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: