18 Comments
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Gloria's avatar

As Mork would have said: {{heavy sigh}}

Don't you dare stop drawing and writing the Panda Chronicles Anne. We need them now more than ever.

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Anne Belov's avatar

I wouldn't dream of it! I need them too, and as a lifelong practitioner of denial of unpleasant realities, the pandas aren't going anywhere.

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B.W.J.'s avatar

I am devastated. I miss the pandas already! I had several people get in touch with me about the leaving of the pandas!

I have been sick to my stomach all day long. I thought of you and your great love of our sweetie pandas. I love my felted collection of all the panda characters you created. Bebe Maurice just cries and cries. Sister Mary Fluffy has been apportioning out adult beverages for those who need a restorative (me!)

And because of the pandas, I found you and your magnificent artistic talent and have been blessed by being friends

with you.

I am so glad you were able to see our sweeties before they left. I tucked Little Miracle in at night and would watch him sleep on the panda cam. I am just so sad. I am with liddle Bikkie--“it is too muchie!”

I hope you hold up, my friend. I just have a lump in my throat! Thinking of you!

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Anne Belov's avatar

It just sunk in the other day that there would not only not be pandas, but no panda cam. I may have to put Doxiemom's YouTube videos on endless loop. There will be other bears, other pandas. The Panda Chronicles will go on. Thinking of all my friends who I have met through pandas today. We will abide.

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Aimee Williams's avatar

Once again I sobbed as the plane took off. I never got to see them in person and I decided I couldn't watch them any more when I found out they would be sent back to China. This has been one of the worst years of my life because of drought and heat and dying wildlife. If only we could all just get along on this planet and learn to keep it and all its inhabitants safe. There is so much sorrow and losing the Pandas hits hard.

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Anne Belov's avatar

This is one of the times I wish we were not spread all over the globe. I'm so sorry this has made you so sad. It was really hard watching the trucks roll out of the zoo. Knowing they will be well cared for does not temper the sadness right now.

It's just hard.

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DebCPanda aka MissyNala's avatar

Don't ever stop sharing your wonderful comics and stories about our wonder-bears and their escapades. It's the panacea for the real-life pain we all feel and, yes, the Empty Nest syndrome (or Empty PandaHouse..). We will survive of course, but all you do in Pandyland makes it all feel better! Thank you BTP!

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Anne Belov's avatar

Empty Panda House Syndrome.

Hopefully we'll survive.

As long as I have ideas, we'll have 'toons. I mean...Mehitabel has been gone for 6 years and she's still going strong.

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Jo Ann Alberts's avatar

I knew you would write exactly what I was thinking and feeling. The pandas were always as close as my mePhone when I needed to feel some sort of optimism when the chaos was too much. I feel lucky to have had them in DC for so long, but it doesn’t change the feeling of loss right now. I read/reread your books for the happiness of the moment. Thank you❤️🐼

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Anne Belov's avatar

The part of me that hears the pandas voices in my head tells me that Mei is nodding her head, as she chews boo and maybe tosses back a bootini in Panda Class seating. "They'll be okay. We have trained them well!"

" Pass that shaker up here, dear," says Tian. "They'll just have to learn to get along without us."

"When do I get to fly da plane?" says Bikkie. "Pinky says it's really easy!"

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B.W.J.'s avatar

Gloria is right! We need the pandas now more than ever! ❤️🐼

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ljknh's avatar

I think the pandas are stronger than we are but we will all be ok, eventually. I'm trying to focus on all the good things that pandas have brought to my life, especially the friends. I survived Bei Bei's departure and with enough tears I will survive this.

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Anne Belov's avatar

I think our pandas are very resilient. After all, they have had generous, loving care from their nanny keepers all these years. And Bikkie is a particularly level headed, well adjusted panda. I think the extra time with Mei, and letting her decide when he was ready to be on his own did wonders for them both.

We are used to the cubbies leaving. But the end of this era of panda dynasty is very hard. I felt the same when Bai Yun and Wu (and Gao Gao before them) went to China.

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B.W.J.'s avatar

Yes, Otis! We know what we are asking of you. Josie becomes another bear when she talks about you! And Pookie does need you! Am I hearing wedding growls? Er, bells? Or something?

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Anne Belov's avatar

Otis: oh...um... I just remembered an important meeting...somewhere else.

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Jeannie Meyer's avatar

Anne (and Robin; I know she's floating around out there). I've met you both in person, as well as several other wonderful panda friends. I'll be going to Atlanta to see the twins and their parents over Thanksgiving (and meeting more panda friends there). It's worth the heartbreak if we get the joy of our little community and knowing each other. I'll keep laughing (and sometimes crying) with you and our virtual little world!

(And Otis, please marry poor Josie! Pookie needs you!)

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Anne Belov's avatar

Otis: do you realize what you're asking of me?

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Jeannie Meyer's avatar

Um...a lifetime of Twu Wuv? And more baby Pookies! Lots more!

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