If you’ve followed us for a while, you know about Foxie and her love of dolls. She almost always has at least one doll with her- whether it be a troll doll, a Dora the Explorer doll, or one of her many others. She carries them in her hip pockets and on her back, she plays with them by herself and with caregivers, and she curls up with them when she’s relaxing. I love how much she loves them and today was especially sweet- Diana gave Foxie an American Girl doll that a generous donor sent us. It’s bigger than most all of Foxie’s other dolls, but as soon as she saw it she started moving away from Burrito and Jamie (who were also in the front rooms) so that Diana could give it to her away from the others. You’ll have to watch the video to see how she reacted, but I promise it’s worth it. 🙂
I think it’s important to recognize Foxie’s background when we share a video like this to provide context.
Foxie was born on August 8, 1976 (so she has her 48th birthday coming up!) at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research. Before coming to CSNW, she was used in hepatitis vaccine research and as a breeder for the biomedical research industry.
Our sweet Foxie had four babies during her years in biomedical research- which means that they were all taken away from her when they were very young, sometimes even just days old. She had a set of twin boys (who both passed away in the labs), a daughter Angie (who lives at Save the Chimps), and Kelsey (who went to Chimp Haven in 2018). Foxie spent 32 years of her life in biomedical research before finally getting to experience sanctuary.
Within a month of arriving, Foxie adopted her first troll doll. We had no way of knowing that she would take so immediately to dolls or that her love for them would last so long. We will never know exactly what’s going on in her head when she loves on her dolls, but we do know that they provide her comfort. For that, I am endlessly grateful.
Speaking of the comfort Foxie gets from her collection of dolls, don’t forget about our Christmas in July celebration! Celebrate summer by helping us empty our three wish-lists(Jerrol’s, Chewy, and Amazon)! Many items have already been purchased and we are so grateful to everyone who’s helped to spread some joy in this super hot July.
I love the way she immediately hugged her new doll! I think they represent her lost babies, to some extent. A baby she can keep and love the way she was meant to.
Thank you so much, Grace! And to the donor! Always good to expand her repertoire, so that she need never run out of dolls!
I have felt a little disheartened today, so I truly needed this. I’ve watched it 3 times already!
The fact that, in this great big world, there is this little sanctuary (in size compared to the enormity of the earth, not in heart!) in Cle Elum and within this sanctuary eighteen beating hearts fill each of us with gobs of hope. So much so, that reading a single blog post can lift our spirits and change us for the better.
Hang in there, Linda.
Thank you, Kathleen!
Is there anything better than Foxie and a new dollie?! She seems to be quite smitten! I love seeing hew check out every limb and feature of the doll. The blinking eyes seem to be a hit! It just warms my heart seeing Foxie with her dolls!
Also, leave it to Jamie to enrich herself! Clearly Gatorade-flavored chow is much better!
This video brought tears to my eyes. The way Foxie hugged the doll upon first seeing her, just pulled at my hearstrings. I hope Foxie finds a bit of comfort in this to somehow assuage her sadness over having her babies taken from her. Man’s cruelty to animals is unfathomable. CSNW gives me hope that we’re making a GOOD difference in the lives of these sentient beings.
You articulated what I couldn’t. Thank you.
Oh, Jill, I concur totally!! Here I am w/ running nose and dripping eyes from the heartwarmiing impact of these scenes with Foxie and her new doll and your words of love and acknowledgement of what she’s (they all have been) through in their earlier years. The way she touched the doll’s forehead to her own forehead just blew me away. Such tenderness, such grief to have lost her babies. I’m so grateful she now has her chimp community, the gang at CSNW and of course all of us followers. We all truly “get it”. P.S., does anyone have an idea about when I’ll stop crying????
I so agree with everyone……tears for her past life and lost babies, but absolute joy to see her reaction to this new one. She’s remarkable! Thank you to the generous donor……this video must be so rewarding.
So endearing to see her hug her, new, doll! I am fascinated by her love for dolls, and, now that I have read your explanation, I realize that it could be connected to her babies having been taken away! thank you for your insight. I appreciate what you have, now, staated, the dolls give her comfort.
How wonderfully heartwarming! And such a loving gift from her donor. I think of her background with babies every time I see her with her dolls, and seeing her be able to hug this doll, and examine her so closely, was just so sweet.
Thank you to the generous donor who sent Foxie this life-size doll. Tears are running down my face as I watch it for the third time. I hope this doll is as durable as a troll. Yep, I’m going to watch it again.
I love this so much!!! It is clear that we are close relatives of this beautiful mama.
I am crying, when Foxie hugs her new doll…so beautiful ?
I am crying, when Foxie hugs her new doll…so beautiful ?
Oh my gosh, that very first hug! Be still my beating heart. It looked like Foxie was grooming the dolls eyelashes. So sweet. It’s such fun to receive a new and different goodie. I am sending out a big Foxie style hug to the generous donor who sent the doll to Foxie. Thank you.
This beautiful video took my breath away. From the moment Foxie embraced her doll, I had tears and a big range of emotions going thru me. Foxie is a very special lady and so endearing. She holds a special place in my heart. ?
Oh Foxie. Be still my heart.