Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Is it Thanksgiving yet?

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Really, I think I can speak for us all when I say we feel as though it’s Thanksgiving every day here at the sanctuary. We are thankful to our bones for you, all of whom make the sanctuary and the chimpanzees’ lives here possible. We are thankful for wide open spaces with unobstructed views seen through chimpanzee eyes, the sound of chimpanzee feet racing through grass and the sound of human feet running alongside them, chimpanzee play faces and laughter, chimpanzee food grunts and squeaks, freckles, tiny toes, Annie-bird noises, blanket nests the size of small mountains, upside down chimps, and happy and healthy chimps whose lives grow bigger every day both inside and out, and well, more things than we could possibly say.

We are grateful every single day for our chimpanzee family, one of which you are a part of, one of which wouldn’t exist without you. From our hearts, thank you for helping us care for Annie, Missy, Jody, Foxie, Burrito, Jamie and Negra. Seven very special people whose lives are now filled with hope, love, home and family. And who fill our hearts full to bursting with love for them.

And from Burrito’s heart, is that Field Roast ready yet??! And pumpkin pancakes and green beans and sparkling cider and…

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Happy Thanksgiving Eve everyone! Be sure to check in tomorrow for the chimps’ big celebration!

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A chimp family stroll

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We are being gifted with a stretch of incredibly spring-like weather. The mornings start out damp, foggy and cold, but by the afternoon it’s warm, bright and sunny. The humans decided we needed a walk around Young’s Hill as much as Jamie did so we all decided to join her. The sight of a group of their caregivers always gets the chimps excited and often all or most of them will join us. This also gets our resident wild elk friend excited and she decided to tag along as well (though I am pretty sure the chimps attempted to un-invite her). You know, just a chimp family stroll in our own wonderful world at the sanctuary (missing Keri and Elizabeth who are home recovering from colds, and Negra and Foxie who were nesting in the sun).

We all hold so much gratitude in our hearts for this most special and magical of places and all who make it possible. A sanctuary to so many, non-human and human alike.

Anna, Diana, Yuri, Ellie and JB:

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Missy and Annie (L) and Ellie and JB waiting for the others to join us:

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Missy, Burrito and Jody suggested Ellie walk elsewhere at which point she ran to catch up with the humans:

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On a second lap around the hill, Jamie decided to check out the happenings in the neighborhood atop her beloved Twister:

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Part joy. Part magic. All Foxie.

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Last week you may recall that I captured Foxie snuggled up napping on the heated floor with her dolls, Kate and Alana (Dora’s friends 🙂 ). I also promised there were A WHOLE LOT of photos of that scene to follow. So here goes…

When Foxie plays she often likes to lie on her back in a tiny chimpanzee ball repeatedly tucking her arms and legs into herself and then kicking and flailing them about as she snorts and laughs. On this day, after she woke up she rolled over and decided to engage her dolls in her play session (JB wrote a fantastic blog post on Friday about chimps and imaginary play). What ensued was part joy, part magic, and all Foxie:

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Today is for Chaela!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Glen Rinzler in honor of Chaela Ferguson! Glen has been a supporter and friend of the chimpanzees since they arrived to their sanctuary home and we are so happy to celebrate Chaela with him today.

Glen, thank you so much for your continued friendship of the chimps and for all you do to ensure their lives are overflowing with love, respect, adventure, joy, and family. We’re so happy that you chose to include them as you honor Chaela today!

Chaela, we hope you have a beautiful day! May it be full of all that brings you joy, just as you’ve helped provide the chimpanzees!

Jamie and Foxie play wrestling over a troll. Those play faces!:

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Happy Birthday, Linda!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Monica Best in honor of her mother, Linda Miller, on her birthday! Monica is a such a good friend to the chimps and we’re so happy to celebrate her human family along with the chimp family she’s a part of.

Monica shared the following message about today: “Sponsoring in honor of my mom, Linda Miller, on her birthday. She is one of the people who helped instill a love and respect of all animals, which helped me become the animal advocate I am today. Thank you mom!! Happy Birthday.”

Monica, thank you so much for everything you do to make the chimpanzees’ lives enriching, joyful, comforting and magical. You have such a big, loving heart and make the lives of so many of our fellow animals better and we are so grateful to you for that.

Linda, all of us here at the sanctuary wish you the happiest of birthdays yet! We hope that your day involves all that you love doing and all those you love being with!

Negra and Jody:

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Negra enjoying her days:

Negra standing and looking

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Today is in memory of David Bischoff

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Ingrid Bischoff in memory of her father, David Bischoff. Ingrid is a wonderful new friend of the chimpanzees’ and we are truly touched that she would think of them in honoring her father. Ingrid shared this beautiful message about today:

“My father, David Bischoff, from Yarmouth, Maine USA recently passed away and he is the man who taught his entire family the love of nature and animals, to respect the earth, pick up trash and ALWAYS take care of any and all animals in need and to always feed the birds, every day! He was a generous man and supported nature conservatories, donkeys, dogs, elephants, harbor seals and now chimpanzees!!!! He would love this day in his honor and thank you so much for doing all the hard work, giving is easy.”

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Ingrid, thank you so much for sponsoring today for the chimpanzees as you honor your father, David, and celebrate his life. What a special legacy he shared with you and your family, and now, all of us. We are honored to celebrate David here today and welcome you both as members of our chimp family. Our thoughts and hearts are with you today and we wish you the comfort, peace and love of family and friends that you help to ensure the chimpanzees are surrounded with for all their days forward.

Foxie, Annie and Burrito:

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Burrito, Jody, and Foxie:

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Beloved friends, Missy and Annie:

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Negra and Jody:

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Jamie enjoying the sun setting over Young’s Hill:

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