We made it!! We think. With any luck, today wraps up the last of the triple digits of this current heatwave and though the “Big Ass Fan” will still have plenty of work to do upon it’s arrival (thank you, all, whether you were able to contribute, or help cheer the fundraiser on!!), as we melt into August, temperatures look to be at least a little less inferno-like in the week ahead. 🙂 As I type, Jenna is passing out popsicles to Cy’s group, Jamie’s group just finished Gatorade ice cube treats and sun-warmed berries from their raspberry patch and Burrito, well, Burrito has Chad running around the hill like it’s half the temperature it is. We’re just going to hope we don’t have to send out a search party for Chad. But it’s what makes Burrito happiest so there you go. Did I capture a single usable photo of any of today’s events? Nope, I sure did not. But onward…
Speaking of August, it’s a whole new set of celebrations to look forward to! Firstly, Happy Birthday to all of you, our wonderful friends and supporters celebrating an August birthday! We hope your days are filled with all the things that make your hearts happy and that you know how much we truly appreciate you being here, being part of all our lives.
And your birthday twins! On August 8th, Foxie is turning 46! Foxie is an effervescent being, cautiously brave and adventurous, full of joyful shenanigans and a tiny spitfire of a woman. I wouldn’t know it until 30 years later, but the day she was born the world became a more magical place. And so did my heart.
On August 18th we celebrate the 3rd arrival anniversary of Honey B, Willy B and Mave! When you think of all that’s been made possible in their lives in three short years, all that YOU have made possible, it’s the most mind-boggling, hopeful and incredible thing, isn’t it? Moving from the only home and caregivers they’d known for most of their lives in California, to a sanctuary in the Cascade mountains of Washington. A new home that continues to grow not only in space, but in relationships with family and new friends, and a year ahead with still more adventures on the way. I just said it seems so much longer they’ve been part of their sanctuary family here. Maybe our hearts knew all along they were, we were just waiting on them to come home.
Mave:
Honey B:
Willy B:
And! On August 23rd, we celebrate Missy who will be turning 47! Missy is one of the most intelligent, strongest, and graceful of beings I know. I always say I wish I could be Missy for 5 minutes just to feel what it’s like to move through the world with her ease and agility, to blaze across her outdoor habitat like a comet, heart on fire with her sheer love of moving.
We have often spoken here on the blog of Missy being a “chimp’s chimp” in that she typically prefers to spend her time with her chimpanzee friends. But when she chooses to sit and groom with us, or play a game of chase, well, it makes your heart spark with the gift of it. The gift of time spent with her. The gift of her.
So happiest of August birthdays and summer days to you all! From our hearts, thank you for being here and making everything in the chimpanzees’ and bovines’ (and humans’) lives here possible. Thank you for celebrating with us and allowing us to share in your own special days! You make more of a difference than you’ll likely ever know.
Happy Birthday Foxy…..:balloon::balloon: your dolls are on their way ?I hope that ” Big Ass Fan” is all you hoped it would be …..because …..if it is you’ll be needing one for Cy and his group.?….. my contribution is in the Box …..keep those contributions coming y’all…..so we can Stave off this Broiling Heat and provide some much-needed relief to our little chimpanzee friends and staff…. can’t think of a better birthday gift then COOL??? with a side order of cake:birthday:
What a wonderful blog entry! One wonders who are luckier, the chimps themselves, able to live in such a fantastic facility, or those who love and care for them?
My brain didn’t register until I read today’s post how close Missy is to Negra in age. I should know because I have all the birthdays in my diary, but her incredible agility always made me think she was still a teenager! And dear little Foxie who now has all the babies that were denied to her in her previous life. It’s a win-win situation with caregivers and chimps, although I doubt Chad would agree when he’s battling to keep up with Burrito in that heat. Ask him to share his Gatorade with you Chad, to put back some of those electrolytes!
August holds three very special celebrations and I look forward to each one.
Katelyn, your reason for wanting to be Missy for five minutes is so perfect. So lovely. And yes! So true. Your words vividly bring your thoughts to life. Missy is most definitely “like a comet”. May she never slow down.
To Chad, I hope you were able to spend a long time under the hose mister (or more like the shower spray!) after your romp around Young’s Hill with your best friend Burrito. The things we do for love!
Birthdays are GREAT days………..?
Their smiles are so beautiful.
yep, another doll for Ms Tiny on the way; I think it said delivery was for the 4th.
Stay cool!
Awesome post of happiness and love plus great pictures to match. They’re all lovely but I am especially tickled by Foxie looking ever so coy and sweet and that Mave!!! I think of her as calm and contained and then she throws a massive smile bursting with life, joy and teeth!!! How awesome is that?
Delighted by your words and phtoos of Foxie, my pal. All the portraits were great. I dmire so much how you keep sending us blogs, how do you find the time for photos and commentaries? It is so appreciated!