Daughter's friend lost our bunny

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People. It's a rabbit. Say it with me. Rabbit. You're not 3.

It may just be a rabbit, but it was a family pet that my children really loved and had grown quite attached to in the 4 years we've had him.

And *I* might not be 3, but my kids are 10 and 6. This isn't about me - it's about the kids.

OP, what is it you want done?

[Anonymous]

It was an accident and I'm sure they feel terrible. When you have a pet and choose to travel, you take the risk that things can go wrong when your animal is out of your care (just like things can go wrong when the animal is in your care).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People. It's a rabbit. Say it with me. Rabbit. You're not 3.

It may just be a rabbit, but it was a family pet that my children really loved and had grown quite attached to in the 4 years we've had him.

And *I* might not be 3, but my kids are 10 and 6. This isn't about me - it's about the kids.

Which is why you should be more rational about it.

Show them that they can make a mistake and Mommy won't freak out.

[Anonymous]

Why is OP referring to this rabbit as a "bunny?" Her kids are old 10 and 6, not toddlers. I know that's beside the point, but it's driving me nuts, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't anyone blaming the bunny here? It seems highly reckless to hop off like that. Talk about lack of loyalty too. Sheesh. Millennial bunnies are so ungrateful. It's like they have no sense of family and just hop off on their merry way without a second thought.

I'm sure Millennial Bunny felt entitled to live in a bigger house, closer in and with a family that never travels! We'll see more of MB soon though, as she's certain to post her adventures on Instagram and then send out a few tweets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did the family break the news to you? Has the mom been cavalier about it, or is she taking responsibility? They should get you a new bunny when and if you are ready. If it were me, I'd also be sending your family a sincere and heartfelt apology letter with a big box of treats as a gesture of kindness.

It sucks. I am sorry this happened.

While we were waiting to board our plane, I texted her to tell her that we were just boarding, would let her know when we land, and that if everything went as planned we should be picking up bunny around 7:30. To which she replies, "please call me asap" ...seemed important so I found a quiet place and she told me. She was very apologetic and asked if there was anything they could do to ease the pain. I was a bit shocked and didn't know what to say so I said no, nothing now, I'll call you tomorrow to make arrangements to pick up the cage.

The kids don't actually know about it yet - made the executive decision to put them to bed and deal with it tomorrow. Maybe this was a bad idea, but they were just at Disney World/in FL for five days and I knew the school day tomorrow would be tough enough already without finding out your bunny unexpectedly ran (hopped?) away/possibly died. Plus they were tired and kind of grumpy after a day of travel and I just knew it wouldn't go over well.

So now, how to broach the conversation...

[Anonymous]

Were you explicit that they bunny cannot be left unattended? Was the bunny even supposed to be let out in the yard supervised? I would think it would run off pretty quickly even with someone watching.

I would hope you were explicit, especially since bunnies can seem more like a toy than the responsibility that they are. And in giving explicit instructions, you would have told the mom to be clear with the instructions to her kids and not to play with the bunny without the mom present. If you were, this other mom really dropped the ball. Or her kid is menace and didn't listen and will have the death of a bunny on her shoulders like the tell tale heart for a lifetime.

If you weren't explicitly clear in your instructions, this really falls on you. There are so many pet sitting services now, and finding legitimate pet sitters is not that hard. Don't trust a 10 year old with it.

How did the mom react? Remorseful?

No matter what, don't let it ruin your daughter's friendship with this girl.

[Anonymous]

I think most posters are being horrible. Common sense should tell anyone not to let a rabbit loose outside. Taking it out of its cage in the house is one thing, but in the yard is totally stupid. Who would think to instruct someone not to let bunny loose in the wild? Those people are idiots.

So sorry for your children's loss. I would tell them bunny ran away, would take them to look for it, grieve and would buy another bunny (or other pet) pronto. Not one that looks like the original, because I don't believe in replacements.

[Anonymous]

Did you pay for the pet-sitting services?

[Anonymous]

I would be pretty angry, honestly. A 10yo of average intelligence is certainly old enough to know better, and one of the parents should have been supervising. They shouldn't have agreed to watch the bunny if they were going to be so negligent. Killing someone's pet through stupidity and lack of conscientiousness is not okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Were you explicit that they bunny cannot be left unattended? Was the bunny even supposed to be let out in the yard supervised? I would think it would run off pretty quickly even with someone watching.

I would hope you were explicit, especially since bunnies can seem more like a toy than the responsibility that they are. And in giving explicit instructions, you would have told the mom to be clear with the instructions to her kids and not to play with the bunny without the mom present. If you were, this other mom really dropped the ball. Or her kid is menace and didn't listen and will have the death of a bunny on her shoulders like the tell tale heart for a lifetime.

If you weren't explicitly clear in your instructions, this really falls on you. There are so many pet sitting services now, and finding legitimate pet sitters is not that hard. Don't trust a 10 year old with it.

How did the mom react? Remorseful?

No matter what, don't let it ruin your daughter's friendship with this girl.

Yes. I typed up an instruction sheet to give them (in addition to verbal instructions when we dropped him off) for their reference once we left. Directions were very clear. Bunny only goes outside with harness on and cannot be left unattended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you pay for the pet-sitting services?

Well, last time we gave $50/day. Mom already told me they obviously wouldn't expect money this time around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Were you explicit that they bunny cannot be left unattended? Was the bunny even supposed to be let out in the yard supervised? I would think it would run off pretty quickly even with someone watching.

I would hope you were explicit, especially since bunnies can seem more like a toy than the responsibility that they are. And in giving explicit instructions, you would have told the mom to be clear with the instructions to her kids and not to play with the bunny without the mom present. If you were, this other mom really dropped the ball. Or her kid is menace and didn't listen and will have the death of a bunny on her shoulders like the tell tale heart for a lifetime.

If you weren't explicitly clear in your instructions, this really falls on you. There are so many pet sitting services now, and finding legitimate pet sitters is not that hard. Don't trust a 10 year old with it.

How did the mom react? Remorseful?

No matter what, don't let it ruin your daughter's friendship with this girl.

Yes. I typed up an instruction sheet to give them (in addition to verbal instructions when we dropped him off) for their reference once we left. Directions were very clear. Bunny only goes outside with harness on and cannot be left unattended.

Well then it's settled. Friend is a dumbass. And bunny killer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think most posters are being horrible. Common sense should tell anyone not to let a rabbit loose outside. Taking it out of its cage in the house is one thing, but in the yard is totally stupid. Who would think to instruct someone not to let bunny loose in the wild? Those people are idiots.

So sorry for your children's loss. I would tell them bunny ran away, would take them to look for it, grieve and would buy another bunny (or other pet) pronto. Not one that looks like the original, because I don't believe in replacements.

+1. I can't believe people are blaming the OP for leaving the bunny with friends or not being clear enough or being torn up over it. If my pet were suddenly gone, I sure as HELL would be at a loss. I don't think OP is looking for any reparation specifically, but just some kind words. This place never ceases to amaze me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Were you explicit that they bunny cannot be left unattended? Was the bunny even supposed to be let out in the yard supervised? I would think it would run off pretty quickly even with someone watching.

I would hope you were explicit, especially since bunnies can seem more like a toy than the responsibility that they are. And in giving explicit instructions, you would have told the mom to be clear with the instructions to her kids and not to play with the bunny without the mom present. If you were, this other mom really dropped the ball. Or her kid is menace and didn't listen and will have the death of a bunny on her shoulders like the tell tale heart for a lifetime.

If you weren't explicitly clear in your instructions, this really falls on you. There are so many pet sitting services now, and finding legitimate pet sitters is not that hard. Don't trust a 10 year old with it.

How did the mom react? Remorseful?

No matter what, don't let it ruin your daughter's friendship with this girl.

Yes. I typed up an instruction sheet to give them (in addition to verbal instructions when we dropped him off) for their reference once we left. Directions were very clear. Bunny only goes outside with harness on and cannot be left unattended.

I am so sorry this happened. I hope your kids take the news well. I would definitely check the local shelters, post on neighborhood listservs, and put up some fliers if possible, too. Maybe someone has seen him.