Tribute to Eigloo

It was dark. Eirsa and Eivie slept with us so it's one of our strategy to ensure the room was dark; easier for them to fall asleep by themselves. It had been months since they slept with each other and freed Mommy and Papa's bed just for us.

It was around 10pm, perhaps the children had fast asleep. Papa received a call. An another call. And yet another call. Eigloo's boarding place owner kept on calling Papa. Papa just knew that he had to pick up the phone. He slipped into the darkness, out of the room to answer the phone.

Hati aku dah berdebar. Kalau begini persistence, something must had been wrong. And I was not wrong.

* * *

Papa entered the room. And he seemed restless. I didn't ask him what was the phone call about. Until few minutes later. He told me.

* * *

I cried for a good 10 or may be 15 minutes. We were not that close but Eigloo had always been my 'anak angkat'. It teared my heart.

Eigloo had gone. Out of our life. Forever.

* * *

We adopted him on 23 Aug 2013. He was small, but big enough for adoption. Eirsa was super super super excited. Little kids, they always have something with animals, kan. Eivie? Well, she could sometimes be caring, a little time extra caring, but most of of the times she's just being a good companion, not carer.

I believed Papa's level of excitement was as high as Eirsa. Ini orang berdua memang punya passion terhadap binatang. Bagus. Mommy, aku tolong apa yang patut, belikan sayur, top up makanan, top up air. I don't have the same level of passion towards animals, but I don't hate them either. I'm just not good when it comes to manja-manja dan belai-belai binatang. But his company has been acknowledged and thankful for. Aku anggap dia sebagai anak angkat.

While we were at this transition phase (to new house), we had no choice but to board him for a few months at boarding center. Looking for a suitable place high and low we found this place at the cheapest daily rate. Visited the place and found that it was quite ok. Secocok dengan harga, tapi kelihatan seperti Eigloo akan dijaga baik, walau tidak sebaik di rumah kami. We bid him goodbye but Eirsa hadn't had the chance for this last farewell, because she was sleeping in the car.

And who knew that she won't be seeing Eigloo after that moment, Never.

* * *

Papa yang buang tahi dia.

Papa yang sikat bulu dia.

Papa yang jaga dia elok-elok.

Papa ada plan nak improve cage dia kat rumah baru nanti, beli cage besar sikit, letak dua bekas makanan; yang basah  dan yang kering. Improve tempat air dia.

Tu la. Eigloo tu kan gemuk, macam mana kucing bawak lari? Tak kejar ke?

Entah lah, benda dah nak jadi.

Papa sangat bersemangat dalam menjaga Eigloo. Dia baca cara menjaga arnab yang betul, makanan yang betul, dan praktikkan.

Kalau guidelines kata umur arnab sekian sekian tak boleh makan benda A, dia ikut, pi cari makan Eiglook sana sini. Diet Eigloo dijaga ketat.
Kalau guidelines kata arnab tak boleh pijak lama dalam cage, nanti kaki keras, dia cari alas,
Ada sekali Eigloo kena kurap kat telinga, dia pergi bawa inject. Kami semua pun ikut.
Dia juga yang bawa Eigloo pergi 'kasi', dia pergi dengan Eirsa.
Dia bawak pergi grooming.
Dia bawak pergi potong kuku.
Disikatnya rambut Eigloo berselang minggu.
Dia jadi member kat satu kedai binatang peliharaan, supaya dapat beli makanan Eigloo murah sikit.
Eh, memang dedikasi Papa terhadap Eigloo tinggi. Bukan sekadar bela gitu-gitu.

Mata aku bergenang lagi. Aku paling sedih bila kenang cara Eigloo mati.

* * *

Boarding place owner apologized for hundredth times on her negligence. She had some guests at home, her child's friend came over, decided to open Eigloo's cage to play with him. And suddenly a cat caught Eigloo, bawa lari. And just like that. he's gone. She said that it had never happened before. But yet, it happened. She offered to return all our boarding fees and even offered another rabbit as replacement. Tapi entah lah. We are sad. Aku yang paling 'jauh' dengan Eigloo ni pun sedih. Nanti lah kami fikirkan hal itu. It's not about money, it's not about just a pet.

* * *

Eigloo. This post is dedicated to you. For being a good company to us, for bringing joys to our children. Thank you, my boy.

Note : And no, we have not told Eirsa yet. Entah macam mana nak cakap agaknya. Dah janji dengan dia nak bawak Eigloo balik bila rumah baru siap.