Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Foxie

Happy Birthday, Arlene!

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If you missed it earlier in the week, the chimpanzees received the beautiful gift of a week of sanctuary, sponsored by Michael for Arlene in celebration of her birthday! Arlene, as today is your actual birthday, we want to send lots of birthday pant hoots, squeaks, and grunts your way. We hope your day is filled with all that you most love and if you need any ideas of how to spend your time, here are some suggestions from the chimpanzees:

Enjoy a peaceful walk, like Annie:

Annie walking in the tall grass

Burrito might suggest doing anything as long as it involves food:

Burrito eating breakfast night bag

Enjoying the company of good friends like Foxie (right), Jamie (left), Doras and trolls:

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Jamie likes to spend quality time admiring her beautiful boots:

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A relaxing day of yoga, Jody-style:

Jody doing "yoga"

Missy might choose anything involving an adventure:

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And Negra…well, it’s pretty safe to say Negra thinks every day should be celebrated with relaxing in a cozy nest in a sunny spot:

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Arlene, however you choose to spend your special day, we hope it’s filled with the hope, love, home and sanctuary that you and Michael so graciously help ensure for the chimpanzees. Happy Birthday!!

Making Up

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Burrito depends on Foxie quite a bit. Despite the fact that Foxie’s about half his size, she’s his friend, his security blanket, and his most loyal protector. She’s always there when he needs a hug.

But everyone behaves a little unkindly to their friends from time to time. Yesterday, during a dominance display, Burrito thumped Foxie on the back as he charged past her. This isn’t unusual behavior for Burrito, or for any chimpanzee in the midst of a display. Still, it’s probably not fun to be the recipient of the thumping, especially when it comes from your good friend.

Luckily, chimps are experts at reconciliation. A little grooming is all it usually takes to make amends.

This week is for Arlene!

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This may be a first for our wonderful chimpanzee friends! Michael has sponsored a week of sanctuary for the chimpanzees in honor of Arlene for her birthday! Arlene’s birthday is officially August 19th and the birthday week celebration begins today. We are so touched and I cannot imagine a more wonderful gift to give, or receive, than knowing that in celebration of a life, a difference has been made in the lives of so many more.

Michael, thank you so much for such a compassionate and generous gift the chimpanzees as you honor and celebrate Arlene!

Arlene, you have been a wonderful friend to the chimpanzees and we are honored that you are sharing your special week with them. Heartfelt thanks to both of you for your support of these seven amazing people. All of us here at CSNW wish you the happiest of days ahead and we look forward to a week of celebration with you! Happy Birthday Week!!

Foxie and friends:

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Morning greetings and breakfast forage

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One of the first things I do after arriving at the chimp house is to walk around the various enclosures to see where all of the chimpanzees are at and to greet them. Sometimes the chimps are still in their blanket nests that they made the previous night. Sometimes, they are wide awake; chasing one another along the upstairs catwalk or through the Front Rooms. At other times, they may be lined up along the caging to give morning kisses, head nods (a typical chimpanzee greeting) or to elicit games of chase with staff and volunteer caregivers.

This morning, Jamie was the first one I saw in the Playroom area of their home. I gave her a couple of quick head nods, which she reciprocated before gesturing to see my shoes. Burrito sat down next to her and slapped the floor a few times to elicit a quick game of chase. Foxie was busy getting drinks from the fountain, while holding onto her dora doll. Jody came up to where I was standing and extended her lips through the caging to offer me a kiss on the back of my hand. Annie and Missy were busy playing chase with one another. I looked into the pile of blankets on the catwalk where Negra typically makes her nightly nest, but it was empty. So, I went out to the Greenhouse portion of their home and found her on the top platform (another favorite spot of hers).

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I gave her a quick verbal “Good morning Neggie.” She turned around to look at me momentarily before going back to what she was doing.

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Oh, how I love this lady. I’ll take her quick glance toward me as a morning greeting and be forever thankful.

And, I just couldn’t resist sharing the following photos on today’s blog, as well. I think you’ll understand why when you see them. They were taken during this morning’s breakfast forage in the Greenhouse.

Annie
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Burrito
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Foxie
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Jody
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Foxie’s 39th!

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Today we celebrated Foxie’s 39th birthday! It was a day filled with some of her favorite foods – lots and lots of fruit, fruit smoothie in shot glasses…

Foxie found a smoothie shot on the hill:

Foxie with a smoothie shot

Foxie drinking a smoothie shot

plus there were carrots, celery, more fruit, avocados, sweet potatoes, corn, and fresh-pressed carrot & apple juice!

 

There’s a video below, but first a few shots of the chimps enjoying the celebration in their own way:

 

Burrito looking for food:

Burrito searching for food

 

 

Annie chillin’ in the hammock:

Annie chillin in the hammock

 

Negra getting that last bit of coconut from the cup:

Negra with cup

 

Jody in her characteristic belly-to-the-ground position, finishing her meal:

Jody belly down

 

And Missy, who was not going to let a bit of the flaked coconut that was in this piñata go to waste.

Missy holding pinata

 

Not one…

Missy with her head in a pinata

 

 

little bit

Missy with her face in a pinata

 

There were several people who contributed to Foxie’s celebration, including Karen Young who provided decorations and money for food, Tracy H. who sponsored the day, Jayne R., and many people who sent Foxie Dora and troll dolls. Thanks for making her day special!

Enjoy the video!

 

 

Happy Birthday, Foxie!

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This special day of sanctuary was sponsored by Tracy Headley in honor of her pal, Foxie’s, birthday! Tracy is a luminous soul who holds the chimpanzees in her heart and welcomes them into her life at every opportunity. She is such a good friend to the chimpanzees and humans alike, advocating however she can to make the lives of so many, better.

We would also like to thank Karen and Don Young for ensuring that today’s Dora the Explorer themed celebration is one for the records! Karen and Don have also been a big part of the chimpanzees’ lives and have made possible their amazing outdoor area, Young’s Hill. We have watched Foxie (with Dora and trolls) explore Young’s Hill this year like no other. Walking the perimeter with her caregivers, bravely testing out climbing structures, and often leading the way on adventures with her chimpanzee family. Karen and Don send this special message for Foxie:

“Happy Birthday to beautiful Foxie, the first chimp we met at CSNW and the reason we became involved with this amazing sanctuary. To witness the comparison of how you are today to how you were then is miraculous! We hope you have fun at your birthday bash and wiggle your toes at all of the food goodies and a new Dora doll! Happy, Happy Birthday! Karen and Don”

Tracy, Karen and Don, thank you so much for all you do to ensure the chimpanzees live the lives they deserve, filled with hope, dignity and love.

As we prepare to celebrate our beloved and endearing Foxie’s 39th birthday, we are filled with gratitude. Gratitude that despite all that she endured and had stolen from her during her three decades in biomedical research, she is full of joy, courage and love. All of which we are profoundly honored to witness, and share in, each day. Happiest of birthdays yet to you, dear Foxie! We love you!!

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We are so touched and grateful to all of you who have reached out to make sure Foxie and her family have a wonderful day. She has received new France Dora dolls, new troll dolls (including a France troll!), decorations, toys, and treats. It’s going to be quite the special bash for a special lady so check in later today to join in on the festivities!

Enjoying ice on a hot day

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Volunteer caregiver Sandra came up with the idea to fill small water balloons with water (with a few blueberries) and then freeze them as enrichment for the chimpanzees. After they were frozen, we removed the balloon portion, leaving behind balls of ice with frozen berries inside. Ice provides a lot of enrichment for the chimps. And ice with frozen blueberries inside seems to be even more enjoyable when temperatures exceed 100 degrees like they did today.

I can’t decide which part I love more; Jamie’s use of a tool or Foxie rubbing her toes together…which is your favorite?