Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Foxie

Mondayz

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Many might be wondering how we beat a case of the Mondays at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest? Well this is an easy question!

1. We get our exercise in A LOT…

Missy in the lead and Jody not far behind:

Missy waiting for the group to catch up:

Jamie and Foxie:

Jamie kept checking up on Foxie to make sure she was keeping up:

Annie took a little detour but joined the walk a little later:

2. We forage like fiends…

Jody hidden behind the shrub, secretly grabbing some yummy weeds:

3. We lounge…

Negra:

Annie:


4. We take snack breaks…

Fresh strawberries:

5. We strike a pose…

Jody:

Foxie:


6. And we hang out with good friends…

If you follow these simple steps you also may never suffer from a case of the Mondays!

The joy of being Foxie

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Foxie has been full of spitfire and shenanigans today, her hair standing on end (pilo-erect) almost all day due to her seemingly constant state of joy and excitement. She’s been engaging us in wild games of chase, carrying a minimum of three dolls everywhere she goes, and just entirely enjoying her day.

J.B. captured photos of Foxie the other day during the celebration of the chimps’ 10th anniversary and Negra’s birthday, her and her new France Dora doll, out on Young’s Hill by themselves enjoying a spin under one of the structures in between foraging. Pure joy. Pure Foxie.

Sanctuary Livin’

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Well, today Jody decided she couldn’t leave the Greenhouse for us to clean because she was REALLY comfortable. I mean, I couldn’t agree more…

It was pretty hot today and even Jamie thought it was too hot to walk around the Hill. So she napped and stayed on patrol around the Chimp House…

Jamie even built a fort in the Playroom so that she could have her privacy, but still be able to watch what everyone was doing…

Burrito was trying to be on his best behavior with the ladies…

And Foxie and the rest of the chimps were really excited for mid-day shaved ice! It was almost too hot to play with dolls, but rest assure Foxie found a way!

Celebration of 10 Years!

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Can you believe it, these chimps have been at the sanctuary for 10 years. Over the years whether it was by donation, volunteering, or following the blog we have seen tremendous change in their lives and well-being. In the beginning Foxie didn’t want to have anything to do with enrichment and now Foxie has found love in her dolls. Annie was reserved and had very little confidence and now she is more independent, bold, and confident. Negra was afraid of Young’s Hill and now she adventures to forage all by herself. And not to mention how they have been aging in reverse. It has been a privilege to watch the growth in these seven amazing chimpanzees. But really Negra says it best….

In addition, here are some photos to give you a sneak preview of what tomorrows blog might look like!

Burrito taking a breather from partying:

Foxie swinging with her new France Dora:

Negra searching for some mini bananas:

Negra enjoying some forage she found in a coconut:

Jody was the first to venture out to find what was hidden on the Hill:

Jody was very committed to foraging out there:

Jody got to take full advantage while everyone was preoccupied in the Greenhouse:

Foxie also went out on her own, well France Dora accompanied her of course:

This was just the start, there are more photos to come from our BIG celebration!

Rock Solid

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Foxie is funny when it comes to climbing structures. While the other chimps enjoy shaky bridges, rope nets, and fire hose hammocks, Foxie tries her best not to set foot on anything that isn’t completely solid and firmly attached. One time I watched her rescue a troll doll that was laying in a fire hose hammock by hanging on the ceiling above the hammock and stretching all the way out to grab it with the tips of her toes. She may love her dolls, but she wasn’t about to risk setting foot in a hammock to get to one.

Whenever she tries a new structure, she makes sure to give it a few taps with her doll first, and then she stomps her way across it to assess its integrity. The newest structure on Young’s Hill (built last month) seems to meet her specifications. It’s become one of her go-to spots during her post-breakfast walkabout. I think she may appreciate the view from Young’s Hill more than anyone, and now she has a new, very stable place to enjoy it from.

So much to celebrate!

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Our dear friend, Kathleen Corby, sponsored this extra special day of celebration and shared this beautiful message:

“Two very special reasons for me to sponsor lucky June 13th: 1. I want to celebrate beautiful, remarkable, beloved Negra on her 45th birthday. The very first time I saw Negra she stole my heart. Knowing her past makes me admire and respect her all the more as I watch her courageously take on new adventures each year. Can’t wait for Negra to surprise me this year and many more years to come….Happy Birthday dear girl! 2. I am excited to celebrate with you from afar 10 magnificent years of Hope… Love… Home… Sanctuary at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Little did Missy, Annie, Negra, Jody, Foxie, Jamie, and Burrito know that the long trip from PA to WA ten years ago would change their lives for the better forever! You have given them their dignity and you have restored their wild inner souls. Happy Sanctuary Anniversary Day and much love always!”

Kathleen, we are just so lucky to have you as part of our chimp family. From our hearts, thank you for always sharing yours with the chimps, with us all. You make a lasting difference in their lives and we so appreciate the love and reverence you hold for each of them. Thank you for helping us celebrate such a special day!

If you follow us on Facebook, you may have seen us live this morning as the Birthday Queen started her special day off enjoying a homemade breakfast of sweet potato and berry pancakes served in the sunny greenhouse! If Negra could have ALL the bread and carbs, she would be a happy woman. Wouldn’t we all, Neggie, wouldn’t we all.

Happy Birthday, Negra, we love you!

And to Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra, Happy Anniversary!! Ten years in your sanctuary home bouyed by the love and support of so many near and far. You surprise, delight, teach and humble us every single day and we couldn’t love you more.

Jamie:

Annie and Missy:

Foxie:

Burrito:

Annie, Foxie and Jody:

Happy Birthday, Donna!

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Donna Dinsmore sponsors today for the chimpanzees each year and sent this sweet note:  “This is my birthday and I would love to have the chimps celebrate it with me!”

Donna, first of all, Happy Birthday!! It’s such heart-lifting and inspiring thing when people choose to make a difference in the lives of others as a way to celebrate their own lives. And the fact that you do this each year for the chimps is incredible. We so appreciate you wanting to share your own special day with the chimps and your generosity and compassion make a lasting difference for them. And you are in good company as we look to the week ahead. With hearts full of gratitude and excitement, we will be celebrating Negra’s 45th birthday AND the chimps’ 10th anniversary in their sanctuary home! Thank you for starting things off in such a lovely way, Donna!

We hope you have a beautiful day full of all that you love!

Jamie:

Besties, Annie and Missy:

Annie:

Foxie, Jody, and Burrito:

Queen Negra: