Burrito was born at White Sands Research Center. Just before his first birthday, he was put on a hepatitis B vaccine safety study. Then he lived in a human home (as a “pet”) for a few months. Then, he was sent to Florida, leased to a man who “perfected the ultimate animal training feat: teaching a chimpanzee to ride beside a lion on an elephant’s back.” Then, back to research. We humans did him a horrible disservice.
But, we’re working hard to make it up to him.
So, dear Burrito, this one’s for you:
You like to spit on me. You occasionally cover me in smoothie, in fact. You bang, you kick. You are fierce, even though you have been known to squeak with glee like a baby monkey. You much prefer to play with the boys than me, but once in a while I’ll do. When you give me the chance I blow in your ear and you laugh up a storm. You delight in chase. You veg out in front of the TV. You run, you rattle, you intimidate. You make biiiig messes. We haven’t known you long but you make us smile every single day. Here’s to fresh starts and many happy birthdays to come!
