Dear Readers, I want to thank you for all the concern that has arisen from my recent 'napping. Fortunately, by the help of a few friends, I have returned safely to my owner! Let me take some time to tell you the whole story, beginning to end, of the most epic 4 days of my panda life.
It all started in Seattle. Hippo and I were celebrating being done with the quarter and the fact that we wouldn't be squished so hard, acting as stress relievers for our respective owners. Vacation was in sight, and we were celebrating and saying our goodbyes - I was going to Nebraska, and he was going to Bellingham. We decided to do what we do best: Happy Hour! Unfortunately, this panda may have a low tolerance... We had Pina Coladas and Margaritas..
But I may have had one too many. I ended up in pretty bad shape...on the floor! I definitely got cut off after my tumble from my chair.
This is where the problem started. I do not recommend drinking before going on a trip. No matter if it is 48 hours away from the flight time. I can say that this is where the problem began, for sure. This panda was never meant to drink margaritas! After this little tumble, I took of with my owner to go to Portland. Good thing she's a great designated driver! We arrive and my owner gives me a bath. :] I love tumbling around in the dryer, getting all warm and toasty. That's my favorite! Anyway, I digress. I get all packed up in the morning, get ready for the long flight to Nebraska, and am stowed away in a pillow with a snuggie. A little crowded, but cozy nonetheless. At this point, things. went. sour.
Somehow, someway, my owner and I got separated. She walked into the airport, and I did not. I was stuck in a panda-napping Honda Element with no way out! I needed a way to my owner, and fast. Good thing I have a memory like a steel trap - I memorized the address of the house I was going to. This was very helpful as I was exhausting my options on how to leave Salem, Oregon and find my way to Bellevue, Nebraska. Here is my journey.
I started with finding a good samaritan to let me use their GPS tracking system. I wanted to find out exactly what I had cut out for me. I had no idea how far I would have to travel just to get to my owner! Not to be deterred, I decided to do my best.
These cars are so new and have these weird technologies! It took a few tries but I finally got to the map...and finally got a general sense of direction! The nice samaritan took me a few miles but had to drop me off at the grocery store. Since I didn't have any money, I couldn't eat anything. I was such a hungry Panda! I found another way to get closer to my owner though...a driver of a Penske truck!
A little rough for wear, but I got even farther in the truck! I even got fed weird American snacks - it wasn't bamboo, but it tided me over until I could get to Nebraska.
There were a few times where I had to watch out for road conditions, as my driver was kind of a crazy one, and the weather was a little scary. I believe these handles are the best inventions ever.
After I got dropped off at the Post Office, I had to figure out a way to get a box. It wasn't that hard - as long as you look sad and lost, you can get anywhere as a Panda! I at least knew the address, so we were really onto something here. The only problem I had was figuring out how to address it! My first attempt left me a bit stuck.
I kind of fell in. So instead, I got back out, and decided to write my address on the box FIRST!
That worked a little bit better. I still didn't know, at this point, how I was going to get taped up, but I realized that I could always ask for help - since I was in the box, I'm not sure how I got from the post office to the front porch of the house my owner was at, but it involved a lot of movement, being tossed around, and cold temperatures! I eventually made it to my destination though, and now plan to live in the moment with my owner! Get excited for my Christmas blog, coming in a couple days! Thank you to all my favorite readers that made my journey possible! :]
