Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Foxie

Pausing for Connection

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As caregivers, our days are often jam-packed. We’re constantly on the move: cleaning, doing laundry, serving meals, washing dishes, training, doing more cleaning, and currently working on introductions with George throughout the week. With so much going on, it can be hard to slow down.

Yesterday, while I was cleaning in Greenhouse 2, Gordo and Cy each came over separately to play chase and hang out by the shared window, between Playroom 2 and Greenhouse 2. It was such a nice pause in the middle of a busy day, a reminder of what this work is really all about.

Foxie is especially good at getting her caregivers to take a break and spend time with her. She has her own way of inviting you in: she drops her doll and makes raspberry sounds until you pick it up and hand it back to her. But, before she’ll take it, you have to play. She loves being tickled with her doll, seeing you hug her doll, playing “troll ski,” or having her head gently rubbed with her doll’s head. Once she’s satisfied, she takes her doll back and strolls off on her way.

These moments that pause the busy routine to connect, are what make the work so meaningful.

Here is a portrait series of Foxie with Disney Simea (from Moana 2):

Lucky resting on a bench:

Gordo checking himself out through my camera:

The ever so handsome Cy:

Breakfast With Burrito And Friends

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Today started very Fall like.  This morning was a little darker, a little drizzly and a little bit chilly.   The chimpanzees are really enjoying the cooler temperatures, and Jamie’s group of 6 headed right out onto Young’s Hill for their morning patrol.  Even Negra ventured out, with a doll tucked into her pelvic pocket!

Come breakfast time, everyone meandered in from the Hill at their own pace.  And surprisingly, Annie was the last one in, making Burrito pretty impatient for his breakfast!  But then, Burrito doesn’t like to sit still for anything.

Come have breakfast with the chimps!

Foxie’s Favorite

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Today, Foxie and her twin baby doll friends went for a stroll around Young’s Hill.  It’s unusual to find Foxie out and about without at least one of her “babies”.

Since her recent birthday, Foxie has been toting around one or more of her brand new dolls everywhere she goes.  She takes them to meals, she naps with them, she plays games with them, and she goes on long walks with them.

Foxie LOVES her dolls!  She carries them in her mouth, on her back, or in her pelvic pocket.  She kisses them, tosses them, asks caregivers to babysit them, and she even disciplines them when needed.

Dolls are Foxie’s absolute favorite form of enrichment!

My favorite form of enrichment is a good book, especially a thriller!  I’m currently reading The Only One Left by Riley Sager.

What’s your favorite form of enrichment?

Speaking of enrichment…our wish lists are chock-full of enrichment items and other staples that can be donated to keep our chimps as happy and healthy as can be!  Thank you for checking it out!

Foxie’s 49th Birthday!

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We’re throwing a party for Foxie’s 49th birthday, and it’s a big one. Her favorite human, Katelyn, went all out — she planned everything from start to finish and showed up on her day off to make sure it was just right for Foxie. On the menu: homemade avocado ice cream (yes, the staff got in on that too), watermelon bowls piled high with fruit and veggies, and rounds of berry smoothie shooters to top it all off.

Enjoy today’s short teaser video of the festivities and stay tuned tomorrow for the rest of the footage of Foxie’s group as well as Cy’s groups, George and Honey B’s crew!

 

 

Foxie enjoying her watermelon bowls out on Young’s Hill:

 

Foxie’s caregiver’s for today also had a friendly competition to see who could draw her beloved Strawberry Shortcake doll and these were then judged by Foxie’s favorite biped, caregiver Katelyn!
The winner in 1st place is Sabrina, followed by Anna in 2nd place and Ellen in 3rd place with Kelsi, Jenna and Krissy all in a tie for 4th

The small drawings then became part of the party decorations!

Raffle Ticket Mischief

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Last Wednesday, I put out a whole roll of raffle tickets for the chimps, but specifically Burrito. I wasn’t sure if anyone would actually play with the tickets, but if they didn’t play with them, they could be used for nesting! But, of course, Burrito being the silly, playful chimp he is, couldn’t resist getting his friend, Foxie, in on the fun. It’s no surprise—his antics are always a little contagious!

Busy Day Photo Round Up!

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Today was a busy day at the sanctuary with several staff meetings, but we had time to snap a few photos for you all! Enjoy!

We will be celebrating our favorite mother-of-all-dolls, Foxie, this coming Friday for her 49th birthday! Katelyn has a lovely party planned that, of course, includes many, many new dolls!

Terry decided to enjoy his lunch outside, with a view.

Gorgeous Annie relaxing in the Greenhouse. The chimps have been taking full advantage of the mild weather today. We had some sudden cloud cover just as we were preparing to close off the outdoor habitats for the evening, and everyone went out to enjoy it! Now everyone is having dinner, and settling in for the evening.