*Right off the bat I want to apologize to anybody who became worried after reading the title!* (The alternative was “Honey B is Wheelie Excited,” but that crossed over into a threshold of cheesiness even I didn’t want to cross into.)
If you have been following our blog for a while, then you know that enrichment can be difficult for Honey B and friends. Some in her group love to eat things they shouldn’t be eating (certain plastics, rubber, certain fabric, etc.). One of the unfortunate consequences of this is when her and Rayne’s group integrated together, that meant some enrichment items Honey B, Willy B, and Mave had would have to be shelved either temporarily or indefinitely as staff try to alter current items or find an alternative.
During this year’s Comfort & Joy Auction, one item being auctioned for the chimps was wooden wheels to replace the rubber ones that come standard on Honey B’s skateboard.
A big thank you to Donna T. who placed and won the bidding for the wooden wheels.
The wheels came in last week and work was immediately underway so Honey B could finally have her skateboard back. Some of the staff (ok, mainly myself) were absolutely determined to find a way to make it so she can have it back. So thank you so much Donna! We and Honey B thank you for making it possible for us to give her skateboard back!
The Patient
Good as new!
Rayne tried to hand it back
I love how Honey B immediately snatches it up when she comes in. Of course, the new wheels are the first thing she checks out. I haven’t skated in a bit, but I know just how exciting it is to try out a new set of wheels.
So who is the enrichment eater? Dora certainly gave the board a nibble.
There are a few enrichment eaters, actually. Dora, Rayne, Terry, and Gordo seem to like to make my job a bit harder and force me to think outside the box, figuratively and literally. But I like the challenge.
I figured Dora and maybe Gordo and Terry, but I am a little surprised about Rayne being an enrichment eater!
Thanks for everything you do to keep them enriched!
Aw, that was so kind of you, Chad! I wonder in Lucky will trade it for her blanket car!
So far it doesn’t look likely. Lucky was actually scared of it and began alarm calling when she found it, which is when Rayne took it from her and ended up with it in the last scene.
So is Lucky the most highly reactive (the “Annie” of her group)? Or is that Mave?
Such precious moments! Thanks so much for sharing this renewal of the wheels with us. I can just see Honey B scooting along showing off her great balancing skills. I personally have no balance whatsoever so can really appreciate what it takes for Honey B to scoot along without falling off!
I will forgive you for sort of scaring me a wee bit upon receiving the email for todays blog. You won me over in the end. I admire your love and determination, you brought that plastic skateboard back to life and you did it all for Honey B! Her reaction was wonderful!! I hope she had a chance to skate about after she finished her lunch. And I hope Dora doesn’t eat the wheels, she sure looked like she was ready to do so if weren’t for the fact it was lunchtime.
Great video, Chad. Thanks for entertaining me. Promise we’ll see some clips of Honey B doing a Switch Backside Bigspin.
I loved this video intro of the surgical procedure with the skateboard- complete with racing heartbeats!.A very serious business which certainly paid off from the chimps’ reaction, though lunch was also a priority! The scope of the chimps’ enrichments just blows me away and it’s pure magic watching their delight and curiosity Thank you for sharing.
Loved the sound effects…..Chad you Saved your Coffee on the Ice and Now this! Your Skill. knows no bounds:grin:
Thanks Chad for switching the tires from rubber to wood. It was was tense in the operating room at first but I could tell you had performed that type of surgery before. I’m so happy that my pal Honey B has her skateboard back and am looking forward to seeing her on it.
That was a very amusing read Chad!!
And I forgot to add- Very amusing to watch!!!
Great that you go that extra mile for them
OK. You scared me to death with that title! Cuz Honey B is my girl! I think my face went white.
But your open-wheel surgery skit was hysterical. Very creative. Well done! Ha ha!
Oh, And Honey B’s little happy grunts and chirps! Oh those put the biggest smile on my face and it’s still there!
Gosh I wish I had known sooner that she needed new wheels because she would’ve had them! Anything like that comes up again you just let me know!
I must admit when I saw the title a loud “OH, NO” came hurling out of my mouth. After last month’s three bone break in my ankle and surgery I panicked. I was so glad it wasn’t a chimpanzee that was in trouble just the board wheels. Relief! I loved the board surgery.
Oh Linda! I didn’t know that. I hope you’re doing well.
Great video-creative, informative and fun!
Honey B is quite the girl and what fun she’ll have back on her board!!