Pluk the Rabbit – A Story of Love, Loss, and Second Chances

For years, my two rabbits Zaza and Pluk lived happily in my garden after being adopted from an animal shelter. Pluk — named by the shelter for his scruffy fur and feisty personality — was a real character. When he was first introduced to Zaza, it wasn’t love at first sight. They fought fiercely. But over time, their bond grew stronger, and they became inseparable.

Pluk turned out to be a skilled escape artist. More than once, he broke out of the garden, only to return proudly, waiting to be let back in with Zaza. His mischievous streak was frustrating and endearing at the same time.

By late 2015, both rabbits were getting older and began to have health issues. Zaza passed away due to cancer, and Pluk needed urgent dental surgery. The vet warned me that he wouldn’t survive the winter outdoors, so I brought him inside to recover.

Pluk wasn’t himself. He didn’t eat, barely moved, and I had serious doubts about his recovery. I spoon-fed him mashed carrots and cuddled him gently. One day, Pluk was ignoring his plate of rasped carrots and wouldn’t eat. I gave him a heartfelt talk: "Pluk, you have two options. You can stop eating and go be with Zaza, or you can start eating and give life another try with me." He looked at me — and to my great surprise, he started nibbling at the carrot. He had made his choice.

From then on, Pluk lived indoors. He’d hop around the living room while I worked from home as an illustrator. He destroyed countless power cords, shoes, pillows, and even befriended the furry head of a faux polar bear rug. Despite his quirks, he was an incredible joy to have around.

In 2016, after another dental procedure, Pluk broke his paw. The vet advised euthanasia. I was devastated, but not ready to let him go. Then something unexpected happened: my partner Willem injured his back just as we were about to leave for the vet. So we postponed putting Pluk to sleep — and the next morning, Pluk was eating again. He made another miraculous recovery.

In the summer of 2017, his health declined rapidly again. He became extremely fragile and broke another paw due to severe osteoporosis. This time, he looked at me, and I knew he was ready. Saying goodbye was heartbreaking, but peaceful.

We were about to bury Pluk in a quiet nearby park, but just as we said our final farewells, the stereo in my parents' empty house turned on by itself, playing a line from Bryan Adams: "We're in heaven..." It was the kind of moment you never forget.

A year later, I wrote Pluk’s story to find closure. To my surprise, Guideposts Magazine (USA) published a version of it in their ‘Last Moments’ series — and asked me to illustrate it. Since then, I’ve contributed regularly to the magazine. Pluk’s legacy lives on — in art, in memory, and in every quiet corner where his tooth marks still tell the story.