Let’s dive into this intriguing story about a footloose feline that left his owners scratching their heads. Meet Panda, the black-and-white cat who embarked on an unexpected adventure from Centralia, Washington, all the way to Kenai, Alaska!
Panda’s tale began on October 8 when he vanished from his home in Centralia. Normally, his owners weren’t too concerned since he liked to explore their vast 40-acre property. But when days turned into weeks without Panda’s return, the worry set in.
Christina Clevenger, Panda’s owner, shared with Today, “We had about a dozen people helping us look for some sort of sign or clue, like if he ended up getting caught by a coyote.” In a bid to find their furry friend, the Clevengers scoured their property and turned to social media, hoping for any lead.
But it was almost two weeks later that a remarkable turn of events brought a ray of hope. Christina’s husband’s aunt came across a photo of none other than Panda on social media. The twist? The photo was from Kenai, Alaska – a whopping 2,500 miles away!
“I was holding my daughter’s little Chihuahua, and – I hate to say this, but it’s true – I ended up dropping the little Chihuahua, and my phone,” Christina recalled her reaction when she saw Panda’s photo. The disbelief was real.
The Facebook post that caught Christina’s eye was shared by United Angels, an animal rescue organization. According to the post, Panda had been found at a Home Depot in Alaska. But how on earth did he cover 2,500 miles in such a short span?
Christina doesn’t believe Panda pulled off this incredible journey by paw power alone. She speculates that he must have hitched a ride in a truck or boat, turning into an unintentional stowaway on a northbound adventure.
United Angels and the Clevengers joined forces to reunite Panda with his family. They raised funds for his journey home, including a much-needed vet checkup. Panda hopped on not one, but two flights to make his way back to Washington.
Now that Panda’s back where he belongs, he’s grounded for good. Christina learned her lesson and plans to keep him close. “He got grounded permanently. We gave him more toys to play with; he gets more treats. He’s more spoiled than he ever was,” she shared, chuckling at her now not-so-footloose feline friend.
