Archives for June 13, 2024

Today we threw a couple of big parties for Negra (51) and Terry’s (34) birthdays as well as celebrated our sweet 16 (years of sanctuary).  This video highlights just a few of the day’s events. I couldn’t possibly squeeze it all in.

 

My favorite part of the day happened early on as Negra was first outside and made a trip to a higher part of Young’s hill. She stopped to eat different edible plants and clearly enjoyed the sunshine on this beautiful morning.  It was a moment very reminiscent of that classic “Negra in the Sun” oil painting by our dear friend of sanctuary Margaret. That beautiful painting has since been transformed into a mosaic by Lisa Wathne and was purchased by another friend of the sanctuary Diane Mattis.  As Diana mentioned in a blog earlier this month, Diane passed away recently and re-gifted this AMAZING mosaic back to the sanctuary for re-auction. I’m super envious of the next owner of this remarkable piece of artwork. You can bid on this mosaic and other artwork during our Sweet 16 Online Auction, happening now!

Thanks so much to Tobin for also sponsoring this day of celebration with a special honoring! Tobin shared this message about today:

“Earlier this year, Diana wrote a post about her friends Margaret Parkinson and Karen Creason. It was heartening to read of their contributions to the sanctuary and the people who have received a home there. Diana described how, sixteen years ago today, these two women were present to greet the arrival of the first seven chimpanzees to arrive at their sanctuary home with a truck-load of blankets and toys.

Neither Negra (whose birthday we celebrate today) or her six companions could have known what awaited them at the end of their cross-country journey. They could not know that they were arriving at a home where they would be treated with love and respect, with their own hillside to explore and forage. Nor could they have known that, at their new home, the human primates would note merely “house” them but provide them with intelligent and compassionate care that benefits the quality of their lives.

As Diana mentioned in her blog post, her friends Karen and Margaret contributed to the care of Negra and her companions not only on the day of their arrival, but for several years thereafter. I was impressed by their corporeal acts of mercy and charity, and thus, on this sixteenth anniversary of the day when they greeted the arrival of seven chimpanzees to their refuge and sanctuary in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, on behalf of Negra, I wish to sponsor this June 13 in honor of Margaret and Karen for the gifts of their time, dedication and spirit.

I am confident that today’s sponsorship in gratitude of Karen and Margaret merits something akin to a Royal Food Bark from Karen’s dear friend, Negra. And though he would arrive 13 years later, I am also confident that sponsoring this day in honor of Margaret and Karen merits voluminous and emphatic Bronx Cheer of Approval from Teeny Tiny Terry pan Troglodyte.”

Beloved Karen and Margaret:

Happy 51st Birthday, beautiful Negra:

A kiss from Negra:

Negra and her family on Young’s Hill:

And Happy 34th Birthday to sweet Terry!

Rayne and Terry:

Today is a big day here as we celebrate the 16th anniversary of the sanctuary AND birthdays for Terry and Negra! We have two donors who are generously sponsoring today!

Starting the day off, we send so many thanks to Holly Hayward for sponsoring this special day of celebration for the sanctuary residents and especially for her Chimpanzee Pal, dear Terry!

“Love to sponsor this day for the chimps for so many reasons! Negra’s & Honey B’s birthdays, my husband’s birthday, but most especially, Terry’s birthday! (Don’t tell my husband). To the most handsome, floofiest (I think that’s a word), sweetest guy, and my favorite YouTube influencer-Happy Birthday Terry!!!!!”

Firstly, “floofiest” is most definitely a word! And it’s one you would definitely hear the humans use in regard to Terry and his half-sister, Mave! Holly, thank you so much for seeing how special Terry is and for starting this very special day off with even more to celebrate! And Happy Birthday, to your husband, too! (Even if he’s not as floofy as Terry!). 😉

Terry is turning 34 today!!

Negra is turning 51 today!:

Negra’s group is celebrating sixteen years in sanctuary! Jamie, Missy, Annie, Burrito, Foxie and Jody:

Terry’s group is celebrating almost three years in their new sanctuary home!

Gordo, Terry, Lucky and Rayne enjoying their new outdoor habitat, the Bray:

We love this sweet, floofy guy so much!!