It might look like Burrito was just lazing around all day. Trust me when I say that was not the case for one single second. He’s somehow managed to incorporate lying down with his heart-full-of-joy shenanigans and I think this is his new version of “resting” in between the really wild play sessions (when the humans need a breather and just can’t run and leap anymore).
There’s the lying down and pulling/dragging himself along the caging style chase, somersaulting from end to end of the greenhouse and landing in a headstand with his body against the caging, only to slowly slide down until he somersaults his way back, and lying in the corner of the greenhouse pivoting from side to side as a caregiver pops back and forth on the other side. Yes, I realize these would all be much more enjoyable and easy to visualize in video form, but the last photo might give you an idea of how challenging that can be at times. 😉 At least there is J.B.’s recent amazing video of Burrito’s more signature wild moves in the meantime.
We joke a lot about Burrito’s antics. But in honesty, not a day goes by, not a moment in his presence, in which I am not acutely aware of what a marvelous miracle it is to leap about and play with him, even when we’re worn out, to hear his deafening food squeaks, to see him playing with the other chimps more than ever, to have the opportunity to make his day better in any way he sees fit. We love this guy more than we can say. I sincerely could never fully express the gratitude and joy that makes our hearts sing, absolutely sing, in seeing his profound resiliency and undiluted happiness these past many months. And somehow, it seems to grow by leaps and bounds (sometimes, literally) on a daily basis. Burrito, like each of the chimpanzees, is an immeasurable gift to this chimpanzee and human family of his. An immeasurable gift.
