Today is my last blog as a full-time caregiver! I have been fortunate to be working the last 4 years here at CSNW. As I contemplated my next chapter, it was a high priority for me to stay in the Pacific Northwest so that I can transition into a volunteer caregiver role and keep these special chimps a part of my life. I have built such amazing relationships with the chimps here and I will continue to cherish them, just in a different role.
For my final blog, I wanted to share my favorite thing(s) or a special memory I have with each of our chimpanzee residents.
Cy:
Cy is just the most amazing guy ever. He has a heart of pure gold and is the easiest guy to love. He loves interacting with his caregivers, as much as he loves reading his magazines! He really knows how to make us caregivers feel loved and special.
George:
George has come so far since he arrived last May. He is the most gentle groomer (he still only grooms his caregivers), even more so than the most gentle groomer, Terry. I love how excited George is about every meal, every celebration, and every new thing in sanctuary life. I can’t wait to see where he is a year from now!
Missy:
Missy is the most athletic 50 year old in the world. This morning, I watched her run down Young’s Hill at full-speed. I can’t believe she never ages. She never slows down and lives her life to the fullest. Also, tomatoes. 🍅
Honey B:
Honey B is the most unpredictable chimpanzee resident! She always has something she’s up to and is wildly intelligent. My relationship with Honey B has been up and down over the years. Sometimes, she is the most enthusiastic groomer and is wildly excited to groom my new scab. Sometimes, she invites me to come over and screams in my face! It makes all the good moments with her that much more special.
Gordo:
Gordo is such a funny guy. He makes new caregivers work to build a relationship with him, but once you know his subtle cues, you’re in! It’s game on. My favorite thing about him is when he starts laughing mid-game of chase. It’s so sweet.
Rayne:
Rayne is such a sweet and highly respected chimp by her peers. She is a calm, stable presence and a friend to all. My favorite thing about Rayne is when she’s enjoying some really good food, she rubs her toes together.
Burrito:
Burrito is the most easy-going, happiest chimpanzee I have ever met. He loves life and never misses an opportunity to have fun! Whether it’s by himself and playing with an enrichment item or inviting a caregiver to play chase with him, he is always having the best time. He is also the easiest chimp to make laugh. Some chimps really make you work for a laugh, Burrito just offers one up.
Negra:
There’s many things I love about Neggie, but something that absolutely melts me is when she greets others with an extended arm (like in this picture above). It’s a gesture not many of the chimps do, but Negra almost never misses an opportunity. These days, when we go in to say hello to her in the mornings, she will be tucked into her nest and her arm will fly out to greet us. ❤️
Jamie:
Like with Honey B, my relationship with Jamie has been up and down – which is okay! Jamie really makes me work hard for the good moments. It’s worth it; nothing is better than grooming or breathy panting with her. The nice moments with Jamie are that much more special because they are a rare occurrence.
Dora:
Dora has the sweetest eyes in the world! She is also very goofy, but in a poke-the-cup-out-of-your-hand kind of way! My favorite thing about her is how she bobs her head when she walks bipedally to approach another chimp. It makes me chuckle every time!
Mave:
My favorite thing and the most relatable thing about Mave is her will to lay down, no matter the activity. Eating her lunch? Laying down. Grooming with friends? Laying down. Sun bathing? Laying down. Playing with friends? Laying down. Interacting with caregivers? You guessed it, laying down.
Terry:
Terry is the most intricate groomer, by far. It feels like he’s actually cleaning your skin of debris, like chimpanzee nature intended. He is gentle and oh so sweet. That freckly face.
Annie:
One of my favorite memories I have had with Annie:I came back to the chimp house after a long vacation, and when she saw me, she stopped what she was doing to run over and offer a kiss to the back of my hand. She normally doesn’t do this, so it felt like a big deal to have this interaction with her. It felt like she had noticed I was gone and was happy to see me back!
Willy B:
Oh, Willy B. I could write a dissertation on the complexities of sweet, Willy B. My favorite thing about him is that every time he sees his reflection (in a mirror or a phone camera), he makes the same face to check out his teeth. However, I have seen him do the same face when he is watching YouTube videos before, almost as if he believes he’s looking at his own reflection (or that’s my interpretation anyway). That wasn’t you, Willy, but I appreciate your consistency!
Foxie:
My favorite thing about Foxie is her youthful spirit. She turns 50 this year and even though her hair shows more silver than before she is still her spunky, silly self. She treats every doll like it’s her first. I love when she gets a doll back (from a fresh cleaning), she immediately pulls it to her chest to hold close.
Lucky:
Oh, my sweet Lucky! I have a trillion favorite memories with Lucky. I will never forget when I was out of work for a back injury, every time I came for a visit, she would grunt loudly when she spotted me and come running over immediately. She always made it a big deal for me to be back and I will never forget how much that meant to me!
Jody:
I had only been a caregiver at CSNW for a year when we lost Jody. However, Jody had the sweetest eyes and the most peaceful presence for her group members. I loved how she popped cherry tomatoes and the juice would fly everywhere. ❤️
What a lovely blog Jenna. Informative and so personal at the same time.
Best wishes for your future.
Oh, sad that we won’t see you here in the blog any more, Jenna, but good to know that the chimps will still see you! (especially Annie Bird).
On behalf of the chimpanzees, cattle, and other fauna at the CSNW, thank you for your work and dedication to the well-being of the residents of the Sanctuary. It is heartening to read that you will remain close to the natural range of the rare and elusive pan Hibernata who resides on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains.
Speaking of which, Sir David Attenborough reached the centennial mark today. Oddly, in reading the tributes in honor of his career, I haven’t found any mention (thus far) of his presentation of the pan Hibernata which he narrated exclusively on the CSNW blog on 4.15.2024. Nevertheless, I found his description of the rare primate most elucidating.
Thank you Jenna, for these heartfelt words and for all you have done while being at CSNW. i wish you all of the very best in your future.
I’m so happy you will still be around for your friends.
I think it says a lot about this place that no one wants to leave.:revolving_hearts:
Thank you Jenna for your dedication to our Chimp family.
I’m sorry to hear we won’t be reading your blogs anymore but thank you for your touching remembrances of each chimp. I’m so happy you will continue to have a role in their lives. I love them all and admire Honey B’s intelligence but Sweet Annie has held a special place in my heart from the first time I saw her offer her arm. I would love to be the recipient of one of her hugs.
We will miss your blogs but thank you for each touching memory of the chimps.
I love the chimps and always look forward to Honey B’s next adventure but no one has touched my heart the way Annie has each time she holds her arm out. she is special in her own way.
Heartfelt best wishes to you, Jenna, for your future and well being. Your blog, as always was a joy to read and though it seems a little sad to be leaving the sanctuary all those beloved residents -chimp and ?:sparkling_heart:bovine- will live on in your memories and in your heart.
Good luck in your future endeavors, Jenna! I am sure the chimps will be glad to know you’re staying as a volunteer! I just adore reading about their individual personalities.
Thank you for your lovely write up of the chimps, they will miss you as we all will. Good luck for the future.
Thank you Jenna for your dedication and love for all the creatures who call CSNW their home.
We will miss you!
Thank you for your precious work as a full-time caregiver, Jenna, and I wish you trillions of wonderful moments in your new role :blue_heart::rose::monkey_face:
Thanks for sharing your favorite thoughts and moments.
Good luck Jenna.
Continue to do big things.
thank you, Jenna
What a lovely blog post. Thank you for your thoughts and service to these wonderful chimps. Best of luck to you in the future. Cheers…
Hi Jenna! This time must feel a little bittersweet. How exciting to be moving forward on your career and life path. I would honestly be interested to learn where go because, so far, your career path is enviable. You’ve accomplished so much.
Your blogs will be missed. I learned some new details about your beloved friends today. Thank you for sharing what makes each individual special to you. Negra’s extended arm! Missy’s unbelievable energy—still. Terry’s natural gift of grooming! Mave always reclining (like Neggie!), Little Dora’s bipedal head bobs! Foxie. And most touching, the joy filled feeling Annie and Lucky experience when you return after an extended absence! You are so fortunate, but I don’t have to tell you that. 😉
Take care. Wishing you a new opportunity oozing fulfillment. And think of all the wonderful greetings Annie and Lucky will have for you when you show up as a volunteer caregiver!
As Kathleen said, I learned so much about the chimpanzees that I didn’t know before! Crazy right? You’d think we would know everything there is to know by now. Just goes to show that we need these blogs so we can keep getting to know them..
I had to crack up out loud when you told about Jody squirting a cherry tomato. I did that once at the most inopportune time. I was at a fancy retirement party of some high up Air Force person at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Hit a man right on his tie! One of the most embarrassing moments of my life.
Thanks for the memories, Jenna. Both yours and mine.
Best of everything to you. And truly sincerely, Thank You for sharing our love of our dear friends.
Thank you Jenna, your care stories are wonderful and shows your dedicated interest in the chimps comfort and life. Yes, stay in the PacNW and hope your adventures keep you in the chimp spirit for sure.
Beautiful tribute and observation of these wonderful souls. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.