Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

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Thank you so much, Rich Stuverud, for sponsoring a day of sanctuary in celebration of your wife, Lisa Stuverud, for her special day!

(You may have seen yesterday that Lisa sponsored the day in memory of her beloved sister-in-law, Linda, on their shared birthdays).

“I’d like to sponsor a day in honor of my overly wonderful wife Lisa’s birthday (a day late) It’s been wonderful sharing the joy she experiences watching the chimpanzee sanctuary family grow. To be fortunate enough to offer support and witness the great job everyone does to make their future bright is in return providing a bright future for my wife. Thank you all!!”

Happy Birthday, Lisa! We’re so grateful to you and Rich for your long-time support and friendship of the sanctuary and it’s amazing residents. You’ve helped to make so much possible in all their lives. We hope your special day and all those forward are filled with the same hope and joy the chimps’ and bovines’ days are filled with because of hearts like yours.

Cy:

Rayne:

Meredith

Honey B:

Her mama, Missy:

Jamie:

Nutmeg:

Negra:

In memory of Linda

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Many thanks to our long-time friend, Lisa Stuverud, for sharing your special day by sponsoring a day of sanctuary in her sister-in-law, Linda’s, memory:

“I share this day with my dear sister-in-law Linda Vizzare. This has been “our day” for the last 43 years and although she has been gone for the past 8 years, I still enjoy remembering the time we had together learning about who were then the Cle Elum 7 at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Her first love was Burrito and his happy dance, mine was Jamie and her boots…it will always make me think of her! As the sanctuary has grown and the 7 are now 16, plus 4 bovine, I am full of gratitude to have all this to help keep her memory close in my heart.

‘If there ever comes a time when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.’ Winnie the Pooh”

Lisa, all of us are sending you all the good thoughts for a day full of joyful and comforting memories as you celebrate your and Linda’s special day.

Burrito:

Jamie:

Happy Birthday, Jane Goodall!

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Our heartfelt thanks to our dear friend of the sanctuary, Kathleen Corby, for sponsoring this special day of sanctuary in honor Jane Goodall on her birthday! And since it’s such a special birthday we decided to dedicate today’s blog to honoring the three special people involved in this post.

“Today, of all days, is a day that my 16 beloved friends in Cle Elum need to celebrate with me, with all of us. Today is Jane Goodall’s 88th birthday! Happy Birthday Jane! Thank you for creating HOPE in a world that so desperately needs it, now more than ever. Thank you for scattering and planting all your Seeds of Hope amongst us. Hope lives and thrives at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. I feel so fortunate to witness it, to feel it, every single day by following the lives of 16 chimpanzees, 4 cattle, 1 barn cat, and the compassionate staff, through this blog. Clearly each staff member, volunteer, intern, and donor has a seed of Jane within them. In your individual ways, you inspire all of us. Thank you Jane Goodall for being my inspiration and for helping me to see that even the smallest action can create big ripples. Each of us can make a difference.”

To the great joy of this beloved someone, they got a new box today. Scroll through to see who (though you may already be able to imagine who it is…):

Happy April Birthdays!

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Happy Birthday, to all of you celebrating April birthdays! For all the wonderful and amazing ways you choose to be part of the sanctuary and the lives of those who call it home, we’re just so grateful to have you here, so grateful for *you*.

With our expanded family, it’s a strange month when we find no chimpanzee or bovine birthdays on the calendar. That does not, however, mean there are no parties! Of course we have Easter Sunday on April 17th and April 23rd is our official/unofficial annual holiday, Love a Chimpanzee Day! And though we may not have any sanctuary resident’s birthdays to celebrate along with you this month, well, non-human that is, (<<< hint of something fun to come, so keep your eyes out later in the month!), we expect all of you to add extra celebrations of your own in during the interim. You know the chimpanzees would approve. And we’ll be with you in spirit. And we always have some very special chimpanzees and bovines who we get to celebrate every moment of every day. Thanks to you!

Happy April! Happy celebrations! Happy spring (or autumn as the case may be, she said, Elphaba-green with envy.)!

Queen Negra:

Betsy:

Rayne:

Mave:

Jody:

Happy Anniversary, Christine and Matt!

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Thank you, Christine Soskins, for graciously sponsoring this day of sanctuary in honor of your “21 years of marital shenanigans”! Congratulations from all of us here at the sanctuary! We really appreciate you sharing your special celebration as a way to make a difference in the lives of the chimpanzees.

Jamie and Burrito style shenanigans:

A Burrito and Jody pretzel:

Mave and Willy B:

Burrito and Jody:

In memory of Susan

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Thank you so much, Paula Griffith, for sponsoring a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and your sister, Susan Griffith!

“In memory of my sister, Susan, on her birthday. She was a wonderful dog and cat mama and a fierce animal advocate. She loved the face of Honey B.”

Paula, there are many ways in which you could choose to honor and celebrate Susan and her memory, and it means so much to us that you chose to include the chimpanzees as you celebrate your sister today. We hope your heart is full of joyful and comforting memories.

Dear Honey B and her sweet face:

In memory of Honey and Papa

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Many thanks to Kim Harris for her beautiful, heartfelt sponsorship of a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees in memory of her beloved grandparents, Honey and Papa!

“My grandma, Honey (my grandpa always called her Honey, so I started calling her Honey when I was learning to talk, and it stuck. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, called her Honey until she passed away in 2016.), and Papa (his name was Willie; their names tell you just how special they were!) were a huge presence in my life. I spent more time with them than my own parents; I was with them almost everyday of my childhood. And I either spent time with them or spoke with them everyday until they passed. And my son also spent time with them almost everyday. By the time my son was three, he would call them on the phone and ask them to come get him, often unbeknownst to me. Ten minutes later they would be parked at our curb and my son would be telling me he was going home with them as he was walking to our front door. They were truly the best of the best; the grandparents (and great-grandparents) everyone wanted.

They fostered my love of animals when they bought me my first horse when I was ten. Everyday after school one of them would pick me up and then Papa and I would go riding for several hours. Honey would have dinner waiting on us. And on weekends, we drove all over central Oklahoma rodeoing. My horse was my life and I loved her dearly. I have always had pet dogs, but the bond I had with my horse was something special. The many hours I spent with them riding were filled with learning, laughter, and love. Learning about and caring for my horse taught me responsibility and commitment, built my self-confidence, and filled my days with happiness. Honey was unlike anyone I have ever known. She was my biggest fan and supporter. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t wish she were still here to talk with. My life with them most definitely made me who I am today. Honey’s birthday was March 10 and Papa’s was March 28. So today I would like to sponsor a day of sanctuary in their memory. They both would have loved CSNW and those who call it home.”

Kim, thank you so much for including the chimpanzees, and all of us, in your honoring of your grandparents and all the love and support that they (and your horse!) provided you in life. Your tribute is so beautiful to read.

Honey B:

Burrito, Foxie and Jody:

Rayne, Gordo and Dora:

Lucky, Dora and Rayne: