Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for March 2012

Shed in the Rain

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Today is caregiver Jackie’s birthday and you can wish her a happy birthday on Facebook. While Jackie was celebrating her day, I really felt like it was my birthday at the sanctuary because construction on “my” shed has begun!

At the Out of the Box 2011 auction in October, 16 people (in some cases, couples) donated towards my “adoption” and what I was really wanting, in my heart of hearts, was a shed to store all of the event set-up and tabling materials, merchandise and other various sanctuary stuff that has crept into the garage and the part of the house that J.B. and I rent from the sanctuary. I was dreaming kind of big, but Keith LaChappelle, Audrey & Jim Spencer, Jack & Sue Mulcahy, Max Carriveau, Jeani Goodrich, Julie Harding, Anika Lehde, Pam Lehnert & Marc Warner, Jessica Martinson & Lisa Cossette, Helen Payton, Dot & Allan Rothfus, Felicity Wood, Cathy Parker, Connie Robertson & Bill Lamm, and Barbara Boekholt gave towards my “adoption” and Jim Spencer even offered up his time and skills to build the shed.

And now it’s becoming a reality! Jim, who traveled all the way from Whidbey Island, Doug Bucklin and J.B. have spent the last two muddy and rainy days outside all day making my storage dreams start to come true. It has been especially heartwarming to see this happening and remembering Barbara Boekholt’s donation in particular. Barbara was Julie’s mom and she recently passed away. She was not well enough to attend the auction last year, but she sent Julie with a check just for my “adoption.”

This shed is no small-deal. We have a lot to store! It’s almost 200 square feet and it will have two windows (we’re using the windows that we removed from the chimp house (minus the caging) when we replaced them with chimp proof glass).

In the first photo below, you’ll noticed some very large logs. J.B. was also “adopted” at the auction and his project was to build new structures on Young’s Hill. Guess what those logs are for?!

 

Jim leading the crew with J.B. and Doug following instruction:

logs in front of shed construction

 

J.B. waiting for the word to start using power tools, Doug and Jim making sure things are level:

shed first wall

 

J.B. standing in front of the shed at the end of today:

JB in front of shedJ

Annie on Mt. St. Helens

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As mentioned on the blog before, the folks that created the treat rock on Young’s Hill had some concrete left over, so they made a little replica of Mt. St. Helens. Foxie and Jody have both explored around the replica, but it also seems to be a nice little perch. Here’s a picture taken the other day of Annie sitting on top of the mountain:

Joining in on the fun

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Burrito is a pretty shy guy and he’s usually very nervous about new things, which is why we were so happy (and surprised!) that he decided to venture out onto Young’s Hill the first day we opened it. Since then however, he hasn’t spent a great deal of time out there.

But with the weather getting nice, he’s been going out more and more. Today he was the first one out when I opened the door in the raceway and he spent a good 30-40 minutes out there. It’s so good to see him getting more comfortable.

Hiding behind the treat rock

Venturing out with the ladies:

We’re almost to our goal!

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Last night I was biting my nails watching the conclusion of the Biddin’ for the Seven online auction. Margaret Parkinson’s painting Missy on a Mission brought in an amazing $2,325! The bid war at the end of the auction for Sally-Anne Ryan’s painting of Negra was really exciting.

Big congrats to all auction winners!

The auction ended last night at $9,317.  I had raised the goal amount twice, starting at $6,500, raising to $9,000, then a final stretch raise to $10,000. So, I was pleased that we made it above $9,000. Then, this morning I wake up to find that Pamela H. donated $500 towards Sustaining the Sanctuary after the auction closed! Thanks to her generosity, we are now only $183 away from the $10,000 goal!!

thermometer

It’s not too late to contribute!  Consider making a donation of however much you can afford. It will make my day to see that thermometer reach the $10,000 mark.

All donations and all auction purchases go directly towards caring for the chimpanzees, and you know how seriously we take that mission. We couldn’t do it without you!

Thank you to everyone who came to Sippin’ for the Seven and who participated in the Biddin’ for the Seven auction. I’ll be sharing photos soon of the Sippin’ event. I really had a great time catching up with supporters, meeting new people, and connecting with the wonderful winery, brewery and cidery reps. It’s been a great few days, and you can make it even better for the Cle Elum Seven.

 

“Innocent” Jody

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While Jody is very much a sweetheart when she wants to be, she does have her devilish side. She is often the first of the chimps to greet us humans in the morning- usually with a long kiss and a breathy pant. Her sweet almond-shaped eyes will make you melt.

but… she’s not always so innocent

Good thing troll dolls are loved with or without hair!