Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

Missy

In memory of Debera

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Long-time friend of the sanctuary and volunteer, Jen Douglas, sponsored a day of sanctuary today in memory of Debera Verlinda. Jen shared this message about her gift:

“My friend Debera had the honour of sharing her birthday with Missy! She passed away on July 17th but hope Missy is willing to share the spotlight with her today, as she was truly a special person. Debera and I volunteered together at Homeward Pet on the Wednesday morning dog-walking shift for 13 years. We also volunteered together at CSNW. We had such good times through the years with all the dogs. She was an inspiration to me, she was a talented artist, loving, compassionate, selfless and very courageous and positive throughout her battle with cancer. I feel so privileged to have known her. She lived life to the full for the time that was left and made this world a better place for both people and animals. I’ll always miss her. Here’s to Debera and Missy!”

Jen, this is a such a lovely way to remember someone, and to be remembered. We’re so sorry to know of Debera’s passing and for the loss of your dear friend. Thank you so much for honoring Debera’s legacy and for giving us the opportunity to celebrate her and the compassionate and inspirational life she led.

Another special and inspiring woman whose birthday we are celebrating today: Missy! Party preparations are under way as we get ready for Missy’s 45th birthday! Be sure to check in later today (especially if you share in Missy’s love of tomatoes 😉 ). It’s a good day for birthdays.

For Terry, Foxie and Missy!

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Mike Stockdale sponsored a day of sanctuary today with this fantastic note: “This donation is in honor of my wife Terry on her birthday August 14 and to the chimps who share her birthday month. Please use the extra money for enrichment for the entire group.”

We love this! Mike, thank you so much for celebrating Terry and our August birthday ladies, Foxie and Missy! We really appreciate you thinking of them all in such a sweet and generous way!

Happy Birthday, Terry! This was a good month to be born! 🙂 Even if your birthday doesn’t involve smoothies, watermelon bowls, Orange Blossom dolls and more tomatoes than you can possibly eat (unless you’re Missy), we hope it’s the best one yet!

Missy and Foxie:

In honor of everyone who is helping the chimps

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Darcy Collart sponsored this really lovely day of sanctuary for, well, us all!

“Thank you to all the people who work so hard to rescue, take care of, and support these wonderful and deserving chimps! This includes all the rescuers, caregivers, donors, and/or defenders. You are so needed and appreciated!”

Darcy, this is such a kind, uplifting thing to do! Thank you!! As you stated so beautifully, there are a myriad of ways to care for each of these amazing chimpanzee people, none of which would be possible without the incredible support, dedication and love of so many amazing humans. We couldn’t do it without you all. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making the chimps’ lives here in their sanctuary home possible.

Honey B:

Foxie:

Mave and Willy B:

Jody and Burrito:

Jamie:

Jamie, Foxie, Missy, Annie and Burrito::

Digital Field Trip

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Last Thursday we hosted a digital field trip with Northwest VEG. They are an amazing non-profit that offers all kinds of education, they create positive change, and help to build a stronger community and environment. I mean who doesn’t want to be a part of something like that! Please check out their website to see what they are up to!

We feel so lucky to have collaborated with them. Northwest VEG really understands the importance of sanctuaries and how crucial it is to educate people of all ages about the values that sanctuaries hold. I personally really loved working with them because they are such kind people, they’re respectful of the chimps, their needs, and our boundaries. As a sanctuary we rarely have public visits, especially now with COVID-19 we are not doing any visits. If you are not familiar with our philosophy on visits you can check out our website. This opportunity was very special and the participants asked a lot of hard questions and fun ones too.

My favorite question asked was, “What is the best part of the sanctuary?”. This may sound like an easy question. However, this was a hard question that I don’t think I gave justice to. There is so much that goes into that answer. Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest allows for the chimps to have freedom and choices, which are two things that humans took away. We all know humans took so much and that this is not their natural life, nor should it be. So I guess we could start there. They get to have choices. Another aspect is to see the chimps’ resiliency and watch the chimps grow as individuals. For example, Annie is now a much more bold and confident chimp. She sometimes swipes food from the other chimps and isn’t as afraid to test the waters and see if she can climb the social ladder. Foxie, for all the things she is unsure of, has become more brave than ever. She climbs and explores unfamiliar structures, and though blankets are one thing she won’t conform to, her love for dolls has expanded. One example that makes my heart happy and hurt all at the same time is Willy B going outside onto the new courtyard, an extension of Young’s Hill. He is getting more comfortable every day! It is something to celebrate and also if you think about it, that is something he should have never had to fear. Though we can never give them the life they should have had in the wild, we hope this is close.

If you want to have an experience like this one look out for our online auction, HOOT! 2020 on Saturday, September 12th, where you will be able to bid on a virtual tour of CSNW!

Most of my photos today are of Jamie. I hope you enjoy!

Jamie was having a very good day. I received my new cleaning boots yesterday from a very kind donor! They are the same pattern, octopus, just with less holes. Jamie, being the encyclopedia of boots noticed right away!

And Jamie approved. Though, her favorites are still Diana’s blue whale ones.

She is a very observant individual.

<3

Then there was Burrito.

A few days ago this is how I found Burrito nesting.v

This is a photo of Jody and her sweet heart shaped brow ridge.

Willy B has been nesting on the ground with some very plush blankets lately.

Mave nesting under the food chute.

Honey B. I just love this photo. You can see the intensity in her eyes.

I thought I would share some cattle pictures, just because.

Betsy.

Meredith.

Nutmeg.

And Honey.

I will leave you all with a photo I just took before closing up the chimp house for the night. It is a photo of Burrito and Jody nesting next to each other on a bench in the front rooms. Jody spent 15 minutes making her nest perfect. Burrito gathered 3 blankets and put one over his head. Goodnight everyone!

 

 

 

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):

In memory of Ashley

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Today, Cynthia McCloskey sponsored a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees in memory of Ashley McCloskey:

“This day marks six months of missing Ashley. Ashley loved animals and we’d like to honor her memory today by sponsoring a day for the chimpanzees. She would love this, doing something for animals in her name. We love you and miss you Ashley! Hope all the chimps have a great day today. We love following their stories.”

Cynthia, we’re so sorry for your loss. Our hearts are touched by your choosing to honor Ashley in this way for the chimpanzees, thank you. We hope some of the comfort and joy you’ve helped provide the chimps surrounds you and all of Ashley’s loved ones as you hold her in your hearts today, and always.

Annie and Missy grooming one another:

Missy and Annie:

Annie:

Happy Birthday, Julie!

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Many thanks to Karen Olson who is sponsoring this day of sanctuary in honor of her sister, Julie Olson:

“Happy Birthday to the best sister anyone could ever have!”

As you may recall, we recently celebrated Karen’s birthday which was sponsored by Julie! It’s an incredibly uplifting and hopeful thing when we get to see those of you who are family and friends choose to celebrate one another by coming together to contribute to the chimpanzees’ lives, their well-being and happiness. To count them as part of your family.

Happy Birthday, Julie! We’re so grateful to you and Karen for all you’ve done, and continue to do, to ensure the chimpanzees and cattle have days full to the brim with the best we can possibly provide them. All of us here at CSNW send you wishes for the happiest of days!

Missy and Annie: