If you follow the blog, you may have seen the brief mentions from Kelsi and then J.B. of the very eventful end of December that the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest staff and volunteers endured this year.
For the first time in over a decade (as far as we can remember), J.B. and I had scheduled a short trip to visit family together (together!) on the east coast for some winter celebrations. Almost as soon as we left, things started to malfunction at the sanctuary as Cle Elum was hit with extreme cold temperatures. J.B. helped troubleshoot the issues at a distance, but the staff on the ground had to navigate mechanical failures and multiple days with a non-functioning well, all the while caring for the chimpanzees and cattle, getting to work in icy conditions, and taking turns staying overnight to look after office cat LouLou and pups Abbey and Benny.
The nonhumans were none the wiser to these issues as the staff and volunteers managed to maintain the routine and get creative with procedures as though everything was in pristine working order. Meanwhile, J.B. and I had to extend our time away due to the weather and the complete meltdown of the aviation industry.
All of this, whilst also being away from their own families, the staff carried on with the CSNW Christmas countdown on the blog and the preparation for holiday festivities without skipping a beat.
J.B. and I couldn’t be more grateful. Neither of us worried in the least that this crew of staff, volunteers, and their spouses could handle whatever obstacle Mother Nature and Murphy’s Law presented to them. There was never a doubt that the nonhumans at the sanctuary were in the best hands possible.
Today, we thank them most humbly with this sponsor-a-day post, and invite you, too, to thank them for looking after the sanctuary every day under any and all circumstances!
Jeff A says
You got a great bunch of people there! A big thank you to everyone for all you do!
Amy Goldshine says
A huge Thank You to all of you at this amazing sanctuary that houses the chimpanzee persons I love. Staff, caregivers, volunteers, everyone of you do yeomans work. Please know that it is very much appreciated. I wish I could be there in person to help. Since I can’t, my thanks will have to do. Oh and Diana and J.B., I’m so sorry you’re trip home became so crazy but, I’m so happy you got to go home and be together. My love and deepest gratitude to all of you humans. Love, Me xo
Barbara says
Wizards of Well-being
Wizards of Ingenuity
and really great people
Amyrg says
A huge Thank You to all of you at this amazing sanctuary that houses the chimpanzee persons I love. Staff, caregivers, volunteers, everyone of you do yeomans work. Please know that it is very much appreciated. I wish I could be there in person to help. Since I can’t, my thanks will have to do. Oh and Diana and J.B., I’m so sorry you’re trip home became so crazy but, I’m so happy you got to go home and be together. My love and deepest gratitude to all of you humans. Love, Me xo
Linda C says
Hear! Hear!
You had all of that going on, and we didn’t suspect a bit!
JB and Diana, maybe that weather and meltdown were signs that you were supposed to be there for a little longer. Glad you were able to get away!
And twice, spouses have been mentioned. I don’t know if it was Kelsi’s, Anna’s, or someone else’s, but they are keepers! Your move for your work must be contagious! Tax time is coming up–get ready to write with pride, “Chimp House Manager”, “Chimp Enrichment Coordinator “, etc with pride on those forms!
Jeani Goodrich says
I have to say that I think this sanctuary with the love,careing and hardwork are the best there ever was. They have all come together without a problem between them or on the homefront. That is phenomenal. No wonder J.B and Diana felt comfortable and at ease to finally be able to take a vacation together. The chimps are 16 lucky fur people to have everyone who care for them. I’m glad I get to be apart of the home team. I have to say y’all are so loved.
tomaustin says
Character always rises to the top…………
Marya says
Wow!! It’s wonderful, Diana, that you & JB were able to be together with family — and that you knew in your hearts that the chimps were in such good hands despite the extra challenges. Yep, as others have said many times over, the staff and volunteers at the sanctuary are beyond amazing in what everyone is able to accomplish as a team on behalf of the chimps. I know the chimps are grateful in their own ways, and we certainly are “out here” in blogland even moreso since we have some vague ideas about what it actually takes to keep every one watered, fed, blanketed, nested, cleaned up after and played with while maintaining their amazing loving attitudes for each one. It’s a remarkable feat that you all do every single day!!
nancyt says
As Gershwin says” Life is a lot like jazz..it is best when you improvise”. Many thanks to the entire ” Sanctuary Saints”
Grace,Katlyn,Chad,Anthony , Kelsi,Anna & others,who names i omitted. You all hung in there and kept life normal for
the cat,pups,bovine,& chimps. It shows how very dedicated & faithful you all are to one another.
As Hemingway says,” Courage is grace under pressure”, & you all are very courageous. My deepest respect to all. ?
Kathleen says
Sometimes words can’t express what one feels. This will sound cliché but each of you are simply outstanding. You make your job appear easy breezy and fun no matter what, and clearly, most of your day is hard, backbreaking work. And yet you drop everything so the residents can live the best life they possibly can. Every day. Year round. In the middle of your hard work and responsibilities you find the time to entertain all of us with your daily adventures — stories and photos and videos included! Unparalleled!
Thank you for being who are, each of you individually and all of you together. I send you a warm hug of thanks and this sweet, silly little song from the movie Babe. (Farmer Hogget sung this to Babe) :
“If I had words to make a day for you,
I’d sing you a morning golden and new
I would make this day last for all time
Give you a night deep in moonshine”
Ken, Gracie & Sonby says
wow!
wonderful job everyone!
who would have even known?
thank you all for a wobderful job at CSNW!
Carrie says
Being able to trust the competence, dedication, and realiabitity of your team in your absence is a great gift and is also a good reflection of the leadership they get from you two! Kudos all around for CSNW! Happy New Year!
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
I send you all a huge thank you for every you do to keep the sanctuary and its very special residents safe. Nothing defeats you ,
through thick and thin you keep that ball rolling. You are my heroes and I salute you.
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
Hi, Diana,
You asked us how we would describe the winter warriors overcoming the weather obstacles to ensure the safety and smooth running of the sanctuary. well, I would say that they are like shooting stars that brighten the darkness. Simply put they are heroes.
Caroline says
Diana asked to continue with metaphors for all you warriors at the sanctuary; well how about this?
I think you are all the nuts and bolts that keep the engine running smoothly, for without all of you it would simple collapse! You are all my Heroes, and thank you for everything you do for your family at Cle Elum! You can see the difference you have made in the lives of those beautiful souls you care for, from the chimps, the moo cows to the barn kitties!
Nancy Potter says
Thank you thank you thank you!!! The way you all care to give them a wonderful deserved life!! I look forward to these blogs everyday they make me smile. I’m retiring in about 17 months and I would love to help out there wherever I’m needed. I’m sure I’m not qualified but I do have the love in my heart for them! (all non humans really).
Take care all of you and I so appreciate what you do day in and day out.
Happy New Year!!
Linda C says
Too young to retire here, but I feel the same way!