We are very grateful to be able to throw such fun parties for the chimpanzees! It’s all because of the people in their lives who care – people who have personally known the chimpanzees for years and those who only recently were introduced to the sanctuary online.
A giant thank you to each and every person who makes sanctuary a reality for these incredibly deserving individuals, including the bovines who got their first taste of some new alfalfa today!
Thank you Diana. I hope I don’t sound ungrateful if I say I think I could watch 30 minutes of that! After all, more parties to cover!
Im glad Gordo liked the house! And someone in the 6 quickly copped onto the fact that those little bags carry good things!
I was worried when Neggie showed up late, but I trust she got something to eat.
And Chad…prepping? the box/house was too funny!
I hope the days to come show us which toys were popular–we love to see them enjoying gifts!
Thank you all for making it fun for them. Rest up, for New Year’s and the 6th approacheth!
I hope that you all manage to enjoy your own holiday in your own way. Merry Christmas to all of you and to all of the blog buddies!
Neggie did get lots to eat! 🙂 Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful video. Merry Christmas to everyone at the sanctuary!
Merry Christmas, Laurie!
What a fabulous, wonderful, exciting, delicious day for our lucky chimpanzee people! So much food, which they zeroed in on immediately, a great haul of warm and fuzzy presents, a small tree that apparently wasn’t so important and so got pushed over! I LOVED this video. I hope you all enjoyed being with them as much as I enjoyed watching it. Who was that who was so excited and jumping up and down with the wide open mouth? Was that Willie B? The excitement was irrestible! Merry Christmas to all of you who work so hard to make these chimps so happy, and to all of us who get to enjoy the fruits of that. And, of course, to our lucky, loveable, marvelous chimps!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the video, Maureen! that was Cy who had the contagious excitement! Merry Christmas to you.
From the depths of my soul, I deeply love the chimpanzees and cattle who live at this Sanctuary. They are such a source of joy.
I found this quote years ago and thought you might enjoy it. It says everything….
When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal.
I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.
Anthony Douglas Williams
Thank you, Laurie. That quote speaks volumes.
Simply beautiful! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! Thank you for all you do!
Merry Christmas, Sherry!
I was looking forward to this Christmas video all day and it didnt disappoint! They all were so excited and thrilled to come out and see all the awesome surprises! Thank you staff and volunteers for making it such a wonderful day for them. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all staff and blog followers!:santa::mrs_claus::speak_no_evil::cow2:
whew! I’m so glad the video didnt dissapoint. Merry Christmas to you!
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time! It appears all that hard prepping work paid off. Everyone was having such a fun time. It always thrills me to see the original seven rush into their greehouse grabbing goodies as they fly by. Jamie was taking her tool bench apart and I bet by now, she was not only successful in doing so, she has it all back together again.
Those small burlap sacks were a hit with everyone! I am also curious to know who it was that got so excited seeing the presents and J.B.? I just loved it. That reaction alone must have made all your hard work feel worth it!! (and my what big theeth you have)
Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing such joy into their lives — bovines included! Thank you to everyone who contributed towards this magnificent celebration.
I don’t think we have seen Cy so excited before! Big thanks to you, Kathleen. :revolving_hearts:
Sorry for such a late MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Thank you all, and love to you all.
Merry Christmas, Paulette!
What a heartwarming video to top off Christmas day. Thank you to all at CSNW – Merry (day after) Christmas, a day that has it’s own magic. Wonderful video Diana, wishing you many warm fuzzies in the coming year.
Thank you, Judy! Happy new year to you.
Loved this video , what a great day was had by all. Thanks for your hard work and dedication. Makes me smile how delicately they drink from the little cups. Who was the mystery food plate snatcher ? That made me laugh !
Chad filmed that plate snatcher and he’s not giving away the secret. I have my suspicions… 🙂
What a great video. Well done team for setting up the party for the chimps. I am always impressed by your effoerts and dedication. Merry Christmas and all the my very best wishes for the new year.
Thank you, Keith! Best wishes to you for 2022 as well!
Thank you for the wonderful video! our family warched together last night and it was much joy watching the gang enjoy the treats and gifts. Getting to know you all this ywar has been great and we look forward to more adventures in 2022! Happy Bixing Day to chimps, bovines & humans!!
sorry for phone autocorrect-so many errors!!
Happy Boxing Day-loved watching with family!!!
I loved that you watched the video with your family! Happy day after boxing day, Rosalie!
What a lovely way to top off my holiday – like a star on the tree!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Merry Christmas, Mary!
Thank you Diana,Chad and all you lovely caregivers.Merry Christmas and have a happy new year.It will be bigger and better for all our sweet Chimps and Bovines:sparkling_heart::sparkling_heart::santa::santa:
What an amazing Christmas celebration for all at CSNW. It’s so heartwarming to see all of the residents enjoying themselves with food, friends, family, and lots of love. Thank you all for making this possible for them. Many blessings for a wonderful Christmas, and a happy new year filled with joy.
Another spectacular party and a great video. I love how our beautiful Burrito always goes for as many drinks as he can find….what is it he loves so much? Lovely to see the new residents having so much fun on their first Christmas too. Excitement is contagious. Who gets to make a path through the snow for the seven? And I’m sure the cattle were smiling at their Christmas treat! Thank you all for the hard work you put in to make it so special.
I think it’s diluted sparkling cider, Carol
Thank you, Carol! The little cups had full-strength sparkling apple cider – a big hit with all of the chimps and it’s free of added sugars (though has plenty of natural sugar!). J.B. and I cleared the path on Friday for them when there was a break in the snowfall. Thank you for all of your support!
Wow, full strength! No wonder he was after it! Yum!
Today is December 28th and I must confess, I am still coming back to rewatch this video. Each time I watch it, it brings joyful tears to my eyes to see each and every person excited and enjoying the bounty of goodies strewed all around them. I can’t get over Cy’s excitement and the way he directly looks into J.B.’s eyes so he can share his joy with J.B. Even Betsy (I think it is Betsy on the far right) stops to look directly at the photographer as if say, with a munching mouthfull, “Thank you!”.
It’s the little things that are just so deeply touching. Like daintily sipping the very special sparkling cider or grabbing all the doughy rolls you can hold, snatching someone’s plate full of the yummiest food when they are otherwise preoccupied, or digging through socks, paper, and bags for nuts and other surprises, and the beauty found in their freedom to enjoy the celebration in their own personal way. When I watch this, I actually *feel* their comfort, security, love of family and community, and their happiness in having a real home. It leaves me breathless.
This video is favorite holiday gift. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, everyone, for today.
Thank you, Kathleen. I must confess to reading your comment three times. I expect I’ll go back to it as you go back to the video. It’s a joy to know that there are people like you who get so much out of this sanctuary.