Tomorrow is Jamieween! The day we celebrate the honorary birthday of the Head Chimp in Charge (HCIC), Jamie. And in light of all the shenanigans and hullabaloo of the day, the wonderful Paulette Wrisley chose to sponsor a day of sanctuary in Jamie’s honor a wee bit early, sending: “Happy early birthday wishes to THE BOSS!”Â
And that suits us just fine because of course in truth, the spirit behind “Jamieween”, and Jamie herself, is much more than a day or a season, it’s the very heart of everything we strive to do here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
We don’t know Jamie’s exact date of birth, only, according to limited records, that she was born in 1977. Jamie spent her entire childhood being raised by a trainer who used her in entertainment and then sold her into the biomedical research industry at the age of 9, where she remained until coming home to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest at the age of 30. And now, thirteen amazing “Jamieweens” since Jamie and her six friends arrived to their sanctuary home, Jamie is turning 44! I think every year that passes only solidifies that there couldn’t be a better day on which to celebrate our friend.
One of my favorite Jamie stories of all time is the time she stood at the top of Young’s Hill watching J.B. use the chainsaw to cut up some fallen trees. Jamie loves work boots. She’s also fascinated by power tools. And she loves to run around Young’s Hill with her human friends. Can you see where this is going? Yep! She tried to get J.B. to chase her around the hill with the chainsaw! I cannot express to you just how very “Jamie” that is!
Now I know some of you are wondering how on earth J.B. could have known that’s what she wanted, and as we’ve mentioned before, it just comes with knowing Jamie and communicating with her every day, just like when she gestures for us to put certain boots to go for a walk (here is an older video demonstrating this, but nothing at all has changed with the exception that we now wear PPE at all times in the chimp house). Someone asked the other day if there is ever a time we tell the chimpanzees “no” when they request something. It’s pretty rare unless it’s something unsafe for them (or us), of which this would be a perfect example, haha. Jamie probably wasn’t interested in any of the reasons J.B. declined her crazy wacky insanely dangerous request. But in my mind, because I know Jamie, I can see it clear as day and just how thrilled she would have been. Because, she’s Jamie!
What I admire most about Jamie is that she is unapologetically herself every second of the day and you always know where you stand with her. She can be incredibly sweet and equally terrifying. She’s a delight and a terror. She’s beautiful, silly and joyful, yet always maintains her penchant for the macabre (enter her fascination of looking at books about mummies, bodies, and skeletons, for one). Nothing…not.one.thing…gets past her. She knows all and sees all. She’s a constantly thinking woman who plots and plans and never ceases to amaze us with her intelligence and creativity. In short, Jamie is a force of nature. There’s no doubt in my mind it’s what got her through the life she lived before she came home to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
Jamie is unique. Like no other. We could not have more admiration, respect or love for her. And it’s this very spirit that Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest strives to honor and celebrate in every individual who calls the sanctuary their home. It’s this very spirit which you make possible in all the many and varied forms we’re privileged to share. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to fully express our gratitude to you for that.
Thank you again so much, Paulette, for helping us celebrate the amazing person Jamie is!
Happy Birthday, beloved James! May you spend every second of all your days forward being exactly as you choose, equally dazzling and scaring the wits out of us all in the process.
What a commitment, Paulette!
Thanks again!
Thanks for the Jamie story, Katelyn! That kooky request must have come from some tv show she was allowed to watch as a youngster. so funny!
Katelyn, this is just the most wonderful, perfect blogpost! My heart hurts when I think of the hidden life Jamie had to live before CSNW; but I rejoice in the whole person she is now, whom the Sanctuary has opened to our love and respect.
I’m sure Jamie would be honored by your words if you all would just let her read the CSNW Blog! LOL
Thanks so much for your kind words, Sherry. I agree, it is very difficult to think of, or even imagine, their lives – all those years – before they came home to CSNW. And yes, the power of sanctuary. <3 Hard to say about Jamie. I dubbed her Queen Jamie with a leftover Brussels sprout stalk/wand during clean-up today and I got "the look" hahaha. She doesn't need me telling her what she already knows! 😉
I can only imagine how incredible it must be to work and spend time with these amazing chimps!
Thank you Paulette, And Happy Day before Jamie-ween everyone!
I love it when you write about Jamie Katelyn, I can tell how much you love her…..Me too:revolving_hearts:
See? that’s why I leave the writing to Katelyn! isn’t her writing amazing? she paints a picture. in fact, you know what? I’m going to change this day of sanctuary to in honor of Katelyn!
I followed the link to the 2015 video. I was awestruck that Jamie slid down the staircase banister LOL!! what a character. I also read the comments and recognized names still commenting today. I’m so jealous because I wish I too had been here all along. I missed out on so much.
Have a great early Jamieween everyone! and thank you Katelyn!
You’re so kind, Paulette. I’m so glad you were happy with the post and thanks again from all of us! We’re so glad you’re here!
Paulette, you never disappoint! Thanks for letting us all begin Jamie’s birthday celebration one day early. The HCIC deserves nothing less! Thank you Katelyn for describing everything Jamie, chainsaws and all. Maybe it’s me but believe Boss Jamie grows softer every year (at least in her photo expressions!). I can remember back almost ten years ago to when I would see some photos of her that would send a wee chill up my spine. A chill of total respect mind you but still, I knew there was an unspoken, invisible *something* about Jamie that demanded attention, respect, and no milquetoasts in her presence. These days, well these days I keep seeing these downright sweet expressions on her face just like the first image under the sponsor message. Jamie the sweet softy. Is she mellowing with age?!
This little compilation of photos certainly sums her up. I adore the photo where she is reading her chimpanzee pop-up book. And my eyes teared up seeing all you women, together, running like the wind. That’s the pwoer of sanctuary. That’s the power of true love. That’s the power of our beloved Jamie!
Send enormous wishes for a happy, hauntingly festive, birthday celebration in Jamie’s honor. (….and I’ll be cheering Jody on to be the winner of the giant pumpkin heist!)
PS: Dear Dr. Jane Goodall, Please note and find delight in Jamie’s use of tools! What would Dr. Louis Leakey have to say about Jamie? 🙂
Hi Kathleen,
I would agree that Jamie (as well as a few of the chimpanzees) have seemingly grown a little softer/more tolerant of the humans annoying habits over time. Oh, she still sends shivers up your spine if she feels like it, but she often appears more at ease, more playful. Dear, sweet Jody would all but guarantee her servers a poke during meals, but I haven’t seen her attempt that in ages and ages. Now she more often puts her forehead against the caging for a soft knuckle rub. But she’s still fierce! 😉
That chainsaw story still has me laughing, Katelyn! It’s so wild and weirdly funny, I had to share it with someone (that meant a former neighbor and my niece, who’s still reacting to it/texting me now).
I’ve thought of popup books before, but assumed they might not last around the chimps. Is Jamie okay with popups?
Linda, the chimps have had pop-ups and they last about as long as any book. 😉
Wow Katelyn,
What a beatiful picture you paint so inmensly full of love for this one of a kind woman Jamie.
And I could imagine J.B. running after her with his chainsaw, and Jamie with a big smile on her face running away from him…HILARIOUS!!
Thank you Paulette, I always love your comments on the blog, and your love for these chimps shines through. They are so lucky to have you as a friend, and so are we.