If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times, Jamie is a complicated individual.
I love her for (and sometimes relate to) her complicated nature. She has intense interests in very specific things – like boots, and books, and bonobos. And occasional interest in even more things, like mummies.
She is demanding. She gets upset rather easily, and doesn’t shy from showing when she’s upset.
She loves pears, and smoothie, and food puzzles. She’s so intelligent, sometimes it’s scary.
Funny story about the above image – we used to give the chimpanzees raisin board food puzzles that were portable, but Jamie realized that she could use the space above the playroom doors to throw things at the humans from above. A flying boot is one thing, but a flying hunk of Trex is actually pretty dangerous. Since then, all of the raisin boards are on chains and affixed to the caging with a secure lock.
I don’t fault Jamie for being on the grumpy and demanding side. She is in an unfair situation, and I think, more than other chimps (as I’ve written about before), she is aware that her situation is unfair.
Jamie began her life, as far as we know, living with an animal trainer. She spent nine years in this world of limbo – somewhere between being a chimpanzee and being a human, and then she was sold to a research facility where she was used for hepatitis testing. You can read more of Jamie’s story on her bio page on the website or this post from many years ago.
But today, Burrito worked his wiles on Jamie and got her to smile and play. Here is the video:
Today was a good day. A relaxed and playful day. But even a challenging day with Jamie is a gift.
For me, Jamie was an easy chimpanzee to fall in love with, despite her challenges:
Thank goodness I’m not alone. Huge thanks to Jamie’s current ten Pals: Monica, Donna, Pam & Marc, Carrie, Sharlene, Kris, Therese, Dusty, Cori, and Heidi.
More people should become Jamie’s Pal!! She is the boss, after all! If my words about her have moved you, perhaps you will become her pal or gift a pal sponsorship for someone you love in honor of the month of love.
I’ve always marveled that they can move around with things tucked into the pelvic pocket (like her boot here), but this was a whole stinking play session, and she didn’t lose the boot! Amazing!
Oh, Jamie! I adore that wonderfully complicated, amazingly intelligent lady. She really is a genius in every sense of the world.
Thanks Diana,
I love Jamie, and I thinks the blog posts about her are my favorite?
That was supposed to be a heart, not a question mark .
Who could resist our beautiful, goofy boy, Burrito? I love this unexpected partnership……if anyone can get this complcated, serious boss lady to laugh, it’s him!
522. Our Jamie! Her stomach plucked bear. Her life with humans and the punishment that accompanies being a trained “performer”. The experience of being dropped off at a laboratory. Being caged in room with other primates who are caged like you. Becoming a number. 522! The confusion, isolation, and boredom. It is hard for me to imagine parts Jamie’s early life and equally hard to get beyond the horrific reality. Those experiences are, tragically, a part of who she is. In my eyes Jamie is and will always be incredibly magnificent. I couldn’t love her more if I tried.
Diana, I couldn’t reply until I read all included links and then the links within with linked posts too! Sigh. Oh Jamie. When I bid on, and won, a visit to the sanctuary over a decade ago, I remember being nervous at the thought of “meeting” Jamie. The idea of actually being able to look into her eyes was intimidating. Through reading about Jamie in the blog and seeing photos/videos of her, I knew she was superior. Jamie did not disappoint. Intelligence radiates from her. She is beautiful. She is any humans equal…only better. Jamie filled my heart full of love and respect. There are no words that I can find to describe the jumble of emotions I experienced that day. But one thing is certain, I was beyond grateful for everything CSNW offers Jamie and her family. How incredibly fortunate they each received the opportunity to live the rest of their lives with dignity and love.