As the year is winding down, I think all of us are ready to say goodbye to 2020 and embark on a more hopeful 2021! To say we all want to kick 2020 to the curb would be an understatement! 2019 at CSNW was such an exciting and scary year. The introduction of the two chimp groups is something we unintentionally do not discuss unless asked. It was, to be honest, a little traumatizing. When 2020 came around we all couldn’t wait to move on. Burrito was on the mend and we were looking forward to the future. But 2020 brought a pandemic. Sadly, due to covid, we couldn’t have our amazing volunteers come to help us. We strapped on our PPE and tried to carry on, but the hardest part I think we’ve all dealt with and are still dealing with as care staff is the stress of protecting the chimps from COVID-19. For me personally, it comes in waves. I know we have to trust in PPE, but it doesn’t make it not scary. We have all made sacrifices and have lost time with our loved ones, but their welfare is so much more important! We all seem to be managing well enough with our new normal and healing from our old wounds from 2019. Then, the rattlesnake incident happened. Burrito, as we have all said a thousand times, is truly an amazing individual! He has never let life get him down. He always survives and only gets stronger, though if you ask me, he can stop having almost near-death experiences at any time. But his spirit is inspiring! He might be what has got me through this year. Burrito has an appetite for life and has also never seemed happier! So not to dwell too much, but our year and some hasn’t been the best. BUT, through all of our adversities, we have SO much to look forward to!
We are looking forward to the future! We are so close to having the new playrooms finished! Six new chimps will come here to call CSNW home, which means there are going to be more social opportunities for Honey B, Mave, and Willy B, even though that sounds a little scary to us too :). Chimp relationships are so much more important. Though we cherish our moments with the chimps, their relationships with each other are far more important. And of course, we have Burrito!
The other thing that got us through 2020 was all of you. Our supporters and donors. When it felt like the world had lost humanity I always looked to the CSNW supporters. And we know the chimps helped you all through these difficult times through the blogs. However, you all helped us through our trying times. Your faith, support, and kindness has helped us get through 2019, 2020, and will help us through 2021 and years to come. Thank you for your support through donations, but also through your loving and kind words. You all will never know how much you kept us going during these trying times.
Okay, that is enough feelings for one day. We all know it’s been a crazy year so let’s all put 2020 behind us and watch some chimps play and look at their portraits below! Cheers to a new year!
Foxie.
Jamie.
Annie play biting Burrito.
Annie.
Neggie.
I envision the job as similar to the Ringmaster at Ringling Brothers Circus…You can never be sure it will not be like dealing with a fresh load of concrete…you know when you will be through whether you are finished or not……
Happy new year, Kelsi, and all of you staff and volunteer at the sanctuary! As chimpy people raise a glass of (diluted?) sparkling cider, I shall lift a glass of coquito from the opposite side of the country in your name. May 2021 be more hopeful, yes–Jamie’s determined look in the pic above says something good is going to happen! She wills it so!
Now that I’ve seen the video: I love that Burrito didn’t want you to feel left out. Bottoms up, little buddy!
Ahhh 2020, I never saw it coming but I will watch it leave and then cheer in the new year! All of you have been on a non-stop rollercoaster for two years now. I always state that the chimps are so amazingly resilient but so are all of you. You jump in without question, you appear to bounce back with a stiff upper lip, you react so quickly and efficiently and effectively to every surprise… it astounds me. I don’t know how you do it but I am grateful to each and every one of you for your grace under pressure this year. Keeping ourselves healthy this year has been stressful. Thanks for reminding me of your daily concerns (fears) in keeping yourselves and ten chimpanzees healthy and free from Covid-19. Especially when all we have to work with is a facemask and soap and yet at the end of the day it feels so good to know these simple ‘weapons’ allow us to live another day. You can’t see me but I am giving you all a standing ovation, cheering my head off for all you accomplished this year. You made it! (And so did Burrito.) So take that 2020!
Out with the old and in with new. New space for the Californians! Six New chimp people moving to join in on the joys of sanctuary living! Ten chimps ready for new adventures, play, and laughter! Four beautiful bovines with pastures to explore! Seven of THE best caregivers in the world and one outstanding veterinarian who have people all over the globe cheering you on and appreciating everything, every little thing you do for the beloved residents on Young’s Hill.
Sending you HOPE for a happy, peaceful, healthy 2021. xoxoxo
Only 5 more hours of this awful year to go, here in Australia. I think the saddest thing for me was the masks….instead of seeing your familiar faces, they were suddenly confronted by the necessary protection and kissing gloves through the caging instead of your hands. But they seem to take everything in their stride.
Of course, through it all the photos, blogs and videos have kept us all going and my sincere thanks to all you wonderful caregivers for doing a magnificent job of looking after our beloved hairy people in such a difficult year. Lots to look forward to in 2021….more hard work for you all, but more fun and games too.
Happy New Year to you all.
Warmest wishes
Carol
LOVED this video Kelsi! Noticed Jody was playing with an orange wedge in her mouth! With all those shenanigans going on I am surprised she didn’t choke on it! Burrito and Jody are so funny together. And Mave sure can hold her own with Willy, nothing like a kick in the head! Thanks including the longstanding tradition of “Troll Keep-away” with Jamie and Foxie. I have haven’t seen one of these challenges in a ling time. Especially enjoying seeing Foxie fly into the camera and onto the caging as if she were Spider Woman (3:13)! WOW! And Neggie and Foxie, Burrito and Annie, and Jamie enjoying her favorite book — all this play has lifted my spirits. I’m heading off to wrangle with my dog just for the fun it! Thanks Kelsi!!
Typo : “wadge” not “wedge”, my wonderful (ugh) auto correct never likes certain CSNW words such as “Mave” and “wadge”. I am assuming that wadge is squash, carrots, pumpkin (?!) or something equally super yummy and healthy.
I completely relate to this post. I have to say these blogs have really helped me through a tough time and have brought me to tears, happy ones, many times! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I can’t wait for the new 6 to arrive! There are some very special chimp people coming your way! Who am I kidding… they are all special in their own ways! Looking forward to a better 2021 and continued healing! Have a happy, safe and healthy new year! Love to all of you, chimps and humans alike!
Well put, Kelsi. As someone posted back in April on this blog, “The Sanctuary is my sanity right now.” It has been mine as well throughout this arduous and odious year.
And Mr. Burrito Chimpanzee is one tough sweet potato! That photo of Annie’s play-bite is a classic…as is the following telltale portrait of the play-biting looking absolutely exhausted after a rigorous session of trying to keep up with the irrepressible Mr. B.