The death of Hsing Hsing has affected many people world-wide. This page is presented by the BMTG as a place to tell the world how Hsing Hsing, the dead panda, influenced your life. The responses to Hsing Hsing's death has ranged from total emotional breakdown to musings on how panda meat would taste. If you would like to add your own thoughts or expand on thoughts already expressed, send an e-mail to bmtg@usesoap.com. Links: |
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The Diesel:
They can't mate in captivity and they can't live in the wild. How can panda's
even exist?
White Russian:
They can only exist with our help. Isn't it ironic that the only thing that
can save the pandas is man? Man - who has been blamed for the raping and pillaging
of the planet ever since that first bone was picked up and used as a club
to kill his fellow man...
Albuquerque Tom:
They belong in space.
In an unrelated topic, why is Wakefield not pelted with garbage every time
he shows his face? How can the descendents of the same fans who looked at
Johnny Pesky like he was a piece of crap over one play tolerate him? The knuckleball
was fun. It was fancy. It is over. Pitch like a man all the time or go home.
The Diesel:
I feel the same about the over rated J.D. Drew.
White Russian:
J.D. Drew doesn't throw the knuckleball, but I believe I understand. You are
saying that Drew belongs in space with the pandas and Tim Wakefield.
I think Alex Rodriguez should join them.
Regarding the one play that you would think fans would forever be angry at
Wakefield about - all that anger has been directed toward Grady Little.
Additional players that should join the pandas in space (sounds like an idea
for a TV show - "Pandas in Space")
Bucky Dent
Bill Buckner
Grady Little
R. Clemens
J. Damon
W. Boggs
Michael Vick
Randy Moss
Terrell Owens
Tony Romo
Bill Parcells
Brett Favre
Magic Johnson
Kobe Bryant
Ron Artest
Pat Tillman's body
Albuquerque Tom:
My favorite play of the 2004 ALCS was Game 6 when A-ROD or AL-ROD (sounds
better to me) tried to slap the ball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove. He showed
what a cheap, desperate sissy he is for all the world to see.
That was almost as good as winning.
The Diesel:
My favorite is when A-Rod hit a ball out of Fenway (2004 ALCS game 3?) a fan
the throws the ball back onto the field. Damon walks over and picks up the
ball as A-Rod mouths from the dugout "I want the ball". Damon, in
FU mode, turns around and hurls the ball back over the Monster. A-Rod got
no respect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_American_League_Championship_Series
Albuquerque Tom:
I like how the police in the link you sent were dressed like the cops in planet
of the apes. Riot gear. I don't remember that. Maybe they went back and added
it later, like George Lucas fixed the first Star Wars movies. He should have
fixed the acting. And the dialogue. All of those movies share dialogue that
is as unnatural as George Lucas' hairdo.
I thought how funny it is that now, after that incident, (where Damon threw
the ball that Alrod wanted) ALROD and DAMON now share a locker room.
The new NBC kids show that comes on Saturday after HANNA MONTANA is based
on that irony. It's called ALROD and DAMON.
Throughout the show Johnny Damon throws things that Alrod wants. It's very
funny. "Hey, man. Can you hand me the remote control." Damon throws
it far into the backyard (they share a house). "Pass the salt, please,
Johnny." Johnny throws it against the wall. Damon doesn't speak, he is
like a smooth-faced cave man who throws things well. Alrod tries to slap things
out of his hands very sissy-like. Joe Torre plays their butler Smitty who
always looks at the camera and says "Wha Happen?" as the trombone
goes WANNNT-WAHH.
"The personal sadness at the passing of Hsing-Hsing has completely overcome
me."
Cristen C., Lake Ridge, VA
"When Ling died, I was shocked, and my heart went out to Hsing - I know
what it's like to be lonely, and to see that happening to him hurt...Now our
beloved Hsing is gone, returned to the Goddess...I hope that in their next
life Hsing and Ling will be together just as they were in this one, and I
know that the Goddess will see to it. Hsing and Ling were two of her most
blessed children."
Amanda M., Hagerstown
"Hsing Hsing the panda in Washington DC has died at
the age of 28. Like you, I have had to hear of the boring life of this panda
since I was a small child. I have long waited for this day. No more stories,
during the final minutes of local and national newscasts, on the difficulties
of mating pandas, no more footage of pandas sleeping, walking slowly and then
sleeping. I thought they were cute when I was 6. Five minutes later I was
bored and have remained so ever since. Goodbye you useless beast."
Masten, BMTG Founder and President
"<<Goodbye you useless beast.>>
In a string of franchises I am developing which involve consumer participation in the killing and cooking of their own dinners, I think the Panda may have some merit. They are slow and easy for kids and older people to catch and kill. The black and white color scheme is somewhat marketable and certainly the panda kids meals could come with a whole host of fuzzy toys. Panda nuggets (called Panda Chunks) and the Pandwich (COPYRIGHT 1999 PANDA MUNCH INC.) are currently being developed.I guess it is obvious that I am merely masking my great sorrow for the passing of Hsing Hsing with sarcasm and attempts at humor. I cry myself asleep at night and cry myself awake in the morning. I cry myself to work and cry myself home.
Goodbye you useless beast.
Love, Abraham Frick"
Abraham Frick, Albuquerque"[Abraham:]
We are all working through our feelings of grief over the death of the panda. At least you are making something delicious. I think fuzzy napkins would be fun, even if you don't start the panda cafe. Like the song says, 'I'm wearing fur pajamas, I'm ridin' a hot panda'. - It's a panda killing conspiracy."
Masten
"Dear Hsing-Hsing, did you like to eat grass?"
"Dear Hsing-Hsing, how did you get to the zoo? How did you die? I hope
that you are feeling better."
kindergarten students at Alexandria Country Day School, Alexandria,
Virginia
"I wept when I heard about Hsing-Hsing's passing. He was more than an
endangered animal, he was a freind... I, for one, literally grew up with him."
J., Arlington
"Is panda meat edible?"
Rainman, BMTG Sexologist
"It felt like losing one of my family pets."
Debbie R., Bristow, VA
"When I heard that Hsing-Hsing had passed I felt that I had a great
loss in my life. He was in my life for 28 years. I will never forget him...
I really hope that they do not stuff him..."
Beverly T, Burke, VA
"...every time you mated or did something special the world knew about
it... I saw you 6 weeks ago in the panda house and you looked exhausted and
old but you held on for so long and never complained much. I spoke with a
wonderful FONZ [Friend of the National Zoo] who shared stories about you to
me. I was in awe of you. You even walked over to the window to take a peak
at us. All I saw was Nixon, China, Ling Ling, You, History, but most of all
I saw an old man who made millions of people happy for 27 years and was finally
ready to be put to rest... I love you Hsing Hsing. Too bad we couldn't clone
you."
Lora C, Long Island, N.Y.
"Which is more noble? Allowing a pair of pandas to live off the land
knowing that they will never procreate and their species will go extinct or
'rescuing' the pandas and forcing copulation for a steady wave of camera toting
tourists?"
Tyler Durden
"Why are we so loathe to do our parts to preserve the planet? How many
of you drove to the zoo in SUVs this week?"
Charlotte K., Washington, DC
"...the mood will be bittersweet this year...thanks, big fella, for
showing us all what being a panda is all about."
John B., Omaha, NE
"It really hurt when Ling-Ling died, but it seems worst with Hsing-Hsing
passing on...I've been choked up all day."
Arlene A., Springdale, MD
"I found myself in tears as I saw Hsing-Hsing lying on the floor of
his cage [this past September]."
Grace C., Stanley, VA
"I hope that the species of Pandas rise again..."
Mark E., Collegeville, PA
"...it was nice for me to see an old friend of mine, Dr. Robert Davis,
interviewed on the passing of Hsing-Hsing."
J. Kilgore, Springfield, VA
"I am too sad to say anything."
Alice C., Potomac
"I felt like putting a bullet between the eyes of every panda that wouldn't
screw to save its species."
Jack
"It is frequently and erroneously said that children love pandas because
they look like giant playful toys, Winnie-the-Pooh in black and white...Forced
mating, finicky eating, disinterest in tourists, all displayed the true individuality
of the animals. The death of our beloved Kumari (baby elephant) was more painful
because it was unexpected."
Clara & Dani B., Deanwood DC
"I had been watching Hsing-Hsing on the Panda Cam the last few weeks,
and he looked so lonely and sad! Now I am incredibly sad that he is gone!
When will we get more? I wish we could have received the pandas that Zoo Atlanta
just got!"
Jennifer H. Schwartz, Arlington, VA
"Hsing-Hsing has become a very special friend to both of us [my wife
and I], and we will miss him very much. If we were stressed or depressed when
we arrived at the zoo, the sight of Hsing-Hsing would quickly cheer us up!
...we met with his panda keeper and fed him carrots through the fence. It
was such a thrill, and he was so nice to us. Hsing-Hsing we will always love
you! ...We are really aching in our loss of Hsing-Hsing..."
Danny S., Dallastown, PA
"When I visited Hsing-Hsing last March, he didn't move at all. I feel
so sad that he passed away, but I was also sad when I saw him in such a big
panda house ALONE for 7 years."
Li Z, MD
"I can't understand why it's so hard for them to live healthy at the
zoo. Bears are my favorite animals to watch, especially when they chow down
their sweet potatoes. I'm hoping that I'll see Hsing-Hsing in heaven when
I die..."
Rita G., Beltsville
"I thought the Smithsonian Institute was spending a ridiculous amount
of money on the Pandas, while the reminding animals were left in squalid conditions."
Ron R-L, Magnolia, Delaware
"Hsing Hsing and Ling Ling were a special part of my life...with their
passing, a part of my life has left too..."
John G., Memphis, TN
"Yes, I would like to say a few words about those confused Chinese wanta-be
polar/black bears. They come a lot closer to being a California skunk. Much
like the person they were given to in recognition of his opening relations
with the RED MENACE (CHINA). Of course, I am referring to I am not a crook,
Tricky Dick Nixon. If, he had stayed away from China, this would have eliminated
the opportunity of our beloved president William Jefferson Clinton of negotiating
with said country for funds to further his political ambitions. So, I hope
they have saved space at the Nixon library to entomb the xsing xsing rodent
next to this rodent..........Long live the white militia."
Papa K, USA
"Each time I went to the zoo with my family, after seeing the Panda
Hsing-Hsing, I always bought a little toy of a Panda to remember him...Looking
at the toys makes me feel he is still alive."
Stella F., N. Potomac, MD
"Tears welled up in my eyes this morning when I heard the news."
David W., Venice, California
"I stared at the panda webcam today and was on the verge of tears...I
just saw his white platform with some specks of dirt on it."
Chris W., Washington, D.C.
"I would only like to add that I wish I could have enjoyed some of that
lean Panda bacon."
Masten
"Poor guy...It's hard to believe that he was an animal that could have
killed you without even thinking about it if he wanted to...I want more pandas!"
Tony W., Bethesda
"...he did his job well."
Carla L., Sterling, VA
"[when I was a kid] I didn't understand how important those little black
and white, slow moving balls of fur were...Now we need a new mascot...Why
don't we set aside a large amount of our parklands to make a panda preserve...then
get maybe three males and three females and see if they will breed. Maybe
they just needed more space and privacy."
Chris L., Alexandria, VA
"I had to put a beloved cat to sleep last February as he was dying from
kidney failure."
Dianne R., Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
"...if he was an elderly human, he would have to endure his suffering
for many more days, weeks, months or even years."
Charles O., La Plata, MD
"Comrade Hsing-Hsing was executed because he was sending military secrets
to the Chinese Government."
Archie, BMTG Intangibles
"[When I visited earlier this year] somehow I knew that 1999 would be
the last time, though I wished and wished I was wrong. That day Hsing-Hsing
was up and active. He was wondering around, rubbing his back against the wall,
eating his bamboo and, of course, going to the bathroom...You think that at
18 I would have grown out of something like this, but it's not true, I'm really
gonna miss Hsing-Hsing. Well, I'm getting all teary, gotta go."
Edward H., Oxon Hill, MD
"...it is better that I did not see Hsing-Hsing in the past year. To
have my last glimpses of him suffering would have been an awful way to remember
him. Congratulations, Hsing-Hsing, you have joined your mate in Nirvana."
David K., Washington, DC
"Yes, our national icons are gone but not forgotten. It just shows how
caring we are as a nation to let these big furry guys tug at our heartstrings...Just
think, some have spent $800 million for a football team that a select few
can or do really enjoy - $800 million would buy a lot of pandas!"
Jan B., Bethesda
"What's the big deal about the panda?"
William M., Lynchburg
"I remember his arrival with his mate Ling Ling when I was 9 and I am
now 36 and can't describe this incredible feeling of grief I have now."
Antonio K., Arlington, VA
"...it sickens me that the national zoo is considering obtaining another
pair from China...When do we say enough is enough?"
Eli W., Washington DC
"Politics might rule this town, but Hsing Hsing and Ling Ling held our
hearts."
Caroline W., Alexandria, VA
"I can not relate to old Hsing. I hear he had performance anxiety. They
say he probably felt the pressure because he had trouble 'gettin it on with
Ling'. I have never had this problem - I will mate with anything."
Bill Clinton, Disgraced Former President of the United States
"i will truely miss the big guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Cousin Carl
"Hsing Hsing means 'STAR' in Chinese. He never disappears in the world!
I could see him every night in the sky."
Yamei G., Beijing, China - Rockville, Maryland
"I would watch Hsing Hsing for hours at a time in amazement. His daily
routine and character seemed almost human."
Christian A., Alexandria, VA
"When I heard about his death I burst into tears. I felt as if I had
personally lost a treasure...I don't approve of animals in cages and I feel
that although he will be missed not only by me but by all who visited with
him, he is now free."
Walkersville, Maryland
"I miss them both as I would miss a brother and sister."
David D., Potomac, MD
"I happened to see the great panda on the video cam about 2 days ago.
He was under the bamboo shoots and then, he moved over to the table, and collapsed
on the floor where his face was hidden. He didn't go for the food. He seemed
tired. So sad.
alicia R., summerville, South Carolina
"When I told my husband this afternoon that Hsing Hsing had died, he
made a bellowing sound, 'No!!!!!!!!!' ...We saw him the last time on October
3rd around his feeding time at 3 pm. It was raining and the zoo was quieter
than usual. Hsing Hsing came out to eat on time, but did eat much and obviously
without much appetite. He was very thin. It was heartrending. We lingered
in the panda house for about two hours until Hsing Hsing went to sleep again..."
Yaxue C-R, DC
"So?"
Roy F., Washington
"We liked watching him eat."
Katy and Clay M., Chambersburg, PA
"My girlfriend and I visited the zoo just a few weeks ago. Hsing-Hsing
was sitting in his indoor enclosure, slapping weakly every now and again at
a dish of water, with a nose bleed. He looked, as much as a panda can, very
sad and very lonely."
Brian S., College Park, MD
"I always felt a kinship with them both as friends and family have nicked-named
me PANDA BEAR."
LEO (PANDA BEAR) C., CHELMSFORD MA
"I have not been there on this day of passing, but know that when I
go tomorrow, that all of the animals will not sound the same. The zoo is a
community, and there is a sense of understanding of what goes on in the community.
They have a way of communicating, or just knowing when something has happened.
When I walk through the zoo, I will be able to sense their mourning, their
sadness and their loss, as I am also a part of their community."
Alan P. Herman, Adams-Morgan, D.C.
"I will never forget the day I went to the zoo with my parents and we
somehow got separated. I ended up in the Panda House crying. I was about 8
at the time. It was toward the end of the day, and there were only a few people.
Ling-Ling saw me crying. She came right to the edge of the glass, lifted her
paw and placed it against the glass right where I was standing. I then moved
my hand onto the glass against hers. We held our paws there for what felt
like a minute. I swear she smiled at me. I will never forget the pandas."
M.P.J., Sappe, Iowa
"My 78 year old mother and I visited Hsing-Hsing the first week of September
this year...we stayed at his area a good 45 minutes just watching him eat
bamboo, an apple and a carrot...We see a bit of ourselves in them, I think.
As he struggles with his illness, the loss of his mate and the lack of offspring,
we somehow can relate and our hearts go out to him. Truly, our "shining
light'' has gone out now. It's such a loss. My mother does not know. I will
tell her gently about his passing."
Gail R., Dallas, Texas
"The lives of these animals are meaningless..."
Diane P., Arlington
"I have visited many zoos in China and seen many pandas. Unlike the
situation in America's zoos, most of them are not treated preciously in their
motherland. In Guangzhou's zoo I visited some years ago, they live in cages
with no air-conditioning, and the hot sun made them look very uncomfortable.""
Reid Ho, Hong Kong
"I was so saddened to hear that panda bears are mistreated so in zoos
in China (i.e., no air conditioning in small cages.) This makes it even more
crucial for us to bring more pandas into our country."
Terry R., Vienna, VA
"I read every e-mail, I am sursprised to see Hsing-Hsing means great
deal to American. But I don't like some people's comments. For example, 'There
is no air-condition inside Chengdu's panda house, pandas live poor lives over
there. Why China don't want to give some pandas to the rich guys like us.'
I came from China. I know what this animal means to China. Pandas are national
treasures in China. For decades, Chinese government spent huge money on pandas.
There are tens of thousands full-time researchers, zookeepers around the country.
They know better how to take care panda than anyone else does. In United States,
if you want to say somebody has very good life, you will say like this, 'this
guy lives like King.' But in China there, people will say 'this guy lives
like panda.' No air-condition inside panda's house doesn't means anything..."
Jing Wu, Dallas
"I have lost pets before and it hurts every time."
Robert R., Warrenton, VA
"When I visited you, you looked just fine. I just cannot accept the
reality."
Haruyo K., Tokyo, Japan
"I am crying out now. I will gladly miss you."
Patricia C., Arlington
"I always followed their mating stories..."
Deborah B., Atlanta, GA
"I grew up here in DC and came to see these Pandas as the marketing
tool of the National Zoo...I just wanted these Pandas to get busy and have
more Pandas...I do feel sadder about this Panda than any famous Human Being
that has recently died..."
Jeff M., Great Falls
"Carrots are to Hsing-Hsing what cigars are to Bill Clinton."
Archie, BMTG Intangibles
"Our female red tabby cat, 'Daphne,' developed Chronic Renal Failure
in 1994. I imagine its manifestations were similar to the panda's. Our vet
estimated Daphne had about 90 days to live. However, with his wise counsel,
some experimental meds, and a LOT of hands-on TLC, we kept Daphne alive and
very active for three more years. At the end, she failed and grew so weak
and anemic - so listless and unlike herself - that we had a family meeting
and decided that euthanasia was the only merciful option...Our son placed
Daphne's ashes in a small stream which feeds into the Patuxent River, and
then to the sea...I hope Hsing-Hsing's final dispostion will be handled with
similar gentleness and rememberance."
Steve M., Bedford, PA
"The human unconsciousness here is pathetic!...putting them in a zoo
- thousands of miles away from their natural habitat - so that hordes of ignorant
tourists can ogle them - should not be part of the effort [to save an endangered
species]...As for putting Hsing Hsing 'on display' in the Smithsonian, he
was 'on display' most of his life. Give him the dignity in death that he was
denied in life! Bury him in Arlington National Cemetary."
Janet L., Washington, DC
"Not only are they considering stuffing and displaying a public figure;
even worse, they are considering stuffing and displaying a much loved friend."
E. Nichols, Arlington
"I think it's a disgusting idea to put him on display...It would be
like seeing on of my relatives stuffed, and eyes glazed over for eternity..."
Susan C., Manassas, VA
"...I'm not sure if I should tell my daughter Linda about Hsing-Hsing's
death, because I know she will fall in tears about the news."
Dirk K., Witten/Germany
"He is the first panda I saw in person and the day I was coming back
to California from my visit, my mother died from kidney problems she suffered
for 4 months...Then weeks later I heard that Hsing-Hsing had the same disease.
And now that he's died it's bringing back memories of my mother too...I have
pictures of him at my work cubicle, and my coworkers all know how much I love
pandas..."
BEVERLY L., PITTSBURG, CA
"I rejoice for now you and Ling-Ling can run and play at Rainbow Bridge.
For you see Rainbow Bridge is a better place..only happy animals waiting for
their beloved owners to join them."
Kaila S., Honolulu
"O noble Hsing-Hsing;
Nirvana awaits your soul
While humans despair;
Incorporeal;
No longer in ursine form,
Become yin and yang."
J. O'Neil, Lorton, VA
"Hsing-Hsing was more often missing than seen, but somehow it was still
enjoyable just to stand there with whatever group was there and wait for him."
Bruce W., Milwaukee, WI
"Hsing-Hsing was a friend...I was there when Ling-Ling passed. She looked
as though she was sleeping on her back, and I then realized that it would
not be too much longer before my friend would be gone too."
Ethan R., Arlington, VA
