Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

It’s Betsy’s 15th birthday!

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Today, we celebrate Betsy, den mother of our tiny bovine herd, turning 15! Many thanks to Paulette Wrisley, for remembering, honoring and celebrating EACH of our sanctuary residents through generously sponsoring days of sanctuary in their honor! We so appreciate your gracious heart, Paulette.

Betsy may be the smallest member of her family, but I’d say Betsy just being Betsy often makes her feel like the largest. She is full of moxie and sass when she deems necessary, which is usually when looking after and protecting her tiny herd or letting the humans know just what she needs them to know. And Betsy’s spirit shows most of all in her love for her ginormous forever baby boy, Nutmeg.

The delightful and rare privilege of getting to watch this small bovine family being allowed to live out their lives together, mamas and their children spending their days in safety and peace, is just that, a privilege. Most importantly for them (thanks to you), but for all of us as well. Seeing them is an endearing testament to the love and bonds all animals share when allowed the opportunity and we are so grateful to all who make this possible, to all who help make our own hearts bigger.

You can learn more about Betsy by clicking here, and her family and their unique history here. You can also learn more about becoming a Bovine Buddy to one, or the whole tiny herd, here.

Happy Birthday, gorgeous Betsy!

Betsy (background) and her son, Nutmeg:

Betsy, Nutmeg, Honey and her daughter, Meredith:

Happy Birthday, David and Gordo!

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Many thanks to Terrell Stockdale for sponsoring this special day of sanctuary in honor of David Stockdale and Gordo (Chimpanzee 🙂 )!

“I would like to sponsor July 19 in honor of my son David’s 42nd and Gordo’s 34th birthdays. Hope everyone enjoys the party.”

Happy Birthday, David! We hope it’s the best one yet!

And we’re so excited to be celebrating Gordo’s second birthday with us since he and his group arrived to the sanctuary a little over a year ago! Terrell, it means so much that you included Gordo in your celebration of your son, David, and we’re happy to get to celebrate them both today.

Gordo is still rather a man of mystery for us humans. But although he tends to be a bit aloof with his human caregivers and chimpanzee friends (with the exception of his half-sister, Dora), we’ve been delighted these past few weeks to see him really beginning to feel more comfortable in showing us his silly side. He’s been engaging caregivers in wild games of chase and tickle all while sporting a huge play face, more often joining in play with his chimp friends, and even surprising us by adorably bunny hopping his way with excitement through parties (Gordo is his own person, but fingers crossed for today!). It’s such a privilege getting to know this handsome guy and we’re so thrilled to see him honored and celebrated today.

We are so fortunate to have two Sponsor a Days celebrating this handsome fella today! We hope you can join us on the blog later today for the celebration!

For the sanctuary humans, and Caroline, too!

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Many thanks to Caroline Hero for sponsoring this second day of sanctuary today as such a kind and gracious way to celebrate her birthday!

“Today is my birthday, and I wish to sponsor the day for your hard working team of wonderful humans at this sanctuary for remarkable souls, not just chimpanzee, but bovine, feline, canine and anyone else under your care. Diana asked the question; what do we owe them? We owe them kindness, love, respect, dignity, freedom of choice, a safe place to live, family and friends to grow old with and plenty of food to share it with them. You and your team have given them those things and much more than I could list, so thank you all for that you do, and thank you for sharing your family with all of us. I am a proud supporter, albeit small bits at a time, but I will continue giving whenever I am able. With my sincere love and respect, Caroline P.S: Give Annie and my Bovine Buddy Betsy a little extra love from me.”

Caroline, this was really lovely of you, thanks so much. And Happy Birthday! Thank you for allowing us all to share in your celebration and kind heart and for helping to make this sanctuary home possible. All of us here wish you a beautiful day!

Betsy:

Annie:

In memory of Ned and Noreen

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Long-time supporter of the sanctuary, Joan O’Flaherty, has been sponsoring this day for many years in memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty. We’re always so touched that you allow the chimpanzees and cattle, and all of us, to share in your parents’ lovely legacy in this way, Joan, thank you!

“This is my parents’ anniversary. They both loved animals and supported conservation. Thank you for giving a wonderful home to the chimpanzees and cows.”

A few of our beautiful friends who we have the profound privilege of caring and providing a home for, thanks to so many:

Gordo!

Terry:

Willy B:

Meredith:

Meredith’s mama, Honey:

Jamie:

Foxie:

Happy Birthday, Virginia!

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Thanks so much to long-time friend of the sanctuary, Virginia Keulen, for sponsoring a day of sanctuary as a way to so kindly celebrate her own special day!

“I just wanted to sponsor a day for the chimps on my birthday.”

Happy Birthday, Virginia! We hope you have a wonderful day and new year ahead and are so happy to get to share in your celebration.

Foxie:

Mave:

Burrito legs!

It’s July!

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And oh, we’ve always got someone and something special to celebrate! What a full year we’ve had so far. It’s mind-boggling to think we’ve already reached just past midsummer, but there’s a nearly full season of summertime wonder still ahead of us. For you, the gracious and valued humans of our extended chimpanzee and bovine family who celebrate your birthday in July, happiest days to you from all of us here!

You, my friends, get to share your birthday month with this handsome sir, Gordo (who turns 34 on July 19th!):

AND beautiful and saucy, Betsy (who turns 15 on July 20th!):

Both these wonderful chimpanzee and bovine people are two of our rather more independent and aloof-with-the-humans family members. Though neither have any problem putting us humans in our place if deemed necessary (or just because), it makes the moments they do choose to spend with us all the more cherished.

I was reading something the other day by Tennessee Williams who had said something to the effect that for him, home wasn’t a physical place or structure, but more a space between individuals where each can rest and be fully oneself, loved and valued just as you are. I’d venture to guess that most of our hearts beat a stronger, our heads nod a little in recognition, thinking of or imagining that. With that in mind, we can’t thank you all enough for helping us provide home to Gordo, Betsy, and all of the special individuals who dwell here. And we’re so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate these special beings, and you special beings, this month!

Happy July Birthdays, friends! Thanks so much for being here!

Betsy and her family:

Gordo and his half-sister, Dora: