Panda

When my wife and I began dating, one of the first things I learned about her was that she loved all things Panda. So, I began giving her stuffed pandas, a panda ring, etc. One day I was at the mall and for some reason that is long forgotten, I went into the pet store. There I found a cute little black and white kitten. I called my girlfriend and told her to meet me at the mall and get there as fast as she could. Although she thought I had lost my mind, she did as I asked. I took her to see the kitten (that I had already named Panda Kat). It was love at first sight. So, we left the mall that day with Panda in tow and had a beautiful, loving relationship for 16 glorious years.

Panda was a very shy cat and whenever someone came into my girlfriend's (now my fiance's) house that she didn't know, she would hide. Right before we were to be married, by fiance had to have surgery. It was serious stuff and she would be off her feet for weeks, so we packed up all the pets and along with my fiance, went to my house, so I could care for her and the pets. I worried about Panda because she was so shy and didn't know how she would react to her new surroundings, my pets and my children. As it turned out, I worried for nothing. The move gave her courage, she started staying out when stranger came into the house. She became friendly with my children and tolerated my pets. Yup, that's Panda... she would adjust to new situations and never gives a moment of trouble.

About 3 years ago Panda started getting sick. First it was hypothyrodism, that we treated with medicine. Then she went into kidney failure. The vet said she had only a few months left, but Panda fought the disease. We lost our beloved Panda in April (2 years later) to the kidney disease.... her little body was just too tired to continue to fight the toxins her kidneys wouldn't filter.

I miss Panda as much as my wife does. Although all of our pets are special to us, Panda holds an even higher position in the "special" department, in that she was our first "together" pet.

Panda, I know you are no longer in pain and that gives me comfort. Rest in peace little girl and know that no matter how many years go by, you will always be loved and missed.