Long-time friend of the sanctuary, Tobin, sponsored this day of sanctuary in honor of co-director, Diana, in celebration of her birthday! Tobin writes:
“Back on the 1st day of April, I received a brief email from Jody. I had sent her an email a few days before in which I had congratulated her for having encouraged and provided moral support for Negra when the Queen asconded to her Throne atop Carlene’s Tower. ‘All in a day’s work’, Jody replied with an emoji of a dropped lip.
We chatted online for a bit, and I asked Jody if, on this first day of April, if she had any plans afoot for the last day of the month? She answered with a few more emojis of dropped-lipped smiles, and we exchanged ideas for how best to commemorate the big day, however surreptitiously.
I told Jody that I would pass the word on to my bud Meredith. ‘Ha!’, Jojo replied. ‘You know how teenage girls are with secrets!’ She advised me that Merrie’s ma would be a more trustworthy source for secret-keeping.
As for the troop next door, we immediately agreed that we had to keep Terry out of the loop until the end of the month: ‘Who knows what juicy gossip radio Terry is prone to broadcast in his Bronx cheers!’ Honey B often has a look of impending mischief on her face, and that would let the proverbial cat out of the proverbial bag. And Dora, we concluded, would just get too excited.
And thus, in full expectation that Lucky and Betsy could both keep a secret, and by Royal Decree of Her Royal Majesty, Negra the Great, it is hereby proclaimed that April 30, 2023 shall heretofore be sponsored in honor of Diana Goodrich. This gift of gratitude and appreciation is offered by her friends HRH Neggie, Annie, Missy, Jody, Foxie, Jamie, Burrito, Gordo, Dora, Honey B, Mave, Rayne, Cy, Lord Terry of Teeny Tiny, Lucky, Willy B, LouLou, Betsy, Honey, Barn Kitty, Abbey, Nutmeg, Meredith, Benny, and Nala. *(This typist took the liberty of including Nala, who most of you may not have met yet, but I’m sure will at some point. She’s the newest member to Diana and J.B.’s family, their first foster pup/foster “fail” 🙂 ).
In addition, quite a few human primates who have an association with the sanctuary are quite pleased with the life and work of Diana, and it is also with gratitude that we join the afore-mentioned residents of the refuge in wishing her a very happy birthday and a blessed new year of life.”
Happy Birthday, Diana!
Betsy and Diana:
Burrito:
Dora:
Jamie, Foxie, Burrito, Annie, and Jody:
Honey B, Rayne, and Cy:
Benny:
Diana and Jamie:
Barn Kitty:
Hear! Hear!
Thank you, Tobin
Diana, I hope this burthday Sunday is as peaceful or crazy as you wish it to be! I just know that if you gave her some money and the keys to the car, our friend Jamie would just love to go out and get you something special! Now…about those car keys…m
“They say it’s your birthday…:guitar::guitar:…Happy Birthday to You, Diana?:confetti_ball::tada::birthday::gift:Have a pant-hoot filled day?
Happy Birthday, Diana! Have a fantastic day! (and great writing, Tobin!)
becoming 21 is a big day…….congratulations on yours..!!!!!……:heart_eyes:
haha. i dont even remember 21. thsnk you, Tom!
Happy Birthday, Diana! :birthday:
This might just be the greatest birthday wish I have ever encountered! Well done Tobin. It is all so fitting for our respected, admired, and beloved sanctuary Co-Director, Diana.
Happy birthday Diana!!! Celebrate all things that you hold dear throughout the year. I think about all you have accomplished in your young life (yes, you are still young!!) and I look forward to seeing what you accomplish next. Some say it takes a village, but you’ve proved it just takes a sanctuary.
(PS : Congratulations on your failed fostering of Nala. She’s lovely and incredibly lucky to cared for by you and J.B. When J.B. mentioned having “three dogs” in his recent post I had the feeling that Nala had changed from Foster dog to Family dog. Just as it should be. My failed foster fellow sends you a big birthday lick!)
Happiest of birthdays, Diana. Hope youre sharing it with the all the “kids” and loved ones.
Brilliant writing!!!
:star_struck:Wow! Way to post the honors of the day! Happy Birthday, Diana!
Thank you, Tobin, for that amazing birthday story and to everyone for your well wishes!! I appreciate you all. :heart::heart::heart:
Happy birthday, Diana!
Happy Birthday, Diana! We are all so lucky to be able to love and appreciate what you do and how you enrich our lives. Enjoy your special day. ?
Soooooo sweet …..a gift for Diana from Tobin and the Chimps…. and to think….. the last day of April Showers bringing in May flowers…….. another gift !!!!!I I CAN JUST SEE LIPS DROPPING ALL PVER THE PLACE:grin:Happy Birthday Diana
Katelyn, your post is so clever and entertaining today. All the photos are great too and you have included almost everyone of the animals. Thank You!
Happy Birthday, Diana! From one Taurus to another I can fully say that Taurean “stubborness” is actually the unflinching “perseverance” that life often requires. And also makes us good companions for other folks such as bovines of all sizes and chimps’ strong personalities. We are all grateful for your perseverance, dedication and love for all the beings at the sanctuary. I wish you many more moments of bovine bliss and times of riding the gator with Jamie running alongside! Thank you for all you do on behalf of so many, including us out here in blogland.
What a beautiful story Tobin, so full of humor and love. Well done.
And my heartfelt birthday wishes to you Diana; you are a Real Wise Witch Woman now.
Welcome to the club!
Happy birthday.
FABULOUS writing, Tobin! Nothing less than Diana deserves. Happy Birthday, Diana, and I hope you can take a moment to take pride in all you’ve done. All these animals are so lucky for it, and we in blogland, I trust it fair to say, appreciate it.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays Diana! You certainly have a ready made party crew to help you celebrate.
Happiest of birthdays to you Diana. Here’s hoping your special day is blessed with all the goodness you put into the world. May the year ahead be filled with all the joy you are so deserving of.
We all love you Diana
Tobin you are one of a kind, you fill my soul with hope and appreciation for the spoken language of humanity. You have no idea what you do for my soul as broken as it is. I suffer greatly but manage to make sure this blog is seen when i manage to bring it on every night when i colapse. Thank you so much..happy birthday Diana. You are appreciated more than you will ever realize by me in NY State. I cant end a day until i know all my family of chimps and others are ok for this day at least. You have no idea how this helps me get through the night. Rest all and dream and remember without rain you cant see a rainbow! I love you all!