Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jody

Some good news for Jo

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We have some good news to share about Jody. The biopsy and other tests of the mass on her foot indicate that it is inflammatory in nature and likely not cancerous (cancer is rare but not unheard of in chimps and a previous test had raised the possibility). The challenge now is to get her, and her pal Dr. Missy, to leave the surgical site alone long enough for it to heal. That is a lot harder than it sounds.

Additionally, based on the most recent ultrasound, radiographs, and blood work, we will begin treating Jody with birth control, iron supplements, and herbal medicine for her fibroid and related mild anemia.

We’re so grateful to Dr. Erin and her colleagues for their continued care of Jody. Not that you would know there was anything wrong with her, the way she took charge during today’s lunch forage…

Missy and Annie:

Foxie with a slice of eggplant:

Negra:

Jamie:

Burrito was a joy to watch today. He immediately found two heads of lettuce and tried to eat them before anyone could even think about stealing them from him. But he couldn’t eat them fast enough.

Missy was fast approaching. She wouldn’t normally steal food from Burrito, but he employed a defensive move just in case. You can never be too careful.

As soon as his hands were free, Burrito climbed onto one of the platforms and continued to forage.

He came across a few pieces of chow in a pile of chow dust (what’s left in the bottom of the bin) that I had placed on the end of the beam and proceeded to vacuum it up.

He made his way back towards the greenhouse with his potato, eggplant, and Brussels sprouts, but the chow dust was too difficult to contain. With each breath it spilled out of his mouth and into the grass below.

Oh well. It was worth a try.

A Day Outside

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Yesterday was World Chimpanzee Day! If you missed Chad’s blog yesterday, make sure you give it a read! Currently, we are doing some much needed revamping in the playroom. So the chimps have been spending quite a lot of time in the green house, front rooms, and Young’s Hill. They are patiently waiting so far, but these chimps are really looking forward to going back into the playroom soon! Thankfully, we have been blessed with some warm weather! I think the chimps approved.

Annie:

Jamie:

Jody and Jamie grooming:

Negra enjoying the warm green house breeze:

Foxie got a new orange blossom doll today:

Honey B in what seems to be her favorite spot, in the shady part of the Chute:

Mave sprawled out on the floor cooling off:

And look at this California dream boat:

The Perfect Nest

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Each chimpanzee makes a nest in their own unique way. In fact, I bet most chimpanzee caregivers could name the chimp if someone simply described how they make a nest at night. Here at CSNW, we’ve got Jody, who gathers up as many blankets as possible, throws them over her shoulder and drops half of them in a doorway as she searches for the right bench to sleep on. And Burrito, who throws a single blanket over his shoulder on his way to bed like he is carrying a towel to the swimming pool. And Honey B, who wraps herself up like a to-go burrito. All ten of of the chimps here have a particular style and a ritual when it comes to nest-making. As do most humans, I would assume.

Here are a few bonus photos of Foxie from this morning.

Thank you, Manda!

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Manda Crawford sponsored this day of sanctuary: “In honor of Burrito, Jamie, Jody, Annie, Missy, Foxie, Negra, Honey B, Willy B, and Mave. The best day ever! Independence Day!”

Thank you so much, Manda, for helping to ensure the chimpanzees (and cattle) have as much freedom, independence and choice as possible, for all their days forward. We’re so grateful to be able to celebrate these things in the chimps’ lives. Happy Fourth of July!

Independence means different things to different people. Our personal and collective versions of freedom can be found in the broader sense of the word, yes, but also sometimes in the smallest of places. For the chimpanzees, while the freedom of living the natural lives they were meant to was taken from them, a home in sanctuary where they can just be themselves and are able to make as many choices as possible about their day, is the closest to freedom they’ll know.

Here at the sanctuary, in a way, we get to celebrate a kind of Independence Day every day, in one form or another. It’s a profound joy, a privilege and an inspiration to witness each of the chimpanzees explore both their inner and outer independence each and every day because of what you make possible for them. And while we celebrate and hold profound gratitude for these experiences in the chimps’ lives, we hold a space of honor and support for all those still waiting for their Independence Day, in whatever form that may take. Ultimately, all any living being wants and deserves is the freedom to live their lives as they’re meant to, to follow their hearts and make their own choices with the same dignity and respect afforded anyone else.

Whether it’s in taking the first tentative steps outside of not only your comfort zone, but all you’ve known, like Willy B:

To express the joy of being ourselves, like Honey B and Mave:

To rest in comfort, like Negra….

…and be at ease when you need to, or just because you feel like it, like Jody:

We see it when Missy runs to her heart’s content for no other reason than her sheer joy of running:

In Jamie’s freedom to express her wants and needs (and know she’ll be heard):

In the freedom to choose who you spend your time with and how:

In the ability to raise your children and live your lives with your family, like Betsy and Nutmeg:

and Honey and Meredith:

To walk your own path as you choose, like Annie:

To simply love who you love, like Foxie:

To dream, hope, and imagine (Jamie).

And to just be (Burrito):

Happy Birthday, Tobin!

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Rebecca Babcock sponsors today in honor of one of our long-time supporters, Tobin!

“Today marks the day that I received 98.76% of the chimpanzee that I had requested of my mother and our local physician, Dr. Fred. I love you, Tobin. I have long since forgiven the non-chimp 1.24% By your gracious introduction of 10 new friends and 4 beautiful bovines out in Washington, you have totally redeemed yourself. Happiest Of Birthday Wishes to you.”

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the chimpanzees and cattle in honor of Tobin! What a lovely thing to do.

Tobin, we so appreciate your presence, heart and support of the chimpanzees, bovines (and humans!) here and all of us wish you the happiest of days! Thank you for being part of our chimp family! Happy Birthday!

Dear, beloved Jody. Whatever Jody does, she does fully present, with her whole heart. Whether she’s foraging for her beloved wild greens, relaxing in her nest, or making sure that her family members are safe and looked after, she makes all our lives and hearts so much fuller. She inspires us every single day. Thank you so very much for being her pal, Tobin. We wish you a Jody kind of day.

Happy Birthday, Amy!

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Today was sponsored by Amy Adams, who is celebrating her birthday by giving a day of sanctuary to the chimpanzees! Amy has also generously requested that her friends and loved ones make a difference in the chimps’ lives in honor of her birthday!

Amy, thank you so much for using your own special day as a way to celebrate the chimpanzees and make a difference in their lives. All of us here appreciate your kind heart so much and wish you the happiest birthday yet!

Jamie:

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Jody:

Mave:

The arrival of summer

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Summer has arrived! We find ourselves suddenly in the mid-eighties today which is typical in that we don’t get a lot of working up to the heat, it just goes from cool to hot. The chimpanzees are pretty endearing when the temperatures soar. Much like humans you’ll find the chimps spread out as if melted into a puddle, legs in the air, hoping to catch a breeze.

Jody propped herself up on the platform to check out Young’s Hill:

When she needs a break from the heat, she’ll often come into the shaded front rooms to rest:

The chimps have been lounging around in the heat and enjoying ice cube treats and summertime berries. They have a currant bush outside that greenhouse that is just ripening and Jamie wasted no time whatsoever letting me know they were ready and she needed some immediately. The other chimps seem to take them or leave them, but Jamie LOVES them! I have no idea why, straight from the vine they will make you pucker right up.

That said, here is Missy trying out a handful:

Our neighbor swallow family right outside our front gate have welcomed new hatchlings and the parents have been extra busy today fiercely protecting them by dive-bombing the silly humans:

Anthony captured these sweet bovine moments of Nutmeg sunbathing:

His mama, Betsy:

Mother and son moment:

In exciting news for Mave, Willy B and Honey B, with these warmer evenings, they now have overnight access to their chute! While we don’t think they are sleeping out there at night, when I came up the driveway this morning, I found Mave snoozing in the top of the chute and she didn’t even bother to turn over to see who was coming. And Honey B has been requesting her meals be served out there when possible. She has a little shaded area that she loves to sit with all her blankets, paper and of course, her skateboard. I did capture a photo of Honey B in her shaded spot enjoying the award winning book, “The Chimpanzee Chronicles” a just released book by Debra Rosenman (which includes a story written by Diana!). And notice the handsome cover model. 🙂

It’s been too hot for much walking today, that is, until now. As Chad and I have wrapped up things in the chimp house, and all the other chimpanzees are in bed, Jamie has decided we should enjoy the evening now that the sun is going down and a nice breeze is coming up. Wishing you all a lovely, Jamie-style, evening!