Being friends with Jamie is a wonderful gift, but one that certainly must be earned! As one of the newest caregivers here, I have been enjoying getting the privilege to know Jamie, and wanted to share with you all about some of the joys of Jamie.
Jamie can be a complicated friend to have. Much like how we are not always in the best of moods, she too has some days where she is feeling more social than others. But the quiet moments of just being with Jamie are more than worth enduring anything that she might (quite literally) throw your way! She is an individual who knows exactly what she wants and will go to great lengths to communicate that to you if you can be of assistance. Her happy food grunts when she is eating one of her favorite foods are one of my new favorite sounds (she was really enjoying her red peppers with dinner tonight!). I hope you all enjoy today’s video to see how Jamie and I’s friendship is progressing so far. I look forward to getting to know so much more about her!
Linda C says
Hi, Ellen!
Thank you for sharing this with us!
I’m seeing some behavior here that I haven’t seen much in Jamie in the few years Ive been following…. was she chilly? or was she tired of being on camera? or crabby in need of a nap? Whatever it was, she doesn’t seem happy.
It has veen noted that she has taken over Jojo’s blanket shredding responsibilities, though, haha.
Paulette says
Is Jamie fighting with a fly? or other tiny critter making her slap and itch? Is that an issue for the chimps?
I loved the video and I’m so happy you’re making the effort to know and love our Jamie. Thank you.
Ellen Brady-McGaughey says
Hi Paulette! Thankfully we no longer have flies at this time of year, so there is no need to fight them off! Although, in my experience, chimps are often not bothered by flies as they have that lovely thick hair to act as a barrier to protect them. I’m sure if there were an excessive number of flies, or if they were landing on sensitive areas, they would be more of a pest to them though. A fly-related tangent…at my previous job, I once was spending time with Heidi (Negra’s daughter), who carefully picked up a dead fly off the ground and put it on her hand, then presented her hand to me to groom it off. I had been grooming her hand and arm with a stick, but it was pretty cool to have her provide me with something to groom off of her! She watched attentively as I removed it and seemed satisfied with my work.
As for the cause behind the light slapping by Jamie of her shoulders and head – this is something Jamie does at times to show that she is in a playful mood. I have met other chimps that do this as well, and often it would then devolve into them being goofy and wanting to be tickled, or taking off in a game of chase. In my experiences with Jamie, this has sometimes been followed by her initiating a game of chase, but here I think she was just really enjoying building her nest!
Eli says
What a great story about Heidi! I really love hearing about her.
Gaynell says
Wow, Ellen, although we have never met i think you may have been describing ME. A little moody, a bit demanding (maybe), but food grunting and enjoying red peppers (yep!). I think it is wonderful how you and all the caregivers take the time to get to know the chimps as individuals.
Kathleen says
Like Linda and Paulette, I’m bamboozled by Jamie’s slapping her shoulders on her back and her head. It’s interesting to see. I believe she is giving her sideways glance too. Does this mean she isn’t in the mood for the paparazzi? I know she’s famous for tying her nest into the mesh of the caging. Perhaps she doesn’t want her nesting secrets to be seen. 🙂 Tucking that hip-high boot into her pelvic pocket was so sweet. Jamie is deliciously complicated.
Something else I learned from this video….the slot for passing out blankets/books/ boots is right behind her. I never noticed this before! I assumed this was her favorite place to nest because the wall and caging cradled her nicely. But now I see Jamie also gets room service in this location. Geez. She is so brilliant I will forever be lovingly in awe of her.
Your hard earned friendship is something you will never forget for your entire life. An incredible treasure. How wonderful to crack Jamie’s code and have her allow you in. As they say—Priceless. I’d love to be in your shoes (or should I say boots!), Ellen!
Ellen Brady-McGaughey says
Hi Kathleen (and Linda and Paulette as well)! The light slapping of her shoulders and head is something Jamie does at times to show that she is in a playful mood. I have met other chimps that do this as well, and often it would then devolve into them being goofy and wanting to be tickled, or taking off in a game of chase. In my experiences with Jamie, this has sometimes been followed by her initiating a game of chase, but here I think she was just really enjoying building her nest!
She really is such an amazing individual, deserving of all of our awe and admiration!
Linda C says
Thank you, Ellen…I’d seen Burrito do that while playing but never Jamie, how funny! Well, if he can pick up her “clap, clap, stomp, stomp”, I guess she can pick up some of his tricks, too! Im glad it’s a happy thing and nothing else!
kathy B says
It looks like she might need a back scratcher!!
CarolR says
Jamie is indeed a treasure…even if she’s a complicated one! I noticed yesterday that she was VERY vocal in anticipation of the feast to come, which I can’t remember seeing before. I’m still trying to work out the unexpected but enduring friendship between her and Bubba…..such opposites in so many ways. Loved seeing her tuck the boot into her pocket before finally settling down. She’s a sweetie!
Linda C says
It’s been wo cool to see Bubba shadowing her more and more in the last few years….and she seems to have decided that he’s a worthy apprentice!
Eli says
I love Jamie so much. Her love for boots, her habit of using things as a table during mealtime, her intelligence… She’s just such a special and wonderful lady.
CeeCee says
I love Jamie so much, Maybe its because she is demanding, and bossy… etc that it means so much more when she likes you !
I was lucky enough to win the Jamie ornament in the auction, It will have a place of honor on my tree.:revolving_hearts:
Ellen Brady-McGaughey says
I agree completely. It really is so special to be granted quality time with her. She is such a special individual!
That’s wonderful you won the ornament! Jamie will look great on your tree I know!