Memorial preservation for Harvey, the bun love of my life

Many of you who might see this will know of or have met Harvey, the rescue bun who quickly became the greatest source of joy in my life.

Soon after I adopted him, he needed serious surgery for dental disease. which followed years more surgery and medication, but he was such a happy larger-than-life dude that he fought and won each battle.

Until he didn't. He was due to have another surgery last week, but had been battling GI stasis and pain leading up to it, which meant two emergency visits to the wonderful Rabbit Doctors. Sadly, the night of the second ER visit, his body decided it was all too much and after leaving him for a few hours to chill with his fentanyl patch (as I'd usually do when he had those after surgery), I got home to find him having crossed the rainbow bridge.

I'm still utterly devastated (and full of guilt for putting surgery off a week as all signs suggested we had time). While I wish I was setting this up to help fund his surgery, since I've spent my meagre life savings on him, and mum's covered a few grand too, but it's instead for a special memorial.

It's a lot of money for a dead bunny, but Rest In Pieces have an amazing skull preservation service, however that and cremation costs around $600. There's one other bone-related service they offer in addition, which I'd love to be able to do, but will forego if I can't afford it.

Still, the process takes 3-6 months and I have to pay up front, which I can't do before the end of the month. I am flying to Taiwan for 10 days for work before then, so can't manage it now, and I hate that he's stuck in my freezer until then. which is not ideal for moving past the grief of losing my best boy – as two weeks ago, he was two metres away from there, shoving his head under my foot demanding foot pats (his favourite pastime).

I'm loathed to do this and have put it off, but I know some of you have asked to help. So even if you can't help out but can share, I might be lucky enough to find another crazy bunny person who actually has some money to help out.

He brought so much joy to me through lockdowns and uni and work, and no matter how bad a day I had, getting home to him running out to greet me or sleeping on the bed when I was sick will never be forgotten or replaced. He also was the best, most loving partner to the late Bella and to Beans, given them both confidence and security after tough early starts to their lives before being rescued. He always helped my anxiety and bad mental health times, and would ground me in the present and make me laugh and smile every day I spent with him.

Nothing can fix the heartbreak and hurt I'm feeling right now, but failing him after death too is just making it worse somehow.

RIP my #1 cloud x