Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

In memory of Doreen

by

This special day of sanctuary was sponsored by Donna Hughes in memory of her beloved twin sister, and our beloved friend, Doreen, in celebration of their shared birthday.

“In Memory of Our Birthday, Doreen. You are so missed by so many. I know how much you love Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our special day. You are with me still. Our wonderful visit to the Sanctuary is a cherished memory. I know how much you love Foxie and all of the residents (human and ape!) Until we meet again …xo Don & Samantha”

We couldn’t be more touched or thrilled to celebrate this special birthday! Donna and Doreen are two of the most delightfully enchanting, kind, loving, and effervescent humans you could ever hope to meet. They’re the kind of people who lift your heart in a world that doesn’t always and make you think, “Chalk two up for the humans!” Together, Donna and Doreen have made countless differences in the lives of so many of our fellow animals through their support of animal welfare.Though we were heartbroken at Doreen’s passing last year and miss her every day, I don’t think I’ve seen an instance of someone’s spirit and legacy being kept as strong as I do through the equally beautiful heart of her beloved sister, Donna. And there’s no doubt for me that Doreen is shining on all the lives she touched each and every day.

As long-time friends and supporters of the sanctuary, and Chimp Pals with Ms. Foxie through their shared admiration of troll dolls, they made a visit to the sanctuary a couple years ago all the way from their beloved home in New York City. I know they cherished this long awaited visit, but I hope they know that each one of us here did as well.

Don, thank you so much for allowing us to share in your special day with you. We are so very lucky to count you both as dear friends and members of our chimp family. I hope this day is filled with adventure, joy and comfort for you and beautiful Samantha Cat. I like to think Dor will be doing Foxie-style pirouettes and backflips right alongside you and you know she’d expect you to keep up! Happy Birthday, you two!!

Donna and Doreen and background (L to R): Missy, Foxie and Negra:

Jody, Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Caregiver woes

by

It’s 3:28 pm as I flail about at this computer and I do not have a single, solitary photograph of any one of these beautiful ten chimpanzees for the blog. Dinner is served at 3:30 pm. It remains to be seen what I come up with, but I wouldn’t hold your breath for anything too spectacular from me. 😉

The chimp house morning began with a wild-ish pre-breakfast scuffle in which dear, sweet Annie began screaming like a banshee and chasing Burrito around the playroom. We’re not quite sure what Burrito did to vex Miss Annie so, but it’s not really our business outside of tending to everyone’s well-being. Unfortunately, in Burrito’s efforts to avoid said banshee, the incision on his foot opened up a bit requiring him to return to his bachelor pad in the front rooms again for a couple extra days. We were so close! But don’t feel too badly for him. He’s had volunteer caregiver, Lizz, at his beck and call aaalllllll day. Just as she should be, of course, and his laughter could be heard throughout the chimp house. Not to mention I’m pretty sure he’s eaten his weight in snow.

In other news, Willy B went full rockstar in the chute giving the six girls in the playroom a thrill with lots of hooting and hollering to jazz up their snow ridden afternoon. Especially Jody who flung her body against the window while waving at him and doing her patented dinosaur moan of happiness. Honey B has been swinging around and flailing about in stacks of paper all while wearing a green and white striped toe sock.

Oh! Chad saved the day! (Thanks, Chad!!) He just managed to capture a couple photos of Honey B and Mave in fort building mode while they patiently await dinner (which is now a tad late as per the banging on the caging from Negra!!). We’re off to toss the baked potatoes and onions in the snow to cool them off tout de suite!

Mave:

Honey B:

In honor of Lynn, Dr. Mel, and Burrito!

by

Today was sponsored by our two friends, Dawn Garcia and Jo Arroyo, in honor of three more friends who share January birthdays: Lynn Williamson, long-time chimp house (and event and tabling!) volunteer, the late Dr. Mel Richardson, former veterinary to the chimpanzees, and our much beloved guy, Burrito!

“Happy Birthday dear chimpanzee friends and Mr B fans!”

Thanks so much, Dawn and Jo, for celebrating these three special individuals and all they have, and continue to bring, to the lives at the sanctuary and beyond.

Happy Birthday, Lynn! Thank you so much for the difference you make for so many with your kind heart. We’re so lucky to have you as part of our chimp family.

Dr. Mel, your spirit and legacy continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of so many and you are greatly missed.

Burrito, our lives wouldn’t be the same without you. Every. single. day we’re so grateful you were born and that we have the privilege of knowing, and caring for, your resilient, goofy, strong, endearing self.

For Daniela and Runyon

by

Today was sponsored by Ellen Greene in honor of Daniela Garofalo with this lovely message:

“This donation is in honor of my dear friend, Daniela’s birthday. Because of her, I formed a close bond with her special canine companion and family member, Runyon.”

Ellen, thank you so much for celebrating your dear friends, Daniela and Runyon, by choosing to add something special to the lives of the chimpanzees. We love seeing the beautiful circle of compassion and care that exists between all species.

Happy Birthday, Daniela! May your and Runyon’s day be a beautiful one filled with what, and who, make your heart full.

Foxie and Missy:

Honey B and Mave:

Annie, Missy, Burrito:

Burrito (foreground), Missy (center), and Annie (rear)

Happy Birthday, Bubs!

by

Hearts near and far are full of love and celebration today for Burrito on his 37th birthday! I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that we couldn’t be more grateful, or more full of joy to celebrate this beloved guy, especially after all he’s come through. We even received the gift of a second day of sanctuary sponsorship from dear friend of all the primates here, Kathleen Corby! She sent this beautiful message for Burrito:

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BURRITO! Last year you had one too many trips to that beautiful new medical clinic. May this year be filled with good health, laughter, love, joy, chase games, tug sessions, Slinky madness, and food, food, and more food! Love you sweet boy. Happiness always…..”

Kathleen, thank you so much for adding to this special day!! We so appreciate your amazing presence and support in the chimps’ (and humans’) day to day lives.

Given Burrito’s penchant for snow snacks lately, he must have been doing a snow dance for his birthday all night because this is what we arrived to, along with Burrito blowing raspberries and pointing out the window. Burrito speak for “I need a snow snack immediately, please!”

For the first portion of the party we built crazy snow snacks with frozen grapes and cherries which all the chimps loved. That is, when they could get in to sneak some from the boss, who dragged both the table and the big plastic turtle pool into a corner and went to town. Jamie really had an amazing un-birthday for herself today! 😉

Second party (like second breakfast if you’re a hobbit…or Burrito…or me…) was spaghetti boats for lunch made by Anthony! Burrito LOVES spaghetti!

Naturally, because it was a grand celebration of all things Burrito, all of the chimps, and most especially Burrito, chose to spend their entire day in the warm cozy loft together where I could capture nary a photo!! They’d run down for a snow snack and scurry back upstairs to their nests and each other. But who could blame them?

But for third party, Chad managed to capture a couple photos of Burrito enjoying his birthday dinner forage and holding onto his grab bag.

(Of course, Mave, Honey B and Willy B got to partake in the parties on their side of the house right along with the seven, enjoying snow buckets, spaghetti boats, forages and whole apples! They were more excited over those whole apples than just about anything I’ve seen from them yet).

Despite not being able to capture much on film, to be honest, it made my heart swell just to see Burrito back with the girls, ensconced in their embrace and being groomed by them most of the day, napping near them, eating with them. Finally. Back with his family. And I kinda suspect, Burrito himself couldn’t have wished for a better birthday this year.

Happy Birthday, Bubba!! We love you so very much!!

Happy Birthday, Burrito!

by

This very special day of sanctuary was sponsored by Eric DeHart in celebration of Burrito’s birthday!

“My family and I love all the chimps. However, Burrito is my favorite!”

Eric, thank you for sponsoring such a special day and for loving Burrito and his family! We’re so grateful for all the love and care that surrounds them all and truly appreciate your generous gift.

Words could never fully express the profound joy and gratitude we feel today as we celebrate beloved Burrito on his 37th birthday! If anyone was ever deserving of a whole lot of birthday hoopla, it’s this guy. He’s come through so much all these long months and we’re absolutely thrilled to see him returning to his old self and finally back with the girls just in time to party.

Happy Birthday, Bubba, we just love you so much.

Burrito and Foxie:

Happy Birthday, Manuela!

by

Manuela Santacreu sponsored a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and shared this lovely message about her gift:

“Avoir cette jolie pensée pour les chimpanzés aujourd’hui illumine mon anniversaire! Je leur souhaite une longue et belle vie et souhaite à toute l’équipe une excellente année.” **Please pardon any inaccuracies in translation: (“Having this lovely thought for chimpanzees today lights up my birthday! I wish them a long and good life and wish the whole team a happy new year.”)

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and wishes, Manuela! We so appreciate you always sharing your own special day with the chimpanzees and the lasting difference you make in their lives through your generous heart. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays from all of us here! May your new year ahead be full of beauty.

Beautiful Miss Honey B:

Queen Neggie:

Sweet Jo: