Happy Friday! Finally, you’ve made it to the weekend! I thought I would help us all slide into this weekend with a fun video of Foxie playing. Foxie loves to interact with her chimp & human friends! She knows how to loosen individuals up and get them to relax and be silly. Foxie can even get Jamie to stop monitoring the humans and play! Foxie really does enjoy seeking out her human caregivers. As you will see in the video Foxie’s play style allows her to be perfectly happy playing with chimps, humans, or even just enjoying alone time with her dolls!
Missy’s Rippin’ Around
Well, as promised I have a fun video of Missy being goofy! Recently Missy has been letting loose with her caregivers. She has been seeking people out, asking to be groomed, and wanting to play! It’s fun when you see the chimps feel relaxed and comfortable, I mean that is the point of sanctuary. There are many moments throughout the days of work where I have these realizations. This isn’t their natural habitat, they should be in the wild. But if they have to be in confinement, I am happy they are here, getting the best care possible.
In the video you all will see little Miss ripping up a boot with very minimal effort. Chimps are so strong, it is a good reminder that although there are 1,000 other reasons chimps do not belong as pets, one good one is they can do a lot of damage with out trying and in a matter of seconds. Though the chimps can be sweet there is a side that can be unpredictable and in those moments a lot of destruction or harm can happen. **Disclaimer** Jamie was not not mad about that specific boot being torn up!
Missy:
Here are a few photos I snapped from this morning.
Annie still rockin’ 2 sweatbands:
And Jamie about to walk out of the raceway for her morning patrol:
The one with Jody, Jamie, & Missy
These chimps were having so much fun this afternoon! Foxie was spinning, throwing dolls, and running around with Caregiver Katelyn. Missy was wanting to be tickled by caregivers and ripping up boots. Unfortunately, I couldn’t really get any photos. Tomorrow there will be a video of Missy, but rest a sure I have lots of photos to share!
I love this one of Jo with a troll doll not too far:
Annie laid back:
And this morning we found Annie wearing two sweatbands! TWO!
After Jamie and I looked at #cowboyboots on Instagram, she decided to relax on a barrel in the Playroom:
Happy Birthday Foxie!
As many of you may have known, Foxie’s Birthday was yesterday. She turned 43 years young! We made sure Foxie had all her favorite things! There were smoothies, dolls, and watermelon bowls everywhere out on Young’s Hill! Everyone seem to enjoy Foxie’s birthday bash as well!
Annie:
Burrito:
Negra:
Jamie:
Cheers to Elizabeth!
I feel as though I should start out with, I am sorry Elizabeth, you are going to hate this, but we are doing it anyways. Elizabeth has dedicated over 10 years of hard work to this sanctuary and she deserves a shout out to say the least. Words can’t express the amount of love we have for Elizabeth, so here goes this blog anyways! As many of you followers may know, our wonderful and amazing Elizabeth received a full time job on her new career path to becoming a librarian. We are fortunate enough that Elizabeth is not leaving! She will still be volunteering, and honestly thank goodness! I don’t think any of us could handle not seeing her!
Anyone who has been around Elizabeth feels lucky to know her. Each one of us staff members have written a little note to Elizabeth. We also have included a video of Elizabeth playing with the chimps because of all her years volunteering and working at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, she has managed to stay out of almost all of photos. If you know Elizabeth, that sounds just like her. But again I am sorry Elizabeth, because I did find a few photos and they will be on this blog!
So here it goes:
“CSNW would not be what it is today without Elizabeth – she was a volunteer in the earliest days during the construction of the sanctuary, she became one of the first volunteers to help care for the chimps after their arrival, she then went on to become the longest-serving caregiver on staff, and – most importantly – she is and will always be one of the chimpanzees’ closest and dearest friends. We humans are fortunate to call her a friend, too, and we wish her the best of luck in her new career!” – J.B.
“For as long as I’ve known Elizabeth, she’s been a calm and caring presence at Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW. She kept the volunteer program in tip top shape at the sanctuary and is a great teacher and leader. I’m so relieved she is sticking around as a volunteer because saying goodbye to her would be the worst!” -Anna
“Elizabeth was our longest-serving caregiver, starting as a volunteer when the sanctuary was brand new and we were all still figuring things out. Her organizational skills stood out right away in those early days. I would turn around and the sprawling and unruly enrichment would suddenly be neatly put into labeled bins, thanks to Elizabeth going the extra mile on her volunteer shifts. She was the perfect person to lead our budding volunteer initiative; she took it from a bare-bones outline to a thriving, well-executed program. The sanctuary wouldn’t be able to do everything that we do for the chimpanzees if it were not for volunteers, and Elizabeth is responsible for bringing so many great people into all of our lives and helping the sanctuary expand and do more. She also added her own touches to the program that helped volunteers and staff continue to learn about primates and become more engaged in the big picture of what Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest does. I have no doubt that her keen organizational abilities and people-management will translate quite well into her new career in library work. The chimpanzees, perhaps Burrito in particular, is very pleased that she is sticking around as a volunteer. He will have many more games of tug-of-war with one of his all-time favorite people, and we will continue to benefit from Elizabeth’s ability to whip things into shape on days that might otherwise be less than orderly.” – Diana
“It takes courage to leave one’s chosen path, especially a path one is emotionally connected to, to pursue a new one. To make all the life changes, tune out the squall of uncertainty that’s always there storming and brewing in the back of your head takes a wild leap of faith. I always celebrate seeing people take such leaps. Elizabeth’s years of dedication made a lasting difference for the chimpanzees and the sanctuary. And it’s also true that Elizabeth was born to be a librarian. She’s a champion of the book through and through. The book, ink on paper, scent of the pages, that you hold in your hand and hug tight to your chest and cherish the difference it makes in your heart and your life. And these days, the book, and all those who need them, deserve such a champion. So in the words of Matilda (via Roald Dahl), “Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable…” -Katelyn
“Elizabeth was such a great person for me to train with at the sanctuary, I feel very fortunate to have been able to work with her and get to know her! I remember first meeting with her in the trailer/clinic/break room as I was embarking on “official” chimp interaction training. She helped teach me all about chimp interaction protocol and was endlessly patient and encouraging along my learning curve and with my ever shifting work and family schedule. I’m so happy for Elizabeth that she is pursuing her career goals in library science, she will be a huge asset to the program. Her smile and quick wit are very missed at the sanctuary but I’m thankful she is staying involved as a volunteer and hope I am lucky enough to catch her there often!” -Erin
“When I first got involved with CSNW as a student intern, Elizabeth was the person who made me feel welcomed, valued, and comfortable as I learned about the sanctuary and the chimps. Her lighthearted and friendly personality made her a great person to engage with and organize volunteers, and she has enriched all of our experiences through her dedicated service as a volunteer coordinator and caregiver. Most of all, her knowledge of and love for the chimpanzees is inspiring and I am glad they will still have her in their social circle. I am honored to call her a mentor, colleague and friend, and I am excited to continue working alongside her at the sanctuary!” -Anthony
“I am fortunate to be able to call Elizabeth a mentor and a friend. If you have ever been lucky enough to be around Elizabeth, you know how kind, funny, & hard working she is, but most importantly how great of a teacher she is. Elizabeth was amazing at showing volunteers compassion for the chimps. Teaching people how to put the chimps’ needs before your own. She is a wealth of knowledge and is irreplaceable. Elizabeth truly has the best of both worlds, exploring her passion in all things books and being able to continue her work with chimps. We are excited for you and support you!” – Kelsi
Cheers Elizabeth!
Also Jody this morning (just had to share):
What’s In?
Are you keeping up with the latest styles? Do you want to be a trend setter? In case you were wondering what is in fashion this summer, Annie can tell you! The waistband is back! Annie started this trend back in 2017 and she was seen again sporting it in 2018. Today she brought the sweatband back again and is looking more fierce than ever. The sweatband is so versatile! Put it on your head to help beat the heat, wear it as a cute belt, or use it as any sensible accessory. Annie has confirmed this is definitely a summer look. The wonderful part about Annie picking her own style is that it is her choice and no one forced her to wear it.
Here are photos of Annie wearing her waistband throughout the day:
Annie and Missy grooming:
I just love photos of chimps hands and feet:
Missy & Jo
We have talked about this before, but Missy is a great friend to all. She understands that etiquette of play with each of her friends. Every game is different for the chimp. Missy can get anyone to play with her, even the most unlikely playmates aka Negra and Jody. Don’t get me wrong those chimps can play, we have all seen it! I would say it is even pretty normal to see Negra playing with Missy. However, it is fairly uncommon to see Missy and Jody playing. That is why today you are all in for a treat! J.B. got some great shots of Jody really letting go and having fun with Missy. Jody can be described from time to time as a serious chimp or the den mother and those are all true. Still, even serious humans or non-humans have to cut loose at some point.
It was a hot one today! I thought I would share an extra photo of Burrito shoveling watermelon shaved ice in his mouth today because, well, why not?!