Many thanks to Tobin, friend of the chimpanzees and bovines, and a name you may recognize here among the comments of our wonderful daily blog community, for sponsoring a day of sanctuary today!
“In honor of Burrito, as well as to commemorate my grandfather, Everett B. Jeffries, who was born on this day in 1897.
Five years ago at this time, despondent about the malevolent policies emanating from my nation’s leadership – and their deleterious efforts upon the ecosystem – I went online, looking for signs of resistance and hope. In my wandering, by some miracle I came upon a video which bore the caption: ‘Rescued Chimpanzee Plays with Caregiver.’
Cognizant of how endangered – and abused – great ape species are, I was not certain that I could bear to inquire into the context of this chimpanzee’s rescue from human mistreatment. And yet, I pressed the arrow on the computer screen onto the caption, and in an instant, my life changed. I had learned about a great spirit with the curious name of Burrito.
Like many human primates who encounter Burrito – either in person or through the medium of the internet – I was immediately smitten by him. I had to know more about this freckle-faced, wooden block-chewing, tug-of-war player. Soon I learned that this charming man resided with six other chimpanzees in the Cascade Mountains. As with Burrito, I reacted with awe at learning about his neighbors who had been rescued and given sanctuary in the Cascade foothills. For the next three months, I read everything that I could find about great apes.
Which leads me to my grandfather. The more photographs and videos that I saw of Burrito, the more he seemed to remind me of some human primate in my past. Learning that only 1.24% of genetic material – and five million years of evolutionary history – separate Pan troglodytes from Homo sapiens, I began to discern some remarkable similarities between my immediate ancestor and my distant cousin in the evolutionary tree.
Granted there are numerous contrasts between the two: unlike Burrito, my grandfather was not given to brachiating amongst the rafters of his barn. Likewise, he didn’t display at the Sunday dinner table (i.e. the video from 9.9.2018).
However, they share some commonalities: similar facial structures and hairstyles, a passion for fine dining (in particular, sweet potatoes and squash), and similar throaty laughs. Both Burrito and my grandfather lived and worked in rural environs and shared a household with strong-willed women (my grandmother and in Burrito’s case, Jamie).
Although the internet was not in wide-scale use during my grandfather’s lifetime, I have no doubt that he would have found the daily record of the sanctuary’s website a source of interest. And I am given to speculate, he would have viewed the video of 5.21.2017 and, watching Burrito and Annie play, recalled his courtship of my grandmother.”
We are so glad to know of the connection and joy Burrito and his friends and neighbors have brought to your life, Tobin! Thank you for sharing your heartfelt tribute to the unique being-ness of two special primates.
Jamie and Burrito:
Burrito and Annie:
Such a sweet tribute and I am smitten with Tobin’s writing.
Thank you, Tobn, for your beautiful testimony to your grandfather and to Burrito. You honor them both.
Tobin, what a pleasure to read your heartfelt tribute to your grandfather! I felt the same way you’re describing when I also ‘accidentally’ stumbled upon the sanctuary’s existence a couple of years ago. It was total serendipity at the time after my years of being a chimp devotee. Thank you for your sponsorship and contributions. I totally agree with your Burrito/Jamie observations. What a pair!
Hi Tobin. Thank you for sharing your grandfather’s birthday with us, thereby giving us the joy of seeing several pictures of My One True Love Valentine Burrito! Which always makes my day.
I’ve also learned so much about great apes in the last two years. Mostly bonobos and gorillas, but also the orangutan. I just love them all so much! There is room in my heart for all of them, but Burrito? He has me wrapped around his little finger.
Oh my sweet, sweet Tobin, how lovely and amusing are your words of tribute and remembrance. Our shared high school English teacher, Mrs. H, would surely scribble upon this, ” I have read many, many writings but surely they won’t come any better than this.” (Signed with a heart, of course.) I remember you scaling the summit of our very tall Grandpa without any firehose “vines.” I agree Totally about Jamie and Burrito. Should a car be donated for “enrichment” on Young’s Hill, I am convinced Jamie will insist on Burrito being in the passenger seat while she drives, in the Jessie and Everett style. I am so glad that the Burrito shaped hole in your heart has now been more than adequately filled. Love you.
Tobin…this was eloquent and heartwarming. Thank you for such a lovely post.
I am so pleased you stumbled upon that video of silly Burrito and J.B playing together. Isn’t it amazing how seven chimpanzees and a chimphouse full of dedicated caregivers, volunteers, and interns could totally change your life and fill you full of hope? Sixteen chimpanzees and four bovines are very fortunate you stumbled into their world. And I should add that your comments on the daily blog always bring a big smile to my face.
Here’s to Mr. B and Mr. E.B.J. …..and Tobin too.
Thank you, Tobin!
Here’s to Mr. E.B.J and Mr. B.
Tobin you are a true wordsmith and I applaud you.
I’m in my fifties and I cringe at the fact that most kids today probably think a thesaurus is some sort of dinosaur.
I loved your tribute to your grandfather and Burrito.
Have a great day!
Thank you for your kind words, Laurie.
In my youth I aspired to become Gore Vidal without his bilious contempt, or, failing that, John Updike without his prurient obsessions. Alas, since both of those jobs were already taken, I must contend myself with contributing to the CSNW’s comboxes. I knew that English degree from Failed State University would — eventually — be utilized to public benefit.
My heartiest gratitude to all who have commented thus far on today’s blog posting. I am especially grateful to Katelyn and anyone else under Jamie’s employ and direction who selected the videos and still photographs of my Cousin Burrito, in particular the second picture from the top with Bubba perched far above the ground. Even there he evokes the scene of my grandfather, circa 1906, sitting high on a tree branch and looking down, perhaps contemplating about which outhouses below him in the Bellmore, Indiana metropolitan area he should endeavor to tip over.
Good old Hoosier hospitality!
I live in Greenwood just outside of Indy.
Bellmore is a village in Parke County. The resemblences notwithstanding, I regret to concede that I am unaware of any non-human primate species who are residing amongst that county’s rolling hills and wooden covered bridges.
Having said that, given his looks — and sense of levity and mirth — Burrito or someone bearing a strong resemblence to him (several of my grandfather’s immediate descendents) would not look — let alone be — out of place at the annual Jeffries picnic get-together at Turkey Run State Park.
I can’t think of a better honor than to be held in esteem with Burrito! Like Tobin, I stumbled across one of CSNW’s videos on YouTube while trying to learn more about us great apes. And I was immediately hooked! I know I can always count on the inhabitants and caregivers at CSNW to put a smile on my face every evening. A true gift that I didn’t even know I wanted until it was given to me.