It seems like all of the Californians are making great strides these days. Honey B, Mave, and Dora have all been on the Bray multiple times (true, only to chase the boys but hey, you’ve got to start somewhere), Cy is exploring the very top of the hill, and now Willy B is learning that while he may not enjoy it, the grass is not, in fact, lava.
I’m posting this video to celebrate Willy’s accomplishment, but I can’t help reflecting on how great a guy Cy is. Willy B is a great guy, too, but he’s not always an easy friend to have. He’s riddled with anxiety, he’s socially awkward, and while he’s not particularly aggressive himself, his displays and outbursts often have the effect of stirring his group mates into conflict. Whether Cy sees past all this, or just realizes that he has to work with what he was given, it amazes me to see how patient and kind he can be to his new buddy. Willy B may not always deserve Cy’s patience and understanding, but he’d be lost without it.
By the way, are you getting excited for Jamieween? Care to help us throw a big party? Check out our wish list here.
Cy, a combo of Buddha and Mother Theresa, calmness and kindness. Might we well assume that chimps, like humans, can have a personality that either helps or hinders. Indeed Willie epitomizes the song “I Get By With a Little Help from My Friends. With good troop members and the patient, loving care of sanctuary staff, he certainly does
Beautiful
Well done Willy B, very brave!
I find it interesting that the original 3 Californians are those that are not keen on the outdoors/grass. I wonder why that is? And Dora, is it by her close association to Mave and Honey B? Its facinating.
I believe the the Waystation’s enclosures all had concrete floors, so grass is just a new experience for the Californians!
But I agree with Kathleen. That should mean that Cy, Terry, Lucky and Rayne also hate grass. But they don’t! So curious.
I don’t know why the first three are the least keen on going outside. They did live in a different area at the Waystation but as other have mentioned in these comments, all of the enclosures had concrete floors so they were all in the same boat in that regard. One difference is that Willy, Mave, and Honey B’s enclosure had a solid roof overhead, whereas the others had a chain link roof, so perhaps that affects their comfort being outside with only sky above. As for Dora, you are correct – she would like to go outside but her pal Mave dissuades her and in some cases even holds her back.
J.B., i was so moved by the fellowship of chimps in this blog i forgot to say thanks for sharing the video and your thoughts of how happy you are seeing Willie’s ‘lava fear’ waning.
Poor Willy B! He walks like he’s stepping on broken glass. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could actually talk to them and hear their stories? Although, the truth would probably break our hearts. Hope he mimics Cy more often and learns to how to be a friend.
I remember when Willy first stepped outside and wouldn’t leave the security of the wood platform. It’s wonderfull and heartwarming to see him venturing out on to the hill.
I remember him sitting in that tub like it was a boat on a sea of grass!
Oh yes! Those first few food grabs from the boardwalk, then running back to the chute! Thank you for sharing these progress videos JB, he’s definitely growing braver by the day, but my heart will soar when I see him sitting in the geass at the top of the Bray, eating a well deserved apple. Great support from the others.
Willy really is pushing himself, even though he’s uncomfortable. Cy and Lucky providing support is really cool to see, too. They’re both just sweethearts.
Now that he’s walking on that dry crunchy grass, I can’t wait for him to experience the soft spring grass. Though he had softer grass in the new greenhouses, it was cut grass, and he wasn’t yet willing. Now that he is, he’ll be sprinting on the soft spring sprouts! While eating some of course.
Are there only certain grasses that they eat? If so, will you be certain that those grasses are growing in the Bray? I always love seeing Negra eating her spring grasses.
Are there any stickers out there? I’ve often wondered. Ouch!
Most of them seem to enjoy whatever pasture grass grows on the Hill in the spring. The same grass grows on the Bray so we’ll see! I don’t think there areany stickers out there but there are wild rose bushes. Hopefully they can avoid stepping in those.
Thank you, JB! I loved seeing this!
Why, yes, I AM ready for Jamieween!
I sent her 2 Lucy books from the list.
Yesterday I sent a box with 2 DVDs for Cy (1 rom com, 1 animated pic), some scarves, some smaller books, and a glorious large hardback book on primates, filled with orangs, gorillas, chimps and bonobos!
I hope she likes it! Just a heads up, though…I didn’t have time to put a note in, but I did look through it–there is one photo of Kanze wearing his headphones in the lab. So I’m not sure if you want to take that one out for her or not.And there’s one of a baby chimp kept as a pet, but I don’t think you can see there’s a leash. it just look as though he’s sitting on the porch.
Thank you!
I was so thrilled when I saw the primates on the “free books” cart at the library!
And supposedly, some students in the “Fashion Club” are working on some boot pics to make her a boot book like Simon made. Probably won’t reach her for bday, due to their busy time, but for Jamie, any day is a good day for boot books!
Willy B is a brave, daring, fellow. I am happy that Cy is such a gentle and caring leader. It must be challenging to be so socially awkward amongst your new gang, making Cy and Lucky all the more revered in my eyes and heart.
I am curious if Willy B has gone out this far before, all the way to The Escher, or is this his first time having to plod through that prickly fall grass to get back to the safety of the boardwalk? I ask because I am now wondering if the reward of being higher up on the hill, and higher up still while on The Escher— *with your best pal* — is more thrilling and relaxing than the uncomfortable and unsettling experience of walking back home? Will Willy make this a regular part of his outdoor adventure from now on? I hope so. He deserves glorious adventures every day. I love this misunderstood handsome and lovable galoot.
He went to the Escher amidst all the excitement on the day the Bray opened and, as far as I know, he hadn’t been back until this week. But now that Cy is more comfortable on the Bray, I bet Willy B will follow him.
As others have said its so hard to watch him go through that, walking like it was broken glass.. as has been said in the blog the other day – sometimes you have to push through the uncomfortable to get the good on the other side!
Riddled with anxiety and socially awkward sounds like me :laughing: so I’m pulling for both of us, Willy B!
Those are the sensitive ones!
Willy B. reminds me of one of those bulky motor guys, with lots of tatoos, who have to show the world how tough they are, but inside they are like a litte mouse.
I cannot help but laugh when Willy B. displayes….he is such a little scared boy.
if only i had friends like this
Once again I am struck by JB’s, impressive, insight into the personalities of the chimps and his, expressive, humor, and, descriptive, abilities.