Panda was born destined to spend her life as breeding stock in a puppy mill. Luckily, at 23 months, she and two of her 10-month-old puppies were purchased by BARC (Berner Auction Rescue Coalition) at a commercial breeder auction. Thin, matted and completely untrusting of all humans, Panda came to be fostered by us.
Rob was shocked by Panda’s condition and attitude - he’d never met a Berner who didn’t beg for attention, let alone seem to wish she could just disappear or that he’d go away! Jeannie spent hours gently brushing and petting Panda. Gradually, Panda began to relax but only with women and kids. Then Jeannie started to notice Panda watching for her at the windows. After three months, when no suitable adopters applied, we decided to adopt Panda and give her a forever home for Christmas.
Panda continues to live as the puppy she was never allowed to be. All stuffies and squeaky toys become hers. The ‘Cuz’ lines of toys are the only ones that stand a chance to hold up to Panda’s incessant squeaking. She welcomes all dogs that come to our home, especially the puppies, and lives to run and chase toys.
In May of 2007, Panda bloated. Her stomach torsioned, ripping many blood vessels between her stomach and spleen. Fortunately, the emergency vets at MedVet, in Columbus, OH, were able to save Panda. She spent several days there after surgery, receiving several blood transfusions. Panda also suffered heart arrhythmias but was able to trust her care givers enough to heal and be able to return home.
Panda’s only nickname is ‘Dory’ after the fish in Finding Nemo with short-term memory loss. One minute she is happy to take a meaty bone from Rob and the next she acts as if she’s never seen him before. And she can still be unsure of going in and out of doors, a trait common with auction rescue dogs who are rescued after puppyhood. But to see her smile when she greats Jeannie at the kitchen gate every morning, you know how happy she is and that makes it all worth it.
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