Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

September celebrations!

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One day it’s so hot the temperature is downright disrespectful and then right on its heels you wake to the call of Canada geese flying south across a sunrise pink sky. A season between, September tends to be one of our rare milder months, which translates to a joy for the Pacific Northwest chimpanzees (and several of the Pacific Northwest humans). But most importantly, it’s not a time between parties. Is there such a thing?

We begin on Saturday, September 9th, with one of our most important celebrations of the year, our annual gala, HOOT! This year we’ve reimagined things and whether you are able to attend in person or virtually, we’d be thrilled if you could join us for this unique and important event that helps makes so much possible for the chimpanzees. If you haven’t done so yet, please be sure to get your tickets here!

And Happy September birthdays, friends! Meet your fellow birthday month revelers:

On September 10th we will be celebrating sweet, wonderful Annie turning 49!

Beautiful and independent Meredith Cow is turning 8 on September 23rd:

And Mave, in all her wondrous floofiness, is turning 34 on September 25th! You may recall that we used to celebrate Mave’s birthday on May 27th before we recently learned of her real birth date, so she gets two celebrations this year! Obviously!

And it’s always a delight for us to get to share in celebrating the birthdays of the children of our chimpanzee mothers and this month we have two!

Negra’s daughter, Angel, will be celebrating her 33rd birthday on September 4th (photo courtesy of Save the Chimps):

Negra:

And Jody’s daughter, Andrea (the Second), will be turning 33 on September 30th. We are profoundly grateful knowing these two ladies have wonderful sanctuary homes of their own with Save the Chimps in Florida, where they are loved and celebrated just as their mothers are. (Photo courtesy of Save the Chimps):

Beloved Jody:

We are so grateful to you for being here with us and for the opportunity to celebrate you as part of the chimpanzees’ lives – wonderful lives that you make possible.

Today’s third Day of Sanctuary is for Dean F.’s Birthday!

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Many thanks to Kathy Featherstone for sponsoring this third (!!!) day of sanctuary for all who call the sanctuary home in honor of Dean Featherstone’s birthday!

Kathy shared this wonderful message:

“Happy Birthday Dean! To a wonderful partner and best friend! We enjoy sharing part of our day with the CSNW family. Such great work you all do and such amazing, vibrant, fascinating and intelligent spirits to share your life with. Thank you!!!”

Happy Birthday, Dean! We’re all hoping you get a sock mitten and a coconut (or the equivalent) for your celebration. 🙂

We’re so touched by all the people who include the chimpanzees in their lives.

Gordo hooting with a coconut:

Honey B and her sock mitten:

Foxie:

Best friends, Missy and Annie:

Missy Annie running behind

Happy Birthday, Becky!

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Sending our thanks to our second sponsor of the day, Tobin, who sends her friend, Becky, happy birthday wishes and the chimpanzees and bovine happy sanctuary wishes.

“In honor of her (annual) 25th birthday, I am sponsoring this day of sanctuary for Rebecca Babcock. Rarely does one of our telephone conversations transpire in which we do not chat at length about the chimpanzees who occupy Young’s Hill and/or The Bray or bloviate about their bovine neighbors in their pastures. If that isn’t enough, we fantasize aloud in our fan-fiction about a small imaginary village “located” in the realm of Queen Negra The Great.

Though this all-chimpanzee settlement is just one occupant shy of reaching two digits in population, both the village’s produce grocery and library are amply stocked with all manner of mangoes, mulberries, and magazines. The grooming shop on the village green does a steady business, and the village mayor (Mave, of course) maintains the domestic tranquility. Past the trees which surround the village (so better as to not disturb the town librarian), four dedicated bovines attend to lawn maintenance activities in the pasture that surrounds the hamlet.

And, just across the county line (Parke County, to be exact), one finds the campus of the Human Sanctuary Northwest. Through the Royal Largesse of The Queen, and under the scrupulous supervision of Jamie Chimpanzee, the rescued human primates of the sanctuary receive room and board and proper footwear.

All of this make-believe is quite an undertaking for so young a 25-year-old. Nonetheless, I am grateful to have Becky as a partner in our story-telling. Thus, I wish her a happy birthday, and I trust that she will enjoy the grooming makeover which Mave and the other ladies of her social circle have in store for her today (in the realm of the imaginary, of course).

Jamie:

Dora and Mave:

The bovine family: Honey, Meredith, Betsy and Nutmeg:

Beautiful Negra:

Happy Birthday, Carolyn!

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Thanks so much to Amy Boles for sponsoring a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and Carolyn!

“My dear Aunt Carolyn! My aunt introduced me to this sanctuary – celebrating her and her generous heart on her special day!”

Happy Birthday, Carolyn! Thank you for sharing your love of the chimpanzees and we all hope you have a wonderful day!

Dora:

Mave (next to Dora):

Jamie:

Annie:

Happy Birthday, Missy!

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It thrills me to see *two* days of sanctuary sponsored in honor of Missy for her birthday! Missy is turning 48 today and our first sponsorship is from Marcie Milam:

“Happy Birthday to my favorite athlete, mighty Missy. Can’t wait to see what treats you will get to celebrate your special day.”

Thank you so much, Marcie! I think Missy often flies under the radar, literally and figuratively, but I cannot express what a special person she is. It makes our hearts sing to see her celebrated.

Happy Birthday, Missy!! I haven’t seen it yet, but maybe this will be the year your belly reaches its full tomato capacity. If not, we know you will be thrilled trying. (Be sure to tune in later today for the celebration!).

A New York City anniversary

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Twin sisters, Donna and Doreen Hughes, long-time friends of the chimpanzees in life and spirit, have a special anniversary today and we are so touched that the chimpanzees (and all of us) get to share in it through this day of sanctuary. Donna shared this touching message:

“August 21, 1979. We leave PA and move to NYC. Spent the evening in Central Park enjoying “Shakespeare in the Park.” NYC becomes home. Yes, Doreen, NYC is not half as much fun without you, but you are at the Rainbow Bridge with all of our girls – Athena, Wyle & Noelle. One day Sammy and I will join you. In the meantime, Let’s Sponsor A Day in honor of our Anniversary! Foxie and her friends would love that! Truly, the day we were at CSNW was a highlight in our lives!”

Donna, it’s so wonderful of you to include the chimpanzees in your cherished life anniversaries. I know that NYC has, and continues, to play a central character in your lives. Understandably, as it’s a special place like no other. We still think of your visit and are so glad you were both able to spend time here. May today surround you with equally cherished memories. Happy Anniversary!

Donna and Doreen’s Pal, Foxie, and her dear friend, Jody:

Foxie:

Jamie and Foxie:

Foxie and Negra:

Foxie, Missy, Jody and Annie:

Foxie and Burrito:

Foxie, Peach Blush Pink and Blueberry Muffin:

In memory of Flint

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Our heartfelt thanks to Debi Waggoner for her beautiful gift of sponsoring a day of sanctuary for her son, Flint, and the chimpanzees:

“I want to sponsor a Day of Sanctuary in memory of my son Flint. Just think a great way to remember him is to also think of all you do for the chimps in your care. So here’s to them and to us for all the memories!”

This is really lovely, Debi. We truly appreciate you thinking of the chimpanzees in this way and including all of us in your special memories of Flint.

Cy:

Rayne and her watermelon bowl:

Lucky:

Burrito, Foxie and Annie: