Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
I’ve met very few people in my life capable of spreading joy as infectiously as Foxie. Even the act of saying her name coaxes your mouth into a tiny smile. That so much happiness can come from a life rooted in so much tragedy is nothing short of a miracle.
We have a wonderful surprise day of sanctuary today sponsored by Dylan Most, who just wanted to give a little love to the chimps and celebrate the first day of summer!
Dylan, what a lovely gift! Thank you so much for thinking of the chimps and all of us here at the sanctuary. It’s hard to believe it’s summer! But the easeful, peaceful and joyful days are welcome by us all and it’s so wonderful to see the chimps relishing it all. We are grateful to your kind heart for helping to make theirs lives as beautiful as possible.
Be it your summer or winter, all of us are wishing all of you a beautiful solstice! And happy summer to all our northern hemisphere folks!
Jody:
Foxie:
Negra:
Annie:
Jamie:
Missy:
Burrito:
It has taken awhile, but I certainly do know it now – the most wonderful gift I had, the gift I finally learned to cherish above all else, was the gift of all those perfectly ordinary days.
-Katrina Kenison
Foxie:
There is something about watching Foxie chew…
Every once in awhile I feel like everything around me stills for just a few seconds and I find myself standing still in eye of the love storm that surrounds these chimpanzees. It’s a feeling to behold and I can’t help but imagine if all living beings, us humans included, could feel so much love and respect what a different place this world, this life, might be. It’s inspiring and hopeful and makes one’s heart ache with gratitude that these amazing chimpanzees get to experience this as their every day life now.
As we celebrate this special day of the chimps’ 9th year since arriving to their sanctuary home AND Queen Negra’s birthday, our second day of sanctuary sponsorship comes from our dear friend, Kathleen Corby, with this beautiful message:
“Happy 44th Birthday to Negra and Happy 9 Years of Hope, Love, Home, Sanctuary to CSNW! To Negra, I wish you a day filled with warm sunshine to nap in, soft fuzzy blankets to nest with, and Nut Bags galore bursting full of your favorite snacks! Please know I love you dearly and I will never forget the day I had the privilege to meet you — my heart melted with pure joy upon seeing your beautiful face. Happy Birthday to you dear girl! I love you. To everyone at CSNW, I wish you the happiest of celebrations on this important day. I will be celebrating with you in my heart. Thank you for all you have done and all you continue do to provide Negra, Missy, Annie, Jamie, Foxie, Jody and Burrito with the best of everything possible. Much love, Kathleen”
Kathleen, from our hearts, thank you for being part of this chimp family and this amazing day of celebration. You are here in spirit, thought and heart every day and I have no doubt the chimpanzees feel that on some level.
Happy Anniversary, Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra! We love you all so very much!
Annie:
Burrito:
Foxie:
Jamie:
Jody:
Missy:
And Happiest of Happy to you on this birthday, Queen Negra! Negra says, *Clap, Clap!!* “Let’s get this party started!”:
When I arrived to the chimp house this morning I found the whole family (with the exception of Missy who was still asleep in her nest) at the top of the sunny greenhouse together nesting and grooming. Grooming is extremely important in chimp society. While it does serve to care for wounds and keep each other clean, it’s a primary means of building relationships, maintaining bonds, and offering comfort.
The chimps had a doozy of an argument yesterday (as chimps’ often do) and while it was pretty much resolved by the end of the day, it was really nice to see everyone relaxing together this morning, amends made, grievances forgiven. The business of chimp families.
Annie and Negra (background):
Annie self-grooming:
Annie in her nest, Jamie grooming Jody:
Jamie is grooming Negra, but Burrito was actually trying to get Negra to play by ruffling her hair, play-stomping and laughing. Negra was not remotely interested in anything but being groomed.
After making the grooming rounds with her chimp family, Foxie swung down to say hi:
It’s been a peaceful day in the chimp house. And good thing, because the chimps need to rest up for the big celebration tomorrow! Not only is it their 9th anniversary since arriving to their sanctuary home (9 years?!!), but it’s Negra’s 44th honorary birthday! And it’s going to be a party fit for a Queen, naturally.
We hope you take a page out of Foxie and Burrito’s book today and incorporate some face-licking and foot-biting into your play with your friends.
