Katelyn

Today is in honor of Carolyn!

October 4, 2017 by Katelyn

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by “The parents of Jake, aka wheelbarrow boy,” for Carolyn Ouellette: “A Real Animal Lover, A Great Role Model & A Stellar Friend!”

To the parents of Jake, thank you so much for thinking of the chimps in honoring Carolyn and making a difference in the days of them all!

Carolyn, I can’t imagine this won’t bring a smile to your face this morning. We hope you enjoy your day and thank you for being such a bright light in the world and sharing that with the chimpanzees.

Annie, face raised to the sun:

Burrito:

Jody and Missy:

Jody:

The sanctuary is a special place. But then I probably don’t need to tell you that. We are so fortunate to watch the beauty of so many seasons come and go not only around the sanctuary grounds, but for all of us here to be able to pass through our own seasons in life in this sanctuary home.

There has been a wedding here, celebrations of all shapes and sizes, people have honored loved ones here who have passed away, and most of us spend all of our birthdays and holidays here. I was in the chimp house when I was offered my job here, I was here when I learned my heart could hold more love than I ever thought possible, and it seems that somehow I am always in the chimp house when I’ve learned of the passing of family and loved ones. And every single day we are honored and privileged to watch the winters, springs, summers and falls of the chimps’ lives unfold with never-ending surprise, adventure, joy, healing and love. We’re all so lucky, chimps and humans alike, to have this place to live out the seasons of our lives. And please know that we consider you part of it all. This special place wouldn’t exist without you.

As autumn settles in around us none of us could be happier (and I am pretty sure the chimps are as excited as the humans). We’ve been enjoying countless walks with the chimps around Young’s Hill in the cool, fresh air, harvesting pears from the orchard, climbing the apple trees and dangling precariously over the pond to reach the last of the fruit on the furthest branches, and today we harvested the very first little pumpkins from the chimps’ garden!

A Foxie-size pumpkin:

And a bonus photo of Jamie, plotting and planning, because, obviously…

So we’re celebrating seasons and all they bring to our lives tonight with an impromptu “Welcome, Autumn!” dinner party and the chimps’ are enjoying roasted onions, peppers, pears and pumpkins still warm from the oven with some extra tiny lemons and tangerines. And one of the chimps’ favorite evening enrichments, “grab bags,” filled with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and all manner of odds and ends. A favorite of Jamie’s as you will see below.

Queen Negra enjoying the first serving of the season of pumpkin:

Jody enjoying roasted onion:

Jamie with (practically) ALL the grab bags (she went through the chimp house grabbing them and tossing them over her shoulder into a pile until she was ready to go through them.):

Happy autumn, all!

In memory of Ron and Betty Kreuscher

September 21, 2017 by Katelyn

This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Ronalyn Huenergard and she shared this message about today:

“This donation is in memory of my parents, Ron and Betty Kreuscher on their wedding anniversary. They were very proud of their 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.”

Ronalyn, thank you so much for adding to the chimpanzees’ lives in memory of your parents. All of us here send you and your family good thoughts and hope this day is filled with comfort, joy and love as you celebrate Ron and Betty and the memories you hold dear. We so appreciate you holding the chimps in your heart.

Good friends, Burrito and Jody:

Space and time

September 11, 2017 by Katelyn

Initially, Annie had no use for her party yesterday. While everyone else partied in the greenhouse Annie promptly bypassed the indoor festivities and ventured outside to Young’s Hill all on her own. She took her time foraging and scooped up most of everything that was out there, enjoying it all at her own pace. It was amazing to watch her sitting out there enjoying her celebration in peace and solitude.

If you’ve been following the blog for awhile you may know that Annie hasn’t always been so comfortable in her own skin. I think of all the chimps, her change over the last nine years in sanctuary is one of the most apparent. I still remember so clearly the early days after the chimps gained access to their outdoor enclosure and one day I watched Annie, sitting in the raceway to the hill wanting so badly to be with her best friend Missy who was zipping and zooming around out there with ease. Annie’s eyes were glued to Missy as she rocked with anxiety awaiting her return to the greenhouse.

It was heart wrenching to watch those moments. But of course, we trusted that Annie would find the courage to move forward in her own space and time. That’s one of the most beautiful things about sanctuary. Space and time. Space and time for each of the chimps to heal. Space and time for each of their battered souls to come back to them and explore, learn and remember who they are. After nine years in sanctuary, each of the chimps continue to surprise us every single day with their brave, daring, curious, creative, intelligent and beautiful selves.

What a gift that is. For all of us who have the privilege to watch them, and most importantly, for each of the chimps who with each passing day/week/month/year get to celebrate being their own person. However that looks.

Annie feet:

Bonus Negra photo from the party because, well, that face!:

Hot, sleepy and silly

September 4, 2017 by Katelyn

Burrito was curled up in the corner of the greenhouse this afternoon sooo hot and sooo sleepy. In-between barely being able to keep his eyes open, he intermittently somehow found time to still be adorable without having to get up or really move outside of spinning around on his back to face the opposite direction. But adorable, this guy has down. We know that.