Jamie loves her cowboy boots and will often do everything in her power to cram her extra-wide feet into them, no matter what sized boot it is (I’ve seen her try to squeeze her foot into a size 5 boot!). Therefore, supporter Chris Frutiger is Jamie’s new best friend. Chris made a connection with an Australian-based company called Vegan Wares, which sells top quality vegan footwear and accessories, and convinced them to make a pair of custom-sized boots for Jamie. Chris and her husband, Dave delivered them to the sanctuary yesterday– we were all so excited!
(**Please keep in mind that Jamie always has the choice to wear the boots or not. We neither encourage or discourage- see this blog post regarding our take on chimpanzees wearing clothes**)
Since they are wider than most, the boots were made with no sole, which made them easy to roll up and fit through the caging:
It was slightly unusual that Jamie didn’t try them on right away– perhaps she just wanted to thoroughly inspect them first:
She carried them around with her for the rest of the day- nesting with them, inspecting them, smelling them, putting her hand in and out of them, and carrying them around in her pelvic pocket.
But from the moment I arrived this morning until about noon, Jamie was wearing them… and seemed pretty happy about it.
Thanks so much to Vegan Wares for creating the perfect Jamie boot, and to Chris, who spearheaded the whole project! We are all so grateful!! CSNW has the best supporters– is it possible to say that too much? I don’t think so.
marvelous ! ive been waiting in anticipation for this ! thank you so much Chris Dave and vegan wares 🙂
you are beautiful in your boots dear jamie
I love it! She can finally get a boot on her foot. What a treasure that is for our Jamie! Thank you so much Chris, Dave and Vegan Wares. You have made Jamie’s day!
What great boots, she looks like a little kid with a new prized acquisition. Her face is much less intense and very happy. I wonder if she’d be interested in paring her new boots with a tutu from a few years ago and maybe a scarf and hat to complete the outfit!!!!!
What a wonderful gift for such a stylish female!!! Perhaps the no sole was puzzling to her at first.
I LOVE the picture of her happy face while wearing the boot!! Really wonderful and thanks so much to everyone who made such a great gift possible for Jamie! That face makes my day. 🙂
Love the smile on her face and the boots. Did she wear boots in the lab?
Diane- The chimps weren’t give much, if any, enrichment while in the lab. We aren’t sure where the boot “obsession” came from, however before she got to the lab, she was a pet in a human home and used in entertainment. It’s likely that her love of boots (and of wearing clothes in general) came from those days, but we’ll just never know for sure.
Oh my goodnes!!…another tearful read of my favorite blog!! THANK YOU Chris, Dave and Vegan Wares!! Jackie, did you model them before giving them to her? I love the look of delight in her eyes in the last couple of photos. I heard of these coming last time I was there. Again, thank you, Chris, for making this happen!!!
Julie- I did model them for her! When she first laid eyes on them, her hair immediately stood on end (which is called pilo erect hair), her eyes got very intense and she ran over very excitedly. 🙂 I think she was just trying to play it cool while we were all watching, but she couldn’t hide her initial reaction. 😉
Dear All,
No need to thank us for Jamie’s boots…I would of walked all the way to Cle Elum to deliver them to her…we were the ones thank-ful to be allowed a chance to bring a little fun into even just one of their lives for a day!
They are truly special beings and so are their caregivers! 🙂
Chris & Dave
I’m so excited!!! I’ve been waiting for them to get to Jamie and now I’m all teary : ) Thank you Chris & Dave & Vegan Wares. Jamie’s face in that last picture is just beautiful. I do have a question. Does she ever wear them on both feet at once? Oh, so happy for her!!!
Great photos. I love it. Thank you Chris and Dave and Vegan Wares you guys are awesome,. this is so heart warming to see her be able to put her foot into a boot and walk with it on. you guys accomplished something I had been hoping someone could do for her. God bless all of you. I love all of these chimps,. Everyone that works there is so blessed to help these beautiful creations of God out. Hugs to all of you.