As promised, here is a more thorough post to introduce myself to all of you amazing followers of the sanctuary.
I have been with the sanctuary for a couple years now as an intern and volunteer. You may have seen me from such classics as: “You’re Doing It Wrong,” “Chad Grooms Jamie,” and the ever so classic, “Fun Police (Stop What You’re Doing And Pay Attention To Me).” If you couldn’t tell, there is a certain individual who runs my life here at the sanctuary. Even at times, doing chores at home I have that strange feeling Jamie is watching me and going to tell me I missed a spot.
My interest in chimpanzees began a few years ago as an undergraduate student at Arizona State University, where I helped analyze data coming in from Gombe of the Kasakela community (the group made famous by Dr. Jane Goodall). I continued my research at Central Washington University as a graduate student studying chimpanzee gestural communication of other wild chimpanzee communities. Through the certificate program CWU offers, I took the courses on captive primate care taught by J.B., and so began my time at the sanctuary as an intern.
To say I was excited when I was asked to help out as a staff member here is an understatement. I don’t think there is any word or combination of words to describe the exact feelings of excitement and (yes) nervousness I have in being given the opportunity to help provide the best life possible for the Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Honey B, Jamie, Jody, Mave, Missy, Negra, and Willy B, as well as Betsy, Honey, Meredith, and Nutmeg, in a new capacity. I will do the best I can to keep you all informed about the daily happenings at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest during my time as a staff member.
For those of you who commented on my test blog yesterday, thank you all for such a warm welcome! And to answer some of the questions, yes! Anna will return!
Now… On to today’s happening around the sanctuary!
We are preparing for some pretty significant snowfall here in Central Washington. In fact, as I write this, snow has already begun to fall. We attempted to give Willy B, Honey B, and Mave access to the snowfall, but they decided it was not in their plans for the day. Honey B just looked at us like we were crazy for even thinking they would ever go in the snow.
On the other side of the Chimp House, we set up two separate play dates for Burrito. First we allowed Foxie to spend some time with him.
Then Jody.
Overall, it was a pretty quiet day here. The chimpanzees are about to be served dinner and settle in for the night. Until next time, stay warm, friends!
I believe you will make a great staff member. I like you already, you have a great personality and most importantly you seem to care a great deal for our wonderful chimps. KEEP Up The Good WORK!
Sounds cozy! I can imagine what Honey B was thinking when you asked for them to venture out in the snow… Uh no, definitely no.
Welcome Chad, you’re a lucky dog, I would love to be in your shoes….or no wait that’s Jamie’s line:-D
Loved that look from Honey B! Thanks for the post and sharing your educational background with us. Appreciate all your hard work and dedication to these beautiful souls we know as chimpanzees. Best wishes.
Chad, thank you for the reference to the previous videos. There is something simple yet lovely about the toothbrush grooming video: one can sense Jamie’s contentment and trust of you during her brief respite from Fun Policing.
She was SO relaxed and content, this video made ME relaxed and content.
Hi, Chad,
LOVE me some sense-of-humour! I still do stand-up comedy even though my main focus right now is in pursuit of double doctorates in Astrophysics and Applied Mathematics, and I’ve recently added a minor in primatology, so I know your excitement as you move through the ranks toward a permanent position as an upcoming primatologist. Good on you, and I hope it happens soon!
I am currently seethingly-jealous right now, however, because I am a gen-yoo-ine snow-ho, and I can’t get enough. Now y’all are getting MY snow, and three of the Cle Elum Ten aren’t even appreciative of it! I’m so emotional I think I need to go and lie down. I just don’t feel emotionally-prepared to face dinner….
Mr. Burrito-toes has been my boyfriend since I painted him and donated it to the sanctuary a few years ago, so his trauma and subsequent recuperation, with its daily wins like being allowed play dates with his women melt my heart and make me Snoopy-happy. I just hope he continues to heal and forget what happened. I adopted a Bengal cat at around the time the sanctuary got the newest three persons and was going through my own integration drama as y’all were dealing with yours, and while I know you’ve shared some of what they’ve been through, I’m still learning of the heinous abuse suffered at the hands of humans and neglect for my Yumyum boy. Bengals tend to remember just normal things for 2 years; when it’s trauma, they remember longer. I hope part of the purview of your blog postings might focus a little on how their behaviour seems to reflect on the inner way they’re dealing with that traumatic past, because this has become of interest to me.
Blessings to you for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr!)!
Cheers.
Well done Chad. it appears we (fans of the chimps) have another fine storyteller in you. i look forward to your continued adventures with the crew there.
Chad, I must confess. I knew exactly who you were as I remembered you from the past blog posts….. especially the one of you quietly and ever so gently grooming Jamie with the toothbrush. In my book, if Jamie digs you, you are admired by me too. That particular video was so sweet and Jamie appeared so pleased to be the recipient of your loving caregiving. (When it comes to Jamie I think my biggest fear would be a poop-pie being tossed in my face so it appears as if you rate highly in Jamie’s inner circle). ; ). Just saying.
Thanks for the photos of Burrito’s visitors today. And thank you for sharing your background with us. Impressive indeed! I think I just might understand what it must feel like to be a part of such an amazing sanctuary and to be responsible for all the extraordinary lives within. To work in a profession where you share your experiences so others may live a better fulfilled life, well, that’s a gift. “We will be known forever for the tracks we leave” ~ Dakota. You are leaving beautiful tracks…..
Welcome Chad. I can tell I am going to be entertained by your posts. 🙂
I have a question about the Burrito playdates: when his visitor comes into his space, do they immediately greet each other with excitement and eagerness or does anyone ‘play it cool’?
Thank you for all that all of the human people do at CSNW to provide the best most tranquil life for the chimp and bovine people. 🙂
Lol, thinking of Anna the other day, I was wondering how fun and cool it must be, at tax time, to write “Chimp House Manager” on the line where you list your profession! Bet they don’t see too much of that at the IRS! 😀
Chad you’ll be great. Sounds like you have a big heart like everyone else there. Enjoy the snow. It’s always so beautiful on the trees. Thanks for letting us know what’s happening at the sanctuary. I enjoy reading all the blogs.
Sounds like the chimps are very lucky to have you! Congrats on the new position!
Welcome. You sound so very excited about the chimps and your new position it is hard not to
think you will be a wonderful addition for everyone humans and chimps. I’m sure the chimps can
feel that also. The best of luck with your new position. I so enjoy reading the blogs and helping
the chimps have a wonderful new life.