"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

Anatole France

With our hearts broken, we managed to post this on Facebook 07/30/22 a few hours after Hip passed.

With a heavy broken heart, we'd like to make a tribute to our beloved Hip Hop who passed away suddenly this morning after contracting GI Statis, a common and potentially lethal condition in rabbits. We got him the immediate care he needed at the Village Animal Clinic, but Hip Hop was ready to go to rest. Words can't describe how devastated we feel. Some of you knew our little buddy and loved him as much as we did. We'll always keep the memories we have of him near and dear. He would jump up on the bed to wake us up in the morning, free roam around the house showing off his hopping skills, come lay next to me when he wanted a head rub, just to name a few. He was the center of our universe and we will miss him dearly. He was just shy of his 7th birthday. Rest in peace our little buddy.

August 9, 2015-July 30, 2022

2/11/23

Dear Hip Hop- After 6 months I finally have enough strength to write to you. I'm sorry it took s long but losing you has been extremely difficult and life and forever life changing.We love you!

02/18/23

Dear Hip hop. It was a rough day today missing you. I was crying for an hour this morning because I was thinking about your last few hours on earth and how you never gave up. But the most painful thought was about how I tried to save you but couldn't and the vision of you dying in my arms at the vet. You are so loved and missed my boy and your my hero. Thank for all the joy you brought into our lives and for choosing us to be your parents. It's been almost 7 months I really thought this pain would subside but you were our child. Mommy is hurting also. Last week we were out to dinner and when I mentioned you she started crying. Please help us. Love Daddy

02/26/23
Dear Hip Hop. We miss you so much. Words can not express how hard this grief journey has been. It was traumatic losing you and the extreme pain that followed was intense. 7 months later and it still hurts bad. These waves of grief and crying overtake us at odd moments, but we have learned to live with it. What scares me. I still can't find any joy in life because you were our joy! You lit up our world like nothing else could. Now on the weekends, I just mope around being sad and cry thinking about you and that has mommy worried. I used to hate being here without you, now I don't want to leave except to go to work. I feel closer to you here. Maybe I'm depressed but I'm functioning.

03/01/23
Dear Hip Hop. I can't believe it's been 7 months tomorrow. A year ago you were here with us and I was the happiest I've ever been in my life. Now I'm lost, on the verge of tears at any moment because I miss you so much! It scares me to think about how I'm going to get through the next few months and beyond, living my life without you. (tears)

3/3/23

Hello my sweet angel. Mommy misses you so much! It's very hard for me to express my feelings about losing you. I try to keep busy so I don't have to deal with them, but I know ultimately it will catch up to me like today. Sometimes when your Daddy mentions you, I lose it. I never expected to lose you so suddenly which makes it more difficult. Sometimes when I hear a sad song on the radio I think of you and begin to cry. I know you are at peace which gives me comfort. I hope you are having fun with all of your bunny friends at the rainbow bridge. Someday I will be reunited with you. Until then, binky free my sweet angel. Your whole family loves and misses you so much! Love, Mommy

3/8/23

Dear Hip Hop. After you left, I always looked for signs of you telling me you were ok. One of those signs I thought I saw back in early December. On the exit ramp off the highway I saw a beautiful rabbit in the road crossing the 3 lanes of the exit ramp and he looked right at me like you used to. Of course he made it safely across because I was going fairly slow but he brought me comfort. I've thought about him often and how he was doing surviving the winter. Well today as I was exiting the ramp to get to work, he was in the middle of the road dead. My buddy did survive the winter only to be hit by a car. I cried all the way to the office, I feel like it's a a sign your not ok or something. You taught me about empathy and it's bursting. It's been a rough day and we miss you so much! Love Daddy.

3/12/2023

Dear Hip Hop. It's painful to write these things after all this time. (tears). One of the things I miss the most is waking up at 3:30 am on the weekends to spend the morning with you. You would get your breakfast early and we'd hang out together. You would always do the bunny 500 where you,d runaround at full speed and do figure 8's back and forth several times then stop right in front of me and look at me with those big brown eyes like,'you'll never catch me Dad', you were such a show off. Then you'd try to sip my coffee, play behind the curtains, get extra head rubs and watch cartoons together. You are so missed my son. These tears are painful but your so so worth it. love Daddy.

3/12/23

Hello my angel, The other day my coworker Laura came up to my desk and presented me with a beautiful gift. It was a white porcelain bunny mug she found in Target. She thought of me when she saw it. I was so touched and surprised! It wasn't my birthday or a holiday. After I thanked her she went back to her desk. I then burst out crying in tears. My happy tears of receiving this beautiful gift brought my grief for you to the surface and I got upset. Thankfully she didn't see that. I just wanted to let you know that you're presence is everywhere and I still think about you constantly. Binky on at the rainbow bridge with your friends. Be sure to show off how high you can jump! Love you always, Mommy

03/15/23

Dear Hip Hop. Daddy's heart is shattered, it's been a horrible few hours missing your and reliving your last moments on earth, again! Some here call it Pts or something. I'm so tired of crying. We miss you!

3/22/23

Dear Hip Hop. I woke up this morning and looked at a picture of you laying on the couch and I lost it. I had to cover my mouth or I would have been sobbing. These episodes are what I live with now. The deep pain of losing you is a part of me forever now and I've learned to accept it. This is how much we love and miss you my son. Daddy

3/30/23 Hello my boy. Today marks 8 months without you. I was in our spot in the living room crying earlier asking you to give me a sign you were ok. Then I loged on my computer and the random picture that came up was a picture of a rainbow in the desert from the ground to the sky. Maybe that was a sign but I don't feel better. Nothing makes me feel good anymore. The pain and emptiness is unlike anything I've ever felt before. Mommy is hurting too. Please help us. Love Daddy.

4/2/23

Dear Hip Hop. You are so missed. This morning started out teary after looking at a video I have of you on my phone taken 1 year ago. Then I cried myself to sleep in the afternoon because we used to nap together on the weekends, you'd sleep right next to the bed beside me. I think that's when you felt most at peace and at ease. It was in your nature to be scared of everything but with us you learned to trust us. The best years of our lives were when you were in it. And the tears continue..

4/8/23

Dear Hip Hop,

Tomorrow is your special day. You were our beautiful Easter bunny. You always got an Easter basket to play with along with some extra treats. This will be our first Easter without you and it won't be the same. You are so very much missed my boy! We love you so much. Love, Mommy

4/16/23

Dear Hip Hop- It's another tough day missing you, The pain of losing and missing you is a heavy cross that I will always bear. You'd think after 8 months the tears would stop but they still come frequently like today. I miss laying my head on yours and talking to you about my day. And I'd tell you often how hurt I was going to be if you ever left me, but I never expected this as I drown again in tears,,, It's my 37th weekend without you my son and it doesn't get any easier in a lot of ways. That intense raw pain that we felt for the first 6 months lifted somewhat but it's still very hard living life without you my boy. I don't know how I got this far so I suppose I'm doing okay. Love Daddy

4/16/23

My tears poured like rain before work this morning because I miss you and your never coming back. Then I was thinking about how I miss all the wild rabbits we used to see around here but not this year. Shortly after I was driving down our our road I noticed 3 small deer eating some leaves on the tree that had just bloomed at our neighbors house. I slowed down and stopped right next to them,maybe 10 ft away. They all looked at me and one even wagged it's tail a me lol, I guess they knew I was no danger but usually the bolt when they see us, anyway they proceeded to chow down and I left. I'm hoping that is a sign better days are ahead and that I see some rabbits here, your distant cousin. PS I added a remote control to your memorial here because I know how much you loved chewing the knobs off. You destroyed at least 5. Love Dad

4/23/23
Hi sweetheart, it's Mommy. This morning was very difficult for me. After seeing a rabbit on television I couldn't get you off my mind. I started crying and couldn't stop. The rain today only made me feel worse. Please continue to watch over Daddy and me and help us with our grief. Come visit us anytime my angel.
Love, Mommy

4/28/23

Dear Hip Hop, what a week it's been. Sometimes we just break down missing after all this time. You leaving has left a huge hole in our hearts and the pain reminds us of how much we love and miss you. But through that dark day came Monday morning. I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and it was a baby rabbit running down the side of the road so I slowed down and stopped, then he darted to the other side safely. Then later that evening mommy was looking out the front window and saw our first bunny here! He was happily chowing down on the green grass. Then later I looked out the back bedroom window and there was another bunny but much bigger, we suspect she could be pregnant. And then after that Mommy got beautiful flowers from Chewy because they asked why she stopped ordering rabbit supplies after all these years. We were stunned by their empathy and generosity. Well just about every night now we spot the bunny in the back around dusk eating the grass, this has definitely lifted our spirits. Thank you my boy because I believe it's you trying to help us. Love Dad

4/30/23
Hi sweetheart! Today marks nine months to the day without you. I can't believe how fast time goes by. It still seems like yesterday when we lost you. You are always in our thoughts and hearts. This past week, we saw a couple of bunnies around the house. That made us very happy. Watching them reminds me so much of you. Miss you my angel! Love, Mommy

5/3/23

Dear Hip Hop, This morning was very difficult. I woke up and started thinking about how much I miss you. I cried hard for a half hour and while I was trying to get ready for work. The pain is real my boy, even after all this time. This episode reminded me of the first few weeks after you passed, crying while forcing myself to get to work and then crying at work. I never want to go through this again, the pain is just too much. Love Dad

5/14/23 Dear Hip Hop. I have more better days now than bad but today has been difficult. A lot of tears, pain and sadness. It's the price I pay for loving you so much. Love Dad.

Today is Mother's Day my angel. Your Daddy picked up a beautiful bouquet of flowers from you. I placed them right next to you on the chest. Although you're in heaven, I will always be your Mommy and I miss being your Mommy. The family was together today. Your Daddy, Grandparents, Aunt, and cousin Charlie came over. Though the house was full, it still feels empty without you. We love you and miss you very much my angel. Love, Mommy 🌷❤

5/19/23

Dear Hp Hop- This weekend will be the 44th without you and today was rough. Mommy was watching a bunny on tv and completely broke down and then I did too. So we held each other and cried for a few minutes together and talked about you. You are so missed my boy. Life hasn't been the same since you went to heaven and we hurt everyday for you but the only silver lining is that mommy and daddy have become closer through our grief. We love you!

5/27/23
Hello my boy. It's our first Memorial Day weekend without you and it's been rough. Saturday mommy and I woke up and cried together because we miss you so much. And today isn't any different. We love you. Dad.

5/31/23

Hey Buddy. The 30th will always bring back memories of you passing, Every 30th I cry because I love you and miss you so
much. These past 10 months have been hell but I've learned a lot. So many people here are hurting and I feel close everyone of them. Mommy is hurting too. Love Dad

6/12/23 Hey Buddy. The past few weeks have been up and down. May tears shed when I think about you at certain times even when I was driving home and was thinking about you. Crying in the car has been a lot less but it still happens. Sometimes I wonder if I suffer from extended grief disorder if there is such a thing,? I miss you so much! Dad

6/18/23 Dear Hip Hop. It's Fathers Day and I wanted you to know ho much you are missed today. Mommy always gave me a gift from you on this day and it hurts your not here. We just got back from vacation, our first in 10 months and it's hard having a good time without you after all this time. Love Dad

6/21/23 Dear Hip Hop.Today is the summer solstice a day and I miss you so much! I was thinking about last year and how happy I was, how I loved spending time with you and the silly things you used to do and then the tears came and they have not stopped. I miss you so much my boy. Your pellets are still on top of the fridge, your litter box is in the same spot, your nose prints are still on the windows and mirror and we sleep with the blanket you used to lay on. And of course your memorial in the living room. Please visit us in our dreams or come home for a visit anytime, we will be waiting..... tears. Love Dad.

6/30/23, My boy it's been 11 horrible months today since I had you home where you belong, we so miss you. I started to cry at work this afternoon thinking about how I'll never see you again. It took a long time and so much pain to realize that, it was so hard to accept in the beginning and still is. Mommy misses you so much also. We love you! Love Dad

7/11/23 Hello my sweet boy. Mommy misses you so much. Every time I see a jackrabbit run out in front of me, I think of you. It's like you're reminding me not to forget you. I could never forget you. You'll always be my little bunson who I love with all my heart. Not a day goes by where your Daddy and I don't think of you. You are so missed angel! Love, Mommy

7/12/23 Dear Hip Hop. It's been a rough day missing you my boy. In a few weeks it will be a year since you went to the bridge and I'm dreading it. But I'm not alone, many people here this week have posted their first year and how they have coped which helps. One angelversary post today tore me up because it was so relatable. He said he was a 'broken man' and that's how I feel. Living without you has been extremely difficult and the intense pain endured was unimaginable. I cried hard everyday for months, in the car, at work, wherever and everywhere, I never want to go through that again! It's the price we pay for loving so hard. We love you my son. Love Dad

7/21/23 Dear Hip Hop. Just when I thought I was feeling better, the tears came thinking about how much I miss you and the emptiness I feel. Last year at this time, you were alive and your wonderful self. If I had known that was your last week on earth, I would have held you and never let go. Thank you for giving me and mommy the happiest days of our lives! You are my son and always will be. Love Dad.

7/23/23 Dear Hip Hop. It's bee a horrible day. I woke up and starting crying because next weekend is your first angelversary. It scares me on how I'm going to handle it emotionally, Mommy and I took the following week off something we couldn't do right after you passed last year. We miss you so much. Love Dad.

7/26/23
Dear Hip Hop. In 4 days, it will be a year it will be your first angel birthday and I'm dreading it. But I'm more worried about mommy. She has had a lot of distractions with grandpa being sick and grandma being overwhelmed that I fear she's going to have a worse day than me. Please watch over us during this extremely difficult time. Love Dad.

7/27/23 Dear Hip Hop. I'm very angry at you and myself today. 1 year ago today was your last 'good' day on earth and you didn't show me any sign you were not feeling well. We started the day with you having your lettuce and pellet breakfast on the couch, then you laid down on the couch wanting a rub, but this time you almost laid sideways but I didn't think much of it at the time, thought you were being cute but maybe that was the sign I missed. The next day I'll talk about tomorrow. You were so tough buddy, stronger than I'll ever be. There's no getting over you. Love Dad

7/28/23
Dear Hip Hop. When I woke up the next morning I knew something was wrong because you didn't get up to greet me like you always did. My heart sunk at that moment, I had this bad feeling inside. I tried to get you to move but you refused so we called the vet. The vet didn't think it was too serious so she sent us home. I can't talk about it anymore....Love Dad

7/30/23

Dear Hip Hip. Today was your first angelversay. It was a very tough day but we got through it. A few highlights were when we went to the vets office to place a flower by the door in your memory, we looked up into the sky there was a cloud that looked like you laying down. And later at night when we got home, a bunny was in the yard and he just stared at us as we walked to the door. Thank you my boy, I believe that was a sign you are ok. We will always love and miss you!
This is what me and mommy posted today on the forum.

Dear Hip Hop. I just wanted you to know how much you are missed my boy. Dad has cried a million tears since you left and my life will never be the same. How could I get so attached to a bunny is beyond me but you had such a huge impact on our lives. You were the center of our universe, life revolved around you keeping you safe and I loved you more than life itself. The happiest time of our lives were when you were in it and it's still hard to find any joy in life. We were blessed to be able to allow you to 'free roam' around our 2 bedroom flat. You were litter box trained and were a part of the family. When mom and dad went to work, the house was yours and you never got into trouble, what a life you had. Thank you for allowing us to be your parents and for providing us with the best years of our lives.~tears~
Love Dad
David

Hello my sweet boy. I can't believe it's been a year today. It still feels like yesterday. I got up this morning on this sunny, beautiful day, unloaded the dishwasher, and then began to cry. I knew today was going to be hard. I think about the times you jumped on top of me to get a sweet piece of watermelon. You certainly loved your fruit. I also think about how much happiness you brought to me and Daddy. We have so many pictures and videos of you being your cute self. It's been an empty house for the past year. At times me and Daddy feel so lost. I still talk to you out loud hoping that you can hear me. You will always be my little "angel." I know you are in a better place with your bunny friends. Someday we will be reunited. We plan on going over to the vet's office today, the place where you took your last breath. I'm hoping it will make me feel closer to you. Come visit us anytime my boy. We miss you so much.
Love, Mommy
Kim

7/31/23
Dear Hip Hop. The day after you passed it was a beautiful sunny day but it may have been the darkest. I hardly slept and spent the entire day crying curled up in bed in the fetal position. I could hardly speak the pain was so intense. I thought I was strong but you broke me. Then the next day mommy and I had to return to work which was a disaster. No sleep and in intense pain, I cried the entire ride in and all day at work. Nothing got done. I put a hat on and sort of hid my intense grief with the hat. Luckily my staff respected that and let me be. I couldn't take time off due to staffing shortages but mommy got to work and had to leave her grief was too overwhelming. I never want to go through that again, that's why I keep saying I will never get another pet. I hope you understand. Love Dad

8/2/23 Dear Hip Hop. The day before your angelversary, mommy was looking out the window and burst out crying that she can't believe it has been 1 year. I starting crying also and got up to hold mommy, as she buried her head into my shoulder sobbing, I looked out the window and there was a bunny in the grass eating. I said to mommy look it's Hip Hop out there, she looked outside again in shock and disbelief because she said there was no rabbit out there 10 seconds ago. Are you watching over us? Love Dad

8/2/23. Dear Hip Hop. We took your angelversary week off and it's still hard at times being here. I just cried thinking about what I did comming home for the first time after you passed. I grabbed your favorite stuffed animal and brought it into the bedroom. And while my heart crushed unable to speak I managed to say to mommy- I want to be buried with this. If I go before mommy I want that in my casket for you were my son and I miss you so much! ~tears~ Love Dad

8/6/23. Dear Hip Hop. I miss our routine on the weekends. I'd usually get up early just to spend time with you. I'd wake up around 3:30 am and wake you up as I made coffee, sometimes you'd watch me knowing your breakfast of greens and pellets were coming. I had to be very careful walking into the living room with your breakfast or dinner because you'd always attack me acting like you never ate before. You were so silly. We always ate together on the living room couch because you were part of the family. Under the couch cushions are some of your pellets which I can't comes to terms with cleaning them up but that's a subject for another day. After breakfast I'd hang out with you, I'd talk and give you endless head rubs. A times after 20 minutes of rubbing you I had to stop lol. You would have laid there forever. Then at 7 am everyday, you'd bolt down the hallway into the bedroom for your daily down time sleeping. And sometimes I'd come in around 10 am and we'd take a nap together, you at the side of the bed. You were my best friend and I miss you so much my boy. ~tears~ Love Dad.

8/13/23
Dear Hip Hop. Compared to other people on the rainbow bridge I think that I should be grateful the way you died. I didn't have to euthanize you, you didn't have an accident, you didn't have cancer or any disease that we knew about, you didn't suffer for long. If any of these had happened, it would have been much much harder to forgive myself for not being able to save you. Love Dad

8/19/23 Dear Hip Hop. Raja's 1 year angelversary is today and the post by Marti tore me up inside. It's exactly as I felt on your anni. The tears came throughout the day but they are healing tears. I don't know if they will ever stop because you were our everything. We miss you so much! Love Dad

8/26/23 Dear Hip Hop. It's been a really tough week for me and mommy. We miss you so much and hope you are doing binkys in heaven with your bun friends. Please give us a sign that you can see or hear us. It's comforting to know you are close by. We love you. ~tears~

8/26/23
Dear Hip Hop, Daddy and I miss you so much. You've been on our minds a lot this week. We visited the rabbit sanctuary this weekend and saw lots of bunnies that need a permanent home. As much as we'd like to do that, we are just not ready yet. We hope you are having fun with your bunny pals doing binky's up in heaven looking down on us. One day we will meet again my angel. Miss you. Love, Mommy ~tears~

9/3/23
Dear Hp Hop. It's been an extremely emotional week missing you, mommy broke down hard during her last post here then twice this week sobbing. I'm worried about her. Please send her strength as we learn to live without you. My heart hurts missing you so much. You were our son and the pain seems to linger forever. Love Dad

9/28/23
Dear Hip Hop. I'm so sorry I have not written in a while. There have been a lot of tears and sadness this month missing you. Mommy and I miss you more than anything and we still lose it sometimes.Please continue to watch over us. Love Dad.

10/1/23 Dear Hip Hop, It's been a horrible day missing you. Off and on tears all day even after all this time. I will always carry you in my heart wherever I go. Please watch over us and keep us safe. Love Dad

10/11/23
Dear Hip Hop. It's Wednesday and everyday this week when I wake up I cry because you should be here with us. idk anymore my boy. Nothing in life makes me happy anymore. I can't wait to see you again. And please watch over Michaels cat who has cancer. If it's Gods will to take him, please meet him at the bridge I hear he is as perfect as you were. Love Dad.

10/15/23 Hello my boy. It's been an emotional few weeks missing you. Reading stories trigger those tears but I guess Im addicted to this site. The crying when I wake up continues but I go back to work which will help. One thing that's helped is seeing many wild rabbits around. It's weird but a few times mommy woke up at 1:30 am and saw a wild bunny one time eating and the other playing in the dirt. I'll take that as a sign that your ok and watching over us. Love Dad

11/1/23 Hello my angel! Three days ago your grandpa crossed over to the rainbow bridge. His health had been deteriorating in the last couple of months. It's been very hard dealing with the grief. Grandpa is now with you my boy. Please look after him for us and give him a big kiss. We miss you so much. Love, Mommy

Hello my sweet boy! The holidays are so hard without you. It just isn't the same. Daddy and I reminisced about you a lot this past week. We looked at old videos of you opening your Christmas presents hoping that your okay and not alone in heaven. We look forward to being with you again one day my boy. We miss you so much. Love, Mommy and Daddy ❤

2/18/24 Dear Hip Hop, I'm sorry I have not written you in 3 months but so much has happened. Grandpa died then Grandma went into the hospital and then Teri. We are so worried about grandma because she is so forgetful. ~tears fall~ I just want my life back. Life was so much tolerable with you in it and learning to live without you is the hardest thing I've ever done. There is a massive hole in my heart that only you can fill. Maybe I'll be happy again but after 20 months without, I probably won't. Love Dad.

3/16/24 Dear Hip Hop. Today was an aweful day missing you. It started this morning when I woke up and I've been crying since. I just want to curl up in a ball and sleep this pain away. We miss you more than words can say. I love you my boy. Love Dad
Dear Hip Hop. Today was a bad day missing you. I creid this morning and when I got home. I miss you more than anything my boy. I hope you can hear me. Love Dad

4/3/24 Dear Hip Hop. It was a horrible day today missing you. I was irritable and left work early, came home and cried my eyes out because I'm missing you so much and I'm so unhappy! And now mommy says she's ready to adopt again but I am torn. Should I continue to live my life miserable because I feel like I'm betraying you if we did adopt again. idk my boy. I think I'm depressed. I love you. Dad

07/27/24 Dear Hip Hop, 2 years ago today on a beautiful Saturday morning like today was the day you left this earth. It was the worst day and time of my life. I cried myself to sleep earlier thinking about your last hour with us. I have so much guilt about not being able to save you. Coming home without you broke me. I tried to hide the crying from mommy because she would start too. The day after I went into the hallway and wept as I hugged your carrier and wept for an hour. The months after I'd try to play my video games with tears streaming down my face, fun... The pain was all consuming and lingered for months. There is no getting over you my boy. Crazy how a rabbit can change your life but you were like a son to us. Mommy is hurting too. I'm more composed than I was last year but the scares of losing you will forever be my reason to keep going. I love you my boy. Love Dad

07/30/24 Dear Hip Hop. Today is a rough day for mom and me because it's your 2 year angelversary.I creid this morning when I woke up knowing another year has come. That was the worst day of our lives. You were like a son to us and we loved you maybe too much. Thank you for all the happiness you brought to our lives and for allowing us to care for you. We miss you so much my boy and will always carry you in our hearts. See you in heaven one day my boy. Love dad.
8/4/24
Dear Hip Hop- we miss you so much!A song came on the radio and your mom starting to cry so she turned it off. We still cry sometimes but we are much more composed than we were a year ago. You''l always be my ggod, perfect boy and we love you.
Love Dad

10/29/24
Dear Hip hop. Today I came home and cried because I still miss you so much and always will. My heart has been shatttered and no amount of time can heal me. UGH! That's the price for loving so hard. Then I realized it has been exactly one year since grandpa died and I cried some more. I hope you 2 are having a good time in heaven. I will meet you there one day. I love you. Dad