Yesterday, Diana and I returned to the sanctuary after a week away. I came up a little early for our afternoon positive reinforcement training session to say hello and was treated to some wonderful greetings by Annie and Negra, who were resting in the playroom. Annie’s was a grand submissive gesture – a series of pant-grunts delivered while bobbing up and down excitedly. Negra’s was gentle and sweet – a long kiss on the back of my hand accompanied by soft breathy pants.
Then Jamie approached. She walked up, slid a book under the caging, and walked away. If it were any other chimpanzee I might been a bit disappointed by her reaction, but I knew exactly what she was saying: No time to talk, let’s walk.
There really is no one else like her.
Jo Lathrop says
How lovely and engaging is that? What a treat she is and just so very smart. Love that she has you all to love and understand her!!!!! Love and hugs to you all…
CeeCee says
Do you think she missed walking with you?
Or, do you think she thought you must have really missed walking with her ?
Gotta love that Jamie 🙂
J.B. says
The latter is probably more accurate 🙂 I think it’s just the way that Jamie relates to her human friends and family, so if you haven’t seen someone in a while, the best way to catch up is to go for a walk.
Linda says
Looks like I sent you, among others, a duplicate of that book. Anna said you wouldn’t mind having duplicates. Tip from someone a tad older: if you get some clear contact paper. like we used to use on school books and library paperbacks, and put it over the covers, they’ll last a bit longer. You won’t be able to save the pages from tearing, but it’ll help the cover last. Keep the boss happy longer! 😀
Judy says
A very reassuring walk for Jamie I suspect…. everything is back to normal sort of feeling. Amazing and majestic eyes, souls, and plans for the day! Thank you JB
Kathleen says
Oh how I wish you had captured Annie and Negra’s greetings. Agreed. There really is no one like Jamie. BYOT. Bring your own page turner! And look how Jamie is working her lips, she is so enjoying that book. When she turns her back to you at the end of the video, I found myself reaching out to lightly stroke her shoulder on my computer screen. Sigh…
How lucky you are to return home to your sanctuary family who missed you. You are a very lucky man. Welcome back.
Francoise says
Not one to hold back, is she? I think it’s absolutely wonderful. That’s as close to talking as you can possibly be. A great laugh and warm heart at the same time.
Elaine Reininger says
I love anything about Jamie but this film clip was a gem. Never can get enough of reading or seeing anything about her…she’s just too amazing for words.
Tobin says
I, too, can never get enough of reading about Jamie or her friends, let alone seeing her beautiful amber eyes. You are so right: she is amazing!
Maureen O'Malley says
What a sweet welcome home. I loved Annie and Negra’s greeting. Especially Negra, since I’m very drawn to her. Nice to know the love is mutual.
Karen says
Welcome back! Jamie has more concentration than most human high school students! What an Interesting chimp- The Imelda Marcus of boots!
Heidi says
I love all the chimps at Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW. But there’s something about Jaimie…I admire all of these beautiful beings and the special humans that are their caretakers. I am constantly amazed at their ability to forgive and have an open heart and trust humans again after what they’ve been through. I feel (my own opinion) that Jaimie is trying to make sense of it all, as all the chimps probably are. What has happened to her and her past. She likes boots and books because somewhere in her past, these are connected to good memories…The humans who brought her up must have worn boots and given her magazines or books. Or maybe she just developed a fondness for boots or some combination of both. These chimps have gained so much in the past 10 years, thanks to you and the animal rights organizations that lobbied tirelessly for decades to get most of them out, but I always remind myself that no one can ever lose sight of their past, and we need to bring the remainder of the chimps left in research facility to sanctuary and stop animal experimentation for good. Thank you for everything you do.