Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Not everyone has the time for a siesta

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After lunch today everyone spent time soaking up the warmth of the greenhouse. Stretched out in the heat and dozing, bellies were full and eyes were heavy. Beautiful Missy wasn’t asleep, but she gave me the rare gift of a quiet moment with her. And the even rarer gift of a quiet moment in front of the camera.

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But not everyone has time for siestas. While the rest of us were enjoying a leisurely moment, Ellie was hard at work. She and Jim, from A-1 Petroleum and Propane, were busy with our propane delivery.

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And just between us, I am pretty sure Ellie has a crush. Ellie is a pretty friendly lady, but she was completely smitten with her new pal, Jim. I think she might have gone home with him if she could have gotten in his truck.

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Changing perspectives

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It’s hard to imagine the chimpanzees once being so different from who we know them to be today. I think this on most days, and yet every day they each show us another dimension of themselves. These seven individuals, so full of life, personality, courage and intelligence spent decades forced to live on the periphery of their lives. But with each passing season they become more fully themselves.

A year or so ago, and for some of the chimpanzees even less, we would not have had to “squint” to see who was out on Young’s Hill, so far away they appear a mere speck among the greenery. This season in particular, the chimpanzees seem to be embodying a spring of their own, literally changing and growing by the day.

Annie:

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Burrito:

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All the chimpanzees (with the exception of Negra for whom the outdoor temperatures are still not quite warm enough) enjoyed wandering far and wide on Young’s Hill after breakfast this morning. They often head out as a troop at this time, but where they used to stick together, they much more frequently spread out to take in their own adventure while just keeping an eye on one another. But that said, once someone starts to head back to the greenhouse the others often follow.

Missy (L) and Jamie (R):

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From left to right: Annie, Missy, and Jamie

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Jamie:

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When they all headed back inside this morning I greeted each of them as they passed by and quickly realized Foxie was missing from the group. I stood up, my eyes scanning the hill for a sign of her, and I finally spotted her at the very top of the furthest climbing structure, perfectly content and enjoying her solitude with Dora and Troll.

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When she saw that I had spotted her, she gave me a head nod and play slapped the platform as she shook Dora in my direction. I nodded back to her in acknowledgement and waited for her to eventually make her way back to the chimp house. In such moments I don’t think I could fully express all that is in my heart in seeing each of their hearts and souls blooming. Knowing what an immense journey it has been, and continues to be for each of them. The chimpanzees help remind me to accept things as they are each day. But to always hold the space, the expectation, and the hope for the ever changing gifts of each passing season.

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Happy Birthday, Denice!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was also sponsored by Denice Mikkelson! Denice is one of our beloved volunteer caregivers and shares her heart with all of the primates here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in countless ways. She does so much to make the chimpanzees’  lives better and is also the driving force behind their garden. Today is Denice’s birthday and in true “Denice fashion” she chose to celebrate by making a difference for the chimpanzees. Denice shared this special message:

“It’s my 60th birthday. The Cle Elum 7 and all the other primates associated with the Sanctuary are so near and dear to me. There is not a day that I don’t think of the “7”, of what they have been through, how their lives have changed and what the future holds for them. They have made huge changes in the way I view the world. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this organization.”

Denice, thank you so much for including the chimpanzees in your life, always. We hope your day is filled with all the things you most love and may all the good you share with others return to you tenfold. We think that should include lots of treats with Queen Negra-style food (or cake) squeaking and clapping at your husband, Ken, when you need more! Happy Birthday!!

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In memory of Don Pfeiffer

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Karen and Don Young, in memory of Karen’s brother, Don Pfeiffer. Don’s birthday is today and Karen shared this message about him: “Today is in memory of my beloved brother who was an animal activist, a meso-American archeologist, a construction contractor much like JB (could build anything and was very creative because he had to take native materials while in the jungle and construct houses for everyone on the digs), devoted uncle and brother-in-law and a Patriot who lost his life serving his country.”

Karen and Don, thank you so much for sponsoring this day for the chimpanzees in memory of Don. He sounds like a special person and we are touched you would choose to honor him by making a difference for the chimpanzees. We hope this day is filled with love and good memories as you celebrate his life.

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The chimpanzees, surrounded by so much love, had someone else special sponsor this day for them as well, which we will be sharing shortly.

Waking up in the chimp house

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One of my favorite times of the day is when I first walk into the chimp house in the morning. The chimpanzees are usually all awake when we get here, but there are often a few moments of stillness before the chimpanzees excitedly greet the caregivers and the wild rumpus of the morning begins. Sometimes a few people are still enjoying a quiet lie-in in their nests, as Missy was today, looking half asleep and yawning as she fluffed up her nest:

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Annie was just in the next window over, peacefully enjoying the view of the valley below:

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Next I spotted Jody, tucked away in her cozy nest, not quite ready to get up:

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Then I went out to the greenhouse to say good morning to whomever was out there and found good friends, Burrito (left) and Foxie (right), enjoying an intent grooming session in the morning sun. The spot they are sitting in is the east facing side of the greenhouse which looks out onto Young’s Hill (when the panels are off in the warmer weather). Even though it’s still too cold to remove the panels, it’s a favorite spot in the morning as the sun first hits here when it comes up over the hill in the morning:

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I looked up to see Negra peeking down from the top platform of the greenhouse, where it’s the warmest. Right after this photo she climbed down, gave me a quick kiss, and then grabbed some more blankets and headed back up to her nest:

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So by this time, you might be wondering (as was I) where the boss lady, Jamie, was. As the dominant female of the group, we always try to greet Jamie first in the morning. This isn’t hard to do as she is usually one of the first people we see when we come in, so it was unusual not to see her by now. Leaving the greenhouse, I turned the corner into the human hallway of the chimp house and…Jamie! Wide awake and on duty! Nothing gets by this lady. Now this is the moment as the photographer where we are either going to be in trouble for wantonly taking photos without her approval, or she’ll show us some leniency and let our pesky paparazzi ways pass. This morning, she happily obliged and even gave me several head nods when I asked to take her photo.

A beautiful start to a beautiful day.

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In memory of Joseph and Carlene’s anniversary

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Joseph Garza, in memory of his late wife, Carlene, and this day, which would have been their 15th wedding anniversary. Joseph and Carlene have done so much for the chimpanzees and even though Carlene is no longer with us physically, both she and Joseph continue to make an immense difference in the chimps’ lives. Joseph shared this beautifully heartfelt message about today:

“On this date fifteen years ago, Carlene K. Olsen-Paul and I exchanged vows to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. Little did we know that the latter would come much too soon.

She captured my heart with the first look into her eyes and at that moment I knew that I was looking into the soul of the love of my life. The Lord gave us almost 20 years together, 14 and one-half of those as husband and wife. They weren’t all easy, but I would give anything to have even the worst day back again just to hold her in my arms again.

Carlene K. Olsen-Garza, you are my soul mate and I know when my time comes you will be waiting for me and we will once again be reunited, but this time for eternity. Til then, I love you my angel.”

Joseph, thank you so much for sharing such a special day with not only the chimpanzees, but all of us. We are immensely moved that you not only continue to carry Carlene’s passion for the chimpanzees in your heart, but have made it your own as well. Our thoughts are with you today as you remember your dear wife and the beautiful life you shared.

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Happy Birthday, Laura!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Linda Goodwin, in honor of her niece, Laura Chadduck’s, birthday! Linda shared this message about Laura:

“My niece, Laura, lights up every room she walks into with her positive energy and empathy. All who know her love her, and she’s a true animal lover as well as avid [Seattle] Sounders fan!”

Linda, thank you so much for choosing to make a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives while celebrating Laura on her birthday! We are so touched that you would think of them.

Laura, thank you for caring about animals and being such a positive presence in the world. We hope you have the happiest of birthdays!

Our resident athlete, Missy:

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