I talked to the vet today. She was really sorry to here about Pip. I asked if Pip might have had a reaction to the albendazole and she didn't think so. She prescribes that drug over others cuz it is generally the safest.
Earlier in the day (before she called), I did some research on heatstroke... wondering if that is what did it. I read a lot that said that rabbits experiencing heatstroke will stretch out and put their head up. And then I remembered finding a rabbit I had when I was little in that same position when it had died. Pip was not stretched out when I found her. She was huddled over with her head down. I also told the vet how my daughter had forgotten to put the water bottle out and how we had wondered if she had overheated. The vet said that she could have... it was hot out... but that I was right... she would more likely have been stretched out when I found her. Plus the timing didn't make sense since her body was still so supple at 11pm. Since her body was still in a squishy-ish state, it didn't make much sense that heat was the cause.
She asked if she had been eating and drinking normally. I thought she had but then again... there wasn't much poop in the
litter box. Hearing that, the vet thinks it might have been some sort of obstruction... or gas (I think she said.) I'm thinking hairball. She was constantly grooming dude and he is a big shedder. I would try to get the loose hair off of him but I could never get it all. I would give them fresh pineapple once a month but more times than not, they wouldn't touch it. It would just dry up.
So as far as my daughter goes... she doesn't feel so much guilt anymore. She still misses Pip terribly but at least her soul is at ease now... not blaming herself for Pip's death.
As far as Dude goes... I can tell that he is really depressed. Makes me want to cry all over again. The first thing we did was bring him back inside. Both were inside for the winter cuz I hated dealing with the frozen water. I put them back out in the spring when the weather stopped freezing. But now... we aren't taking any chances with the heat. I don't want any of us forgetting to put out any water bottles again. So he is inside and comfy. My daughter gave him one of her stuffed bunnies... he laid by it all day long.
As for getting Dude to eat pineapple... I think I have a great idea. The tiny siringes that I use to give him his medicine... what if I use the syringe to suck up a bunch of fresh pineapple juice and then squirt it right in his mouth like I do with the meds??? Do you think that would work? Would it be ok to do?
I did ask the vet about getting him another cagemate someday. She said that I would need to wait til he is done with the meds... cuz right now he is still contagious. I'm not sure if I will or not. I read about everyone's bunny bonding experiences on this board... and it sounds like a difficult and almost impossible process for some. But I don't know... he is so sad and lonely.
I am still so sad about Pip. I miss her... I can't believe she is gone.
Caroline 
( Just two of my many alter egos )
my new job and my girls, Polly puss cat 
you def. brought tears to my eyes 
i am praying for you and your family's loss and for dude's broken heart... perhaps in a little time you could get him a new bunny to be cage mates with so he doesn't feel entirely alone and jaded. 
