Burrito ate a late-night snack of baked apple slices and a banana and took some medication in grape juice, then he slept soundly all night.
This morning he woke up a bit brighter-eyed and had enough energy to greet Jamie, Jody, and Foxie who all wanted to inspect and groom his still slightly swollen hand and his face (if you haven’t been following the last few days, here’s why Mr. B is in recovery). When J.B. came in early, Burrito scooted over to play poke/tickle while still lying down.
Things are all trending in the right direction!
My mental energy has been focused on Burrito these last few days and some of my plans for HOOT! outreach have gone by the wayside. If things continue to look good, and after getting some sleep, I plan to work some more on that event which is coming up in just a few days now!
It turns out that rattlesnake antivenin, which we sourced from the nearest human ER, is extremely expensive, so I might be adding a fundraising page to help pay for Burrito’s medical expenses (so far $12,000) on the virtual auction/event site later today.
Thank you to those who have already inquired about making donations towards his care!
Kathleen says
I can see J.B. smiling even with his mask on, it’s all about his eyes, so this alone makes me feel better. You all must be exhausted and emotionally drained by this point. Seeing the girls tending to him is precious and just what the boy needs. Such good medicine, friendship and love.
Thank you Diana for this early morning update. I was going to suggest yesterday that you add an auction item for Burrito’s recovery and for any medical needs that may pop up in the future. Sadly there will always be a need to build funding for such things, or so it seemed this year. Man, what a year you’ve had and you’ve risen to every challenge and then some. Every single one of you, you are Mighty! Ha haa, you could call it the “Mighty Medical Fund”! ; ) Sending you all my love. Poke Burrito’s finger tips once fro me. xoxoxo
Diana says
Thanks, Kathleen! xoxoxo
Kathleen says
Quick question, why the swelling on his face? Is it like a bee sting where the swelling can spread in an allergic reaction or did the snake bite him more than once? If you don’t have the to answer, no worries, I was just curious.
Diana says
Oh, sorry – what I wrote was a little confusing. His face is not swollen, just his hand.
Sandie Allaway says
Whew! Got a little more concerned than I was! Thanks for clearing that up Diana. I also would like to make a donation to our boy’s care. Do I just do a usual donation or is there something different? You all are such super heroes!
Diana says
Hi Sandie! There’s now a page on our online auction site to make a donation: https://hoot2020.afrogs.org/#/view/213511 If you would rather make the donation on our regular website, that’s fine too! Thank you!
Marcia says
Such welcome news Diana. Thank you so much for taking the time.
Something J.B. said in his post about the snake bite has got me wondering. Do you think Burrito self isolating in one of the front rooms was intentional, to give you access so you could help? Or was it more likely a natural urge to be alone and hunker down? Or both? Or other? I’m also curious how you go about sedating?
Now that I’ve just created a bit more work for you by asking questions ;-), I also want to say enjoy your rest. You deserve it!
Diana says
Thanks, Marcia. Hard to say for sure about Burrito cooperating with being isolated. All of the chimps knew that we humans were anxious to get them inside and they sorted out fairly well. By now, I do think the chimpanzees understand that we want to help them in the front rooms if they are injured. Unfortunately Burrito is a bit of a challenge to sedate. Some of the chimpanzees will take a hand injection, but Burrito does not, so it falls on J.B. to use the dart gun.
Marcia says
Thanks Diana,
Bummer for J.B. but Burrito obviously loves him all the same. I’m sure all that guy play helps!
Amazing though that some of them will allow a hand injection! Such a statement about the amount of trust they have in you.
PatC says
I woke up this morning with Burrito on my mind and am glad to find this update and that Mr B is feeling better. xoxoxox
Marcia says
This is such welcome news Diana. Thanks for taking the time.
Something J.B. said in his post about the snake bite has got me wondering. Do you think Burrito self isolating in one of the front rooms was intentional, to give you access so you could help? Or do you think it was a natural urge to be alone and hunker down? Or both? Or other? I’m also curious how you go about sedating and whether positive reinforcement training has allowed you to give injections with consent for any of them? If so that’s amazing progress.
Now that I’ve created more work for you by asking questions ;-), I also want to say enjoy your rest. You deserve it!
Linda C says
Thanks for another update, Diana.
What a time for this to happen!
Love seeing his (and my) Foxie friend checking in
Sherry says
Thanks for the early update! Whew! So relieved he’s improving! We’ll still keep him in our prayers! Take it easy Burrito!
Donna Oleksiuk says
Would you please let us know how we can send you money to help pay for Burrito’s treatment? Thank you very much 🙂
Diana says
Hi Donna, I set up the page here: https://hoot2020.afrogs.org/#/view/213511
Darcy says
I am so glad Burrito is recovering and doing well. I hope this incident doesn’t make him too nervous to go back onto Young’s Hill. Thank you for all you do for Burrito and the other 9.
Jenny Wilson says
Thank you so much for the update. You all are angels!
Cheryl says
Oh Burrito!!! What a joy to see you with your friends. Please get better and better each day. Will certainly contribute to the antivenin fund. All my love to all of you.
Diana says
Thank you, Cheryl! And thank you for the amazing painting of Mave that you donated to HOOT! I set up the donation page for Burrito’s medical fund here: https://hoot2020.afrogs.org/#/view/213511
Maureen says
Holy Cow! Health care just shouldn’t be beyond reach for anyone. So glad you had the resources available to help Burrito. I’ll contribute what I can. So glad he’s doing better. Thank God for all of you.
Diana says
Thank you, Maureen! I set up the donation page here: https://hoot2020.afrogs.org/#/view/213511 or you can donate through our website if you’d rather. We really appreciate the support!
Linda Gere says
Buritto, so happy to hear you are doing better. You are a Super Trooper! Hugs and keep up the good work??
Marya Barey says
I was holding Burrito and the staff in my heart while updates have been coming in since the event. I’ve been checking my email frequently for news and comments and agree with all everyone has said in support of Burrito-boy and the staff’s fabulous efforts on his behalf. What a process, and just before the big Hoot event. Thank you to the swift and mighty staff and to the chimps who are looking out for Burrito’s welfare. He’s a tough boy with my adventures ahead to look forward to. Let’s hope he’s learned that rattlers are not his friend! But I’m happy he has so many friends and caring there and out here in virtual-land!
Chris says
This is the best news any of us could of hoped for! Thanks so much for taking the time to let all of us worried friends know that Burrito is recovering well. It was truly heartwarming to see he an J.B. playing a little hand game through the mesh. Take good care of yourselves too and get a well deserved, good night’s sleep…
Chris & Dave
CeeCee says
I am so glad he is feeling better.
I donated to poor Burritos medical fund.
I wish I could pay for it all 🙂
It looks like he has a lot of well wishers, Burrito is really loved by all.
Kathy Breipohl says
Thank you Diana for the update and I so hope that Burrito had another good night last night, it is so good to see JB and Burrito bumping hands, also to see the girls being so attentive to Burrito, just so very special and warms my heart. I have been spreading the word for everyone to keep Burrito in their thoughts and prayers. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you and JB and the staff, such gratitude to you all for you all that you do, I know Burrito is in great hands and if PURE LOVE can make him better then it most definitely will.
Love you sweet Burrito, continue to get well.
Peggy says
We have had Burrito in our thoughts throughout the last few days and hoping he is improving. It is nice to see his good friends stopping by to see their little guy. Thank you to all of you for your love and care.