Whoop!! It’s the most wonderful time of year!! While the humans of the sanctuary, and possibly even the chimpanzees and bovines (the Californians :)), may be split between Team Autumn and Team Summer, I think it’s safe to say the season of “Jamieween” (aka Halloween/October) stands as a firmly honored and beloved time and tradition. So Happy Day to all you lucky lucky fellow October revelers!
Jamie!! We’re celebrating this amazing chimpanzee woman and her 46th birthday on October 31st! While we only know Jamie’s birth year, we cannot think of a better day to celebrate her honorary birthday. We could not have more love and admiration for this incredibly unique, brave, resilient, adventurous, curious, intelligent, beautiful, and often spooky, intimidating, silly, trickster of a person.
Jamieween past (Burrito, naturally):
Needless to say, it’s been a delight to introduce Cy and his group to Jamieween:
Willy B:
As much as we all look forward to this incredible celebration each year, I’d be remiss not to say that it won’t be without bittersweet memories this year. If you’ve followed us for awhile you will know that one of the highlights of the festivities in the past few years has been the anticipation of the appearance of “The Great Pumpkin Thief”, none other than our beloved Jody. Every year was a complete delight to see if and how she would go about absconding with the Jamieween pumpkin. Last year there was a title upset and Burrito was the first to claim the prize (though Jody wound up with it in the end). While it will still be a delight to see whether Bubbie, or someone else appears this year, Jody will always be the reigning Great Pumpkin Thief in our hearts.
Another special celebration this month is Negra’s son, Noah, who turns 34 on October 17th (photo courtesy of Save the Chimps). On their website, Noah is described by his caregivers as playful, excitable and rambunctious, so while he may not exactly have taken after his mother personality-wise, he sure does looks like her. This sweet face. We’re so grateful Noah is safe, loved, cared for and celebrated in his own sanctuary home with Save the Chimps:
Mama Negra:
And last but far from least, while early giving has already begun (thank you so much to those of you who have been in a position to donate so far!), today is the 10th annual Giving Day for Apes! Presented by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, it’s a day of global giving in support of over 30 qualifying sanctuaries and rescue centers caring for chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans and gibbons throughout North America, Africa and Asia. It’s an incredible opportunity to help so many amazing organizations raise awareness, support, and vitally important funding for the care of all the special individuals who depend on them for their safety, survival, well-being, and healing, and for the second chances for the lives they deserve. Every single donation, no matter the size, can make a huge difference in the lives of so many individuals.
Happy October birthdays, friends! Thank you for being here through all of our days and years, celebrations and heartaches, joys and hopes. We appreciate you more than you know. May this time of year be so magical and beautiful to you and yours!
