Jamie was hanging out on the catwalk of the playroom:
George was sitting by a window grooming himself in the Marmot Mountain playroom:
We have a lot of photos of Lucky from this angle. She’s sitting on the “tree” structure in the Oakwood Greenhouse, looking down while being groomed by her brother, Cy:
I liked this close-up of Lucky’s chin:
Negra spent time with Annie today in their greenhouse:
A lot of people have reached out asking about Negra, her declining mobility, and her health. Thank you all so much for loving her.
We are definitely in a “hope for the best and prepare for the worst” mindset right now, and we wanted to be sure you, too, were prepared, as much as that’s possible. We can’t predict how much time she has left, and her quality of life considerations are unique to her. She’s never been very active or overly social, so being separated from the group is probably easier on her than it would be on most of the other chimpanzees.
Today, she still got out to the greenhouse and climbed to the top of the structure – not as easily as she used to, but she did it. She ate some of her favorite foods, she was visited by some old human friends, and she let Annie groom her.
We’ve added some hand-holds and hanging fire hose in the front rooms so she has more to hold onto when climbing up to the benches, and we’re working on some other modifications to help her get to where she likes to spend time.
Here she is this afternoon in a nest up high on a bench in one of the front rooms:
It was good to see the videos of Negra playing and having a good time. Yes, we can certainly see the mobility problems worsening and of course, nobody would want her to be in pain or distress, but while she’s still in such good spirits and enjoying her limited life, ( including her favourite foods!) I hope she continues on under your watchful care. I had to make the very painful decision about one of my cats in December…..agonised over whether it was time or not, but then she made it perfectly clear to me one day that it was her time to go. I’m sure Negra will be the same. Big hugs and much love is constantly coming to her from her friends all over the world.
I jusy appreciate so much how you all are taking such good care of our Negra…making adjustments and being mindful of her changing needs. After a very hard life, she has been so blessed to have all of you to embrace her and make this part of her life so beautiful. If I could take care of Neggie, I would want to do it just as you all manage it everyday.
Abundant thanks to all of you.
Joanna
Thank you, Diana. I know that of all of Neggie’s loved ones, this is hardest on you. Thank you for all of the updates and for sharing sweet Neggie with us for all of these years.
I’m so nervous seeing her up on the high bench! But chimps are chimps…
Darling Queen,
You and Annie are very beautiful. We send our Love to both of you. It’s wonderful
to see you together.
Sending Love to Lucky, George, Jamie and all the residents.
Terrific photos!
Darling Queen,
You and Annie are very beautiful. It’s wonderful to see you playing with Annie and Missy. As always, we send our Love.
Sending Love to Lucky, George, Jamie and all the residents.
I love you Neggie and I have to say it since I think it every time I see a picture of George – He has the thee cutest face.
Thank you Diana.. and all… for the clear explanations and for sharing all the thought and effort going into making Negra as safe and comfortable as possible. We all feel the weight that her situation creates for all of you. I’m confident that Neggie is in the absolute best place she could be and from the looks on her face she clearly knows that. It will play out as it should and in the meantime this blog is a great way for us to “share the weight” in some small way and be “involved” in her world, and yours. Thank you again to all the staff at CSNW.
Diana, thank you for
the update and the photos. It is so good to see Annie and Negra together and to know the Queen is spending time with her friends-that’s great quality of life! Prayers for wisdom, strengthlove for you all?
Wonderful images of all thank you. Butt Neggie just melts my heart!
I wonder if Negra is drawn to higher spots because she remembers being up in the trees as a child.
Thank you Diana,
I send you my love and strength and I trust that you will know when the time is there.
And it will break your heart, but you are a wise 50-something woman now and you will bear it with dignity and wisdom, knowing you gave Negra ( and all the others ) a wonderful sanctuary life and that she loves and trusts you.
Know that we all send love and support to every one at the sanctuary.
Today’s blog photos are a reminder of how important it is to have the choice to do as you please. Look at the relaxed expressions on Jamie, George, Lucky, and especially, Negra. Sometimes, a full life isn’t about being busy and accomplishing things. It’s not about living life as active as the life you lived when you were younger. A life well lived can be quiet and simple and still be rich enough to make you oh so very grateful to be alive. Savoring your favorite foods, soaking in a sun puddle, having visits with those you love, taking a nap, having a favorite place to go to when you need it the most—even youngster George knows this is as good as it gets.
It’s painful to consider a world without someone whose existence in your life creates such sparkle and warmth. When you first saw Negra, you promised she’d have a beautiful life in sanctuary, even if she lived for just one day. Diana, look at what you’ve given her! All of you, together, gifted her with the magic of aging in reverse. We can never, ever, ever thank you enough for that.
I’d like to add that my friends and I can relate to Negra’s situation. We laugh at the sad reality that our busy social lives are now replaced by visits to doctors, labs, and physical therapy sessions! Many, no longer hike or bike but instead enjoy chair yoga. And some of my friends now have grab bars just like Negra. As you reach a certain age, you might find that you have give up a lot of yourself, things that were significantly important to you throughout your life. But….you wouldn’t trade a minute of it to still be able to see the first spring daffodil bloom, experience a sunrise or sunset, have a moment to snuggle with your favorite pet, and be able to laugh with a loved one. A well lived life can seem small, and it can be frustrating at times, but because you have more days behind you than you do before you, you live it to the fullest and in small simple ways, one day at a time.
Here’s to Negra’s big beautiful fabulous life continuing, one day at a time.
So beautifully said, Kathleen
yes! well, of course you put in extra bars and ropes for Negra! Because that’s what you do! You are so amazing. Truly. Sincerely. can I come and live there? Please please??
and, DITTO what Kathleen said. (I would put a heart emoji right here, but it would probably come out as a?)
Many well said and beautiful thoughts/sentiments here in the comments. Kathleen, your words are so well expressed – thank you for the above wonderfully stated “meaning of life” . It’s different as we age but never-the-less maybe evern more valuable. Harder, wiser, stronger at the same time that we are not as physically strong. Neggie is so fortunate, as are we all who come to this blog. Thank you CSNW!