A sanctuary icon, gone too quickly
The world generally is a desolate place. Panda Bob realized that early on. His dying mother carried him to time period, ready till she noticed him fed to take her final breath.
Panda Bob’s most traumatic second is the precise second he entered the sanctuary. It’s surreal to consider that. He misplaced AND gained a lot on his first day on the planet.
Panda Bob beloved bottle feedings. Mortimer, a calf rescued on the identical time, would savor each drop. Panda Bob? Not a lot. He wanted the “decelerate” bottle.
That’s how Panda Bob lived his life – he gulped all of it down.
As a calf, Panda Bob wore coats to maintain heat, typically double-layering on significantly chilly days. I’ve not met a calf fairly so dapper as Panda Bob in his aquamarine coat!
As a young person, Panda Bob was a terror. That is widespread in calves raised by people. We lack the abilities, measurement, and energy to bodily right a pushy child! I nonetheless beloved to go to him, however was at all times on guard. His concept of play included working proper by individuals and being baffled after they would crash to the bottom.
Panda Bob wrote letters to the world. As a lot as I beloved ghost-writing these letters, I beloved his followers’ responses extra. They introduced pleasure.
As an grownup, Panda Bob realized to average his physicality. He stopped working into me, however I knew {that a} strolling Panda Bob might nonetheless be harmful. If he approached head-on, I might dodge out of his method on the final second. He would pause, so I might scratch his shoulders and again – all these hard-to-reach locations.
Panda was cussed. He was unbiased. He beloved Mortimer fiercely and grieved his loss deeply. He by no means discovered a bovine alternative for Mortimer. He most well-liked human mates over cows, though he at all times loved being within the firm of his herd.
Whereas cows can maintain grudges, Panda Bob by no means did.
Please be type for this subsequent half. We keep away from this vulnerability as a result of we battle with how readers may select to reply.
Panda Bob held on on the finish for us, his human family members. He crammed 5 years’ price of affection, scratches, treats, and a focus into the final two weeks of his life.
We scheduled his euthanasia. It’s (and ought to be) an uncomfortable feeling, planning somebody’s dying. We might at all times cancel. We knew that.
However Panda Bob knew one thing else. He was prepared. On the very day of his scheduled euthanasia, he went down and didn’t get again up. We stored him snug till the veterinarian got here out.
All of us agree that Panda Bob held on for us. He held on for the sound of the gate opening. He held on for somebody to stroke his robust neck. He held on for every hay dice, every comforting hand and voice of affection. He held on till each individual might say their goodbyes.
I whispered to him the evening earlier than his dying, “you’ll be able to let go, you’ll be able to go, it’s okay, we’ll be okay.” He leaned into my hand and sighed. Okay, he gave the impression to be saying. I’m prepared too.
Whereas he took his final breaths, I held his muzzle in my fingers. I did the identical when he was a child. His head might match into the palm of my fingers, and he would relaxation it there. Now, I might solely match his nostril in my fingers! He had grown into a powerful, highly effective, type, light being.
As he took his final breaths, I remembered a lot of his first breaths. His small, shallow breaths of relaxation as a child. His excited pants as he raced round his pasture, Mortimer in tow. His wild whoops of pleasure when he’d barrel over to say hello. And now, his breaths slowed, every inhale farther from the final.
Till lastly, they stopped.
Mine too. I held my breath, aching for him to take another.
I don’t know that there’ll ever be a cow like Panda Bob. I hope there may be.
If I can ask one factor of you, it’s this: inform somebody you like them, for who they’re in no matter second they’re in. Panda Bob gave us all a lot grace. I might love so that you can do the identical.
Miss you a lot, candy boy.
-Marji
Panda Bob: 2014-2025
