• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

  • Our Family
    • The Chimpanzees
    • The Cattle
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Visiting the Sanctuary
    • Philosophy
      • FAQs
      • Mission, Vision & Goals
      • Privacy Policy
    • The Humans
      • Staff
      • Board of Directors
      • Founder
    • Annual Reports
    • The Future of CSNW
    • CSNW In The News
  • You can help
    • Donate
      • Donate Online Now
      • Be a Chimpanzee Pal
      • Sponsor-a-Day
      • Transfer Stock
      • Crypto Donations and NFTs
      • Be a Produce Patron
      • Be a Bovine Buddy
      • Give from your IRA
      • Personalized Stones
      • Bring Them Home Campaign
    • Leave A Legacy
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Volunteer
    • See Our Wish List
    • Events
  • Resources
    • About Chimpanzees
    • Enrichment Database
    • Advocacy
      • Apes in Entertainment
        • Trainers
        • Role of the AHA
        • Greeting Cards
      • Chimpanzees as Pets
      • Roadside Zoos
      • Chimpanzees in Biomedical Research
      • Conservation
        • African Apes
        • Orangutans
  • Shop
    • Merchandise Store
    • Bookstore
  • Contact
  • Donate

As per usual

November 22, 2015 by Keri

I wasn’t sure what sort of reaction I would get from the chimpanzees when I arrived at the sanctuary this morning. It’s been two months since my last shift and today marks my first day “back on the job.” After two months of being on maternity leave, I was curious. I was curious to see if the initial morning greeting between each of the chimps and myself would be any different than that of any other morning I have been here. In particular, I was curious to see what the boss (Jamie chimpanzee) would do. Would she come right over to me and demand to see my shoes or mark my absence with some other sort of greeting/non-greeting.

Turns out, this morning’s greetings were no different than any other day I have been at the sanctuary. There was no staring at my belly (or rather the lack of a large protrusion from my mid section). It was strictly “business as usual” for Jamie in particular. She barely looked at me before sitting down and demanding to see my shoes (by extending her fingers and gesturing toward my shoes), which she stared at ever so intently. Burrito gave a quick head nod and stuck his lips out through the caging to kiss the back of my hand. Negra gave a series of head nods and extended lips from her blanket nest, not moving any closer toward me. Annie and Missy were too busy engrossed in play to notice I was there and Jody was busy napping in her nest.

I wouldn’t have it any other way. I absolutely love that there was no difference in the way they greeted or didn’t greet me this morning. I love that (and I can only speak for myself and not for the chimps), it was like I was never gone.

Jamie demanded I join her for her perimeter patrol around Young’s Hill, as per usual (me on the outside of the electric fences and her on the inside).
web_Jamie_perimeter_walk_YH_kh_IMG_6713

web_Jamie_sit_platform_profile_hold_ladder_GH_kh_IMG_6432

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin
AnnieBurritoJamieJodyMissyNegraSanctuary

Share

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin

Subscribe To Blog Via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy B says

    November 22, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Welcome back Keri, I bet that you missed the chimps while you were gone.

  2. Joseph Garza says

    November 22, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    What a wonderful way to spend the day, in the company of these phenomenal creatures.

  3. Kathleen says

    November 22, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    Welcome Back Keri! We all missed you. While the chimps might have been playing it cool today, I am sure they are happy to have you back in the fold again.

  4. Rita Stevenson says

    November 23, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Welcome back , Keri, Congratulations on the birth of your child !
    glad you are back –
    I am sure the Chimps are glad to see you back, !

  5. Francoise says

    November 23, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    Perhaps they are like the kids in the schoolyard; you know, don’t show your feelings or somethin’ … wouldn’t want anyone to think you’re mushy…

    They gave you kisses and Jamie demanded a walk like always. I think it just shows how secure they are.

Previous Post
Why are the Chimps in Cages?
Next Post
Burrito’s Tug-of-War Massage

Primary Sidebar

Archives

Calendar of Blog Posts

November 2015
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« Oct   Dec »

Categories

SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG VIA EMAIL

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Footer

PO Box 952
Cle Elum, WA 98922
[email protected]
509-699-0728
501c3 registered charity
EIN: 68-0552915

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest Nonprofit Overview and Reviews on GreatNonprofits

Menu

  • The Chimpanzees
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • You can help
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Donate

Proud Member of

Connect With Us

Search

Copyright © 2022 Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. All Rights Reserved. Site by Vegan Web Design