Category Archives: All hail the Princess!

Yoo Say It’s Your Birthday

Now, there is some possibility, as we move into ‘toons about Pinky’s Birthday, that she will behave…um…rather badly. No, no. Keep your faux surprise to yourself. You can’t fool me. I know that you know that Pinky has been known to behave in a way that her mother most definitely does not approve of. And when you add the fact that it is Pinky’s Birthday into the mix, and, that Bubba’s birthday is one day earlier….

Let’s face it. You are asking for trouble…

Complete with a flashback to the Meihem’s party just a few weeks ago…

Now, I want you to keep this last panel incident in mind, before you condemn Pinky’s actions in the next several cartoons. You can do that right?

Be the Bear
Bob T Panda

Phexit Exit

19 Replies

Before I bring you the final (we hope) episode of the Phexit Exit, I want to share a report that was shared with me by our roving reporter known only as “Ellen N.” who, while she did not visit the actual pandas while visiting in Edinburgh, Scotland (as opposed to Edinboro PA) did discover a bakery in Blair Atholl that MAKES THE FLOUR FOR PANDA CAKES which the keepers at the Edinburgh Zoo make for Lord and Lady MacBear. Yes, they grind flour according to a top secret recipe that they would not reveal to our intrepid investigator, because if they told her they would have to….

Well, you know.

But while they would not share the secret pandalicious recipe for panda cookies (could these be the fabled Scottish Binky Bars?) she was able to photograph the certificate of Panditude awarded to the bakery by the zoo.

Thanks for the cookies!

And Now, for Today’s Feature Cartoon!!!!!

Just when Mei thought everything would calm down….

And if Daddee said his little princess could have a party….

Get ready to be the bear! It’sPinky’s Birthday Season!

Bob T Panda

Someone is having a Birthday Soon

9 Replies

Here at the Panda Chronicles headquarters, we take panda birthday season very seriously! And since Pinky’s (“and bubba’s!!!!!”) Birthday is just around the corner, we thought we would have a little Pinky-fest! Oh, what a surprise! A whole bunch of ‘toons all about Pinky!

Let the Pinky Fest begin!!!!!

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

One of Pinky’s earliest feature ‘toons!

Pinky is VERY powerful. Be afraid, be very afraid, Mr Wu.

Those girls are a force to be reckoned with.

Oh dear….are you going to leave her there?

And who can forget Pinky’s FIRST BIRTHDAY!!????

If you think that maybe elephants never forget, they have nothing on pandas.

Is this any way to treat our Nation’s most adorable icon?

But all’s well that ends well, what ho, right?

The forces of Meihem are only barely in check.

Keep being the bear and get ready for next week’s Salute to Bubba! Huzzah. Yes, Pinky, your brother does get a turn. His birthday is the day before yours so just let him celebrate too.

Be the Bear,
Bob T Panda

Who Are You Calling a Loser?

10 Replies

Oh my! Pinky called the other zoo residents Loser Animals! I don’t know if they will let her get away with this! And no way Mommee Mei is going to let her “Phexit” the Panda House! Has Pinky been channeling Mittens the Cat?

I just don’t know, dude!

Mommee Mei puts her foot down.

I guess Pinky will have to come up with a new plan.

Be the Bear
Bob T Panda

The Party of the First Part…

12 Replies

Well…did you really think that the Meihems could get away with inviting Bubba to their party and that Pinky would not find out about it?

No, I didn’t either.

Not Banky Pig!!!!

Mei Xiang will be so relieved when this presidential stuff is all over. (like the rest of us.)

Be the Bear.
Bob T Panda

Trespassers W

14 Replies

One of my favorite books as I was growing up was Winnie the Pooh. (No surprise there, huh?) And although I loved the stories, and still re-read them whenever I need something familiar and comforting to read, what this artist loved best was the drawings. and within those drawings were so many wonderful details that enhanced the story in a way that was not necessarily obvious. It was there for you to find on the many re-readings of this well loved story. And one of my favorite details was the sign outside of Piglet’s house that read, Trespassers W which Piglet claimed was his grandfather, short for Trespassers William.

So along with all the other signs and surveillance paraphernalia that Pinky had installed in “her” tree, is it any wonder that this sign should make it’s way there?

You keep using that word “share”, mommee!

What’s not to love about Pinky! That panda has a lot of…um…spunk.

Have a fun Sunday. Now would be an excellent time to eat all of that Easter candy that you have leftover. Run, chocolate bunnies! Run!

Be the Bear,
Bob T. Panda

Smile! You’re on Pandid Camera

18 Replies

Come on Bubba…won’t you give us a little smile? didn’t you know we were…um…watching you?

What’s that blinking red light over there?

As any of you who happen to be younger siblings know very well, that it is the time honored tradition, (or is that privilege?) for older siblings to torment younger siblings. Now, I was not watching pandas when Tai Shan was a mere cub, but I don’t think he would have put his little sister through the same things that Pinky has put Bubba through. That’s just my opinion and I have nothing to back this up. He did send her….ahem…some very nice presents.

We might say that as the middle child, Pinky has worked hard to distinguish herself. One could wish that she didn’t appear quite so gleeful when she gets Bubba all wound up. But what fun would that be?

Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda

Pinky has a Cunning Plan

18 Replies

Oh that Pinky! She snuck off to the Iowa caucuses, using Daddy’s credit cards and now there are rumors of her showing up in New Hampshire, as well as appearances scheduled in South Carolina! But what kind of cunning plan has she used so that no one will realize she has left the zoo?

And is her willingness to let Bubba play with Mr. Bun NOT a sign that Pinky has learned to share (as IF!!!!) but a way to buy his silence when she sneaks out of the zoo?

What do YOU think?

That Pinky is too clever for her own good!

Meanwhile, after listening to the GOP “debates” on Saturday night, (didn’t I have anything better to do? Apparently not.) I think I can honestly say that having a roomful of baby pandas on stage would not have been any more unruly than what was happening before the world and everyone. I get that there are legitimate differences of opinions both between and within political parties. I have even (gasp!) voted for republicans in state elections. But I think that requiring participants of these “debates” to wear shock collars which would provide a mild but emphatic shock when the wearer lied, would have provided a more illuminating discussion. Just saying.

You have a clear choice. #HeyWhyNotVote4Bob or #Vote4Pinky

We could do worse.

Be the Bear
Bob T Panda

Open Late Gate #2

18 Replies

We thought that since all political scandals have been dubbed some sort of “Gate” thingie, since the days of Watergate, We decided to name this debacle Open Late Gate, or if you want to use the hashtag version, #OpenLateGate.

As we saw just a few days ago, Princess Pinky was not amused at the reduction in hours when her most faithful fans can visit her. We won’t even talk about all the joggers that use the zoo for their early morning runs, or the cars that rely on North Road as a commuting alternative.

Far be it from me to jump on a pony that is not tethered in my own paddock, (ha!) but as a promoter of panda satire, I have a close relationship, not only with pandas, but also with the people who visit them regularly, if not incessantly. While the national zoo is free to walk in by anyone with no admission charge (huzzah!) many of the panda faithful, and I’m guessing fans of other animals as well, (wait! There are other animals at the zoo besides pandas?) buy zoo memberships in order to support this beloved institution. At the higher levels of membership, you can also park your car there, which is an added benefit. (Did I mention they have PANDAS???)

An article I read recently added up the lost hours, which amounts to being closed for 7.5 days each month.

As Pinky is inclined to say…

“Dis. Will. Not. Stand!!!!!”

…or as Bubba says, “dis. not. stan!”

I hope you noted Mei Xiang’s masterful attempt at censoring Pinky’s comment. Sigh…what’s a mother to do?

So, if you have an opinion about all this, and would like to weigh in (more respectfully than Pinky, of course) here’s the link to the contact page at the Smithsonian National Zoo. After all, if they don’t know what the people think, they’ll just think we don’t care. After all, it is the people’s zoo!

Be the Bear
Bob T. Panda

National Zoo Opening Time

10 Replies

You would think that the director of the Smithsonian National Zoo would know better than to mess with Pinky, not to mention Pinky’s fans. And this is not even taking into account the number of cars that use the zoo route to speed their morning commute. Looks like with the changes for the National Zoo opening time, gridlock will not only be happening in Congress.

Washington DC luminaries, such as DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, have weighed in on the controversy as well. This is going to be one big mess, come six AM tomorrow morning.

Well, they ain’t heard nothin’, until they’ve heard from Pinky!

I think we’ll call this little debacle: Open Late Gate

As I mentioned on Friday, I’m not really one to make New Year’s resolutions, but I will say this: 2016 is going to be a rip roaring year, politically speaking. There will be lots of rhetoric ripping the air, and The Panda Chronicles will be no exception. Cartooning has a long history in politics, in fact, most of the earliest cartoons were political in nature. Last year I visited the Cartoon Museum in Brussels, Belgium, and saw several exhibits that brought that fact home.

So.

Yes, I have my own point of view, and it may or may not agree with yours, so let’s agree now that if we disagree, we will still be civil about the whole thing and listen to each other’s point of view. And let’s check our facts before we get our panties in a twist, okay?

That said, I can’t be responsible for Pinky’s opinions. Pinky’s opinions have always been her own.

Stay tuned in right here, to hear more from Pinky later this week about her views on the Zoo’s change of opening time. It is a matter of earthshaking importance. (At least as far as Pinky is concerned.)

And keep Being the Bear, Okay?
Bob T. Panda

By the by, Vicky Vladic and I just had another cuppycake recipe posted on They Draw and Cook’s website! You can find it here