Monday, June 6, 2011

Farewell to BJC

Today has been one of those days every pet owner dreads. Bunny has been on a long, slow decline these last few months, and I knew the end was inevitable. Still there is no way to truly prepare for these things emotionally.

Bunny has been with me since September 6, 2003. She has moved with me from apartment to apartment, then finally into our house. She has been a companion to my daughter and me for nearly eight years - first as a high energy adolescent, then as a calm mature adult, and finally as a frail elderly rabbit. She started out as an only pet, but she adapted to having five cats in the house and still maintained her position as "alpha".

This past week has been hard as I've watched her "wind down" - reaching the point today where she is simply sleeping. As of this minute, she is still with us, but I expect that she will not be tomorrow. So I have said my goodbyes, as has my daughter. We have gone into her room and talked to her, pet her, and told her how much we love her.  I know she knows we're there because there is just enough movement to indicate that she is still aware of what's happening around her.

I'm sharing this with you so you will understand if I go away for a while. There's really no way to know how I'll handle the mourning process - I may write more, or I may write less - but I will definitely keep writing because Bunny is the reason I blog.

By adopting her, she helped me learn about rabbits and rabbit care. By using her image as my Twitter avatar, she introduced me to a wonderful group of people who care about animals as much as I do. And by setting up a Facebook page for her, I have met hundreds of equally wonderful (and equally crazy) pet people all over the world.

So I will continue blog in her memory. I will continue to update her Facebook page - not as her, but as myself. And I will keep her Twitter account active for Pawpawty and other fundraising events. But on a day-to-day basis, I will be tweeting as myself. I think that's appropriate - I want to remember her for the ways she has helped me, but still respect the fact that she is gone.

Goodbye Bunny - I'll miss you.

note: BJC crossed the Rainbow Bridge on June 7, 2011

82 comments:

  1. Oh Vicki, I'm so sorry to hear of BJC's decline. She'll go to the Rainbow Bridge knowing she was loved.

    Hugs and purrs.

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  2. {{{hugs}}} so sad to read this, you and your family have given Bunny Jean a wonderful life, we really don't know what else to say to make this any easier. We've all come to love her and will miss her very much. Eyes are leaking now, Bunny and your family will be in our prayers.

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  3. Vicki, I'm so very sorry. You're right, there just isn't any way to prepare emotionally. Do what you need to, your friends will all be here for you.

    Bunny, I've known you for too short a time. xo

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  4. Vicki, we love you and BJC so much! Twitter and Facebook will be so different without you both. Thank you for your friendship and please keep in touch.
    love always,
    -Donna and Lexington

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  5. I'm very, very sorry:( Lil bear hugs for both you and your daughter. xx Bunny has had a very, very good life with both you and your daughter and very fortunate to have had you as her family:)

    He'd be quite old by now but there will be a very old gentleman bunny waiting to be her friend. When I was a teenager my brother found a rabbit (white one somebody must've abandoned) We named him Roscoe (my brother actually named him that lol ) He didn't live too long but we gave him a happy home.

    My thoughts will be with you and your daughter and again am very sorry.
    Hugs and grrrrs

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  6. I hope her journey is peaceful ...

    Your pal, Pip

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  7. Oh Vicki. I am so sorry. I am going through the same thing with my cat, Nick. He has cancer and while he has been quite normal since it was diagnosed, he is starting to slow down now. I think Bunny is so very lucky to have you. Bunnies are not a typical pet for most people, but have some amazing personalities and can bring as much joy and laughter as a dog or cat. I pray for a peaceful passing for her. I completely understand not wanting to write (or write) based on what is happening.
    Peace to Bunny - May she greet you with a hippity-hoppity when she sees you at that Rainbow Bridge.

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  8. Oh, I am so sorry to hear about Bunny Jean. May the memories of the good times you shared comfort you today and always.
    Ruthi

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  9. I'm so sorry that the end is near for Bunny Jean. I'm grateful to have met her on Twitter as it introduced me to you. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

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  10. Our hearts go out to you and your daughter!
    Please take comfort in knowing when the time comes BJC will watch over you from up above just as you watched over her when she was here on earth.

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  11. *snuggles up next to BJC* Hey who would have guessed I would snuggle up next to a bunny.
    But hey, one thing I learned from BJC is that you can love anyone. And BJC was so easy to love.
    Thanks for teaching me that, other bunnies will benefit from it because of you.
    Me and momma hope your momma finds twitter as a comfort and not the plague. She will miss you but she knows you will always be in her heart..
    *will wait here till you pass* then will look up knowing you are out of pain.
    always,
    Huntyr

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  12. Vicki,
    We are sending paws of courage and comfort to all of you. Bunny Jean is blessed to have such a loving family.

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  13. Vicki - So very sorry to hear about Bunny.
    May she rest in peace.
    And may you find comfort.
    BJC will forever live in your heart.

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  14. I'm so sorry, for you and for BJC. Please know I'll be thinking of you both!

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  15. Vicki, Mom an I are furry sorry Bunny is headed to the Rainbow Bridge. We is never together long enough for all the love we want to share. You haf been a grate bunny mom. Purrs and nose kisses,
    Victor, Nina, & Tabbymom Jen

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  16. we love you both so much. thank you for sharing bunny with us - i know Rosie and I, and so many others will be waiting with open paws ) purrs and nosekisses

    HollieCat & Mama
    xoxo

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  17. Vicki, I'm so sorry. What a sweet blog post. Our pets really do teach us so much, and because of them we all have come to know each other. They all deserve so, so much credit. Hugs to you, your daughter and BJC. xoxo

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  18. Vicki, sending hugs your way, my sweet friend. BJC, you are a trailblazer and will be missed by more than you'd know. L xxx

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  19. I read the sad news on FB. I did not know your sweet Bunny but wanted to come by and tell you how sorry I am. I will keep you all in my prayers.

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  20. My heart dropped when I saw this on Facebook...I'm so sorry to hear the news. :( She had a wonderful life with you, and it's good that you had the chance to say goodbye and let know how much she is loved. Sending lots of love to you and your daughter. ♥

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  21. I am so sorry that you are going through this. At least you have the gift of spending this bittersweet time together with each other sharing your love. I understand how difficult it is and will keep you both and your family in my prayers. I dread that day also.
    Perhaps someday you will be able to open your heart again to another bunny to share what BJC has taught you with her. The pain is awful, but it wouldn't be there if there wasn't love. God Bless You both. My heart and prayers are with you.

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  22. My heart breaks for and with you. I am so heartfully sorry.

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  23. Iz sorry Vicki *softpaw* I will miss dear BJC vurry much, her wuz one of mai first twitter anipals an always so kind an willing to lend a helping paw. Pleeze accept mai purrs an regards, Pandafur

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  24. Oh, Vicki - I am so sorry. Our pets give us so much, make us better people - and when they go it's heartbreaking. We'll keep you and your daughter in our thoughts. I hope Bunny Jean is at peace.

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  25. Oh Vicki. Like everyone here I grieve with you. Tears are falling as I read about her lovely life with you and your family. She will be missed but I look forward to saying hello on Twitter when you feel ready.

    Goodbye sweet bunny.

    Much affection from DashKitten and Marjorie

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  26. I am so very sad to hear this. It is so hard to tell our loved furry family member goodbye. BJC was one of my first friends on twitter, I always loved to spent time with her. Hugs, purrs & prayers for you BCJ and your family.

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  27. It's so hard to imagine a Twitter without BJC as a major fixture so I can only imagine what you're feeling & going through. You have my sympathy and also gratitude for sharing Bunny Jean with us.

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  28. *softpaw* I am so very sorry, Vicki. I shall miss my favourite bunny DJ at pawpawties.

    I send *MarmaladeMorrisHuggles* of love & comfort xxx

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  29. My heart goes out to you.

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  30. Vicki, I'm so sorry to hear Bunny will be going to RB. Thank you for sharing her with all of us, she will be dearly missed. Please lean on us if you need anything & we will all be here for you & your family.

    Tonight I light a candle for BJC & keep your family in my pawprayers *hugs*

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  31. Oh mai pal I am so sorry to hear dis news about da bunny, me and da staff will be finking about you all and send you a big hugs to help you through this difficult time.

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  32. Dear,Sweet Bunny Jean,so glad you came along to spread your special BJC love.You will be missed but not forgotten.Pasihugggs

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  33. To a great bunny and a friend to all, you showed the world pets come in many sizes and shapes. I had the pleasure of a vet visit and the woman next to me had a beautiful bunny. I though of you as she held her bunny and realized how ALL animals can change our lives for the better..you did that and more. BigBoyBosco Hugs

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  34. (((((Bunny Jean Cook))))) Thank you for giving us your wonderful mommy to be our friend. You will be a beautiful angel and bring lots more beauty to the heavens.

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  35. Dear Bunny-Jean,
    Be at peace my floofy pal, I hopes u hv a safe journee OTRB without pain.
    Fanks fur being YOU.
    Luvs & hugs to yr Mama,
    Isa xox

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  36. Jeez BJC, what's goin on?
    So sorry to hear you've not been well. I hope yr givin yr Mom lots of bunny hugs as she nurses you at this difficult time. You've given her lots of lovely memories & given us tweeps lots of lovely tunes... Thank You.
    Strength to yr Mom, peace to you both.
    WeK x

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  37. yoo wos th ferst bunny we did evva no bunny j an we wil mis yoo lots. yoo wos a gud frend to so menny anipals .. jentul littl strokes for yoo an luvs an uggs to yor famly

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  38. PepiSmartDog: Dear Vicki, I am very sorry to read about your beloved Bunny Jean. What a gorgeous girl ! And what a privilege to have shared your lives together. Please know we will all be here, at TRB, to welcome Miss Bunny with open paws. I am so sorry for you all. You have done everything possible....and she knows she is loved. She will be everywhere with you now, but most of all in your heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God's Speed Miss Bunny Jean...XXXX

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  39. Mrio's mom here: Oh Vicki - I am so sorry for you and your daughter. I'm sitting here with leady eyes because we so know what you are going through, and we are feeling bad too because we have come to love BJ so much through her tweets, blog and FaceBook. My heart just goes out to you both, but you are making a very wise decision and hard as it is, the best one for BJ. Your last act of love and kindness. I know BJ loves you both too.

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  40. Sorry for the afterthought; I'm just not thinking straight after hearing your sad news. I am so happy you will keep all your accounts up and running. I have learned so much about rabbits through your blog and you and BJ have done so much good for the animal world. HUGS to you and your daughter.

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  41. Thank you everyone for your kind words. BJC crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning at 6:45 EDT.

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  42. We are sending comforting vibes and purrayers for your loss. You will always have many good memories of BJ, and you know that a great many people care.

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  43. Oh oh oh! I am so sorry to see you go, pretteh bunny! *headbutts* to your mom. @vscook

    I love the pic on your blog of you being all cute and stufs.

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  44. So sorry to read about your beloved BJ's passing - they leave such a gap in our lives when they go. However, Jazzy and I are happy that she went peacefully and with you loving her, as you and your daughter always did.

    St Francis of Assisi keep BJ safe until you meet again.

    LUL Jazzy and dat Trea XXXXXX

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  45. I'm so sorry Vicki. I'm all out of words right now, but I have some music. BJC taught me to DJ. So I'll send her off with some tunes.
    *ducky hugs*

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  46. Oh Vicki I am so so sorry. BJC was a great pal and amazin DJ! We had fun makin moosic for pals togeva. RIP sweet girl xxxxx

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  47. I just logged on to Twitter and the news about BJC was the first thing I saw. I am so very sorry for your loss, Vicki. You gave her a great life and your life is all the richer for having known her. No matter how much it hurts in the end, it's always a win/win situation when we open our hearts to an animal in need. RIP Bunny Jean Cook.

    Daniela, Shawnee's mom

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  48. Vicki: I am so sorry to hear about Bunny Jean *puts gentle paw on Vicki's shoulder*. Bunny was a great internet pal and I have learned a lot about bunnies and pet adoption through her bloggie. I am going to miss her so...
    Cairn cuddles, Oz

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  49. I am so very sorry to hear the sad news Vicki, my heart is aching and our whiskers are weepy wet. Please know we are thinking of you and send you and your daughter lots of love, purrs and hugs.

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  50. We are very sorry to hear about this. But we know Bunny had a very special life with you - and the world can use more bunny advocates like you!! So her memory lives on....

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  51. *pawhugs* sweetie don't worry about BJC. Although Nimbus never got to meet a rabbit before, we never knew of a thing (except bugs) that Nimbus didn't love, so we know they'll hit it off just fine! *sniff* cries with u a little about Nimbus... it will be ok sweetie, grieve as it comes, you can't make it go how you want it to.

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  52. TW is crying as if she lost one of the her own. We are so sorry for your loss. Chocolate Chip, aka BJC was an anipal I truly looked up to. She was always smarter, prettier and played better music than the rest of us. We also know that there was a person behind her avi who is also smarter, prettier and plays better music than the rest of us. Rest in peace, Bunny Jean xoxo

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  53. we love ewe and your momma so much, forever and always, BJC.

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  54. I iz so sorry to hear of BJC's passing. Mama sez it iz so hard to lose such a big part of fambly. I got my furever home becauze my brofur went OTRB. Mama say I halp her to heal. She also say da light and love we bring to her life makes it worth the sadness when we leave it. We are purring for yoo and yoor fambly today.

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  55. *Hugs*
    BJC would not have so many adoring fans if we saw her through anybody else's eyes but yours Vicki. You have shown what it is to truly admire the pets each of us bring into our lives.
    My deepest sympathies for you, your daughter and your other fuzzies and my utmost respect for the rabbit I came to call friend.

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  56. O Vicki I iz so sawry to hear about BunnyJean crossin da RB.Human2 iz just a wreck rite now but we wanted u to knows we lubs you beary much. *HUGS*

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  57. So sad for you...know our furry babies mean so much to us.

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  58. I'm so sorry for your loss, Vicki. My thoughts are with you during a really sad time. -Jessica

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  59. So so so sorry. It is so sad to lose a beloved pet. My thoughts and prayers are with you. She was a good bunny.

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  60. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you. Bunny will always be with us in our hearts. Please know how much we share your pain. Godspeed, sweet Bunny.

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  61. Sending Luv & #SoothingPurrs to BJC's Mom & hooman sisfur. So sorry to hear she has gone OTRB-may she run & frolic like a baby bunny again! (((HUGS)))

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  62. So sorry for you and your daughter's loss. He'll always be in your heart and memories. He knows how much he was loved.

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  63. sending you love and healing thoughts...we all understand how much this hurts. Please be kind to yourself as you grieve ♥♥♥

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  64. Rest in peace, Bunny Jean. You will live on in so many tender hearts. And those hearts go out to your loving mama in her grief.

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  65. So sad to hear your news. We rejoice in all our dear anipal furiends, but are deeply saddened when we lose one. Bunny Jean will be in our hearts and prayers forever. Goodbye sweet little bunny. Les, Smokey & Ody

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  66. You have left a big bunny-shaped whole in my heart... I will miss you!

    Fluffs,
    Niqqi

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  67. Dear Vicki,

    So sorry about Bunny. Oh, wow. My heart goes out to you. Bunny Jean Cook comes up in conversation in my household all the time since the day my hubby asked me "Who is Bunny Jean Cook?" when we became facebook friends. Lots of love to you!

    xoxo Caroline, Romeo and Pugsley

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  68. Hugs from all of us ~Michelle, Sophia, Fiona Bun and Orlando

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  69. Vicki, just heard news. I am so very sorry for your loss. 

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  70. We just read the news and just can't believe it. We're so sorry to hear about our BJDJ, one of our very first and best pals on Twitter. Big hugs to you. RIP sweet Bunny,
    Your bestest pals furever,
    Diane and Cosmo Havanese

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  71. My sweet, sweet friends... I'm so shocked and saddened for you all. I know that Bunny will be cuddled up to Inigo by now, and together they'll enjoy the fields and sunpuddles at the bridge. My thoughts are with you all, and I wish there was something I could say or do to help.

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  72. Oh dear... Bunny Jean!? We're so very sorry...
    Much love,
    Cokie the Cat and my mom Kristin

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  73. Vicki, much love & comfort to you and your daughter during this transition. Dear, sweet Bunny Jean was so loving & adorable. I know she's got her own GaGa cloud OTRB & will be a most heavenly DJ, playing songs in our hearts fur all time.
    xo,
    Mr. Bizbee Kitty

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  74. Vicki I am so sad to hear about Bunny Jean Cook! Sending you love and hugs...and here for you.

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  75. My person and I are so sorry to hear about Bunny Jean--we know your heart is heavy. *leans in on Miss Vicki* Know that you gave her a wonderful life and she will be missed by many. *softpaw*

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  76. Sweet BJC will be missed, of course, as we'll all remember her through you. She was one of the luckiest bunnies on the planet to have been with you all these years. We all share your sadness, but also rejoice in her wonderful life. Hugs and whisker whispers to you and your family.

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  77. From our pet family to yours--our deepest sympathies for the loss of Bunny Jean Cook.
    xoxo, Winnie Cooper, Sharona, Walter, Beau and our Mom.

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  78. I just heard about BJC. I'm very sorry for your loss. I am purring for little Bunny and for you and your daughter.

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  79. Vicki, your post is so lovely and honorable. I am going to miss Bunny so much; we have been tweeting with Bunny for a while now, since we started on Twitter. Please know you are in our thoughts, I send gentle hugs, many purrs, and warm good-byes to Bunny.
    xoxoxoxoxooxo

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  80. Dear Vicki, Sweet Bunny Jean. My deepest sympathies. Sending you warm healing thoughts.

    I hope the love of your friends gives you comfort and strength during this difficult time.

    I have been out of town, and just heard the sad news. Love and hugs to you and your daughter. xoxo

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  81. Thank you for making the twitterverse a better place for sharing Bunny Jean Cook and yourself! It has been an honor and a pleasure. xo
    Honeybell and Nina (Wildboutbirds)

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