Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by dear friends of the chimpanzees and humans alike, Pam Lehnert and Marc Warner, in honor of their beloved pup, Toby. Pam shared this touching message about Toby:
“Today celebrates the 1-year anniversary of adopting Toby, our 1 1/2 year-old lab mix puppy. Toby has many ties to CSNW, as our friend Jamie Davis (husband of former CSNW Executive Director, Sarah Baeckler) worked at the Oregon Humane Society and “found” Toby for us just days after last year’s “HOOT” gala; Toby’s favorite sitter is CSNW staff member Katelyn; and he has become best friends with Wilson and Abbey, JB and Diana’s dogs they adopted last year. Seeing these three shelter pups thrive in their forever homes is another example of “HOPE. LOVE. HOME… SANCTUARY”. Watching the progress of each of the chimps these past seven years at CSNW made for an easy choice to only consider adopting from a shelter when we decided to add to our pet family. Our lives are made richer every day by Toby – and everyone at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.”
Pam and Marc jokingly referred to themselves as “foster failures” after adopting Toby’s feline sibling, Chloe. Immediately smitten with this saucy lady, their foster home quickly became Chloe’s forever home. The individualized love and care Pam and Marc provide Toby and Chloe is truly heartwarming to see. All of our lives here are made richer for knowing this wonderful family.
Pam and Marc, thank you so much for all you do for all those around you, to make their lives better, both human and non. We truly appreciate you! And thank you for thinking of the chimpanzees in celebration of Toby’s new life!
Toby and his best friends, Wilson and Abbey:
And another guy who loves to play, Burrito:
A heart warming and heart melting blog. Loved meeting the dogs and then, of course, seeing Burrito at the end. You guys are so lucky to live where you do and to have the lives of service that you do. It is beautiful to experience from afar and we are in awe of you all and send you our many thanks!
Beautiful! I wish Pam, Marc, Toby, and Chloe a long and happy life together. How I wish I could change the world so that all animals could know love, kindness and peace.
Two days of Toby. One so sad and then this one to remind us that there is so much to be hopeful for and look forward to. Thank you Marc and Pam for being failed fosters. You guys are the bestest.
Yes, I am Pam’s sister and have a whole folder on my computer filled with pics and Toby stories. I’ve not met him in person, but will one day. Toby is so lucky to have Pam and Marc as his humans; he is so well looked after and loved that I think of him as a furry brother.
These lucky chimps thrive as well with the love and care they receive from all the staff and volunteers. It is so pleasing to me to watch thru the blog here in Chicago, plus hear about all the good things happening from sister Pam. I think that Mother’s Day is the perfect day to comment and thank you all for the work you do. I feel the same kind of love around here.