Happy Birthday, December-born friends!
I had to scan the calendar and check it twice 😉 to make sure I was actually seeing that there are no chimpanzee or bovine birthday twins sharing the month of December with you! Here at the sanctuary, that is.
I’m a fan of the written and spoken word, but often there’s nothing that speaks truer than true than what can only be felt in our hearts. We hope you always feel down to your bones how immeasurably grateful we are to each of you for all you bring, all you share, and all you make possible in the lives of those who call the sanctuary home. For just being here. For just being you. We celebrate you every single day.
Of course we have no shortage of celebrations this time of year (or ever!), including the winter solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, and all manner of ways in which we choose to celebrate and honor what we hold dear, in our own way, or not. This time of year comes with all the feels, doesn’t it? Joy, stress, anticipation, dread, magic, sorrow, and wonder, all stuffed into a huge rumpled bag we find ourselves hefty overhead with the bursting hearts and strength of ten Grinches on some days, to dragging it behind while it bumps into our backsides on other days. But because of each of your hearts, no matter what is or isn’t happening in our individual and collective lives, sixteen chimpanzees, four bovines, and one barn cat get to live in a world of wonder, adventure, comfort, friendship, love, and choices, through every season, through every day.
Beautiful Lucky under the Christmas lights:
Some of these photos go waaay back, but when this time of year rolls around there are a handful that always come to my mind and bring a smile to my face, every one full of some kind of wonder. I hope they bring that to you all as well.
Foxie and the faux fireplace!:
Missy used to choose to throw on a sock or two as a sure sign she was ready to play. She chooses to don them less frequently now, but just look at her wonderful little runner’s legs!:
Dear Jody, potato in one hand, Hawaiian roll in the other, a woman after my own heart. Her face!:
We’re often asked how the chimpanzees react to the snow and cold typical of our winters here in the Washington Cascades. Does Annie’s group miss the more easeful days of warmer weather and the freedom in exploring every inch of Young’s Hill? Probably. But are they incredibly courageous, resilient, intelligent and curious beings? Unbelievably so!
Enrichment comes in endless forms. While we cannot keep all of their outdoor habitat snow-free, we do our best to keep paths to many of the structures shoveled and lined with straw and I can tell you they don’t hesitate to go out. More than anyone else I know, the chimpanzees seem to embrace whatever comes their way. We can’t wait to see what Cy’s group chooses to do when their outdoor habitat, The Bray, is complete (it’s so close!!…but, an intermission for winter!).
Jamie and Annie improving upon the humans’ shoveling one year:
Annie!:
Missy, Annie, Jamie, and Jody during a past winter before the recent Young’s Hill expansion:
Negra (yep, you read that correctly, Negra!), Missy, Annie, Foxie and Jamie (with shovel in hand 🙂 ) heading up the hill together:
Jamie during one of last year’s icicle harvests:
It’s taken a bit of time, naturally, for Willy B’s group to see the benefits of snow, but much to our delight (as we keep sharing this photo!) this year they seem to have decided it’s acceptable snack material. (And if you missed this gem of a blog post starring the Ice Bandit, I will leave it right here):
This will be Willy B’s group’s first winter holiday season celebrating together as nine! We are unspeakably proud of the courage, patience and kindness these nine individuals have shown as they continue to navigate their newish lives here together. Like any group of people living together, it’s not without it’s chimpanzee-style bumps, but the friendships and personalities we seeing blooming are the best gifts we could hope for for them.
I have to say, through all the gratitude and relief felt in seeing these nine individuals safe in their new lives here, I don’t think it was ever far from any of our minds that there were still so many other chimpanzees awaiting their own sanctuary homes after the former Wildlife Waystation (where all nine of Willy B’s group spent the majority of their lives) unexpectedly closed in 2019. But through the continued support of so many, the Chimpanzees in Need campaign led by NAPSA (North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance) is, quite incredibly, looking toward being able to place the final two chimpanzees remaining there, Amber and Mousse, in their new home at Chimp Haven in Louisiana, right behind 8 others who recently arrived.
Everyone. Home. What a profound relief it will be. And as all these individuals look toward their new lives, we send special thoughts and thanks to everyone, but especially their caregivers, who have stayed with them, dedicated to keeping them safe and well all these many years and whose hearts must be feeling so much.
Handsome Cy:
The love that is “Mora” (besties, Mave and Dora):
Lucky, Dora, and Rayne:
Honey B and her beloved Wolf blankets:
Honey B, surrounded by her new family, including Gordo, Rayne and Terry:
Betsy, her son, Nutmeg, Meredith and her mama, Honey:
Barn Kitty:
Last, but not remotely least, while we may not have any residents here at the sanctuary celebrating a December birthday, there is a very special person who resides at Save the Chimps in Florida who will be celebrating her birthday on December 21st. I have a special beat in my heart for the chimpanzees’ children and I always marvel at how much they often resemble one another, but at just-so-angles, these two in particular always fill me with awe. This is Foxie’s daughter, beautiful Angie (the 1st), who will be turning 35. Happy Birthday, Angie!:
Her mama, Foxie!:
Happy birthdays! Happy holidays! Merry winter (or summer as the case may be)! And even (or especially) an all hail the Grinch!
There is wonder to be found everywhere. As one of my favorite poets and current US Poet Laureate, Ada Limón, wrote in her beautiful poem, The Last Thing, “I can’t help it. I will never get over making everything such a big deal.”
Burrito feet:
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
what a wonderful collection of photos! I love them all especially Annie dancing in the snow. thank you so much, Katelyn, also for the text describing times past and present at the sanctuary. I feel like I’m there with you all. my thoughts also go out to the two remaining chimps at the Waystation and also to the caregivers. How they will miss them. Bless you and travel safely.
Katelyn says
Thank you, Susan, for your kind words, well wishes, and being part of the sanctuary.
Deanna says
Thank you for this very thoughtfull post. It has me reflecting on my days at the Wildlife Waystation. I am forever grateful for my experiences there, good and bad, the people friends and of course the animal friends. The closing was incredibly hard but what made it bearable is knowing that the animals were going to amazing sanctuaries like Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. The lives they are living now is beyond what I could hope for them and you and other sanctuaries like you made it happen so I am deeply grateful for you every moment of every day. The final end is near with the last two dear chimps heading to their new home… tomorrow I think… anyway, its been a long journey but with all the great memories and loveI experienced from my time at the Wildlife Waystation the hard, sad days of the ending was worth it. I wouldnt change a thing… How could I when I see how they are all thriving. I say to you all Happiest of Holiday Seasons with a grateful heart.
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
Thankyou for sharing that with us, Deanna, regarding your time at the Wildlife Waystation. I was a sponsor for Chimpanzee Booie at wws from 2005 and then I sponsored sha sha Chimpanzee after booie’s death in 2012 up until the wws sadly closed down in 2019. You all gave blood sweat and tears to ensure the best life for the Waystation chimps and I thank you. I now sponsor sha sha at Center for Great Apes and it is a comfort to know that all the Chimpanzees thst remained at wws will go on to have their rightfull place in the sun. Best wishes, Susan
Linda C says
Thanks, Deanna.
And I’ll reiterate: any funny stories you want to share about the 9, I’m pretty sure we’re all ears! Thanks for helping them make it this far!
Katelyn says
Thank you, Deanna, that’s very kind of you. We’re so grateful for the amazing outcome as well. And we can only imagine how bittersweet it all is for everyone who cared for them, and all the animals there, for so many years. It’s our honor and privilege to know them and be able to provide them a home throughout the rest of their lives. We love them so much. As we know you all do.
Diane Kastel says
Thank you for the picture of the “Barn Kitty”. I would appreciate learning more about him/her, how he/she arrived, and, any, goings on?
Linda C says
They’ve done a post on him (that’s where the pic came from, I think). IIRC, it was a year or two ago
Katelyn says
Hi Diane,
Barn Kitty is a mysterious man cat who just appeared in our barn one day, several years ago now. We guessed that he belonged to our former neighbors who had a ranch and other cats, but no one claimed him. He calls the barn his space and though we supplement his food and water, he spends much of his time hunting in the surrounding fields. He’s beautiful and kinda scary (he takes a hard pass on any attempted petting and often accepts his requested meals with a hiss and a swat – in fact, sometimes he chases us). He’s incredibly adept at his feral kind of life and despite our best efforts, he wants nothing to do with being anything less than his wild self. He will disappear for weeks at a time and every time we think, “Well, that’s it, he froze or met his end through a local predator.” And then just like that, he appears in the barn, next to his food dish or sleeping on a hay bale, healthy as ever. Last year, he was hit by a car on the highway and despite having a complicated fracture in his ankle, somehow thankfully made it straight to us. We were finally able to trap him and Dr. Erin performed surgery and got all his health needs up to date, even keeping him during his long recovery (he was rudely unimpressed). We really worried about his ability to survive as a feral after his leg injury, but you’d never know a thing happened now and he’s back to being his chosen barn mountain lion self. And being sanctuary, we wouldn’t have it any other way than how he wants it. 🙂
Linda C says
Oh, wow! More thanks to Dr Erin!
Linda C says
Thank you, Katelyn!
That pic of Jo is one of my favs! I used to think she was derpy-looking, but I have come to love that face so, and that pic is one of the reasons why! She’s so darned photogenic!
Annie walking on that crusty snow, leaving NO footprints! Like walking on water! It shows off those lovely hands.
Katelyn, when you listed all of the rescued creatures that live there, did you miss a certain bulldog? or have I missed a post!? (please tell me the little guy is now a big guy and doing just fine!)
Thanks for the pics and wishes!
Katelyn says
Hi Linda,
Benny’s maybe a medium guy now, and he, Abbey, and part-time office cat, Lou Lou, are all safe and well! In fact we just celebrated Benny’s first year adoptiversary. In true sanctuary fashion, that guy loves a party! 🙂
Linda C says
Yay! Happy to hear that!
Kathleen says
Has it really been a full year for Benny?! Happy Belated Gotcha Day Benny! What a luck boy to be adopted by Diana and J.B. and Abbey.
I recall a photo in a blog post this year where Benny was in the new tractor supervising the reconstruction outside. Cracks me up. Nothing warms my heart more than a dear little “pit bull” rescue dog finding their perfect home. But finding your home at a chimpanzee sanctuary is like landing in Oz!!
Linda C says
Oh!
And maybe the chimps could get some potato latkes? 😉
Amy Bianco says
Katelyn, this was such a beautiful piece of prose, accompanied by adorable photos, reflecting the wonderful job you all do every day for these beings. Thank you for sharing your heart in more ways than one!
Linda C says
I’m glad we still get Katelyn blogs at least 1x/month
Katelyn says
Thank you, Linda. So lovely to say. <3
Katelyn says
Amy, that’s so kind of you to say, thank you. We really appreciate you being here!
Lynne K says
Beautifully written and i enjoyed the pictures. Thank you for sharing! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! I love following these amazing chimps!
Katelyn says
Thank you, Lynne! We so appreciate you being part of their lives.
Deb says
Beautiful words. So happy all chimps will be placed and moved on from Waystation.
Katelyn says
Thank you, Deb. It’s such an incredible outcome.
Kathleen says
Oh Katelyn. You have out done yourself! What a beautiful monthly ending to the year.
Thank you for pulling up these old photos! I confess to saving these images myself. Foxie and the faux fireplace, Missy and her socks! Jamie shoveling to help J.B. that winter. Annie walking upright across that dreaded snow. Oh what a magnificent life they have in Cle Elum!
I am amazed that all the chimpanzees from WW have a new home. I just read a bittersweet news article on the most recent transport. I am so happy for the chimpanzees but my heart breaks for the caregivers who will forever miss the daily contact with their very dear friends. I wish I could hug and thank each individual personally. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I will forever remember you for being there and caring for these incredible chimp people.
Angie and Foxie! They certainly look alike. Happy birthday to you.
Happy December!
Katelyn says
Thanks so much, Kathleen, it’s such a gift to be able to look back over the chimpanzees time here. It’s amazing all that’s happened in their lives. And for all those beings who are looking toward, and settling into, new lives, oh, I know we all just send all the good thoughts for all the good things and ease in their hearts – so many possibilities ahead.
Ellen Greene says
Thank you so much, Katelyn, for your BEAUTIFUL blog. It brought tears to my eyes. And, yes, seeing Annie walking on snow is absolutely heavenly. What a beautiful soul she is. I loved the photo of Angie. She and her Mom, Foxie, look so much alike. And Jamie, industrious as ever with her shovel. I also really appreciated hearing about Barn Kitty. His resilience is awe-inspiring. In fact, all of the Sanctuary beings are so full of courage and perseverance. They all inspire me. Thank you for sharing their stories.
Katelyn says
Thank you, Ellen, for your kind words. And agreed – the sanctuary residents are some of, if not THE, most inspiring beings I know. <3