Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

In memory of Maxx, from Cheney

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Cheney Cherry sponsored this really touching day of sanctuary in memory of a clearly beloved pup, Maxx.

“I’d like to dedicate this day to my dog Maxx. He passed last year and he loved watching the videos of the chimps with me. If the chimps hooted, he’d bark and put his paw on the computer screen. When the chimps moved, he’d look behind the computer. I think he thought they were going to come out of there…LOL…I think of Maxx alot when I watch the CSN videos of the chimps, especially my favorite PAL, Burrito. Thank you CSN for all you do for the chimps. Your care and service is A+”

Cheney, we’re so sorry for the loss of your beloved friend and family member, Maxx. He seems to have been a particularly endearing guy. Thank you so much for choosing to give the chimpanzees a day of sanctuary in his honor – this is the sweetest story and I can’t help but smile thinking of Burrito’s current complete and utter fascination with our videos as well, particularly of his neighbors! Kindred spirits, he and Maxx! 🙂 And thank you for being Burrito’s Pal!

Watching the nextdoor neighbors…

Happy Birthday, Pam!

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So many thanks to Pam Powers, who wanted to sponsor today “for these wonderful chimps” on her birthday!

“Celebrating my Birthday with this special day of sanctuary for these very special chimps. Sending love, Pam Powers”

This is so lovely, Pam! Happy Birthday! All of us here are sending you wishes for the happiest day of celebration! We truly appreciate you sharing your special day to enrich the chimpanzees’ lives.

Willy B:

Lucky:

Foxie:

Burrito:

A special day of sanctuary, from Donna!

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Sending out our heartfelt thanks to Donna Hughes for sponsoring this special day of sanctuary in celebration and memory of the beautiful and the bittersweet, both of which we so often find in life, are held, glittering, in the same breath.

“I would like to sponsor a day to honor all of the chimpanzees and cattle who are lucky enough to reside at CSNW. Shout out to you, Foxie One! This sponsor day is bittersweet for me, as it was my shared birthday with Doreen. To honor the chimps and the cattle on this day, makes me feel better!!! I know it is Doreen-Approved!! Have a great day, Everyone!!!”

Donna, we are all thinking of you and remembering Doreen today and so grateful to have you both as part of the chimpanzees’ and bovines’ extended family. Thank you so much for sharing your day with us and we hope that it’s filled with some Doreen (and Foxie!) kinda magic. Happy Birthday to you both!

More birthday wishes for Nancy, from Jonathan!

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With another generous gift of sanctuary for the chimpanzees, Jonathan Suttles has also sponsored today for Nancy Suttles in celebration of her birthday!

“Happy Birthday my Love. Your passion for the chimps is awesome!!!”

Thank you so much, Jonathan, for celebrating Nancy on her special day by including the chimpanzees!

Happy Birthday from all of us at the sanctuary, Nancy! How lucky are we to have you as part of the chimpanzees’ care team! Thank you for sharing your own special day with them.

Burrito and Foxie:

Cy and Rayne:

Dora and Lucky:

Honey B and Dora:

Happy Birthday to Nancy from Kristy!

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Many thanks to Kristy Spencer for sponsoring this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees in honor of her friend, and our wonderful volunteer, Nancy Suttles, on her birthday!

“This day is to celebrate my best friend’s birthday! Happy Birthday Nancy Suttles! The chimpanzees are so lucky to have her as a volunteer. She is so giving of her time. When we get together on our frequent walking dates I enjoy hearing all about the chimps from her. Love you, Kristy.”

This is a beautiful way to celebrate your dear friend, Kristy, thank you! The chimpanzees (and humans) *are* lucky to have her kind heart helping to care for them.

Have a wonderful day, Nancy! Thank you for your hard work, we appreciate you!

Annie and Missy:

Burrito and Annie:

Rayne and Gordo:

Dora and Mave (Gordo background):

Happy Birthday, Burrito!

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Our heartfelt thanks to Sheeru Singh for sponsoring this extra special day of sanctuary (one of two today!) in honor of our beloved Burrito on his 41st birthday!! Sheeru shared this really lovely message:

“Happy Birthday Burrito!!! Wishing you the best, always and forever. May you be blessed with all the happiness and love you deserve. And many thanks to the staff, followers, and donators of Chimp Sanctuary NW. It is all because of you that we are able to wish Burrito on his birthday. Your love and care for these chimps prove that there is still some humanity left in this world. Thank you, Sheeru Singh”

Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful heart, Sheeru!

Our chimpanzee friend of nine-plus-lives seems to have found his own personal fountain of joy and youth. Whatever life has thrown at him – and it’s been immensely more than any being should have to endure – he miraculously comes out the other side and with each passing year he is seemingly even happier and more wildly energetic and endearing than before. We are immeasurably grateful for Burrito’s resilient and joyful soul and for the privilege of having him in our lives and the gift of having him in our hearts.

Happy Birthday, Bubbie!!!

Of course, we’re on the stepladder fetching the ginormous pasta pot off the top of the shelf now, so be sure to tune in later to join us in celebration of this beloved guy.

And there’s still time to vote (or vote again) for your favorite Burrito photo (the winning image will be made available for purchase). The contest ends Monday, January 8th at 6:00 pm (PST)

123123…

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123123…4! Happy New Year, everyone! And so we begin again. At least in regard to the Gregorian calendar. Whether we come leaping or limping into the new year, we friends o’ the chimpanzees are lucky to have Burrito in ours lives to help usher us in and focus on here and now. The only true time.

In case you’ve missed our blatant hints so far, Burrito is turning 41 on the 6th! (It’s possible there may still be just enough time to scoop up the lingering slinkies on his Wishlist if you are so inclined). If ever there was proof of age only being a number and time being non-linear, it’s this endearing and beloved guy.

So January celebrating friends, you have a pretty high celebration standard to uphold and we hope you do Burrito (and all of the chimpanzees) proud and take in every bit of joy you come across.

Jamie (first photo) and Burrito (above and below) taking in the first views of 2024 on their new climbing structure. And Missy, taking in the first zooms.

Book-ending this birthday month is the beautiful, brave, and regal, Rayne. We will be celebrating her 34th birthday on January 29th! Raynie is queen of exhibiting calm, supportive, and decisive leadership for her fellow group mates when they need it most. Even, maybe especially, when they think they don’t need it at all (we’re looking at her half-sister, Honey B, and Willy B here. 🙂 ).

Gordo and Rayne:

Rayne is so special.

For very different reasons, Burrito and Rayne have spirits made all the more incredible by the fact they have histories not remotely conducive to the development of the glimmering souls they are. I look at them, and their thirteen friends and family members, and wonder with awe, “How?”

There are, I think, more mysteries than answers to that question, but one reason is most certainly, *you*, and the lives in their sanctuary home you help make possible. A safe and loving home for them to shine, just exactly as they are. A priceless gift we are endlessly grateful for and want to radiate out for every living being.

And bonus January birthdays to celebrate!

Negra’s beautiful daughter, Heidi, who lives at Chimp Haven in Louisiana, and is turning 40 on January 8th! We have the special gift of having a staff caregiver (Sabrina) who has had the unique privilege of working with Heidi. Her blog post about Negra and Heidi is really beautiful.

And Jody’s handsome son, Bart, who lives at Save the Chimps in Florida, will be turning 32 on January 14th! (photo courtesy of Save the Chimps):

We are so grateful for you! It’s amazing what just your being here in the world, being yourselves, makes possible for so many. Just like the chimpanzees. 🙂

Happy Birthday, January friends, Happy New Year, all!