When I stop by the chimp house, I am occasionally greeted by chimps excitedly waiting to play, groom, or go on walks, but the majority of the time, the overall vibe is one of indifference. I can pop into the foyer, grab a package or some receipts, and head back to the office without garnering much attention. The other day, however, as I stood in the foyer, I could hear Jamie stomping on the floor in the playroom. She often does this when she can see something she wants in the kitchen from her limited vantage point in the playroom loft.
I was pretty sure she wasn’t trying to get my attention. I never stepped foot in the kitchen, had no food on me, and was wearing the same old black rain boots that I always wear around the farm this time of year. Still, she kept stomping. As I walked into the chimp area to see if I could figure out what she wanted, she let out a low moan and raced down to the floor where I stood. She extended her fingers through the cage towards my boots. Then I remembered…I was actually wearing a different pair of black rain boots – ones that are, to my mind, very similar and virtually indistinguishable from a distance to most people. But Jamie is not most people.
There’s a lot going on here. First, there’s the fact that she can discern the subtle differences between plain black boots from a distance of 70 feet. Second, it’s clear that she has a pretty good memory of the boots she has seen me wear for these to be viewed as so novel and interesting. And finally, there’s the unanswerable question: Why does she care about boots so much?
As someone who owns two pairs of nearly identical boots, I’m not sure I’m in any position to question or criticize anyone else’s interest in footwear.
Nice to know that even people who have known her for years also still marvel at Jamie.
The differences in those boots are found on the sides, too…amazing.
I love the first pic in the last series…she does look like she is happily dreaming away.
I always think I couldn’t love Jamie more and then… I read a post like this. And my heart swells with more love for her than a heart should be able to hold.
I also side with Jamie on the very obvious difference between your black boots. At a glance I could see the difference in toes. The one on the right has a toe cap and a more square toe. But how did she spot this from 70 feet! Amazing! Not just an amazing memory/recall but laser sharp vision. Wow.
Excellent Jamie boot loving photos. Thanks J.B.!
I feel so inferior ..I thought that was Neggi under the blanket:wink:…. guess no ground Patrol for me
You mean yesterday?;Ghost Missy? well it was in “Negra’s spot”, so don’t feel too bad
Jamie never ceases to fascinate. I wonder if she wore boots in her early life?
Love the 2nd last photo, the intensity on her face.
I wonder if a pair of custom made boots could be made to fit her feet??? I myself am a boot lover also and if I could Id have a whole closet just for boots!!!
You don’t know how many times over the last 5 yrs I’ve wondered the same thing, Deanna! :laughing:
Yes! See here: https://chimpsnw.org/2011/05/these_boots_wre_made_for_walkin/
That’s incredible, JB! I had no idea! And vegan!
She did indeed look like a pretty happy chimpanzee woman!
I guess if she ever gets into the clinic again, you could take prints. 🙂