After experiencing over 30 years of deprivation, it never ceases to amaze me (or make my heart burst) to see the chimpanzees so fully embrace a life of comfort in their own unique ways. It physically hurts my heart to think of all they went without for so long and makes each moment of joy and comfort for them all the more meaningful.
The chimps recently received some new SUPER fluffy fleece blankets and they adore them. They look as though they are floating on clouds sitting in their nests, the blankets sometimes as high as their chests. We found two super voluptuous nests this morning while cleaning the playroom. Despite Jamie’s aversion to snakes, she really loves to incorporate the stuffed toy snakes into her nests:
Jamie (we assume) decided to use a chopstick to remove a washer from somewhere yet to be discovered. She is far too smart for our own good:
This beauty was spread out over the catwalk:
Beautiful Annie lounging:
Jody in particular loved the new blankets (naturally) and frequently rubbed her head and face against them:
Jody’s sweet feet in a cloud of fluff as she napped this morning:
Seeing the chimps surrounding themselves in comfort will never grow old.
Donna Oleksiuk says
Such a beautiful post! Fills my heart with joy to see them having these kinds of joyous experiences. A huge Thank You to whoever donated those lovely blankets! So happy for the chimps !! 😀 <3 <3
Kathleen says
Oh Katelyn, your description of everything just takes my breath away. Especially the part about the chimps long life of deprivation — it is almost too much for me to comprehend. But reading your post, and seeing these photos, and thinking about the sweet donor who gave you those incredibly fuzzy blankets makes my heart bust with joy. SO much goodness always pouring in and out of the chimps sanctuary home. Jody’s little feet on the minty green blanket, sigh…… it is just too perfect!!
Jo says
What a lovely, touching post and how my heart soars knowing they have such beautiful lives now ~ very very meaningful and I’m sending love and hugs to you all!
Sharon says
so love that content,face,i could kiss her. so happy she is enjoying the,soft comfort of her new blankets. can only imagine what she is thinking…
Karen says
God bless you for saving these precious darlings. God bless you for the cozy blankets.
Love,
Karen
Pauline says
So lovely for them
Francoise Vulpe says
Nothing better than cuddly cuddly. It’s Jody, right, then doesn’t nest? Perhaps these new blankets will change that.
Francoise Vulpe says
Oops, I was wrong. Who is it that doesn’t nest? And even at night?
Katelyn says
That’s Foxie. Until recently, Burrito was also one who didn’t build his own nest, but in the past year or so he’s begun using 2-3 to sleep on at night.
Vicki Hadley says
That last photo of just legs on blanket was the BEST !!
Chris says
This is too precious! That last photo of Jody’s sweet feet in a pile of fluff needs to be framed! Jamie makes quite an elaborate nest, doesn’t she? Love the cowboy boot in the middle!
Have you ever left the nests out for a day to see if they return to the same ones?
Katelyn says
Hi Chris, we pull everything out to be washed each day and the chimps get 70+ fresh blankets. Chimps also typically like to build a new nest each time they settle in for a nap or to sleep at night. 🙂 Jody in particular will sometimes drag her nest around with her and revamp it.
Chris says
Yup! That’s alot of laundry! Btw…do you guys have a clothes line? I bet those fleecies would dry outdoors in a jiffy in that dry, warm sunshiny breeze you get! 🙂 And the scent of line dried clothes?…the best! I bet the chimps would like it too! 🙂
Katelyn says
Chris,
Line dried clothes are great! Also nice to save energy, but we don’t begin to have the space for a line of that size and as it is we are doing laundry for about 8 hrs a day straight to get through them all so I’m afraid it wouldn’t be very time efficient in this case. Since the chimps often build their nests in the sunny spots during the day, maybe they are getting some of that sunshine scent. 😉