Katelyn

Happy Birthday to all our September celebrating friends!

In thinking about your two birthday month twins here at the sanctuary, I had to smile. While they are each fully ensconced in their respective families in their own way, both of these wonderful women have a particularly endearing streak of moxie and independence. I always admire that in a being, especially when it may not have come easily to them.

Beautiful Miss Annie is turning 48 on September 10th! When I first met Annie many years ago she only appeared comfortable in the presence of her best friend, Missy. If Missy was interacting with the other chimps, or racing around Young’s Hill, Annie would usually sit and watch, anxiously waiting for her to return. Annie wasn’t comfortable playing with the other chimps or wandering off on her own. I still remember the day, not long after Annie’s group had first been given access to Young’s Hill, and Missy was racing around with abandon. But Annie? She was sitting in the doorway to the hill watching Missy’s every move, rocking with anxiety. It hurt my heart. But that Annie was the bud to her now ever-blossoming self.

For some years now, it’s not uncommon to find everyone inside the greenhouse while Annie is at the top of one of the structures on the hill, serenely taking in the view (as the humans call in vain), or gazing out at the sun’s last rays over the hill from the comfort of a nest and a summer evening breeze in the greenhouse while everyone else is in their night nests inside the chimp house. Or more recently, playing with the likes of wild guy, Burrito! This isn’t to say Annie doesn’t run more on the dramatically anxious side at times, that’s just in her nature (and understandable given her history), but it also isn’t to say she’s not full of gumption and a brave, adventurous spirit.

Annie is a delight and it’s a privilege to watch her fill herself up with more and more joy. How we adore her:

Then we have beautiful Meredith turning 7 on September 23rd! Like chimpanzees, cattle are extremely social beings and their well-being depends upon their tightly woven bonds with their family and herd. While Meredith is no different in this, she is a bit of an outlier who while keeping one eye to her herd, likes to let the other eye roam as she alone pleases. You will often spot Honey, Betsy and Nutmeg grazing or lounging in one spot and Meredith nearby, but not SO nearby. On her own just up the hill, over the field, or simply facing the other direction.

You may or may not be aware, but Meredith and her family have a unique history in that they were at one time used in a reality show called “Utopia”. Meredith was actually born during the show and they called her “Cash”. Thankfully, when the show ended the producers and veterinarian didn’t want to return this sweet herd to the dairy industry from which Betsy (then pregnant) and Honey had come and Farm Sanctuary stepped in to rescue them.

I remember perusing video outtakes of the show online some time ago to learn a little more of their lives before being rescued and happened across one show in which the humans were attempting, with great frustration, to move a baby Meredith to another area and while it wasn’t the easiest thing to watch, what made me cheer for her was seeing her strong and independent spirit streaking through even as a tiny calf. It’s who Meredith is in her heart and we are so thankful to you all who have made it possible for her and her family to live out their lives as they see fit, respected and loved for just who they tell us they are.

And look! Here’s a baby Meredith with Betsy, who helped nurse her when her mama, Honey, wasn’t able to due to mastitis. (At this point, they were all living at Farm Sanctuary where Betsy had given birth to Nutmeg):

And as a special bonus I often like to include in our monthly celebrations with you, any of the chimpanzee’s children who share in the birthday month. I understand sometimes people feel sad at the “reminders” and thoughts of what should have been. Certainly, we all wish their histories had been different. But the truth is, their histories are why we all (you, too!) do everything in our power to make certain their lives are filled with the hope, love and possibility they all deserve. It’s a gift knowing that all the chimps’ remaining now adult children are safe, loved and cared for in accredited sanctuaries and being able to honor their connections to their mamas, which will always remain, regardless of the circumstances of the past. That these individuals also miraculously made it out of dark pasts to their own forever homes in sanctuary because of people like you is something we are profoundly thankful for and so fortunate to be able to celebrate.

So with that in mind, this month we get to celebrate even more! My heart swells every time we get to see any of these special individuals thriving and to so clearly see reflections of their mamas in their beautiful selves.

Just look at Negra’s daughter, Angel, who is turning 37 on September 4th! Angel resides at Save the Chimps in Florida:

Negra:

Also residing at Save the Chimps is Jody’s daughter, Andrea (the 2nd), who is turning 32 on September 30th! (Photos of Angel and Andrea courtesy of Save the Chimps):

Jody:

I don’t think a month goes by that we don’t have so much to gratefully hoot and holler about. And with all that life throws our way, especially in these times, isn’t that an incredible thing?! Please know that in our tiny sanctuary on a small hillside in eastern Washington, not a day passes that we don’t honor the foundation of it all: YOU! Birthday month or not, you all are the foundation creating everything that is and will be possible in the lives of 16 chimpanzees, 4 bovines, and 1 feisty and feral barn mountain lion. Thank you for being here with us! Be sure to celebrate all your wonderful selves. We sure are.