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So, Sun went to the vets on Monday with a range of symptoms, including rapid weight loss, dizziness and disorientation, and loss of bladder control. Her personality was also severely affected - she appeared very scared and needy, begging for attention which is really out of character.

We diagnosed it ourselves as a virus that affects the kidneys first, then spreads to other areas including the brain. The damage done is irreversible, and the only medicinal path open is a lifetime treatment to prevent further damage, but chances are it will only be for a limited time.

The vet agreed with our diagnosis and started to prescribe the treatment to prevent any further damage. We accepted it, but sat outside the vets with Sun and talked about the options.

We both knew treatment is only a chance of preventing further symptoms and not a cure. And already Sun was so out of character for such a dignified lady.

After a lot of soul-searching, Maxi and I agreed the best course of action would be to let Sun go gracefully, loved, and aware. Somehow, that morning, Sun seemed to ask me for help. I remember Charlie asking me the same thing the day she left us. In some way, I had already made peace with the idea before it was a clear option.

We walked back in the vets, and booked another appointment in 20 minutes time with the same vet. We headed back outside and sat with her for a while. She ate some dandelions and leaves, and sat in the warm sunshine. Time came, and she went peacefully and happily to be with Charlie, Earl and Amile. She left us around 17:30.

We were obviously devastated at her loss. She was the last of the “original three” rabbits and she had such a strong character. She always got up to random acts of mischief (such as squeezing under the hutch and digging the carpet where we couldn’t get her, and running round and round the flat at breakneck speeds). She was also so very pretty, with plush red fur and questioning hazel eyes. She was always very prim and ladylike in every action and motion, from grooming to using the litter tray.

Maxi and I struggled that evening, and I decided it would be best to skip work the day after (Tuesday) to grieve properly and recover.

Tuesday came, and we both felt a little better from sleeping on it. We came to terms with the decision, but it will take a long while to fully adjust to not having Sun around.

We decided to have something positive and do something fun. So we bought a Wii. Which we played a rather lot that day.

And it really helped. It helped not to forget Monday, but it did help to brighten our moods and not to overly dwell on the situation. Of course, we’re both still very upset about it all, but I think not as much as we would have been. It’s all about trying to balance the bad with the good, and coming out somewhere in between for now.