilson Dr. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
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