Residents | Rainbow
Bridge > Tommy
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Tommy & Derek
Photo credit: Molly Wald
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Derek guarding
Tommy
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Derek watching
over Tommy
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Tommy & Derek: Best Buds!
Tommy and Derek were among the first residents at Healing HEART
Sanctuary; they were foster bunnies from Best Friends Animal Society.
Tommy’s back legs didn’t work and his constant companion
Derek was always there to keep him company and look after him.
We tried different therapies to help Tommy gain mobility. The Infratonic
machine helped him with pain management
and loosened up his spine and legs. His legs never regained their
ability to hold weight, but he was more comfortable after treatment.
Additionally, we got a custom cart donated by Eddie’s
Wheels,
which was used as a therapy
tool for Tommy to be able to stay in shape and gave him the freedom
to move around. In the meantime, Derek was his steadfast companion
and there every step of the way for him.
Unfortunately, Tommy did eventually pass
away in 2004. Derek mourned the loss of his friend and
went back to Best Friends to live with the other bunnies there.
He refused to bond with any of the other rabbits… until,
that is, he was paired with a bunny whose back legs didn’t
work! Derek immediately moved back into his old role of caregiver,
his preferred role, and he and his new friend were adopted
to a great family in California.
The story of Tommy and Derek’s friendship is the true
spirit of the two bunnies. Tommy may not have been whole, but
Derek made his life whole by being there for him. As long as
Derek was there, there was nothing missing. They were both inspirations
to the testament of unconditional love.
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