Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Animal Welfare

In memory of Debera

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Long-time friend of the sanctuary and volunteer, Jen Douglas, sponsored a day of sanctuary today in memory of Debera Verlinda. Jen shared this message about her gift:

“My friend Debera had the honour of sharing her birthday with Missy! She passed away on July 17th but hope Missy is willing to share the spotlight with her today, as she was truly a special person. Debera and I volunteered together at Homeward Pet on the Wednesday morning dog-walking shift for 13 years. We also volunteered together at CSNW. We had such good times through the years with all the dogs. She was an inspiration to me, she was a talented artist, loving, compassionate, selfless and very courageous and positive throughout her battle with cancer. I feel so privileged to have known her. She lived life to the full for the time that was left and made this world a better place for both people and animals. I’ll always miss her. Here’s to Debera and Missy!”

Jen, this is a such a lovely way to remember someone, and to be remembered. We’re so sorry to know of Debera’s passing and for the loss of your dear friend. Thank you so much for honoring Debera’s legacy and for giving us the opportunity to celebrate her and the compassionate and inspirational life she led.

Another special and inspiring woman whose birthday we are celebrating today: Missy! Party preparations are under way as we get ready for Missy’s 45th birthday! Be sure to check in later today (especially if you share in Missy’s love of tomatoes 😉 ). It’s a good day for birthdays.

Pant-Hoot Tutorial for Virtual HOOT! 2020

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If you received our e-newsletter last week, the phrase “pant-hoot tutorial” might be something you recognize as one of the survey questions asked to get a sense of how you want to participate in the Virtual HOOT! gala event. If you didn’t receive the e-news, you can sign up on our home page or on this page – just scroll down to the brown block where it says “subscribe to newsletter”.

While 50% of respondents replied that they would not participate in a pant-hoot contest, there seemed to me to be enough interest to force, I mean, encourage, J.B. to film himself pant-hooting (see video above).

We would really love your submissions – it would be super fun to show the videos to the chimps for their reactions. Maybe they should be the judges! You can check out what the winner will receive and the details for easy submission on the Pant-Hoot Contest page of Virtual HOOT! 2020.

Another interesting finding from the survey so far is 60% of respondents voted that we should set our fundraising goal for the virtual event at the same amount we had for the in-person gala, which was $200,000. I love that enthusiasm, and I hope we can get close to that amount! Our auction committee decided to be a bit more cautious, though still incredibly hopeful, with a goal of $150,000. That would go a long way towards funding care for the year and could even add to our expansion funds so we can continue building the greenhouses into the winter.

We’re just starting to add auction items, and we have a lot more things in store, so keep going back to the site to check out what’s new in the coming days!

The date of the actual virtual event is September 12th and is free for anyone to watch and participate. Bidding on auction items is also open to anyone and begins September 2nd.

We are going to hold a Zoom Happy Hour for a limited number of people who will get to join the chimpanzees live for a drink before the virtual event begins. Registration for the happy hour just opened, so register today!

Okay, stop reading and watch the tutorial a few more times, then send us your best, funniest, or most creative pant-hoot!

In memory of Doreen Hughes

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Donna Hughes is sponsoring today in memory of her beloved twin sister, Doreen Hughes. Donna and Doreen have been, and will always remain, dear friends to the chimpanzees and humans of the sanctuary and we’re honored to get to hold them both in our thoughts and our hearts today. Donna shared this beautiful message for Doreen:

“It was on this date, 41 years ago, that we moved to NYC. Although you have been with me in spirit only for the last two years, not a moment goes by that you are not thought of, Doreen. Our every adventure in NYC for so many decades will always be burnt into my memory. Although the Big Apple, like much of the country, is closed down right now, Central Park is not, and I spend a lot of time in there. Walking for hours, watching the birds, the turtles, all of the flowers. All the things you loved to do. We always did a big event (or two!) on this day, and this year, I will go to Central Park and have a picnic. Don’t worry, you’ll be right there. A special shout out to Foxie, our girl! I am so happy that you got to visit the Sanctuary a few years ago. It was such a meaningful day. Happy NYC Anniversary!!! xo Donna”

Donna, thank you so much, for allowing us to share in this day of memory and celebration of, and with, you both! We miss Doreen so much and are so grateful for the time you both got to spend here with us all. May your special celebration in amazing Central Park today be nothing short of magical. We are thinking of you both and holding you in our hearts. Happy NYC Anniversary to you both!! Seems like that calls for some Foxie-style pirouettes!

A wonderful memory. Donna (left) and Doreen (right), and Missy, Foxie and Negra (background left to right):

Your Pal, Foxie!

Happy Birthday, Arlene!

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Michael sponsored this beautiful summer day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and bovines in honor of his wife, Arlene, and shared, “I would like to dedicate this day to my beautiful wife’s birthday!!”

Michael and Arlene are long-time friends of the sanctuary who have such kind and gracious hearts and we are so happy to be able to celebrate with them today!

Michael, I just think it’s the most wonderful and inspiring way to honor someone you love by celebrating their life through making the lives of others better. Thanks for lifting so many hearts today in honor of Arlene!

Happy Birthday, Arlene! All of us here are wishing you the happiest of days! Though in the midst of these gobsmackingly challenging times we find ourselves in, there is so much beauty and joy still surrounding us and you always seem to have a way of finding and sharing that. We hope this birthday is one to remember in all the best ways. Thank you both, for all the good you help ensure surrounds the chimpanzees and bovines and for being part of our sanctuary family.

Beautiful Annie:

Queen Negra

Jamie and Missy:

Honey, Betsy and Nutmeg:

Mave:

Dora, Foxie and Burrito:

Betsy and Meredith:

Honey B:

Willy B:

Beautiful Jody:

Happy One Year Anniversary from Monica!

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If you’ve been following the sanctuary for any length of time, you’ve definitely heard the name Monica Best. She’s a generous donor who loves to encourage other generous donors by setting challenge pledges whenever we have a fundraising initiative. She played a large role in the expansion construction that’s happening right now. The sanctuary wouldn’t be what it is today without her support.

Of course she didn’t want the significant one-year anniversary of the arrival of Mave, Willy B, and Honey B pass without her sponsor-a-day acknowledgement and donation.

Monica has personally been through a lot these last several years and the chimpanzees and blog have provided some solace during tough times. I know many of you can identify with that.

I have been thinking a lot about the role of hope in our lives, both related to trying to help chimpanzees and getting through to the other side of difficult times, which is something we are all grappling with right now.

I found a quote that reminds me of Monica for a few reasons, and I thought it appropriate to share on this day that she has sponsored which was full of hope one year ago as the van pulled up to the sanctuary with three chimpanzees we barely knew:

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.

― Emily Dickinson

To put it mildly, not everything has gone according to plan this last year, but so much of the hope for the new lives of Willy B, Honey B, and Mave has already been realized as we have watched them play, explore, and relax in their new sanctuary home.

There are more chimpanzees at Wildlife Waystation who we must hold hope for as we collectively work to help them.

The construction crew is currently toiling away at the continued expansion so that we can welcome another group of chimpanzees to the sanctuary with Mave, Willy B, and Honey B supervising their labor that will also provide those three with more space.

Watching that scene this morning, and knowing it is possible because of Monica’s support and the support of so many of you out there, I found myself full of hope for the future, despite the current moment of unpredictability.

Happy arrival anniversary! Thank you, Monica, for sponsoring today and for inspiring hope.

In memory of Joan

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Thyra and David Rutter of Arte for Elephants sponsored this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees “In loving memory of Joan Lichterman – unstoppable warrior for all creatures of the earth.” 

Thank you so much for choosing to honor Joan’s legacy by making a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives, Thyra and David. We truly appreciate you thinking of them all in this way. May your day be filled with comforting, joyful and inspiring memories of Joan.

Learn more about Arte for Elephants and the wonderful work they do here.

Negra:

Willy B on Repeat and Highlights of the Day

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The video above is a pretty good follow-up to the snippet of Willy B that I shared within this video a few weeks ago.

I took the footage for today’s video last week, but didn’t want to usurp Foxie’s birthday so I saved it for today.

For a glimpse of actual happenings today, visit our Instagram page, and behold some highlights below from the breakfast forage on Young’s Hill.

Missy slacklining on fire hose

 

Missy dismounting from the fire hose, showing off the benefit of opposable toes.

 

Jamie was just scratching her face in that image above, but I like how it looks like she might be saying, “oh, geez, Missy”

Jody once again dominated the willow forage:

and Negra seemed to be just fine with our secret lettuce-for-breakfast-outside weight loss plan aimed to slim her down a bit: