The fluffle 5 had a wonderful Christmas this year, however on January 2, 2026 Miss Onyx Maria hopped the rainbow bridge. We are devastated not only that she is gone, but the way her life declined over the past 3 months. I found a thymoma on her chest in October and by the end, it not only had tripled in size, but it had grown into her front paw making it virtually impossible to stand. She also had debilitating arthritis in her hind end. The last several weeks consisted of round the clock care, much like her father Grilly had. I will always cherish the hours I spent holding her in my arms, wrapped in a heating pad, and watching her sleep. In my heart I know she had a good life, a long life of almost 12 years.

It’s a season of coming full circle. Chester crossed over on January 2, 2020. In my grief stricken state, I found Hop on Home (by divine intervention I truly believe). Three weeks later we brought the trio home. Although I was not prepared to have another rabbit that soon, they truly helped me heal. As each one passed, including Winter who became bonded with them, that wound opened just that much more. Onyx is the last of that group. I guess it is fitting that she left the same day as Chester. Our family is different, but these sweet souls will never be forgotten.