My sweet Panda Bear. March 2nd 2007 was one of the saddest days of my life. It was the day I had to say goodbye to my best friend. I know you know how much daddy and I love you. The dates are not important, but The Dash is.
Panda, how do I thank you for sharing your Dash with me? I will never forget that first day I met you. You and Daddy came over to my house for you to meet me. I really didn't know what to expect. I didn't expect to fall in love with you at first site, but that is exactly what happened. Your cute smile and personality were the best in the world. Not to mention what a cute sweet smart girl you were. You made us laugh a hundred million times! I remember one day I was baby sitting you and let you go out in the backyard to go to the bathroom and get some sunshine. You were sporting an e-collar. I heard the neighborhood kids yelling "Pit Bull! Pit Bull!" I had never seen a Pit Bull before and figured I would peak out of the front door to see what one looked like. What did I see, but your will butt trotting down the sidewalk! Butt wagging one way and head the other! I was shocked! I couldn't believe the kids thought you were the Pit Bull. I called you; you stopped in your tracks, turned your head and had a silly grin on your face. You turned on a dime and headed back to me.
I have lots of memories of you, that I hope I never forget. How about that day Daddy and I came home from a Mardi Gras parade with a bunch of Moon Pies? You little stinker! We couldn't figure out where they went! I'll bet you were laughing because it took us to while to figure out you had a Moon Pie in every corner of the house.
The day my heart stopped was the day; we came home and couldn't find you! We called you and called you when we got home. We found it so strange that you didn't greet us at the door. My first thought was maybe when we left the house, you had gotten out and we didn't see you. I was so sad to think you were gone. Daddy kept telling me he was sure you were in the house though. We both stopped talking and started listening for you. I will never forget how happy I was to hear that little sound you used to make that sounded like a whale clearing out that hole in the top of their heads. You rat! I'm sorry that thunderstorm scared you enough to hide behind the dryer. I would have never thought to look there for you.
Remember the day we went to the walk along the Mississippi River? We watched the brown pelicans fly past the pavilion. You were your usually funny self that day. Daddy and I laughed at you because you had your head cocked so that one nostril could be glued to the cement smelling everything that crossed that path, and the other nostril off the ground for air.
The day at Audubon Park was one to remember. I thought you were going to break your neck when you took off full speed after a squirrel! I think that day was the first time you saw a lagoon. I don't remember if that is the same day we went to the pizza parlor that allowed dogs, but I think you had a good time there as well.
Remembering food…..how about the countless picnics we have been on? We always had fun on the side of the road, or in a park eating fried chicken, burgers or a pizza.
You helped ease the pain I had moving here. I left my friends, family, job and school to be with you and daddy. I don't think anyone knew how hard it was for me, except you. I can't tell you how nice it felt when you would come sit next to me and lean your body next to me like you were giving me a hug telling me everything would be ok. You always knew the right thing to do to comfort me. I loved how you would snuggle next to me at night. I can't tell you enough how much I miss that. I miss the sweet smell of your ears. They always had a puppy smell, I will never forget.
I will never forget the horror Daddy and I felt the day we were told you had to have your beautiful blue eye removed. It was like a knife in our hearts. It couldn't be we thought. You were such a little trouper. You trusted our judgment completely. You had the best doctors we would find. We were told you would look at cute as ever and you did. That was just about the same time we thought you needed a brother. We kept telling you we were going to get a brother for you and we started looking. It was because of you and the love of Bostons that you taught us that we knew we wanted another Boston. We didn't find that brother for you just yet, but instead found Zoey. Oh Lord! How patient you were with that little baby! She could do anything she wanted to with you and you were always patient. You taught Zoey so many things that she didn't learn from her momma. I know she was like your baby. You taught her how to play and how to sit down fast when little sharp teeth would sink into your butt. You showed her how you brought balls and toys back to who ever threw them for you. Ha Ha Ha! Remember turning in a circle with a toy in your mouth, so Zoey would have to run her little legs off to try to get it from you while all you did was stand in one place and turn in a circle! You were so clever. It is funny to see that Zoey does so many of the maneuvers you taught her.
That trip to the Atlantic Ocean was fun. You and Zoey had never been to the ocean before. The people at the hotel were excited about you and Zoey being guest when we checked in. They gave you kids doggie treats and wanted to baby sit you both behind the front desk while daddy and I went to dinner. They thought you two were the cutest doggies ever. Oh yes, remember that week we stayed at the hotel in Ohio? Every one fell in love with you and Zoey there too. Remember the housekeepers used to knock on the door to visit you and would always say "Hi" when we went for walks.
It was because of our love for you and Zoey that daddy and I got interested in rescue. Because of you, we welcomed Zoey in the family, and because of you, we welcomed Mike. That last day, Zoey came to you for you to lick her face as you have done all of her life. She did it as to say, "Just once more before you go." Even Mike came to you and licked your face which he had never before done to let you know he loved you.
My sweet baby Panda, I will miss you the rest of my life. I know I will see you again and you will be there to welcome me home.
Every time I see water running from a hose I will thing about the fun you used to have trying to catch it. I hope you are running and playing now my angel.
Thank you Arlene from Bostons R Us for creating this beautiful memorial page for Panda.
