Let’s just cut to the chase, shall we?
I could go on and on, and I’m sure I will at some point, but I wanted to get this out to you without further ado. Tongue in cheek merriment aside, this is a sad day for our history, to realize how close we actually came to descending into fascism. I’m thinking about how glad I am to have all of you here with me, on this wild and terrifying ride.
Be the Bear,
Bob T Democracy is worth saving Panda
Apologies! No new ‘toon today. Life got in the way of my time at the panda ‘toon table. So that you are not without something to chuckle over while you wait for any indictments to be handed down, here are some of my most favorite Wu ‘toons from over the years.
I hope these will tide you over till the next new ‘toon! (Hopefully coming Thursday!)
Be the Bear!
Bob T is on indictment watch Panda
Details to follow somewhere or other!
I don’t even know what is going to happen next!
Bless their hearts!
Stay ‘tooned. Maybe I’ll figure out what is going to happen next? No dull moments at the Panda House!
Panda On
Bob T is on indictment watch Panda
Now where were we?…Oh yes. Josie (Frank and Mikey’s sister and Pookie’s mom) has arrived. Lun Lun and Yang Yang snuck off from the goodbye party for Ya Ya, leaving Six and Sebben at the Panda House in DC (Bless their hearts!) Mei Xiang has been trying to figure out where to put everyone including Six and Sebben.
And then there is the new penthouse suite that Pinky had built for herself…
If none of this makes sense or rings a bell, just go back a month or two in the archives and catch up. What are you waiting for?
Oh no! Six and Sebben hav hacked Pinky’s security system and hijacked her elevator! And Mr. Bun went with them!
Be the Bear!
Bob T is on indictment watch Panda
Oh those wild and wacky sea going mammals! If it’s not orcas attacking boats off the coasts of Spain and Scotland, or swimming around the Puget Sound with a fish on their head, it’s surf board stealing otters in California!
Let’s go surfing’ now
Let an otter show you how
Come on a safari with me!
Be the Bear!
Bob T Surfin’ Safari Panda
Hey! I wouldn’t even have to change the acronym!
Pinky: wait a minute! Dis is da PANDA chronicles!
Pookie: it could be da pookie chronicles
Pinky: no it couldn’t
Frank: why not?
Mikey: yeah. Why not?
Inspired by an offering in this year’s Zoo Auction! A Zoo Encounter with the Pookies! (I’m pretty sure you don’t get to go swimming with them, but maybe?)
Be the Bear!
Bob T almost a pookie Panda
Meanwhile, back in the Panda House, Mei is trying to juggle room assignments, head off fights between Six and Sebben and well, anyone else there, and keep Josie happy while keeping Frank and Mikey out of her way. Whew! I’d say she has her paws full.
Hold onto your boo shoots. I think this summer is going to get crazy between indictments and panda room assignments.
Be the Bear!
Bob T never been indicted Panda
I’m still kind of having a moment after the news of Judy Young’s sudden departure so you’ll have to endure yet another rant from the fine cats and pandas at ZooNooZ about all things political.
I swear. There ought to be some kind of test to run for office.
Be the Bear
Bob T I’m sure it looked just like this Panda
Hey everyone, friends to bears and all. Popping in on a Friday with a sad announcement. I just learned that my dear friend, friend to bears, and especially friend to Princess Pinky Bao Bao has departed from this world.
Judy Young was among the first of the panda people I met IRL when I stepped out from behind the ‘toons to go to the National Zoo to meet the real life panda fans for the first time in 2012. Tai Shan had already moved to China. Pinky Bao Bao had not yet been born. I remember coming to the zoo, going to the Panda House and Cyndi Anderson picked me out of the crowd with her innate panda sense.
Judy was among the people who I met that day, there in the back room at Lillie’s restaurant, just beyond the gates of the zoo. In the 11 years since we met, Judy has been a staunch supporter of all my creative pursuits. She hosted me several times when I visited DC. She was an extremely talented photographer, and like the panda whisperer Mollie Rivera, had an unerring instinct for soulful photographs of our beloved bears.
The real world is a little poorer today. I am reminded that life can be short. That we never know when our last chance to tell someone how much they mean to us and how much they have added to our life. I am reminded that I have one last person in my corner, having been so careless as to let them slip off the earth with no word of farewell.
I hate that the pandemic years robbed me of almost 3 years of seeing my friends at zoos around the country and the world. I’m mad that I won’t get to see her when I hope to visit our pandas one last time before they go to China. I’m sad she won’t have another chance to go to China and see the pandas.
Fuck cancer.
If you feel like it, please feel free to share your thoughts and memories of Judy Young in the comments. I know I’m not alone in being devastated at the news that she is gone.
Panda on
Bob T Panda
Oh yes…As we return to our previous story…let’s see…Josie arrived looking for her cub Pookie. Pookie and Bikkie did not want to be separated, so somebody (who knows who…maybe Bikkie?) invited Josie to move in too. We’ll see how long that lasts. Lun Lun snuck out with Yang Yang after Ya Ya’s goodbye party, leaving Six and Sebben behind.
Fortunately, construction was completed on Pinky’s penthouse suite (hey, it’s fiction!) in advance of scheduled completion, so looks like there is room for everyone! As usual, Mei Xiang must make everything work and keep everything from falling into chaos.
I’ve been writing a little Inner Panda Diary over at my Substack home. You could check it out.
Also, I have procrastinated getting these original watercolors from The Panda Cub Swap posted. Rather than bombard you with all of them, all at once, I thought it might be easier to post them in groups.
This group is the small spot illustrations that appear in a double page spread in the book. They are each $95 including US postage. Outside the US (if anyone is interested) postage will be at cost. International shipping has gone up, so be forewarned. If you are interested, use the Contact Me page, and identify the painting by number.
The individual paintings are all about 4″x6″ ish, and are matted at 6″x8″
Be the Bear!
Bob T my house is still standing after the fireworks Panda