I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve walked around Young’s Hill today. We started just after breakfast, with Jamie frantically gesturing towards the bin of boots in the kitchen, letting us know that is was time to begin the daily ritual. After exchanging one of my sneakers for a bright red cowboy boot, we set out together to patrol the perimeter of her two-acre enclosure. There was another walk before lunch, and then another just afterwards. Steph and Debbie went on a patrol with Jamie in mid-afternoon, and then I rejoined Jamie for another before dinner. As soon as dinner was over it was time to head out again for a couple more. And just a moment ago, at a little after 7pm, I handed my red cowboy boot to Diana, who will walk with Jamie as the sun starts to set. This might be the last, but somehow I doubt it.
Either she takes her job as boss very seriously and must patrol and protect her minions OR…she knows she’s everyone’s personal trainer….or a little bit of both! How lucky she is to have a flock of willing? subjects! and a bin full of boots!
She sure knows how to keep you guys in shape ! What a task master she is.
Jamie is intense…..
First I have to say I had never read the post on Jamie titled “The Things We Do” (linked within this post). I would swear I never miss a post too. From start to finish, photos and all, an excellent post on Jamie
J.B. I have to ask, does Jamie ever walk the perimeter of Young’s Hill all by herself or does she always request a caregiver (with a boot or two!) to join her? Do you think Jamie wants or enjoys the human company/interaction on these excursions or is it really all about the boot and where its been? ; )
It really is so touching that you walk with her, in footwear that is not practical no less, until she is ready to call it quits.
Hi Kathleen – Jamie will, on rare occasions, walk around the hill on her own or with another chimp, but it’s primarily something she does with her caregivers. I think it has more to do with the company than the boots, but obviously they are both important to her. Jamie spent the longest time with humans of any of the Cle Elum Seven – she was with a trainer in the entertainment industry for nine years. So I think she sees herself more a part of our world than the chimp world. Maybe the walks are just her way of getting to be with her own kind for a while 🙂
Thanks for the reply J.B. Must be hard to find yourself rooted in two worlds. The second photo of Jamie almost tells her story with the big open painterly space in the background but yet she looks to the camera and the human behind the lens (even if you are a good distance form her). Jamie leaves me at a loss for words.