Thumper's Last Thump

When your neighbor lets you know THIS door is down, and the bunny is gone, you know it's going to be a hard day. Sawyer's bunny escaped while still early in the morning, and was run over. Sawyer's tender heart was broken. We talked about how his service to his bunny, in cold, in snow, in rain, in mud, made his heart grow with love for Thumper. And when Thumper died, Sawyer's heart felt more pain than others who did not serve him. Sawyer found comfort in knowing April 3rd, the day Thumper died, was near other prominent days in our family namely, the 4th being the day baby Ben was born, the 5th Grandpa Hutchins and the 6th Grandpa Schenewark. That was a great comfort to Sawyer to know his bunny would not be forgotten.

Since he was named after Thumper in the movie Bambi, I shared a few of Thumper's more memorable lines: "Eating greens is a special treat, It makes long ears and great big feet!" And my favorite, in relation to Bambi:


Thumper: He doesn't walk very good, does he?
Mrs. Rabbit: Thumper!
Thumper: Yes, mama?
Mrs. Rabbit: What did your father tell you this morning?
Thumper: [clears throat] If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all.


Sawyer had a dear friend send him a little note to brighten his day. We're so thankful for all the "nice" that was said:


Dear Sawyer:

We were all so sad last night when you called to tell us about the passing the Thumper the rabbit.  Thumper was a good bunny and was certainly loved by so many.  I think he had one more good Easter in him to visit with the Easter Bunny and then his time was called.

I’ve always thought heaven would just not be heaven without some of the pets we have loved...We are given special pets to help us grow and learn.  We grow to love them and learn from that same love and the care they require.

Not often do we get to have a pet that is just ours, Thumper was just yours and that makes him very special.  Ranger is loved by all and he is everyone’s pet.  

Thumper is now visiting with all the other good pets.  There must be a large green field where bunnies can eat grass and carrots all day, dogs can chase balls and kitty’s get petted and purr.

Larry took Sawyer up to the hills, to show him Thumper's grave.