Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

To Annie on Her 41st Birthday

by Elizabeth

Dear Annie,

You haven’t always had it easy. Your first thirty years on Earth were full of fear, pain, and boredom. A lab cage is no place for anyone. Even now in your sanctuary home, you have your struggles. Being the lowest in the hierarchy isn’t easy.

But we have watched your anxiety diminish and your confidence grow. We’ve watched you make new friends, gain the courage to stand up for yourself, and learn to appreciate your own company. We love how much you love your best friend Missy. We love that as you start your 42nd year, you are still growing. We love that you haven’t let the world harden you. You inspire us all.

Happy Birthday,
Your devoted humans

Annie:

web_Annie_peanut_in_mouth_hold_food_bowls_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8103

web_Annie_hold_food_bowl_birthday_party_GH_aw_IMG_8069

web_Annie_lie_down_streamers_in_mouth_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8155

web_Annie_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8132

Jamie:

web_Jamie_hold_treat_bag_green_onions_forage_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8136

web_Jamie_bipedal_hold_treat_bag_forage_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8138

Missy:

web_Missy_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8122

web_Missy_eat_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8124

Jody:

web_Jody_streamers_in_mouth_birthday_party_GH_kd_IMG_4402

web_Jody_hold_eat_food_birthday_party_GH_kd_IMG_4368

Negra:

web_Negra_profile_hold_green_onion_birthday_party_GH_kd_IMG_4387

web_Negra_smoothie_cup_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8091

Foxie:

web_Foxie_eat_food_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8111

web_Foxie_tongue_lick_smoothie_shot_glass_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8120

Burrito:

web_Burrito_forage_streamers_birthday_party_GH_ek_IMG_8142

web_Burrito_hold_smoothie_cup_birthday_party_GH_kd_IMG_4397

Subscribe To the Blog and Get Notified of New Posts First!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Jackie says

    Happy Birthday to the beautiful Annie! I wish you and all the chimps as well as your human friends, peace and love!

  5. Julie says

    Elizabeth, you made me cry! What a beautiful message to our dear Annie! Looks like everyone had FUN!! Thank you for being one of her devoted humans!!!

    • Francoise says

      No kidding, Julie! I cry almost every time I read the blog… and laugh a lot, too, of course.

      Elizabeth, you are a lovely writer. You have expressed wonderfully what we all think and feel.

      Happy happy b-day Annie! I wish for you many more years of sanctuary and the security, peace and love that it brings. I hope to have you lighting up our lives for a long time to come.

      It looks like it was a great party!

  6. Stephanie Hodges says

    she is an inspiration to us all for how forgiving she is to us very short sighted and selfish humans. I love you with all my heart pretty girl.

  9. Arlene says

    Happy Birthday Dear Sweet Annie. I hope you know how much you and your chimp friends are loved. I hope you feel that love forever. I am so glad that I won the Annie pillow in the Summer Biddin’ auction. She’s beautiful.

  11. Kathleen says

    Oh Annie, you are so beautiful and so lucky, not just because you have a BFF in Missy but because you have a family, a second chance, and hundreds of people who support and love you from afar. I am one of those people and I do love you Annie! Happy Birthday Annie, may this year bring you whatever joys you choose to embrace. The magic is up to you! XOXO

  15. Tiki Kim (Forwood) says

    Happy Birthday Annie! I know you and your Family had a wonderful time celebrating! … Endless thank you’s for all you do to better the lives of these precious Beings, not only by caring for them, but by showing them love. … The photos are beautiful!