Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Ahhh, summertime…

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Jamie has been a happy chimp woman today as indicated by her lying upside down on her favorite barrel watching the happenings of the chimp house, occasionally kicking and flailing about when she’s feeling silly. I thought she might enjoy a drink from the mister on this warm summer day and she responded with a definite “YES!”

Though the chimpanzees really enjoy drink buckets and frozen treats, they don’t really like to get wet and while Jamie enjoys the mister, she typically only likes to catch it in her mouth. But today she was thoroughly delighted with a steady misting by her staff. And we were thoroughly delighted by her joy. Ahhh, summertime…

Happy Birthday, Rachel!

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We have another gracious gift from Rachel Ruggeri this week of a day of sanctuary. Rachel shared this lovely message of celebration:

“I am dedicating my 49th birthday to the Gang of Seven and all the great lessons they teach me about living! My year of “wellness” starts with remembering that true happiness comes from enjoying the small things in life…similar to the way the Gang of Seven embrace each new day and experience. Their exuberance for life teaches me how best to just be…”

Happy Birthday, Rachel! We hope this is the best one yet! We’re so happy to celebrate such a special a special day with you and hope your year and life ahead are filled with chimpanzee style inspiration and joy.

Jamie:

Jody:

:

Annie and Missy:

Today is for Negra

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Kim Williams sponsored a special day of sanctuary for the Queen herself, Negra. Kim sent this sweet message about her gift:

“I wish to dedicate this sponsorship to the beautiful Negra. She’s such a gorgeous old soul.”

Kim, thank you so much for honoring Negra! We have been marveling daily over the fact that even after ten years in sanctuary, Negra seems to be showing us new sides of herself almost daily this summer.  A little extra adventurous, more playful with her chimp and human friends alike, a little more silly, a little less serious…as most of us tend to be with summertime. It is indeed the summer of Neggie. And we couldn’t be more thrilled.

In honor of Robert Ruggeri

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Today was sponsored by the chimpanzees’ good friend, Rachel Ruggeri, in memory of her father, Robert Ruggeri. Rachel shared this special message about today:

“This day is in honor of my father, Robert Ruggeri, who passed away five years ago on this date. While he is no longer with us, his memory and legacy continue to burn bright in the lives of his family, friends, and the of course the gang of seven who show us each and every day the pleasure of living each day to its fullest. May we all seize the day ahead!” 

Rachel, thank you so much for the incredible support you show the chimpanzees, for always holding them in your heart, and for the lasting and profound difference you help make in their lives. We so touched to share in honoring your father and his legacy and appreciate you including the chimps. They are indeed shining examples of embracing each day with arms and hearts wide open. We are all sending you all the good thoughts for memories filled with love, comfort and joy as you you celebrate your father today.

Missy is the epitomy of how to live one’s life with gusto and gumption:

Summer jobs

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Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean that the chimpanzees don’t still have a job to do. Scanning for intruders, checking the perimeter, the chimps’ work is never done. After everyone settled down from breakfast this morning they headed out for a group walk around the perimeter.

Jody was first out of the raceway, vigilantly scanning Young’s Hill before everyone else to see what happened overnight:

Then boss lady, Jamie, and her trusty backup chimp gal, Missy, headed out to check the perimeter:

Foxie and Burrito headed up after them and Burrito was a gentleman and waited for his good friend, Foxie, to catch up:

Jody brought up the rear, but she marched with such a mission, that I couldn’t capture her in time. Meanwhile Annie chose to watch the procession from the shady hammock:

And perhaps knowing things were being handled, Negra was all about an after breakfast nap:

Annie decided to join everyone as they made their way back to the chimp house and made a quick scan, probably for snakes:

Once the group made it around Young’s Hill, secure in the knowledge there were no current threats or intruders to defend their home turf from, they all filed back into the greenhouse. Burrito is extra fluffy looking here with his hair standing on end (pilo-erect) because he wants to go back into the greenhouse, but in classic Burrito social anxiety, isn’t comfortable walking past the girls to get there. He needed a minute:

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake brought up the rear:

And here are some bonus Foxie photos as she and Strawberry Shortcake of the Purple Hair cool off in the front rooms:

In memory of Kevin Clark

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Shelley Winfrey sponsors this day each year in memory of her brother, Kevin Clark with these sentiments: “For my brother, who passed away…he would have loved the chimps.”

Shelley and her mother, Patty, are such good friends to the chimpanzees and we’re so thrilled to have them as part of our chimp family. We’re touched to be able to celebrate Kevin’s memory with them today.

Thank you, Shelley, for always holding the chimps in your heart and for all you do for them. We are all thinking of you and your family today and sending all good thoughts for comfort, peace and joyful memories.

Burrito:

A summer day

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When the sun began to lower in the sky and shift away from the greenhouse this afternoon I found Foxie and her doll sleepily stretched out in the heat. In classic Foxie style, she stuck her toes out for a tickle to greet me as I sat beside her. And for just awhile, we got to spend a quintessential summer day lingering together, two friends, in silence and the shade found on a hot summer day with a warm breeze.