And oh, we’ve always got someone and something special to celebrate! What a full year we’ve had so far. It’s mind-boggling to think we’ve already reached just past midsummer, but there’s a nearly full season of summertime wonder still ahead of us. For you, the gracious and valued humans of our extended chimpanzee and bovine family who celebrate your birthday in July, happiest days to you from all of us here!
You, my friends, get to share your birthday month with this handsome sir, Gordo (who turns 34 on July 19th!):
AND beautiful and saucy, Betsy (who turns 15 on July 20th!):
Both these wonderful chimpanzee and bovine people are two of our rather more independent and aloof-with-the-humans family members. Though neither have any problem putting us humans in our place if deemed necessary (or just because), it makes the moments they do choose to spend with us all the more cherished.
I was reading something the other day by Tennessee Williams who had said something to the effect that for him, home wasn’t a physical place or structure, but more a space between individuals where each can rest and be fully oneself, loved and valued just as you are. I’d venture to guess that most of our hearts beat a stronger, our heads nod a little in recognition, thinking of or imagining that. With that in mind, we can’t thank you all enough for helping us provide home to Gordo, Betsy, and all of the special individuals who dwell here. And we’re so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate these special beings, and you special beings, this month!
Happy July Birthdays, friends! Thanks so much for being here!
Betsy and her family:
Gordo and his half-sister, Dora:
Deanna says
Happy birthday Gordo and Betsy!!! Gordo my friend you are just too darn cute!!! And Beautiful beautiful Betsy!! Wishing you both many more wonderful birthdays to come!! xoxo
Laurie Mowat says
And also a great fourth of July weekend to everyone!
Kathleen says
There’s no place I’d rather be! I am looking forward to celebrating Gordo and Betsy and the wonderful life they live within your sanctuary home.
Marcie says
Beautiful sentiments, Katelyn, thanks for the pics of our special residents.
nancyt says
Happy birthday to Betsy &Gordo. San Diego NBC7 ,Dagmar Midcap had story ” Down to earth” on the Lucky Seven today. Happy Fourth to all & the great journey continues! Stay safe.
Marya says
Thanks for the Tennessee Williams sentiment, Katelyn. It’s perfect. And the photos — Gordo and Dora in the sun’s brightness makes them glow with silver highlights that are wonderful. I can just imagine the warmth they must feel. It slays me whenever I see a photo of Gordo sitting on a box in the greenhouse and carrying one around just in case it’s needed. It’s so adorable — is the grass/ground scratchy? Is he afriad he’ll be less presentable if his bottom is covered in grass and soil? It is still so new to him that he’s unsure of it? Whatever it is, I’m thrilled he can exercise his right to choose in this creative way.
Katelyn says
Hi Marya, I imagine the grass being an unfamiliar texture, they just prefer to have something familiar as a buffer. As of yet, none of the chimps will just hang out on the bare grass for long periods of time (except Honey B when she’s racing around) without a buffer of some kind. They like to be up high, but if they stay below they seem to prefer a seat on logs, tubs, boxes, etc. Of course they do this inside as well. We also water the greenhouses, so sometimes it can just be damp. 🙂
marianne says
I was wondering Katelyn, did Dora and Gordo grow up together, or were they seperated and re-united later in life ? ( in that case they do not know their blood relationship ).
They just look so round and fluffy together….
Katelyn says
Hi Marianne, Dora and Gordo, along with all the nine, were born at LEMSIP and raised in the nursery and they all moved to Wildlife Waystation together as children when LEMSIP closed. I don’t think they’ve always been in the same groups together, but they’ve probably spent much of their lives together. Impossible to say if they feel a sibling connection per se, having been taken from their mothers and families, but they are close and do choose to spend time together.
Linda C says
Happy bday to all of our July birthday people, chimpy and otherwise!
Katelyn, I haven’t seen it in a recent video, that I can think of….but since the 6 came, and they seem to have adapted to grass more quickly than the 3. ..are the 3 feeling better about grass now? A little peer pressure?
Katelyn says
Linda, They are definitely more comfortable with it, I would say perhaps Mave engages with it the least so far. Willy B is served many of his meals out there and forages comfortably enough then brings everything back to a seat of some kind. Honey B seems to have the least qualms racing across it during chase, but no one really wants to just hang out on it without some kind of buffer or seat (log, box, tub, etc). They all typically tend to spend their time up high though, which is of course a chimp thing. 🙂