SWEET PANDA 12/8/08-2/26/21

 

I can't believe it's been two weeks since we lost our sweet Panda at age 12.  We fought a tough battle, but it was not meant to be. There's a big hole in our pack, I feel it and the dogs feel it, but it will get easier with time.  I am so happy I was able to get this photo from the shelter when we adopted Panda at 12 weeks old.  He is the runt in the back, always had the same frightened look on his face.  His brother Gus on the left passed just six months prior, so Panda did good.  I stayed in touch with Karen, Gus's mom, for the past 12 years and we would share photos and stories of the brothers.  We lost track of the one on the right. They were labeled "choodles" because of their curly fur, which they eventually grew out of, but unfortunately they did not grow out of the disease they both had, DM, which is like ALS in humans.  I grew very close to Panda because of his illness and the care he needed, then he developed diabetes on top of that and in the end an infection and fever got the best of him.  

 This is his brother Gus.  He lived the good life with two other dogs on a lake in Georgia.  The brothers are now together once again.

Panda in his prime.  A gorgeous cream chow.  He loved his Geisha, and grieved deeply when he lost his best friend Bamboo.  He loved food, walks and naps.  No dog will ever replace him.

    On a happier note, the following week Lord Roman turned 15! Born 3/3/06.  His Princess will be 14 in just a few months.  

His birthday treat is junk food, a plate of hot dogs, which he was supposed to share with Princess and Geisha, but gobbled them up during the photo shoot!

                      Aside from arthritis, he is a healthy chow that should have a few more years!  Most of my chows live to be 17 and Bamboo was 18 1/2.  Homemade food, no stress, fresh air and no shots or chemicals is what I attribute to long lives.  Roman is in no hurry to leave, which is a good thing!

 

So with the warm weather I am keeping my mind occupied by doing yard work from sun up to sundown, working in the bamboo forest and still having people come for bamboo.  This Sunday a lady named Faith came to get bamboo, which was hysterical as she came in a Kia. We didn't get much in there, but I sent her home with some plants and had a nice visit.  We both love plants and nature. She just moved here from Florida and said it was the best day she had since last March. (that's sad lol)  Yesterday the hummingbird banders were to come and band my hummers who stayed all winter. They believe I have a Rufous and Allens and said they would be leaving soon to the Pacific Northwest.  They didn't make it and that is scheduled for another day.  Life goes on.