Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

Archives for April 6, 2018

A playful way to start the day

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As I arrived this morning, I found Negra and Burrito grooming on a bench in one of the Front Rooms. This is a popular morning spot since it has a view of both the driveway and the kitchen.

Despite how this looks, Burrito is not in fact a vampire. He is actually more of a Tasmanian Devil. But at this point in the day he is still a very sleepy Tasmanian Devil.

As the other staff and volunteers arrive, Negra looks toward the kitchen and greets them with a soft grunt, and Burrito follows suit.

The arrival of the volunteers means the workday has begun, and that in turn means that breakfast will soon be ready. Breakfast always puts Negra in a good mood so she begins to play.

Negra has a rough style of play. The others tolerate it because of her status, and because they all know that it is a special occasion when Negra plays. Soon she is playfully but forcefully pushing Burrito’s head against the wall.

She thinks that is a lot of fun.

Burrito thinks a bit less of this game and he eventually slips away, so Negra settles for a patented Negra move – the head-butt to the belly. Let the day begin!

Today is for Oliver

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Today is a special sponsor-a-day from supporter Kery Shaw about a rescued senior dog that she and her partner Terran cared for during his last months.

I would hazard to guess that most of the people reading this have had some personal connection to animals who were rescued, and all of you will appreciate Oliver’s story, as shared by Kery.

Oliver was a blind and deaf fifteen-year-old chihuahua terrier mix. Last year he was seen being kicked out of a car and dumped in LA California. A good samaritan witnessed this, and then saw Oliver walking around in circles. He/She picked Oliver up and then shared his story on social media.

A woman named Janie Mudrick, who works with Hand in Paw Rescue, contacted my best friend Piper Wood, founder of that rescue, asking if they could take custody of Oliver. I had been following Oliver’s story for a while and was trying to figure out a way that Terran & I could help.

After months of Piper having him and not being able to find a home, Terran and I offered to foster Oliver, in the hope of relieving some of her burden. After only a few days I had convinced Terran that we were his best option, and that truthfully no one could love or care for him like us. Being a senior dog and so severely neglected and abused, I honestly had no idea how much longer he had for this world, but we knew that we wanted to give him as much love as possible in the time he had.

On Valentine’s Day of this year, we had officially adopted him. Oliver had good days and bad days. He was a fussy eater and sometimes he kept us up in the middle of the night. Often he left us worried and scared with his seizures and feet swelling. Oliver loved the park–since he was blind, he loved being able to smell everything. He also loved salads, his vegetables, and “beyond chicken”. Oliver’s favorite movie was Pretty Woman, I think because it has such a great soundtrack. He loved music. The Opera scene was his favorite. Oliver was easy going. Terran and I would take him everywhere. He loved his stroller and his carry bag. He was always cold, but never fussed, even when I put his onesies on him. Oliver never barked, except for when he dreamed. Overall, he was the sweetest dog and we miss him dearly.

My advice to everyone is to rescue, especially senior animals. They are truly special.

 

Kery’s story struck a chord with me, having cared for a dog into her senior years. And, more close to CSNW, while you may not realize it between Burrito’s young-at-heart antics and Missy’s always-on-the-move persona, all of the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees are considered senior. Each day with them is, absolutely, truly special.

Thanks to Kery for sharing this story and caring for Oliver and to everyone who has taken in someone in need.

 

Negra under blanket