Written by KaLynn Clark, Development Director at 4 Paws for Ability
My grandparents adopted a dog and gained a family.
Angela and Jr Panganiban walked into 4 Paws for Ability in 2015, excited to add a dog to their family. They were a young couple and had been talking about adopting a dog for quite some time. The staff member at 4 Paws showed them two available dogs: Anakin and Kenobi. Anakin entered the room, very reserved and very sweet. Kenobi barreled in with a zest for life and immediately peed from excitement. And that’s how they knew Kenobi was the one.
Kenobi spent the next five years with the Panganibans. He was truly their child, and they spoiled him like a firstborn. Angela and Jr loved taking Kenobi out for walks and playing endless games of fetch. Kenobi LOVED tennis balls (which was what actually led to his “Fabulous Flunky” status at 4 Paws!). As active as he was, he enjoyed snuggling just as much. He seemed to always know when Angela and Jr needed extra cuddling. Kenobi was their best friend.
In 2018, Angela and Jr welcomed twin boys into the world, Charlie and Austin. Kenobi doted on his new little brothers. He was so gentle with them and loved snuggling together as a family. As the boys grew, the new parents noticed Charlie having flare-up symptoms. Soon, one of their worst fears was confirmed: Charlie had tested positive for dog allergies.
Angela and Jr now had to make an incredibly hard decision: how could they give up their beloved dog in order to keep their toddler healthy? On March 2, 2020, Kenobi returned to 4 Paws for Ability. The staff at 4 Paws was incredibly sympathetic to the situation. Kenobi would stay at 4 Paws until he was adopted again.
My grandparents have had dogs on their family farm for as long as I can remember. They loved my work with 4 Paws and finally made the trek from Wapakoneta to Xenia to visit me. I showed them all around the campus and shared more about my job. When we walked through the kennels, Kenobi caught their eye. I remember my grandma asking me, “What’s this one’s story?” as Kenobi was older and not excitedly barking for attention like the younger pups around him. I shared the details: how Kenobi was so loved, how the family had to make this tough choice and return him a few days prior, and how 4 Paws was committed to finding him a wonderful new home.
Kenobi was adopted by my grandparents the very next day.
When they left that day, I had no idea they were even looking to adopt. But as it turns out, they spent the entire drive home discussing Kenobi and emailed 4 Paws that very night. They drove back the next morning, signed the paperwork, and headed back to Wapakoneta with their newest family member. I was elated for Kenobi, for my grandparents, and for Angela and Jr. I knew Kenobi had just hit the jackpot!
Nine days later, the world shut down. COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, and stay-at-home orders were issued. What could have been the loneliest season for my grandparents turned into an adventure with a new friend. Kenobi brought them joy every day; my grandpa enjoyed walking with him to get the mail (down their mile-long gravel lane!) and hikes in their woods. My grandma loved snuggling and spoiling him. I called them often, and they shared their latest Kenobi stories with me, laughing the entire time.
My grandma has never met a stranger. She has this way of instantly connecting with everyone, making you feel like you’ve known her for years. Angela and Jr were no exception; my grandma shared photos of Kenobi with them, enjoying his “retirement” farm life. These exchanges continued for months: mailed care packages, a reunion in Dayton, and many texted photos. The whole Panganiban family even visited Kenobi on the farm during the 2024 solar eclipse!
Kenobi began to slow down in 2025. My grandparents knew the inevitable was coming. They called Angela and Jr, and they made the decision together. Kenobi crossed the rainbow bridge on March 11, 2025.
As heartbroken as my grandparents were, they were equally heartbroken for Angela and Jr. This was a loss they all felt together. This past weekend, on the anniversary of Kenobi’s passing, my grandparents met up with the Panganiban family. They all reminisced and shared stories about Kenobi. My grandparents gave some of Kenobi’s ashes to Angela and Jr, and Angela and Jr gave my grandparents a beautiful blanket featuring photos of Kenobi from his younger years. There were tears, but also so many smiles and laughs as they remembered this special dog.
Angela and Jr, thank you for the selfless sacrifice you made to return Kenobi so that my grandparents could make him part of their family. Kenobi gave them joy during one of the most difficult times in the world.
Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for loving dogs. Thank you for your example of making everyone feel like part of the family, dogs included.
Kenobi, thank you for being the absolute best boy. Not every dog hits the jackpot twice, but you sure did! I hope you are chasing endless tennis balls over the rainbow bridge.
-KaLynn Clark