Two fundraising updates and a story about our bovine friends today.
First, yesterday alert blog readers took it upon themselves to start a group fundraiser for a much-desired, literally named “Big Ass Fan” evaporative cooler. Right now we have $895 pledged towards the $1,899 cost of the fan, with $1,004 left to raise. I myself have pledged $100 and have been having pleasant visions of receiving that cooler.
If you would like to participate, you can email me ([email protected]) and let me know your pledge amount. Donations towards the fan can be made online on our donation page (just specify in the gift note section it’s for the cooler), or you can mail a check to the sanctuary at PO Box 952, Cle Elum, WA 98922. You can donate now or pledge first and donate once I let you know that the total has been reached. Thank you all so much!!
Second, counting today, there are only three days left to take advantage of Early Bird pricing for the HOOT! gala! The gala is a pretty big deal in terms of fundraising but also in terms of connecting with supporters. We are hoping to see many familiar and new faces in-person in Seattle on September 16th!
For those not in this area or otherwise unable to attend the fundraising fête, you can still participate! We’ll be having an online auction open to anyone, and for those who buy a virtual VIP ticket for just $20, you will also receive a special invitation to an exclusive Zoom tour of the sanctuary to take place on Sunday, September 11th at 2pm.
A big shout-out goes to our sponsors of HOOT! 2022. Numerous individuals are now sponsors in addition to generous Gala Sponsor Concord Construction. What would we have done without them these last few years with all of the expansion!! We are so grateful to have worked and continue to work with them to expand the lives of the chimpanzees and beyond honored to have their sponsorship for the gala.
Also a big thanks to Happy Hour sponsor Martha Faulkner Real Estate. Martha was a very helpful board member for years and is an all-around animal lover, giving part of her commission to multiple animal groups through her business, hence her website: homes4petlovers.com.
If you are interesting in sponsoring as a business or an individual, you can do that directly here or if you’d like more information, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Third, it’s hot, ya’ll.
Today was my day to do “cattle care”. In the winter, that means giving our four bovine friends hay, mucking out the barn, and making sure there is an ample supply of water.
In the early summer they are able to free-feed in the pastures, helping us with fire control, so we don’t need (yet) to supplement their food. They aren’t spending as much time in the barn, so there’s less mucking to do, though we do try to pick up in areas where they congregate to keep the fly population under some control.
With the addition of the large pasture on the property above the original sanctuary property this year, you just never know where you are going to find the cows.
Today, I couldn’t find them at all.
They weren’t at the barn, where I stopped to make sure the water trough was full.
And they weren’t in the pasture by the pond, where I have been finding them on most Fridays since they’ve been given access over a month ago.
I followed their well-worn path down towards the spring, and found them doing exactly what they should be doing in 100+ degree weather, hanging out in the shade, ready to stare me down.
But wait, where was Betsy?
Seriously, where was Betsy? I called her name. No response. I called louder. Still nothing.
Despite my best efforts at self-mind-control, I can be prone towards thinking the worst and I was starting to get nervous. Betsy is not usually away from her herd.
I walked further down the path adjacent to the spring. Ahhhh. There she was.
In the patch of lush greenery at the edge of the spring.
She too was keeping cool right near the water.
On my way back across the property, I spied another mom laying low in some shade.
It makes me so happy that Betsy, Meredith, Honey, and Nutmeg can, like momma deer, follow their instincts and choose the smartest spot to be on the property.
They are no longer beholden to the humans making all decisions for them or viewing them as a means to their own ends. They are residents of this land. Not as unlikely as the chimpanzee residents across the way, but, like the chimps, while not free, definitely freer than many of their species who have been forced into a life of servitude.
By luck or by fate (if you believe in that kind of thing), we get to be a part of their lives.
Celebrate this gift with us by participating in HOOT!, online or in-person. We have a lot to celebrate!
Gray says
Thank you.
Kathleen says
Your blog post in three parts turned out to be full of delightful surprises! Who doesn’t love a surprise, spontaneous fundraiser in the middle of a wicked heatwave? I’m certainly IN for the donation towards the “Big Ass Fan” evaporative cooler. Same for the HOOT! gala. I so wish I could attend in person. Maybe someday.
Best of all was your happy ending story of Betsy gone missing. I know I would have worried not seeing her immediately in her favorite places but, it appears she discovered her own personal cooling technique, relaxing on the edge of the spring….in peacful solitude. What a beautiful home the cows have on the Cle Elum hillside.
Kathleen A Benson says
I’m glad that someone started the fundraiser for the ” big ass fan”. I was thinking about contacting you to see if it would be possible to start one. :purple_heart:
Saunie says
thank you for giving all the moo-cows a forever home.
Linda C says
Betsy’s idea was a good one!
Betsy says
Which Betsy lol? I think bovine Betsy in the shade near the stream gets the prize. That’s where I’d be if i could.
I’m just so amazed at how everyone stepped up and contributed to buying the fan cooler! But i shouldn’t be amazed at that, this is the kindest internet group I’ve ever known, so of course you pick up the ball and run with it. Stay cool everyone 😉
Linda C says
it was:smile: YOU! haha
Marya says
Diana, thanks for this wonderful post and pics! I’m so glad Betsy was found in a space of her choice — and the mama deer cooling off, too. But what I really want to know is about that pic of the bovines with a chimp in the frame — is that Jamie (can I assume? Missy on one of her fast runs?) And — what do you think that the chimps think of bovines??? Especially if they moo in their direction? I can only imagine: Jamie: “What the HELL is THAT THING? AND WHAT IS that NOISE it makes???!!!” So fun!
Linda C says
Pretty sure it’s Jamie. And.if it is, she’s wondering if she should waste energy throwing dirt at them
Diana says
Yes, that is Jamie in the photo. The chimps are curious, but rather nonchalant about the chimpanzees overall. 🙂