Thank you so much to Lucinda Almy-Hamilton for so graciously sponsoring an annual day of sanctuary in memory of Jody. And our first of two sponsor a days in her honor.
We celebrated Jody’s honorary birthday on Mother’s Day in honor of her innate mothering nature with her group members, and in honor of the nine children she gave birth to while in biomedical research and was never allowed to raise. Jody spent fifteen years in sanctuary before passing away from an unexpected health crisis on April 30, 2023. Jody was among the first seven chimpanzees to call the sanctuary home and she remains an integral part of all our lives and all we do here. We miss and celebrate her every single day. Lucinda shared this special message about today:
“Jody’s passing was highly significant for me and has remained in my heart ever since. I so appreciated the “farewell” video; the others in the “family” had the opportunity to say goodbye. I watch that video many times and it still makes me cry. I showed it to my anthropology classes highlighting the beautiful sentience of our fellow primates.”
(*Trigger warning: For our newer followers, or those who haven’t had the opportunity yet, if you choose to watch Jody’s farewell video linked above please note J.B.’s note at the beginning of the post. It’s an immense privilege to witness her family saying goodbye to her, but as you might imagine, it’s also very moving and emotional to see. Just as life is, we hold so many emotions at the same time).
It means so much to us, Lucinda, that you continue to hold Jody in your heart and share her and her family with your students. We couldn’t hope for more in sharing the chimpanzees lives through our daily blog.
Our Mother’s Day celebration preparation is under way in the chimp house so there will be more beauty and joy to come today, please join us in celebrating all of our extraordinary residents and their lives today.
Happy Birthday, beautiful Jo, Happy Mother’s Day. We love you so!
Jody and Missy:
Jody was a master forager and loved nothing more than hauling in as much as she could carry from both forages and wild growing browse on Young’s Hill:
Burrito and Jody:
She was also our reigning “Pumpkin Thief” at Jamie’s birthday (Jamieween) celebrations:
Foxie and Jody, such dear friends:
Jody enjoying one of her zillions of nests:
Thank you, Lucinda.
Happy Mothers Day to all
Farmer Jo, I love that picture of her all loaded down with her haul!
Jody Chimp……….whenever I see posts and pictures of Jody its doubly bittersweet for me. My daughter Jodie passed away two years and three months ago. She was a lover of all animals and my favorite flower is lilacs. Mama and Jodie are my two favorite words. I wasn’t following CSNW when Jody Chimp passed. When George was rescued is when I became aware and started following CSNW. George lived(?) exsisted really, just 40 miles from me and it was a truly sad state for all the animals exploited, abused and neglected.
When George was rescued and I started following CSNW it brought some light into my life.
Today I honor Mothers Day, my daughter in Heaven Jodie and Jody Chimp and CSNW.
So very sorry to hear of this most difficult loss Debbie
Thank you so much, Lucinda, for your generosity in sponsoring Jody on her honorary birthday. Lilacs are in bloom where I reside. Stopping to smell them on a bush the other day, I immediately thought of our dear Farmer Jody. I never cease to cherish her.
Thank you, Lucinda for honoring Jody on this very special day of hers. Sometimes just thinking about Jody brings a few tears to my eyes. She was such an important part of her family. Because of your post today, when I thought of Jody I smiled. If I were a chimp, I would’ve had a big droopy bottom lip. That’s how warm and happy the thought of Jody made me feel.
Thank you, Lucinda! ?:monkey_face:?
Thank you, Lucinda for sppnsoring the day and thank for sharing Jody’s story with your class. i’ve only been able to watch thd video twice and even the mention of it brings me to tears. I hope you have had an opportunity to see Jody’s statue in her memorial garden. She will always have a presence at CSNW.