Tag Archives: Mr. Wu

Baby Panda Season

What better distraction is there to world events, the 2016 presidential election, and the lack of cake at my house, than BABY PANDA SEASON ??????? Pandas are popping out all over, and while we wait to see if Lun Lun (mom of the Meihems) or Lady MacBear of Edinburgh are going to gift us with bouncing baby pandas, we must be satisfied with reports and pictures of panda kiddies in China and Belgium.

So to celebrate Baby Panda Season, we here at The Institute for Contemporary Panda Satire and Fabulous Furry Friday bring you some of our favorite cartoons about….baby pandas! (What? you thought it was going to be about the gross national product forecasts or the effect on global economies if Britain leaves the EU?)

“Howdy do! I’m Mr. Wu! Who are you?”

Yo ho ho and a bottle of BooBeer!

And then just one year later, Meihem ensued!

Oh, those southern Belle pandas!

And then along came PINKY!

Such a little darling! How could her big brother resist spoiling her?

Princess Pinky is drawing a line in the sandbox. Even as a baby, she was a force to be reckoned with.

But then we had no new baby pandas till 10 months ago when Pinky’s little brother Bubba arrived…although that event was a mixed blessing…

PP: um, dis is not going to interrupt my presidential campaign, is it?

One of Mei Xiang’s twin cubs did not survive, and Pinky dealt with the loss as only Pinky can…

Mr Bun has a question, daddee.

I love Pinky’s resilience! But we would not be doing our job here if we did not include one of my favorite baby Bubba ‘toons.

Bubba’s first feature role!

He’s small for now, but Bubba Bei Bei is shaping up to be a whole lot of panda!

I hope we have distracted you sufficiently from the trials and turmoil of the real world.
Be the Bear, everyone!
Bob T Panda

What a World We Live In

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It’s no wonder some people (such as myself) have a little bit of a hard time separating fact from fiction. As you will see in next week’s ‘toons, when Mittens takes to the stage, there was so much of his dialog that I could pull from actual news items, that I really didn’t have to make much up. In some ways, it makes my life easier, but in other ways… I’d like the world we live in to be kind and fair and…um…have so many pandas that they become a pest: invasive rather than endangered. They could go into neighborhoods where people have foolishly planted bamboo, which has now gotten out of control, and take care of it, providing fertilizer in addition to pesky plant removal. The Putting Pandas to Work program could go global!

Putting Pandas to Work goes global!

Along with all the political news of the week, I’ve also seen a few references to “sock puppet” accounts on various social media outlets. I don’t know what the big deal is. I’ve always loved puppets.

But they’re so cute!

And as various politicians toot their horns about their popularity, as opposed to that of their opponents…

See? I told you it was broken!

(Ha ha! That one has become one of my all time favorites!)

But as we head into the home stretch of this very long campaign season, let me leave you with a ‘toon that reminds us, that the most important positions in the world should not be awarded through stoking the fears of some, but because of what we can bring to a table where there is room for all.

Consider this my Werld Peez Pandifesto

Be the Bear
Bob T Panda

And now for a word from our sponsor! If you enjoy these cartoons and want to support *me* the creator of the aforementioned cartoons, consider visiting my Book Page and buying my books for yourself or for friends! A portion of my sales also goes to support our friends at Pandas International, who support actual pandas!

An Embarrassment Of Pandas

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Recently, it was brought to my attention, that the collective noun for a group of pandas is an embarrassment of pandas. I find this highly suspect, not to mention somewhat demeaning to pandas. Is this a ploy by certain political factions to imply that pandas are not fit for office? The Hmmmph! factor for this little piece of so called news is extremely high. What’s so embarrassing about being a panda, I’d like to know! well, yes, we are kind of messy eaters, and not much to brag about in the romance department, but we are awfully cute, don’t you think?

Meanwhile happy happy happy news from Belgium yesterday, where Hao Hao and Xing Hui are the proud parents of a bouncing baby cub! Fingers and paws are being crossed that the little pink bundle of joy survives its first days and weeks. Panda cubs weigh about four ounces at birth and have no fur!

So to celebrate this blessed event in Belgium, I thought I would share some ‘toons about….baby pandas! Huzzah! Let’s start with my first baby panda, the ineffable Wu Self!

“Howdy do! I’m Mr. Wu! Who are you?”

“Wu calls his dance, ‘Ode to a Weaf’ “

Moving on, we have the early days of her pink (but slightly dangerous) self, Princess Pinky!

Pinky tests her powers….

And who could forget the early days of Meihem?

The first appearance of the Meihems!

And how happy we were when Bubba arrived in DC…

These paws are made for walking….eventually.

Feed me, Mama!

Don’t forget to tune in Sunday when we continue with our coverage of the Mr. Bun Disappearance!

Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda

Celebrate Wu

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I love Mr. Wu, San Diego’s junior panda in residence. Because Mr. Wu turns four years old this summer, he will most likely be moving to China sometime this fall or winter, I thought we should celebrate Wu and all things relating to the Wu self today.

I know, I know! I hate the idea of his leaving us too, but it is part of the deal we make with China in order to have pandas come and live here. And because Mr. Wu’s dad, Gao Gao, was born in the wild, Wu is of particular value as the future father of more little pandas. So we must shower him with love and affection while he is here, and try not to cry too much until then.

So let’s have a Fabulous Furry Friday salute to Mr. Wu!!!!

Mr. Wu’s first appearance on The Panda Chronicles

Thank you all for coming! Buy my book here!

Yo ho ho and a bottle of BooBeer!

While Mr. Wu was the only cub in the U.S. we had Mr. Wu Wednesday!

“You are right and Wu is wrong…I’ll never do it again, mommy.”

where happy pandas eat bamboo, oh why, oh why, can’t…Wu?

And who could forget the exciting story of The Wizard of Wu? And remember, you can read all of the Mr. Wu stories in Book 4 of the Panda Chronicles: The Book of Wu! Get it here!

Have a great weekend, everyone! More pandas coming your way on Sunday!

Be the Bear
Bob T. Panda

Get Ready for The Panda Season of Love

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You might not realize that Valentine’s Day takes place in mid February because it commemorates the beginning of the Panda Season of Love. I’m pretty sure I am not making this up.

Would I lie to you?

I thought it was time for a new Valentine’s Day cartoon, because the last one I did was at least four or five years ago.

So here it is!

it’s the panda, the panda season of love!

And word from the Toronto Zoo is, they have both a girl and a boy, going strong but not names yet. What’s wrong with “Bob” and “Babette”? I think they have a nice ring, don’t you?

Meanwhile, I hope you are celebrating the opening days of the Panda Season of Love with those you hold dearest. And…um…if you have any extra chocolate, send it my way. Okay?

Be the Schmoopy Bear!
Bob T Panda

A Silver is the Same as “First Loser”

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Fabulous Furry Friday takes a look back at last year’s Giant Panda Global Awards (or whatever the heck it’s called now. ) As you may or may not be aware, Pinky did not win either of her categories (Favorite Panda Outside of China or Panda Personality of the Year) Okay, there are a lot of really cool pandas who don’t live in China, but for Pinky NOT to get Panda Personality of the Year, that’s just wrong!!!! As for her Silver Medal in the FPOoC award, as Pinky says, getting first runner up is just like getting “First Loser”.

As we have not had time to work on cartoons celebrating this year’s awards, let’s look at the ~~atrocities~~ festivities from last year!

Introducing Princess Dumpling

Wait a minute…triplets??????

Don’t tell me you’re surprised.

And now that Bubba has won Cubby of the Year….who knows what Pinky will do. There were rumors of Pinky sightings in New Hampshire last week, but just HOW is she getting away from the zoo with no one being the wiser? Tune in next week to find out!

And coming up on Sunday is a new Valentine’s Day cartoon, as we kick off the Panda Season of Love! And since the Australian pandas have their seasons reversed, we are not awaiting word as to whether the lovely Ms Fu Ni (Chinese for “Party Girl”) at the Adelaide Zoo is really pregnant or just prevaricating for pastries.

We also have several new panda centric cuppycake recipe over at They Draw and Cook; one for Valentines Day and on for Chinese New Year!

Till next time!
Be the Bear
Bob T Panda

Fabulous Furry Friday presents:

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Fabulous Furry Friday wanted to celebrate Bubba’s debut to the public, but we have…um…been busy with other stuff. we promise we will get right on it, but in the meantime, here are some of The Panda Chronicles’ favorite panda cubs in their own debuts!

Oh, and if you happen to be descending on Washington DC’s most celebrated pandas for today’s opening, be courteous to your fellow panda fans. #Don’tBehaveLike Pinky

Thank you all for coming! Buy my book here!

Pinky answers difficult questions from the press in her own way.

Sweet dreams, little bears!

Atlanta twin panda cubs Mei Lun and Mei Huan and older prother Po

Huzzah! a guest appearance by little Po!

Stay tuned for more from the saga at #OpenLateGate and exciting coverage of Bubba’s debut to the public! I’m sure Pinky would never consider using this as an opportunity to put forth her own agenda!

(psst! hey! why not vote for bob?)

Be the bear!
Bob T Panda

Day 31: The Ultimate 31 Days of Pandas Post

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It has finally arrived! Day 31 of 31 Days of Pandas. As ever, I am grateful to all who have stuck it out, all who have commented, all who have embraced these pandas and welcomed them onto your screen. I am especially grateful to those of you who have bought my books and goodies from my Pandyland Cafe Press store! But mostly, I am grateful that you enjoy what I do here, and have chosen to return.

The life of a creative professional ( a term I am not entirely comfortable with, but it is the closest I can come to what it is I do) is a very uncertain one. Will anyone respond to my work? Will I make enough money to live? Should I have married a dentist, like my parents wanted? Will I have to endure one more family dinner with great Aunt Mildred telling me how successful her daughter is, and how she just bought a vacation home in Hawaii? And what was it you do, again?

I was reminded recently of Neil Gaiman’s commencement speech that he gave at MY alma mater, The University of the Arts, in 2012. It’s referred to as “the make good art” speech, and that sums it up. All I want to do is make good art, and maybe tell some good stories along with it. The video is about 20 minutes long, but well worth it. It’s inspiring as all get out! Go watch it. We’ll wait right here…

Meanwhile, it’s New Year’s eve at the panda kindergarten…

The panda kindergarten at their best…or is that worst?

And we still have to finish the 12 Days of Crispmoss…

On the twelfth day of Crisp-Moss, My Panda cam Did See….

MX: no, Pinky, you may NOT have a Bamboo-tini!

I can’t hear you….

F-F-F-FI-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-VE Cuppycaaaaaaakes!

whew!

Everybody sing!

Be the Bear everyone, and let’s be careful out there!
Bob T. Panda

Day 30: Oh My Gosh We are Almost …

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We are almost at the end of 31 Days of Pandas! I hope you had as much fun as I did traveling down memory lane and are looking forward to our regular schedule of new ‘toons every Sunday and Wednesday, and an encore presentation on Fabulous Furry Fridays! I can hardly wait!

OOOOO! Pinky is a star!

F-F-F-FI-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-VE Cuppycaaaaaaakes!

Almost done!

I, for one, am looking forward to a…um…backbreaking schedule of pandas, pandas, pandas in 2016, and I hope it is enough to save me from the debacle that the 2016 presidential election is sure to be. Whatever happens on the political front, you can be sure that princess Pinky, the Meihems, little Bubba, and all the other pandas will up the ante. Of course with the level of absurdity, (or as brilliant writer Jasper Fforde refers to it: The Stupidity Surplus) reality will be difficult to top.

well, until tomorrow,
Be the Bear!
Bob T. Panda

Day 29: We Are So Ready for 2015 to be Over

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I don’t know about you, but I am so ready for 2015 to be over. Actually, with the upcoming election season swinging into full speed ahead mode, I might be ready for 2016 to be over too.

Apropos of nothing, I would like to announce my Lifetime Achievement Award I just received for…going to Pittsburgh! Twice! In one year! Friends who I originally met while living in western MA, now live in Pittsburgh, which are my childhood stomping grounds. As writers of one of the only amusing holiday letters I have ever read, they started a Roll of Honor some years back, which they award to people who have come to visit them in the various cities where they have lived over the last 30 years. Various achievement levels are obtained depending whether you just drop by for dinner, or stay over at their house, or meet up with them in their travels. Because I had to make two trips to Pittsburgh (and maybe because I hounded John incessantly about making this years Roll of Honor, I got the aforementioned Lifetime Achievement Award.

Huzzah!

I really am easily amused. and now…..

No WONDER I didn’t get any presents!

F-F-F-FI-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-VE Cuppycaaaaaaakes!

Are you still singing?

As we get ready to say buh bye to 2015, let me tell you a little of what will be in store for next year…
Pinky will comment on the kerfuffle at the National Zoo, caused by Zoo Director Dennis Kelly’s decision to change the opening and closing hours at the zoo.
Bob and Mehitabel will discuss the plans to try to bring pandas to the other Washington.
Pinky will outshine Bob in her campaigning efforts, and Bob will try to gain an advantage.
Plans to revise “The Case of the Picturesque Panda” into a graphic novel will continue.
Bob will continue to lament the lack of a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant in the field of Panda Satire.

It’s going to be a panda-ful year, and I hope you will continue to visit all of us at The Institute for Contemporary Panda Satire!