08/14/2025
"Being irreplaceable is not always about being the best; it's about being the only one who can do what you do."
Where do I even start? I've been mulling this post over and over again for the last two weeks and I've still got nothing, so I'm going to wing it.
For the last 10 years Panda has come to work dogs with us all day at PuC a minimum of 4 days a week, and prior to that she spent 4 years attending private classes, socialization sessions and play groups, play dates, you name it - she was THE go-to girl for all things PuC.
The amount of space Panda takes up in whatever room she's in was undeniable. You couldn't miss her. If you have ever volunteered or worked at PuC, you know what I mean. If you attended any classes where dogs were allowed to interact or any puppy development course at either PuC center, you witnessed her "ness" for yourself. She was charismatic, bubbly, full of personality, and as she aged, more cautious and aware of her surroundings, though she never truly mastered that skill.
She'd pull your shoes right off your feet while you walked, she'd pretend her legs didn't work when asked to jump up on any "suspicious" (read, not the floor) surface, she became deaf when it was time to come in from sunbathing. Man, she was SUCH a sunworshipper. And my God the sounds that would come out of this dog when she was really having fun.. I once had the neighbors come to check on me when we were playing in our warehouse once because it sounded like she was attacking someone. That will always make me laugh. We knew she was different from day 1 and damn were we right about that.
She has been our mascot, number 1 cheerleader, our rock, our canine matriarch. She has helped raise hundreds, and I'm not exaggerating, hundreds of your dogs and has consistently instilled a healthy doubt for rude nonsense in the puppies and adolescent dogs in our programs for years - something that has no doubt saved the lives of countless dogs as they made better choices and learned that some choices had expensice consequences - but she never hurt a single dog. She never inflicted a single injury, never bullied, never picked a fight (though she was incredibly good at bluffing). "Protect the Panda at all costs," was a motto heard often around here and I did; she never got hurt or into a situation she couldn't finesse herself out of under my watch.
She also had the sweetest, softest, most gentle side to her, too. If you were in the circle, you got to see that side. I've borrowed her for a week or two to cry on when my own dogs have passed. I've napped with, laughed at, been impressed by, and been in awe of this dog for nearly the last 14 years. I've watched her overcome fears, learn new fun ways to manipulate the smitten and unsuspecting humans around her, seen her back dogs down who were positive they wanted the smoke (spoiler alert, they didn't), and cared for her when she wasn't feeling well. She could be trusted with the tiniest spicy dogs, kids, or elderly dogs, and she never let the dogs she was afraid of see her sweat. I trusted her to protect my little Foxy and keep her from being smooshed by bigger dogs in the group.
She hated the water, but she loved to drink from the sq**rt bottles. Her favorite snack was dirt, sometimes she tried to eat rocks. She drove me nuts and she made my day depending on what was on the schedule.
She was a whole being to me, and to all of us at PuC. Infinitely complex and complicated. Unbelievably perfect in every way a dog can be. She was truly one of the greatest of all time.
On July 31st around 6:00pm our beloved, irreplaceable, undeniably unique, powerful, sweet, eternally "game for what ever," perfect Panda finally went home for good. Words can't express how much I miss her already and how different it feels to not have her at work every day. She never even slowed down as she aged. We really thought she was going to live forever.
It goes without saying that I'll never forget Ms Panda Perfect Pants. I'll always remember her work ethic and I'll think about her signature snark every time I meet a rude, obnoxious, or unruly puppy for the rest of my life. If I'm ever able to correct their behavior half as well in twice as much time as she could, I'll consider it an accomplishment and a milestone in my career.
Rest easy sweet Panda. You are so loved and so appreciated. ♡
