Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
Our third sponsor for today’s day of sanctuary is Jean Bengston, who gave the gift of sponsoring Christmas in honor of Julie and Rob Sweet.
And what a Christmas it has been! Thank you to everyone who sponsored today and contributed to the fun of the party, including Patti and Chad who volunteered and helped set up the party this morning!
Molly Adrian is the second sponsor of today’s day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees! She is honoring her mother, Nancy Hedlund and shared this message:
“Christmas Day – my mom would love nothing more than to gift a day of happiness and nourishment for these beautiful chimpanzees. Merry Christmas!!”
Happiness and nourishment abound today!
Here is a little preview of their Christmas so far, with more to come, of course!
This photo pretty much sums up Christmas for Jamie. We’ve been talking about how she is the consummate consumer – she loves things! The more, the better. Her friends really came through for her and the other chimps today and sent an abundance of gifts and decorations for the party. So many, that we’ll be having a second party later this afternoon! Here is Jamie looking through one of her new boot books:
If you’ve been following the blog for a bit, you know that food is the biggest source of excitement for Burrito. So, he’s pretty much beside himself when the holidays roll around:
We’ve got a third sponsor-a-day coming up, and we’re working on the video of Party #1 right now. Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!
Merry Christmas to all of those who celebrate, and happy Monday to those who don’t!
Today, as you can imagine, we have a lot of people who wanted to help celebrate the day with the chimpanzees.
Up first, continuing her years-long tradition, Laurel Hecht was the first to sponsor 12/25/17. It’s an extra-special day for Laurel because it is also her birthday.
So, big thanks to Laurel for sharing her love and celebration with the chimpanzees. Happy Birthday to you!
The chimpanzees will be having an all-day celebration today.
We’re getting the day started with a breakfast of fresh pineapple and oranges (and smoothie being served)
Hopefully that troll isn’t telling Foxie what her presents are…
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the chimp house not a creature was stirring… besides a few chimps;
The stockings were stuffed by a few kind volunteers;
In hopes for field roast and boots galore soon;
The chimps are all nesting comfortably in their blankets;
While they save energy for the big day that lies ahead.
The chimps are so excited for tomorrow! Today we did a lot of preparation for our Christmas party. We have 4 bins stuffed with stockings, blankets, toys, dolls, books, and boots! Staff have been busy organizing and checking all the enrichment and volunteers have been busy stuffing stockings and wrapping presents. Unlike some Christmas shoppers, we are stress-free thanks to all of our donors who gave the chimps gifts! Today, Christmas Eve was full of relaxing and building the anticipation for Christmas Day! There were many grooming parties, nesting, and games of chase! It was a little too cold to go on the Hill unfortunately, but we kept ourselves occupied…
Burrito played chase with volunteer caregivers to pass the time:
Foxie and Jamie played games of chase and napped most of the day:
Jamie collecting blankets to make her nest:
Missy and Annie wrestling:
Nicki Walters sponsored this special Christmas Eve day of sanctuary in memory of her beloved husband, Bill, and she shared this touching message about today:
“This is my Christmas Present to my Sweet Willy Twist who is greatly missed. The Magnificent 7 always brought us so much joy and helped us find our smiles and give us reasons to laugh during several dark days. Even though he isn’t here to enjoy this day, I like to think he still looks on and watches them climb and romp around on his Twister! Merry Christmas to the Chimpazees and all who take such good care of them!”
Nicki, all of the primates here at the sanctuary are so fortunate to call you and Bill our friends. From our hearts, thank you for all you have, and continue, to contribute to making the chimps’ home a true sanctuary. Your amazing gift of Twister has brought so much joy and adventure to the chimps’ lives. It’s given boss lady, Jamie, a perfect vantage point from which to view her queendom and all the happenings in all the land:
It’s encouraged others to reach new heights of courage and daring (Burrito being VERY brave):
Foxie, Dora and Kate:
Jody:
Inspired chimpanzee shenanigans (Missy top, Annie below):
Missy chasing Annie:
And is a daily reminder of all the love that surrounds the chimps and all the good people we get to call part of our chimp family.
Nicki, you and Bill are in our hearts and thoughts and we are sending you all the good thoughts for a season full of love, comfort and peace.
We (finally) got a sprinkling of snow yesterday, so Anna and volunteer Becca filled up some buckets with the fluffy stuff and put them in the front rooms for the chimpanzees after we had finished cleaning.
It’s a gorgeous day today in central Washington. The sun came out early and has been shining bright all day. The snow on the ground catches the light and makes it look like the world is winking and sparkling.
For Annie, today was the kind of day that you take a bucket of snow up to a window on the catwalk and enjoy the cold treat with the sun streaming onto your face.
And when her friends Jody and then Missy came by, she decided there was plenty to share:
Happy eve of Christmas Eve, everyone!
As the saying goes, if you really care for someone you’d give them the shirt off your back. For Jamie, it’s going to have to be the shoes off your feet.
