King Arthur’s Kingdom of Love

The day we met King Arthur, he had already been through a battle no creature should have to face alone.

A kind family spotted him on the side of the road, abandoned and afraid. Someone had left him there to fend for himself. But instead of turning away, they stopped. They gently scooped him up, brought him into their home, and reached out for help. When they sent us a photo, it looked like he had a large clump of matted fur or maybe a ball of poop stuck to him. But it was so big, about the size of a tennis ball, that we knew something was deeply wrong.

We quickly sent a volunteer and foster to pick him up and bring him to our founder and wellness coordinator, Nancy Martin. As soon as he arrived, Nancy took one look and knew this was not something simple. What we had seen in the photo was not waste or fur. It was a mass. It appeared to be located in his testicles, but we would need a veterinarian to know for certain.

While we waited for Arthur’s appointment, Nancy focused on stabilizing him and keeping him comfortable. He was underweight, dehydrated, and clearly in pain. The mass was so large that it altered the way he moved. He had to hop with a wide-legged stance just to stay upright. Most heartbreaking of all, he couldn’t lie down to rest. Not because he didn’t want to, but because the tumor was physically in the way. The discomfort was constant.

Thankfully, we were able to get an urgent appointment with Dr. Morales at Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital. She confirmed what we feared. The mass was a tumor, and it needed to be removed as soon as possible. While Arthur was under anesthesia, Dr. Morales prepared to neuter him as well and then discovered something unexpected. She could not find the second testicle at first. When she went to remove the tumor, she realized why. Both testicles were completely encased within it.

She removed the tumor, completed the neuter, and sent the mass for a biopsy. We hoped with everything we had that it would come back benign. We wanted so much for Arthur to have a fresh start.

But the results came back as cancer, and it had already spread.

Dr. Morales told us that the tumor must have taken a long time to grow, which meant Arthur was likely an older bunny. He had lived like this for years, silently suffering without a way to tell anyone how much it hurt.

Even so, this is not a story about sadness. This is a story about love. About kindness. About what happens when an animal who has spent his life surviving finally gets to feel safe.

Arthur became our first hospice bunny. We do not know how much time he has left, but we do know what that time will look like. He is now warm, well-fed, and adored. He is treated like royalty. Every day, he is given fresh greens, tasty pellets, a soft place to sit, and more love than he has probably ever known.

For days after his surgery, Arthur still refused to lie down. His body was free of the tumor, but the habit of pain lingered. Then, one quiet evening, Nancy looked over and saw him do something incredible.

He flopped.

Arthur stretched out on his side, fully relaxed. For the first time in who knows how long, he felt safe enough to rest. It was a quiet, beautiful moment. One that said more than words ever could.

This brave little knight who was once discarded now rules a kingdom not made of riches or gold, but of love, comfort, and dignity. And in this chapter of his life, he will never be alone.

He may not have forever, but he has today. He has tomorrow. And for every day he chooses to stay with us, we will cherish him. We will care for him. And we will remind him, again and again, that he matters.

Because he always has.

If King Arthur’s story touched your heart, please consider becoming a monthly donor to help us care for other bunnies like him. Your support allows us to provide urgent medical care, hospice comfort, and the love they’ve always deserved.

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