Update on Panda formally known as Robin
I spent the entire week rereading how Panda aka Robin's story enfolded on this chat and the amazing response and support I got from everyone on this site. For those of you not familar with his story it began on March 27th on page 3 of OES in need of rescue but what to do? Roy and Elby wrote about this wonderful boy in need of rescue from a puppy mill in Hong Kong. Due to them and many others whom helped, arrangements were made to fly him to my house in Vancouver, Canada. I decided to print out the story and was suprised how many pages and pages there were!! Rereading the story I remember how I felt the time I first read about Robin now known as Panda and how I wished I could help, never dreaming that on April 4th I would be meeting him at the airport. Here's an update so far on his progress. His hair was so course and unlike any other sheepdogs. He had been clipped rather short but even so, his hair was a bit curly and yellowish. A couple trips to the groomers, good quality food and daily brushing have made a difference although it took 6 months and his hair had to be clipped a few times. Now it's soft and white. I still hope to let his coat grow out to one day to see him with a full coat. Panda spent a few weeks with me this summer visiting my friend on a remote Island and although I was very worried about how he would travel --- it's a long ride - 2 hours on a Ferry and pets must stay in car bay, then another Ferry and finally a tiny boat to take us to where she lives. I really was apprehensive about how I would travel across open ocean with two dogs in a tiny boat and I was praying he wouldn't pace as he does when he's a bit frantic. Blue my other dog went along as well. I couldn't have asked for a better dog!! Roy and Elby if you are reading this I am curious to hear if Panda has had experience with boats in the past. Blue was absolutely terrified of the dock and wouldn't budge so I had to lift him in the boat - no easy feat as I'm just over 100 pounds. I didn't know how I would lift Panda who weighs about the same as me and step from the dock into a tiny boat. I needn't have worried as he acted like he had done this a thousand times...lept in and sat calmly while the boat was crossing the channel. Poor Blue huddled with fear on my lap. I walked down to the beach with Panda alone the first day was something that will always stay in my memory. He looked at the vast ocean before him...looked at me...looked at the ocean and then it was as if a light went off in his head. I'M FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! He lept up and down ...bounded to the ocean and dove in, leaping at the waves and a look of pure joy on his face. I brought my camera the following day but couldn't capture the same look of pure estasy on his face as that first day. He spent 2 hours chasing the waves and running up and down the beach in total suclusion...just him and I. It became a daily ritual the 2 wks of our visit and even Blue and him developed a tolerance for each other during that time. As I couldn't fit three dogs in the boat I had to make the very difficult decision of which dog to leave behind. I felt Merlin would cope best with a kennel situation then either Panda or Blue. Merlin had visited alone with me a few months before so it seemed fair to give Panda and Blue the same opportunity. I had hoped that Blue and Panda would develope a mutual tolerance of each other as this was neutral territory. They were great at the beach but would show teeth when we returned to the cabin...oh dear! The only way they wouldn't if they were both exhausted so that meant waking up early and taking them for loooooooong walks every couple hours as the cabin has a lot of French doors and even if one was outside they could see each other. 
One thing that has changed in my household since our return was Blue previously would not allow Panda in the house without challenging him. Thus, when Panda came in, he immediately raced downstairs and stayed put. Slowly this changed and he came to the top of the stairs while Blue and Merlin laid in the living room. Then after a few weeks Panda would lay down behind the couch if I was sitting there while Merlin and Blue were infront of it. Then Panda eventually sat on the side of the couch...now all three can sit in the living room in the evenings provided they each have their space. I never have to worry about Panda grabbing anything either as if he does, Merlin, immediately goes over and he drops the item whereby Merlin then walks away and ignores it. Panda continues to be a favorite at the dog park and is super friendly with other dogs and people and greets everyone with a total body wiggle. I wrote he saved my son's life recently and will be forever indebted to this wonderful dog. Ironcially my son isn't close with Panda as Blue is his dog and the two dogs are still challenging each other for second in command. My son has had 15 year old Blue for most of his life and feels particularly protective toward HIS DOG. The day the incident occured I had left my teenage son at home that morning as he told me he didn't feel well and wasn't able to go to school. It was too late for me to call a sub at my school so I had to go to work. After two hours I got what would we otherwise known as Mother's instict and told the principal I had to go home as "my heart hurts". That's the words I used..nope not a heart attack type of feeling but my heart felt really heavy, an overwhelming feeling of dread, I felt I really needed to go home. When I unlocked my door I heard a strange thumping sound upstairs. Curious as to what it was, I saw my child on the floor unconcious but having a grand seizure and vomiting. What prevented his apiration on his vomit, which could have killed him was Panda remarkably had wrapped his body around my son to prevent him from rolling onto his back and was licking his hand frantically. One of the posters remarked that it was a life for a life. The day I offered to take Panda in my home I was told later by Roy and Elby he was scheduled to be put down. What made Panda react this way I'll never know especially since he and my son don't have the bond that he has with HIS DOG, Blue. All I know is that he has returned everything I could ever have done for him. It just shows you how loyal a rescue dog can be and how this wonderful dog never ceases to amaze me. Marianne |
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| Oh, Marianne, it isn't good to be speechless on a forum, but I am. Panda had been through so much in his short life, and it has been a sequence of miracles surrounding him.
I, again, commend you Roy and Elby. Without you this wonderful dog would have never had a chance to have a life with Marianne. You are wonderful people! Marianne, you have given Panda such a different world. I hear through your words how much you love him. I know he feels that love and is a happy sheepie! 
I read again and again, about your son. I have happy tears. Your mothers intuition is amazing! Panda is just as amazing, I think Shaggy passed down her wings for the day. I am glad your son is going to be ok, how scary that must have been for you all, I hope this is something you never have to experience again. Hugs to you and your family, Stormi |
| Oh Marrianne, I am crying reading this story. Wow, what a fantastic time with Panda at the beach! I am so glad that your son is ok!! I hope he never has togo through that again. How scary! I wish you, your son and all of your animals well!! |
| Hi Marianne, What a wonderful loving story. The angels above and those around you have given us all a rescue story beyond any we have heard. Thank you for sharing and showing another facet of these fluffy dogs our sheepies. |
| I love hearing about Panda, it is so amazing how people all over the world who love sheepies will go to such lengths to help them... they inspire our love for them because of what and who they are... |
| that is so good to hear marianne!
we wish you and your family all the happiness in the world! btw, to our knowledge, panda never had any sea faring experience! WE WANT PHOTOS!!!!!!! |
| Hi Again,
I sure am good about taking photos...an entire three rolls of film of the dogs romping in the woods and the ocean - even got them put on CD. Now if I can figure out how to post them I'll be happy!! I promise I will work on this! Thanks everyone for the response it always makes me feel so good that everyone in here is just as responsible for Panda's rescue. Marianne |
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