Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee retirement

Happy Birthday, Julie!

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Karen Olson, in honor of her sister, Julie, on her birthday! As you may recall, Julie just sponsored a day for Karen’s birthday! Karen shared this lovely message about today:

“My sister Julie is one of the most caring people I have ever met. As soon as I shared the story of the Chimp Sanctuary with her she immediately became a fan and supporter. She has very much enjoyed our two trips to visit the sanctuary and follows the blog daily.”

Happy Birthday, Julie! We hope you have a day of celebration filled with all the love and joy you and Karen help provide for others. Thanks so much to both of you for including the chimpanzees in your lives while making a difference in theirs. The love and respect you two share for one another is touching and inspiring. It can’t help but bring to mind two other very special ladies, best friends, Missy and Annie:

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Today is for Hope, Love, Home and Sanctuary

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This day of sanctuary was also sponsored by our good friend, Kathleen Corby, in honor of two very special occasions. Today we celebrate both the honorary 42nd birthday of sanctuary royalty, Queen Negra, and the chimpanzees’ 7th year anniversary in sanctuary! Kathleen shared her beautiful and heartfelt sentiments about today’s celebrations:

“I would like to make two donations for the same day. One donation goes to NEGRA on her 42nd BIRTHDAY. Let me state that I do not have a “favorite” chimpanzee. I admire, respect, and care for each individual equally — quirks and all. But there is something about Negra. Negra instantly captured my heart and I never saw it coming. When I see a photo of Negra or read about her on your blog I often find myself with a catch in the back of my throat, a slight pang in my heart, (sometimes a tear in my eye!) and I experience this fuzzy little feeling. Ah Negra!

This year I want to thank Negra for giving me such pleasure and for teaching me that it is okay to take your time as you embark on a new path. She has shown me that trust, in others and in ourselves, should be afforded the time and nurturing it needs to blossom. Trust is very precious and the offering or earning of trust needs to be handled delicately.

Negra also taught me that you can never count an old gal out! This year she rallied with the best of them, finding new comforts in Foxies trolls and now in her “France Dora” doll. Negra has proven her bravery by venturing out onto Young’s Hill to forage, enjoying time alone in the tall grasses while eating and relaxing in the warm sunshine. I feel so very lucky to be able to witness Negra’s progress into her brave new world and I am grateful that at this stage in her life she has CSNW to allow her these experiences and freedoms. Happy birthday dear Negra. May this entire year unfold before you day by day offering new delights with the passing of time. XOXOXO.

My second donation is in CELEBRATION of the 7 years of SANCTUARY for 7 amazing CHIMPANZEES (and all the care givers, past and current, who make sanctuary happen)! Happy Anniversary to all. I look forward to the future plans of CSNW becoming a reality. On this day I celebrate your passion and compassion. Thank you for educating, inspiring, and connecting us all into one community of people who want to improve the quality of life for chimpanzees. CSNW truly is HOPE. LOVE. HOME. SANCTUARY. Much love always, Kathleen Corby.”

Kathleen, you have embraced each of the chimpanzees and welcomed them into your heart in countless ways. Though it may be from afar, your support and engagement in their lives, and in each step they take toward becoming more fully themselves, is inspiring. We are immensely grateful to have you as part of our chimp family and thank you so much for sponsoring such a special day full of celebration!

Happy Birthday, Negra! We love you!!

Negra close-up

And Happy 7th Anniversary Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra! May all your days continue to be filled with love, respect, joy and comfort. And may you live each day knowing you are home. We could not possibly love each of you more.

Annie:

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Burrito:

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Foxie:

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Jamie:

2013 Jamie

Jody:

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Missy:

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Congratulations, Joel!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Lynelle Anderson, in honor of her son, Joel Feller’s, graduation! Lynelle shared this message about today:

“In celebration of Joel graduating from Central Washington University with his Bachelor of Science in Primate Behavior and Ecology and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. We’re grateful for the support he received from everyone at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and the inspiration the chimps bring to his life.”

Joel is our first, and currently one-and-only, male volunteer caregiver. Burrito, who can probably relate, is always thrilled to see Joel and really appreciates their quality “guy-time.” And Burrito isn’t the only one who makes good use of having Joel around. Watch Joel and Missy play chase here.

Lynelle, thank you so much for having the chimpanzees share in your celebration with Joel! The support you and Brian, and your family, have shown Joel and the sanctuary is wonderful and inspiring.

Joel, hoots upon hoots of congratulations to you for all that you’ve accomplished! Thanks so much for all you do for the chimpanzees! We wish you all the best in your next adventures!

Burrito:

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This is, indeed, a day of celebration! Today we also celebrate both Queen Negra’s birthday and the chimpanzees’ 7th year anniversary of coming to their sanctuary home. None of which would be remotely possible without you. Be sure to tune in later today to check out the festivities!

Come on an adventure with Missy!

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The wild greens growing on Young’s Hill are in full bloom, practically covering the chimps’ structures in certain areas. When the chimps decide to go foraging, it’s difficult to even see them in the tall growth.

Jamie and I headed out for a walk around the hill this afternoon, her following the path she’s worn down walking, and me following the path the humans have worn down accompanying her. At the last minute Missy came running out of the greenhouse after us, taking a pit stop in the shade of one of the structures. Missy often likes to wait for us to reach the top of the hill so she can (naturally) run all the way after us.

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Once Jamie and I reached the top of the hill, Missy decided to brave the heat and made a mad dash behind us to forage in the largest wild mustard patch:

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One can imagine the awe she must feel looking at all that’s available to her:

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She was beside herself after collecting her huge feast of wild greens and ran straight to the new climbing structure to enjoy them while taking in the view. I could just make out her food grunts of happiness:

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I didn’t notice until writing this, but you can just see Foxie and Mademoiselle Dora (down in the lower right corner) photo-bombing. (Yes, when I arrived this morning I found them happily reunited.) 🙂

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Happy Birthday, Donna!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Donna Dinsmore! Today is Donna’s birthday and each year she chooses to celebrate by gifting the chimpanzees with a special day to celebrate with her!

Donna, thank you so much for holding the chimpanzees in your heart today, and throughout the years. There is much to celebrate in life and we are so touched that you would celebrate your own special life by making a difference in the chimps. We hope you have the happiest birthday yet and that each year is better than possibly imagined. Just like the chimpanzees!

Gorgeous Annie:

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Happy Birthday, Karen!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Julie Olson, in honor of her sister, Karen Olson, for her birthday! Julie shared this wonderful message about Karen:

“I want to honor my sister Karen Olson on her birthday. Having a day sponsored for the chimps on her birthday was number one on her list of birthday presents! My sister is the biggest animal lover I know and she is the one who told me I had to watch the news story about the chimps arrival 7 years ago. Her devotion to animals is incredible!”

Julie and Karen, we are so touched that you have both followed the chimpanzees since the beginning of their lives in sanctuary and continue to hold them in your hearts. Julie, thank you for sponsoring this day in celebration of your sister! Karen, may your day be filled with love, serenity and all the things you find joy in. Happy Birthday from all of the primates here at CSNW!!

Beautiful Jody, always seems to find joy in her life:

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Today is in honor of Hercules and Leo

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Danielle Gorshein in honor of the chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo. Danielle shared the following message about today:

“I am so inspired by the work of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. I have been a supporter for a while and recently read about two chimpanzee’s Hercules and Leo who are being held by SUNY Stony Brook in New York and there is work being done to free them. I feel terrible about this and sponsoring a day in honor of them is the least I can do. I am so happy you have a safe place for these special 7 to live out their days knowing what it means to be loved.”

Danielle, thank you so much for your compassion and desire to follow issues faced by our fellow primates! The case of Hercules and Leo is amazing and it’s thrilling to see such a shift and expansion in thoughts and attitudes occurring. We are so touched that you would think of the “Cle Elum Seven” in honoring Hercules and Leo today. We hold Hercules and Leo, and all those awaiting their life in sanctuary, in our hearts and minds.

You can learn more about the work of the Nonhuman Rights Project and the case of Hercules and Leo here.

May all beings awaiting their sanctuary one day soon have a world view beyond their wildest imagination:

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