I apologize in advance if I’m going to sound like a bumbling fool in today’s blog. This one isn’t going to be easy for me.
My dearest Jody/Jo/JoJo/Joji/Farmer Jo. It hasn’t even been a full year since you left, and my only hope is to be able to formulate my thoughts in a coherent way to fully encapsulate just what an amazing being you have been.
Jody was born some time in 1975. Her records during this time were spotty, so it is believed Jody was likely wild caught. During the first 33 years of her life was spent with the Buckshire Corporation in Pennsylvania. It was there Jody was lent out to different medical laboratories for hepatitis testing, including the notorious and (thankfully) now defunct Alamogordo Primate Facility. During her time in medical testing, Jody was used as a breeder, meaning she was forced pregnancy upon to her with the only intention for her children to become test subjects themselves. In her life, Jody became pregnant 11 times, giving birth to nine and miscarrying two. Her children Andrea, Bart, and Clay, were rescued by Save the Chimps. Her son, Levi, was rescued after a long fight to have him released after he was transferred from Alamogordo to a laboratory in Texas in stead of sanctuary. Thankfully, Levi was rescued and now lives his best life at Chimp Haven. Unfortunately, her other children, April, Adam, and Opy, were not able to experience sanctuary life and passed away before getting the chance. We currently do not know the whereabouts, history, or status of her remaining two children, Cliff and Taylor.
It’s obvious to me these kids got their good looks from their mom.
Jody arrived at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in 2008 with the rest of the Cle Elum Seven. It was here Jody was able to live out her remaining days without fear of routine knockdowns and being forced into pregnancy to only give up her child. She gained the titles “Den Mother” and “Manager” to her group by caregivers because of the way she was able to ease tense situations or make a distraction from it. From my point of view, Jody seemed very fair when determining who was at fault starting a fight or protecting individuals who were unduly blamed by the rest of the group for causing a ruckus. There were countless times I witnessed Jody deflect the rest of the group’s attention from Foxie during a fight to herself, giving Foxie time to get away.
She also looked after Negra carefully. Jody seemed to know what would make Negra over stimulated or give her a scare, and do all that she could keep an eye on her and prevent any negative feeling Negra might feel.
Jody was a a master forager, hence the nickname “Farmer Jo.” If Jody did have a favorite food, it would be whatever food she got herself; something she was denied to do the first 30+ years of her life. Jody loved to pick out her own food, whether it was food caregivers put out onto Young’s Hill or things that naturally grow on Young’s Hill.
And let’s not forget, Jody was the master nest builder of any chimpanzee that has called CSNW home.
And the Great Pumpkin Thief!
There are so many stories I could tell about my time with Jody. One though sticks out in particular though. It was during the summer a few years ago. Katelyn and I were standing right outside the entrance to the building. The sky was cloudy and the air was still. It was that feeling of right before a storm hits. Katelyn and I were looking out onto Young’s Hill and Foxie was about to set off on one of her own adventures. Out of nowhere, the was a blur that raced toward Foxie. It was Jody. Jody put her arm around Foxie and redirected her back to the indoors, looking over her should every few feet to ensure Foxie was still following. Not long after that, a thunderstorm hit. Katelyn and I summed it up Jody being the den mother that she was, running after Foxie and in her own chimpanzee way was yelling, “FOXIE! GET INSIDE!”
I only knew Jody for six of her 15 years here at CSNW. I fell and fell hard for Jody when I first met her. I mean, who wouldn’t? Always miss her. Everyday, when I walk into work, there will always be a part of me that feels it is missing. I can no longer get Jody’s enthusiastic bouncing to greet caregivers or kiss she would give me, especially if I had been a way for a while. I can no longer get lost in the sounds of her content of the low moan or “dinosaur noise.” I am self-aware enough to know I have not accepted or processed her passing, thus I haven’t grieved yet. (Side note: I do not recommend this avenue of approach. If you are going through a mental crisis, please seek help. There are many resources out there that can and will help.) I know eventually I will have to come to terms with everything so my own mental health doesn’t decline, and I’m hoping this blog is my first step toward recovery.
I was only part of Jody’s life for a fraction of it. She will, however, always be a part of mine for my remaining days on this earth.
I will miss and love you eternally, my sweet Joji. Grunts and hoots forever.
A big thank you to those who continue to be Jody’s Chimpanzee Pal:
Vicki, Monica, Chris & Lee Ann, Donna, Sandy, Sharlene, Sandy, Barbara, Rebecca, Amy, Jean, Laura, Shari, Jill, and Carole.
Though she is gone, she is not forgotten. You can still become Jody’s Pal in her memory by signing up here!
Tobin says
Thank you, Chad, for that poignant post. I will continue to sponsor Jody — and love her — for the rest of my days, too.
I miss her very much, and I cherish my memories of Jody even more
Cindee says
Thank you, Chad. I was hoping to see a post about JoJo in this series. While I may think Lucky is the prettiest chimp now, Jody’s beauty preceded her.
Kathy says
Thank you for sharing. This was beautiful and a lovely tribute to Jody. :purple_heart:!
CarolR says
A very heartfelt post, Chad, expressing feelings that we all share. Jody was so beautiful in so many ways and her passing so sudden that we are all left with an unbelievably deep grief for a chimpy lady that the majority of us knew only from the blogs. How much greater would her loss be for all at CSNW who had the immense priviledge of caring for her? My favourite photo of Jody, the one with her lilacs is my permanent screensaver, although it was hard to choose from the fantastic images of such a great lady. So many happy memories of Jody, and tears still shed that we don’t get to see her daily, but she’ll always be with us.
Gaynell says
Thank you, Chad. What A lovely remembrance of a beautiful soul who overcame a long tragic life, but lived her best chimp life among friends and caregivers in her years at CSNW. My, my, you can see Jody’s eyes in her children. May they be safe and happy forever.
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
Thankyou, Chad, for this beautiful heartfelt blog on a very cherished, sadly departed lady- Jody unforgettable. I also appreciated a brief glimpse of some of Jody’s beautiful children who at least made it through the bad world of labs into happier safer forever homes though sadly they paid the price. Jody’s shadow and soul will always be with us and we hold her and hers in our hearts.
Arlene and Michael says
Thank you Chad. Your post is beautiful. Thank you for honoring dear Jody. We hope it helped you to write this and share it as well. She will always be a part of these blogs and in our thoughts. We miss her dearly as we know you all do, humans and nonhumans. It is not the same without her. Her children are beautiful and we wish them safe and happy lives.
Eli says
Really beautiful and heartfelt tribute to sweet Jody.
It pains me how horribly her life started. How she was robbed of the opportunity to be the wonderful mother she could have been. Not just once, but eleven times. It’s unimaginable.
And yet, despite all of that, her maternal nature never left her. She was fiercely loyal to her chimpanzee family, she loved and cared for everyone. I really admire her beautiful spirit.
A side note, but I remember reading that Clay, one of her sons who lives at Save the Chimps, was not able to be integrated into a group. He had been isolated during his time at Coulston and he was left so traumatized, he couldn’t live with other chimpanzees. It seems last year, he finally was able to be integrated into a group and he’s living with other chimpanzees and now has access to an island to explore. In all of the pain of Jody’s loss, I can’t help but think how happy she must be to see one of her children continue to grow and heal. It took well over a decade, but he still is making progress. I know Jody is cheering him on.
Adrienne says
Thank you for sharing the information about Clay!
Linda C says
Yes, I was going to thank Chad for including that! Even though I knew his story, I clicked anyway–and what happy news!
elaine says
Leading Foxie back indoors seconds before a thunderstorm began is truly amazing. This blog brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat.
Rosalie Allen says
What a loving remembrance of dear Jody! Thinking of her as it will soon be spring flowers , lilac season.
She is always so special!
Linda C says
I grew up with lilacs outside of my bedroom window. But now, every time I see them, I think of Jojo and Negra….
Don says
Beautiful Essay, fully capturing this remarkable individual. Jody will always be remembered, and loved. She had a difficult life, but when she came to Sanctuary, she lived her best life. So loved by all.
Linda C says
Thank you, Chad, for adding another wonderful Jojo story to the list! (Foxie as instigator!? Never! :wink:)
Kathleen says
Dear Chad, please know that you could never sound like a bumbling anything let alone a bumbling fool when expressing your love for your friend, Jody. I believe we love and grieve in our own personal ways, in our own time. For me, the first entire year is the most difficult, you miss them deeply on the celebrations and daily occasions that were personal between you. Deeply. Memories are the salve for your heart and spirit, saving you from inexplicable sorrow and opening your perspective to all that was unique and wonderful about the person you love. Keep sharing your memories of Jody, with others and with yourself. And never be afraid to walk into the chimp house and say “Good morning Joji!” (It’s cathartic!) as if she were right there ready to greet you with a kiss. Who’s to say Jody isn’t right there doing just that?!
Thank you for giving us a glimpse of who Jody is through your eyes. I see her clearer now. The photos you selected are perfect. You selected one of all time favorites—the image of Foxie and Jody on top of the tower. Foxie peeking through the slats and Jody with a leg up to boost her vantage point for a better view. I’d love to know what they were looking at. But not knowing makes it all the more magical. That image is “Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary.” all the way. And I am so happy that Jody is now and forever will be a vital part of your blog stories, Pal program, and all of our memories. Forever Jody.
Carla René says
I still can’t look at the portrait of her that I painted for the auction, and I still cry when I see her videos. Maybe I am still grieving, too.
:broken_heart::broken_heart::broken_heart: