Earlier, Diana and I were discussing how serving meals to the Seven has changed over the years. It used to be that you would grab the first course – tomatoes, for example – and serve each chimp his or her portion until that course was done. Then you’d move on to the next course. It’s not that they never became impatient but there was at least a logical and orderly process. But the chimps have turned everything upside down. Missy now has to eat her tomatoes first. Negra, on the other hand, has to have her chow first. Meanwhile, Jamie is going to have her leeks first and that’s not a request that’s an order. It’s not just a simple matter of preference – if they don’t get their desired food first, it’s a full-on hunger strike. So now we’re just grabbing food from this bowl and that bowl amidst a frenzy of Bronx cheers and spit. Sometimes I feel like it’s my first day as a waiter in a busy restaurant. OK, Table 2 wants water with no ice, Table 6 wants a large salad but in two small bowls, Table 9 is still waiting for their entree, and wait…was it no ice or extra ice for Table 2??
I used to be able to write down exactly who ate what and how much, but now it’s all a blur. Today’s log:
Lunch:
Chimps ate food.
Perhaps it has less to do with the chimps and more to do with the natural affects of aging on the brain. But I swear, somehow the Californians are even pickier! The problem over there is that Willy B can be a bully at mealtimes and Honey B is the Slowest Eater On The Planet. The number one rule for lower-ranking chimps is to consume your food as fast as possible. But Honey B doesn’t play by anyone’s rules. And who are you calling low-ranking, anyway? By the time Willy B is done and starting to get antsy, she’s still sitting on a pile of food just licking a piece of fruit and staring into your eyes.
Of course, these fall into the category known by the chimps as “Human Problems”, which as you might guess, are of no concern to them. As it should be.
Watching the gang is eat is one of my favorite things…the munching and crunching is just too much and I could watch them eat all day long!
Isn’t HoneyB the one that beat WillyB with scooter. Lol
Yep! Methinks she’ll eat as slowly as she darn well pleases…it’s going NOwhere!
Yep! Methinks she can eat as slowly as she likes, the food isn’t going anywhere!
They ara SPOILED BRATS…..and rightfully so and very deserved. Its their way of serving the humans with enrichment 🙂
Burrito is hilarious! And I love the Missy translator, thanks for sharing!
Great post J.B. – I was smiling and giggling to it. Love the video. Bubba is just hilarious. Such clear communication from them all. You are all amazing! Thank you…
OMG! This has to be my favorite video of the chimps ever! Love, love, love them SO much! I love how they have their preferences, and make it known! It’s such a joy to see this!
So much fun to see this video! Your comments, J.B., brought up all the firsts that have happened since the 7 arrived! And now the California’s.
Now that was one of the funniest mealtimes I’ve seen! Annie and Jamie were angelic! Love Jamie’s groans of satisfaction and the way she keeps trying to see herself in the phones reflection. .
Negra was too much. The look on Negra’s face and the way Neggie has her body turned ever so slightly away from Diana as she holds up that first tomato (as well as all the other items) spoke volumes. No gestures needed. Negra had “I will not dignify your ‘Do you want a tomato’ with even a glance. Give me the chow bags or please, you’re wasting my time!” written all over her face. She’s hysterical!!
Missy and her tomatoes! I think she’s picked up Negra’s disdain-a-tude to get what she wants. Tomatoes only! And the way Diana packed Jody’s lip full of tomatoes also had me laughing out loud. When Jody walked away she looked as if she was wearing those red wax lips. And then there’s raspberry blowing, cage banging, Burrito. Looks like he will still eat anything willingly.
This video totally illustrated your point J.B., and then some. I can see the difference in their approach to mealtime. I sure love The Seven. And I LOVE to see and hear them at mealtime too. Thanks for the belly laugh.
I love Jody’s technique of making all the tomatoes fit in her mouth-it’s a skill!
Oh, I’m so glad you explained about Neggie and the chow…I was worried at first! I noticed that that seems to be “her” seat, after she gently shoved Foxie off it at Burrito’s birthday lunch.
Jody and her dinosaur groans….the first round, she looked like she was trying for a game of “chubby bunny”! The second time, when you asked her “how are you going to manag that?” I could hear her thinking, “woman, please…I’m Farmer Jo!” Now we know why she’s got that great droopy play face!
Seems like Annie and Foxie didn’t take too much….
This is what I have been waiting for.. Love this way of feeding these deserving chimps. Negra is the best she cracks me up. Best wishes to all. Thanks JB
Loved finally hearing those Burrito raspberries! Considering where they came from, it’s gratifying to see them turning down food, safe in the knowledge that more is coming, and that their individual preferences are being honored. Thanks for the wonderful post.
What a fun video! Poor Burrito would have us believe he never gets enough and it’s never fast enough. Personalities shone through beautifully. I think I’ll save this and review it daily, and probably never tire of it.
That Missy Translator squared the stuffing out of me! Alas, all’s well that ends well if the Tomato Lady gets her favorite fruit.
Hi Diana and J.B., I have a question….. I see some of the chow bags have a big ‘X’ drawn on them. Do you give more chow to certain chimps, or special seed, nuts, or goodies in some of the bags and the X designates those bags? Just curious.
I am keeping this video within my reach to play when I need a good laugh. SO many funny moments to giggle over.
Hi Kathleen – Yes, the chow bags are one of the easiest ways to provide different portions to each chimp. Negra and Jody both get “diet” bags, marked with an X, which contain 10 pieces each instead of 15. Burrito gets an extra bag at both breakfast and lunch (though his growing belly is threatening that status) and Foxie gets an extra bag of 10 pieces on top of her two bags of 15 at breakfast. So far, neither Negra nor Jody have noticed that they are being short changed…
You’ve mentioned Negra needing to watch her girlish figure before but I didn’t know Jody was placed on a diet too. I bet Negra and Jody have noticed their bags have the big X on them (because after all, they are so clever) so now the question is, how long will it take until they discover they have less chow and not more than the rest of the gang? : )
Thanks for the reply and I promise not to tell Negra or Jody.