a very sad loss: Goodbye Wilbur

This morning, after a week of looking past his best, little Wilbur has finally passed away.
Wilbur and Mabel the albino mini lops have been with us for such a long time, free ranging in our side garden. We have always dreaded the day that we lose them because they are such a big part of the smallholding. Some animals just become little icons of the place and Wilbur was one of them.
Our only saving grace was that he had already been separated from his mate about a month ago because Mabel has a tumour and we felt that although the pair had only ever produced a stillborn litter once, it wasn't worth the risk of pregnancy when Mabel is not in perfect health.
So, we are feeling very sad but at least little Mabel has been spared the grief.

Mabel, left and Wilbur, right.