There’s nothing like spring at the sanctuary.
csnw
Where Foxie goes, so goes her doll.
The photos below were taken last week when Foxie’s doll of the day was Dora the Explorer’s blonde friend.
If you don’t know the history of Foxie and her dolls, learn all about it here.
Since her initial interest in troll dolls, she has expanded her collection of favorites to include Dora and friends with the rare but occasional interest in other dolls.
Not all of the interactions she has with dolls are of the affectionate nature – see the video at the bottom of this post.
A video from a few years ago:
Here Comes the Sun
The last two days have seen the first genuinely warm weather we’ve had in Cle Elum after a long winter. All of the windows and doors of the chimp house are thrown open, allowing a gentle, warm cross breeze to waft through the building. I think Jody’s dreamy expression speaks for all of us.
HOOT! Sponsor: Martha Faulkner Real Estate
Today is the fifth in a series of blog posts celebrating sponsors of the HOOT! 2017 Spring Fling gala.
Past posts celebrated Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, Jennifer and David Roers, Tracy Headley, and Pam Lehnert & Marc Warner.
Today is all about Martha Faulkner who uses her real estate business to support the causes that she cares most about.
Martha started as a donor and supporter and is now also on our board of directors.
In her own words, here is how and why Martha is connected to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
I first become involved with CSNW after a friend referred me to their blog. We had been discussing my interest in expanding my giving plan for my business (WWW.homes4petlovers.com). I am a Real Estate Broker with RSVP Real Estate, and I donate 10% of my commission to the animal rescue/sanctuary of my clients’ choice. I spotlight 6 different local animal organizations. After reading the blog and the plight of the Cle Elum Seven I knew this was the type of organization and cause I wanted to support. I went to the HOOT! gala 3 years ago and was hooked. I had a blast and got to know more about the sanctuary and a bit about each of the chimps and their stories of recovery at the sanctuary after years of maltreatment in medical laboratories.
My interest and commitment to CSNW is reinforced by all the great work done by Diana and J.B. and the wonderful staff and volunteers. As a member of the board of directors I am able to see firsthand all the effort and work that goes in providing a home for the Cle Elum 7 to heal. I’m also motivated by all the advocacy to support the plight of the chimpanzee’s throughout the world.
When asked what motivated Martha to support HOOT! 2017, she said:
Besides the fact that this is truly a terrific event, I gladly participate in any opportunity to support the Chimps and the continued success of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
And who is Martha’s favorite chimpanzee?
I love them all, but Negra really pulls at my heartstrings. She has come so far in the safe and loving care of the sanctuary.
Thank you, Martha, for all you do for Negra and her family and for other animals. You are an inspiration to others who are looking for ways to support the causes they believe in.
If anyone in the state of Washington is looking to buy or sell their home, please do get in touch with Martha. She works all over western Washington, but if you’re on the east side of the state, she can refer you to another fabulous broker.
Walks in the rain
There is a gorgeous book recently written by a mother and daughter in Hawaii called “H?nau ka Ua” in which they recorded over 200 hundred names for rain in the Hawaiian language. It is written that their k?puna, or elders, were so attuned to the environment that they gave individual names to the variety of rains and winds on the islands. They knew each rain based on where and when it fell, the intensity and duration, the effect it had on people, the sound it made on the trees, and even the scent it carried. So in tune to their environment they considered it their kin.
In this part of the world, spring is ushered in on the winds. Not just any old breezes, but winds that come off the still snow-covered mountains and barrel down the valley like a freight train, that kick and buck like a wild horse, and throw sticks and stones for good measure. The days like that are sunny, but often leave all the primates taking cover. But on the days when the wind’s wild rumpus finally settles, like today, it can be cloudy and rainy. A gentle, soothing rain.
When not on Young’s Hill, the chimps chose to spend the entire day in the greenhouse, under the sound of rain on the roof. Annie nested there all day, as she often does when it rains. During a downpour at lunch we all just sat taking cover together, faces turned upward listening to the soothing rhythm.
Foxie keeping France Dora safe:
When Jamie insisted on multiple walks in the rain today, I marveled at the transition she’s made to being a Pacific Northwest chimp, virtually un-phased by the showers. Each walk for each kind of rain was different, but all were joyous and calm.
In a gentle, but steady light rain we didn’t dawdle, but she walked surprisingly slowly, the only sounds the raindrops on my Gortex jacket and our feet moving through the wet grass:
Later in the day when the rain let up and turned to only a few sprinkles was when she decided to kick up her heels and run:
On the final walk of the day most everyone decided to come out (though it was too wet for Negra today).
Burrito:
Jody:
Foxie and Dora:
Missy:
I’m so grateful that the chimps have the opportunity to be so connected to their home. To each rain and wind, snow and sunny day. To be kin with their environment and the wilderness in their hearts. Just as they were meant to be. Just as we were all meant to be.
Bonding Time
Foxie and Dora have had a quiet Sunday so far.
The View From the Bottom
In chimpanzees, personality and dominance often go hand in hand. The alphas aren’t always the biggest and strongest individuals; they’re often in charge because they want to be in charge. (Despite some of the benefits conferred, not everyone is interested in running for president.)
At CSNW, Annie is the lowest in the hierarchy. She also happens to be a little anxious. It’s impossible to know whether she’s anxious because she’s the lowest in the hierarchy, or whether she’s the lowest in the hierarchy because she’s an anxious individual. (The truth is probably some combination of those options.) Despite being the lowest in the hierarchy, Annie doesn’t have it too bad. She has to wait her turn at meals, and she defers to the more dominant chimps in passing. But she also gets away with a fair amount of sass – probably because the more dominant chimps aren’t threatened by her. She can take food straight out of Negra’s hands – assuming it’s not something Negra cared too much about – and she always lets the other chimps know when they’ve wronged her. As the years go by, we see less and less anxiety and more and more peace and contentment in her eyes.
