Trius' Tribute to Momiji

"...Ashes to ashes, Dust to Dust Amen." As of today August the 15th 2006, We bid farewell to our beloved Chocolate-Chip Wabbit, Momiji of TenTen Bayview. He was one who was loved by everyone, Nature, The birds, the housemates of TenTen Bayview, and his partner in mischief Ecchi. This Blog Entry, will be a Tribute to his Life and an inspiration to all.

The origins of Momiji is really unknown, but sources say that before, he took up residence at TenTenBayview, he lived in an aviary. There, he spent his time, burrowing, feeding, grooming and played a game of Dodge the boom with his winged roommates that perched in the upper floors.

He might had been good at it, but considering splash damage and the fact that he coat had white, he was considered clean until the owner spotted the greens. Seeing the sadness in his eye, his handler decided to find him a new home. Advertising for a new home gave very good response, therefore the owner made up a questionaire to narrow down the candidates. She made sure that, "Boy Rabbit"(which was his original name) would be in the care of experienced handlers and that he would not be eaten by asians.

The candidates were narrowed down to two, and finally the bid was won by Eu Jin, a tenant of TenTen Bayview Avenue. "Boy Rabbit" now had a new home, 20 Bayview Avenue. He arrived in the last week of April and immediately snuggled into his new home.

He had a cage for the night and a garden to explore. And lived with dominance on his turf. He was the highlight of the house. Everybody loved him. And he had the attention of a life time. He was given the name Momiji, after a boy rabbit in the Anime series 'Fruit Basket'.

But he was still alone. He needed a companion to keep him company from when his human handlers were not around. And so, Ecchi came in. It was bond at first sight. They could not get enough of each other.

For the next few months, they chased each other, huddled together in cold conditions, bonded together when the going got tough, dug trenches to escape to the neighbour's yard. They did everything together. And even though they did mount each other, Ecchi was a male. And it was just wrong.

Nevertheless, time flew and soon they were practically living in the wilderness with the garage all to themselves. One Big happy toilet for the both of them. There was poo littered everywhere and no amount of cleaning would keep the floor empty the next day.

And then something happened. At the end of July, when the housemates stored them in the garage for three days. A big fight broke out. Details are unknown if there was an additional party involved (a rat or a possum) or just the two of them. But the damages sustained were concrete. Sometime in the struggle, Momiji received multiple bites or claw marks on his lower back and a severe cut on his right eye! Ecchi escaped the ordeal with a minor mark on his ear.

Momiji's back wounds dried up but was left open. His eye however was more severe. Pieces of his top eyelid was transposed to the bottom and vice versa. There was a cut mark indicating that it was either clawed or bitten. The inflamation swelled covering the eye with thick cancer looking eyelids and puss.

Initially, the housemates did not know the severity of the damage. But when there was no progress in healing. They knew, he needed a vet.

August 7th 2006, Justin and Weisern two co-tenants of the Bayview house brought Momiji to the Vet. They were tended by Dr.Zoey who immediately checked on his conditions. It was bad. He would require surgery time to fix up the eye, and clear the wounds. But they would have to do it the next day as the vet was closing.

The next day, the severity of Momiji was assesed and the Vet needed a go signal to operate. But Justin could not be contacted. Dr.Zoey went ahead with the surgery. They stitched up the wounds but could not save the eyelid. They cut the outer eyelid, pulled over the inner and sewed it with a button.

The operation cost a bomb, 500AUD. The housemates were shocked but it the operation was done. They had to pay it. Momiji got home with a collar and some medicine in the hopes of reducing the inflamation. He was due for a follow up check up the next week.

But the chance of saving the eye was slim, but his resting time was one week.

One week passed. Weisern returned to the Vet with Momiji in hand. After much check up he was left with three choices.

Momiji's inflamation did not go down at all. but they had a choice of continuing the medication, but was most probably prompt to have his eye removed. WHich would cost a bomb.

The second choice was to cut out the eye straight away, which still cost a bomb,

Or thirdly, put Momiji to sleep.

Faced with three choices, he sought the counsel of the other housemates.

After much counsel and consideration, the final decision was made.


August 15th 2006, Momiji was officially put to sleep. Shock came over the community that knew Momiji well within the matter of hours of his announced departure. Many kind words were given in concern and condolences to the soul of Momiji of TenTenBayview.

And so let us remember the life of this brave little rabbit that was a favorite to everyone who knew him.

Dear Momiji, You will be sorely missed, may you be reborn in a better place. You have taught me a great deal, you have made me a better person. I hope we meet again sometime in the future, my friend and teacher, Momiji.