tired

[wendyzski]

I started a community a few weeks ago for people whose rabbits are suspected to have or have been diagnosed with pasteurella or "snuffles". I hoped that we could share experiences and information, and to a large extent that is happening.

But as the moderator, it's tough on me to keep reading people's stories about their sick bunnies. They are scared and stressed and having money problems, and are SO determined to see that their buns get the best care possible. It breaks my heart.

It's nice to be needed and I know I've helped some people, but it's awfully draining sometimes and I need a hug right now. I dread the day when I have to read about the first death we have.

Comments

[faireraven.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I know you understand.

[firingneurons.livejournal.com]

*sends many bunny hugs*

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I KNOW I'm helping, but reading about someone being so scared and frustrated tonight had me in tears with her.

[firingneurons.livejournal.com]

Little bits of me wish I had more experience so I could help more. But the other bits yell at that bit telling me to be thankful for my healthy buns. I get a lot of exposure to various rabbit illnesses from my friend who isn't quite as lucky... One of her girls was recently diagnosed with Rabbit Syphilis, on top of the malocclusion, and previous infections/abscesses... Luckily my friend grew up in the country and from a very young age was charged with barn cat nail detail so she's remarkably good at handling small, wriggling animals.

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

I know that a couple of things I've done have helped some people, so I'm glad to do it. But I'm on the rag and moody as all getout, and it got awfully heavy for a bit today.

[stormdog.livejournal.com]

Wow; that's got to be hard. You more than deserve a hug or two for being there that way. *hugs*

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

The idea started because I had to come up with a way to get Pepper to use a nebulizer for medication. As I didn't think she'd be willing to wear a mask, I built a box-chamber for her, and wrote about my plans on a couple of the groups.

That same day two people with ill buns posted questions to the same group and I thought "Somebody ought to get all these people and this info in the same place". And because this is the way I think, "somebody" turns out to be "me". :)

[eacole72.livejournal.com]

{{{{wendy & pepper}}}}

Do you maybe need a maintainer/mod who doesn't have a bun? Maybe someone who doesn't have a personal stake in everyone having good outcomes?

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

I may have to on occasion - there were a couple of times last summer when I had to take a break from a couple of my groups because of the sheer volume of sadness. To be honest, the group could easily run itself for some time, but I DO want it to be of use so I have a certain amount of emotional investment in it.

[axegrrl.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
More moderators will help. I used to be a mod on a bboard for fish & aquariums... and we had to have multiple mods to (a) read all the stuff, and (b) give each other a break from reading the heartbreakers. Sounds like you need the same.

[seamstrix.livejournal.com]

Keep reminding yourself that along with all the sadness, you are helping both buns and their humans. It can be very sad but you are making a real effort to get them the support and information they need to make a bad situation as better as it can get. You didn't turn aside and assume that someone else would do it, you stepped up and did it. You will occasionally take some emotional hits. Everything will not turn out as you'd want it to- some of the buns will loose their fight. But no matter how many pass over the bridge, you will have made a difference- a positive difference. This is no small thing.

(((HUGS)))

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Thanks - that is exactly the kind of thing I needed to hear

[ladyariyana.livejournal.com]

{{{{{{{bearhugs}}}}}}} this can last as long as you want... love you... and love the fuzzbunn too

[katexxxxxx.livejournal.com]

There is only so much sorrow you can take in a day. I know what it's like to lose a cat, and any cat/dog/bun is the same...

Just back from the funeral of a friend. Damn. Hate to lose people, especially when they are MY age... Funeral yesterday, came home today - 4 hours almost exactly, door to door.

Sending a few spare hugs... There were a lot going round yesterday, and we won't grudge a few needed elsewhere.

[gretchen2149.livejournal.com]

{{{{{{more hugs}}}}}}

[sciffy-circo.livejournal.com]

I signed up for the ratties community. I don't have pet rats anymore, but my son's father and I had a fair number of them. Wow, have I learned a lot that I couldn't have possibly learned in the days before the internet, in a town where people, and even VETS, fer crissakes, said, "Rats are snake food. Go spend $7 and get another.", with all the wrath and fury I had over THAT sort of remark!

Brice's mom thought I'd be freaked out by him having a pet rat as a kid, but nope. I kinda like small, furry things.