Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Morning happenings

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I always think it’s the best feeling to spend time out in the brisk elements and then come inside and get warm. That’s exactly how the chimps chose to spend their time after breakfast today. They climbed, ran, chased, explored and meandered over every nook and cranny of the hill. I even caught someone hanging upside down from a metal bar licking ice off of it who I was certain was Foxie, but was delighted to discover was Jody! Naturally, as I raised the camera she swung off to other adventures so you’ll have to take my word for it. 😉 After a surprising amount of time outside the chimps all returned to the toasty chimp house to make fluffy nests, warm-up and doze off.

Negra:

Annie:

Missy grooming Annie:

Jody:

Jamie after taking just herself and her new pair of boots for a walk all the way around the hill:

Foxie was napping along with everyone else until I popped by with the camera…

Hello. I am Foxie. And I’m fabulous:

Session over! (This is how about 90% of our photos turn out by the way 😉 )….

Burrito was resting as well, but for whatever reasons, his photos didn’t turn out so it’s just the ladies today.

 

Happy Birthday, Jen!

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This day of gratitude was sponsored by Jen Wallace, wonderful friend of the chimps and sanctuary, as well as a member of our medical team! Jen shared this heartfelt message about her gift:

“On this day of gratitude I would like to extend my deepest appreciation for Diana, JB, Dr. Zamzow and all the staff and volunteers at CSNW. It is through the tireless efforts from passionate people such as yourselves that 7 chimpanzees have a better life. I am thankful for your continued work to rescue additional chimpanzees and other animals from lives of deprivation and misery. Thank you for all you do. (It also happens to be my birthday. This is my birthday present to myself 🙂 )”

Jen, thank you so much for your kind thoughts and for the generosity and compassion you share with so many, especially our fellow animals. All of us here hope you have a beautiful day!

Your pal, Burrito, might just think that given the food associated with this day of celebration, you might just have the best birthday yet. 🙂 Happy Birthday, Jen!!

Bathed in light

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The past couple of mornings have been our first breaths of winter dawning at around 18-20 degrees, frost covered land and bluebird skies. Beautiful. While the chimpanzees were being served breakfast I was completing the perimeter check of Young’s Hill (making sure their outdoor habitat is safe before giving them access to it). When I got to the top of the hill, the fields up there were breathtaking!

Once the sun comes up over the hill it warms up to some degree, but I wasn’t sure the chimps would do their usual dash onto the hill. But again and again, we learn never to underestimate their  joy of life and curiosity. Negra, naturally, chose to remain in a sun puddle in the greenhouse, but everyone else rushed onto the hill to soak in the beautiful morning light. Missy and Annie stopped briefly to check out construction noises before making their way to the structures to eat frost:

Burrito, extra floofy in the cold morning air:

After spending a good length of time sitting in the sun and licking the frost off everything they could find, everyone made their way back to the greenhouse and playroom to bask, quite literally, in the sunshine streaming through the windows. This entire day the chimpanzees have been utterly quiet, content and bathed in light.

Foxie sat like this, unmoving, for nearly an hour. Keeping an eye on me at the computer, soaking in all that sun:

Jamie remained in this position the entire time we cleaned the playroom. I thought she was asleep, but every time I looked, her eyes were wide as if in a daydream.

Annie, in all her grace:

Happy Birthday, Kery!

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The chimpanzees, our new bovine friends, we humans, and all the more-than-human animals of the world have a wonderful friend in Kery Shaw. With a heart as big as the sea, she stands witness to much that most of us couldn’t bear to see in order to bring light to dark places and she works tirelessly to connect and inspire people to grow compassion for one another, to make the world a better place for all beings who live here. Kery sponsored this day of sanctuary for the chimps and shared this lovely message about her gracious gift:

In honor of my birthday, today I celebrate the Cle Elum 7 who have given me great meaning to my life. They are a true source of hope and love. Today I celebrate the staff of CSNW, who have become like family to me. Their hard work, dedication, compassion and humility makes it an honor to know them. And I celebrate the cows, who I am so excited to meet. Today, I dedicate my birthday to CSNW. I am asking supporters and anyone reading this to check out my little fundraiser on their behalf. I share this with all of you in hopes of reaching my goal and finding a matching donor. My partner and I have put together a special video. You can find it on the fb fundraiser page. Thank you to everyone for your compassion and generosity! https://www.facebook.com/donate/344873209632252/344873212965585/

Kery, thank you so much for always holding the chimpanzees in your heart and thoughts. All of us here hope this spin around the sun is the best one yet! Many thanks for your big, lovely heart. Happy Birthday, Kery!

Guess who…:)

For Rachel and Robert

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Today was sponsored by Erik Ruggeri for Rachel Ruggeri, in memory of Robert Ruggeri. Erik shared this message about his gift:

“Thank you, Rachel. There is no luck, only preparation and opportunity!”

Erik, thank you so much for contributing to the chimps’ lives as you honor Rachel and Robert today. We so appreciate you thinking of them in this way.

Rachel, we’re so grateful to you for always holding the chimps in your heart. We’re sending you and your family all good thoughts today and always.