Unfortunately I don’t have a photo to go along with this post, but I wanted to share the latest Jamie story with all of you.
As you know, Jim, with the help of Brian and Audrey, recently built us a wonderful shed right outside the door of the kitchen at the chimp house. In fact, Audrey and Jim were out a few weeks ago in some pretty chilly weather adding some finishing touches and starting to paint it. They refused to come in to get warm – I swear I asked them several times. These are some dedicated volunteers.
Anyway, we have, as expected, started to fill the shed, and I noticed today it already needed some straightening. I spent some of the morning moving things around, consolidating, and opening up new gifts that were put there the other day (a much-needed boot scraper and door mat!!). I ended up with several empty boxes, one that was quite large and full of lots of packing paper. So, I decided to put it in one of the front rooms before letting the chimpanzees in for lunch.
When I let the chimpanzees into the front rooms from the playroom, Jamie immediately went for the box. I had tossed it up on the bed in room two, but she wanted it on the floor. After getting it to ground level, she climbed right inside it and wrapped the packing paper around her. Of course I had lots of good food for lunch that she didn’t want to miss, but she also didn’t want to leave her box. While still inside the box, she scooted it and herself right up to the caging so I could serve her the carrots, green onions, celery and apples Elizabeth had prepared. Jamie occasionally got out of the box during the meal, but went right back to it for the next course.
I just love that Jamie sums up a situation and knows exactly what she wants to do. I think that if I saw that box in my bedroom, I probably would have climbed right in too.
Love it!!
I still think that if you gave Jamie the chance she’d love to help out with maintenance and building projects around the sanctuary…lol
Jamie is so smart and interesting! I can’t wait for our volunteering time next week.
Sounds just like me!! I wonder what she would think about a kid sized house like people have in their back yards?? Oh no not another thing to find a place for!!!!!! I would have loved one when I was younger!
The shed is wonderful, but it needs shelving. I know they some partical board for the shelfes but they need two by fours for the bracing (how many I don’t know but JB or Keith would have an idea on that). If you have some 2×4’s laying around or know of some that need to be put to very good use please contact the sacnctuary so they may utilize all of the shed.
I love this! Jamie is such a smart girl. Her curious nature is also so lovely to see. She will figure out most anything if given the chance. It’s so good to see her personality shine!
I remember playing in boxes! Diana, what a wonderful picture you conjured up. Thank you for telling us about her. Jamie is soo clever and funny!
Hmmm – have we seen a picture of the bedrooms yet? I’m curious what a chimp bedroom looks like! Do chimps cover themselves in blankets at night? Do they use pillows? Are the bedroom doors closed/locked until some specific time in the morning, or can the chimps come and go from the bedrooms at night as they please?
And I presume chimps aren’t housebroken — are they? Do they just do their business whenever and wherever …?
LOL. Under normal circumstances, that might be considered TMI (too much information). But I’m enough of a biologist to be curious!
So awesome of Jim, Audrey and Brian to build the shed – and in the cold weather no less! I know they were there helping outside in the heat of the summer, too ~ yes, very kind and dedicated people – thank you so much Jim, Audrey and Brian!!
Anna,
I love your questions. When I was volunteering time before last when Burrito ran through scaring the girls I noticed he scared the pee right out of one of them. Yes, they do their business where ever they please. Keith explained to me that the chimps are allowed to do what they please and are never reprimanded. That was so nice to know since they have had a horrible time before Cle Elum. It warms my heart to know they can roam anytime, day or night, inside or out, without any repercussions. (Except for the Burrito raids!) 🙂
thanks for sharing this great story – can totally visualize this, we love hearing this stuff!
Amy – she’d probably do a good job too!
Anna – I’m always very curious also!
thanks Jeani for sharing!
Go Jim! Go Audrey! Go Brian!
GO JAMIE!