He keeps going, and going, and going…
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Happy 38th Birthday Burrito!
Today we celebrated Burrito’s 38th birthday! The fact that Burrito has a birthday today fills my heart with more joy than words can express, and I am sure I am not alone. It is fun to watch Burrito get back to his old self, but also to see him grow more as well. For example, Burrito going for walks/runs around the Hill on his own or Jamie letting him join too. Don’t quote me on this because it may not last forever, he does do big displays, but overall he seems more relaxed. Every day with Burrito is a blessing. Burrito is loved by many all over the country. Burrito has the most infectious laugh and smile, he is sweet, he is funny, he is also wild at times, and he is that bright light we all need. I think Chad said it best yesterday! If you are like, “What did Chad say yesterday”? You must read yesterday’s blog and then come back to this video!
This guy spent his day doing all of his favorite things. He played, non-stop! We had a snow party before lunch, he groomed with friends, ran around the Hill, played some more, and of course ate pasta! Due to popular demand, the pasta cam is back! The food squeaks in this video are unbelievable, look out for Jody’s. Burrito had a great day and we hope you did too!
The Tickle Monster
If Mave were a superhero, her superpower would be the ability to tickle anyone into submission – or at least into a better mood.
We hope you all had a good start to the new year!
Goodbye 2020 and Good Riddance
As the year is winding down, I think all of us are ready to say goodbye to 2020 and embark on a more hopeful 2021! To say we all want to kick 2020 to the curb would be an understatement! 2019 at CSNW was such an exciting and scary year. The introduction of the two chimp groups is something we unintentionally do not discuss unless asked. It was, to be honest, a little traumatizing. When 2020 came around we all couldn’t wait to move on. Burrito was on the mend and we were looking forward to the future. But 2020 brought a pandemic. Sadly, due to covid, we couldn’t have our amazing volunteers come to help us. We strapped on our PPE and tried to carry on, but the hardest part I think we’ve all dealt with and are still dealing with as care staff is the stress of protecting the chimps from COVID-19. For me personally, it comes in waves. I know we have to trust in PPE, but it doesn’t make it not scary. We have all made sacrifices and have lost time with our loved ones, but their welfare is so much more important! We all seem to be managing well enough with our new normal and healing from our old wounds from 2019. Then, the rattlesnake incident happened. Burrito, as we have all said a thousand times, is truly an amazing individual! He has never let life get him down. He always survives and only gets stronger, though if you ask me, he can stop having almost near-death experiences at any time. But his spirit is inspiring! He might be what has got me through this year. Burrito has an appetite for life and has also never seemed happier! So not to dwell too much, but our year and some hasn’t been the best. BUT, through all of our adversities, we have SO much to look forward to!
We are looking forward to the future! We are so close to having the new playrooms finished! Six new chimps will come here to call CSNW home, which means there are going to be more social opportunities for Honey B, Mave, and Willy B, even though that sounds a little scary to us too :). Chimp relationships are so much more important. Though we cherish our moments with the chimps, their relationships with each other are far more important. And of course, we have Burrito!
The other thing that got us through 2020 was all of you. Our supporters and donors. When it felt like the world had lost humanity I always looked to the CSNW supporters. And we know the chimps helped you all through these difficult times through the blogs. However, you all helped us through our trying times. Your faith, support, and kindness has helped us get through 2019, 2020, and will help us through 2021 and years to come. Thank you for your support through donations, but also through your loving and kind words. You all will never know how much you kept us going during these trying times.
Okay, that is enough feelings for one day. We all know it’s been a crazy year so let’s all put 2020 behind us and watch some chimps play and look at their portraits below! Cheers to a new year!
Foxie.
Jamie.
Annie play biting Burrito.
Annie.
Neggie.
Honey B’s Toy Inspection
Although Honey B is relative newcomer to the sanctuary, it’s hard to imagine life without her. Her spontaneity is so fun to watch and her wild spirit is infectious! I think all of us caregivers can agree she makes us do the silliest things we may not have never thought we would do. Honey B’s creativity is the most amazing part about her. You really can never guess what she will do next. Because of her creative mind and her spontaneity options are limitless!
Last week, we decided to give her an early Christmas present. There were so many amazing gifts that would be given out all at once and we didn’t want Honey B to overlook it in all the commotion. However, Honey B of course notices everything! This present was specifically picked out for her. She seems to love scooting around on her scooter and enjoys spinning around on the big mirror in the Mezzanine. So it only made sense that we try out one of the spin wheels! Honey B decided before she would give it a go, she had to make sure the toy was sturdy. I mean, I think we all understand that logic. No one is going to walk out on ice if they think they will fall through or lay on a hammock without feeling steady before you lay down! Honey B also, as you will see, decided it needed a wash and she was right. We had not washed it yet! To know Honey B is truly a wild ride and an honor.
Bonus photos!!!
Negra briefly went out this morning for a snow snack!
Burrito watched everyone go out first before he joined.
Jody eating some snacks.
Missy by Jo’s side.
And Jamie of course!
A Taste of What’s to Come
I should know better than to make predictions regarding construction timelines but I think it’s safe to say that we are within a couple months of the “Cali 3” moving into their new playrooms. Then, assuming our year-end fundraising is successful, we move on to completing the greenhouses. When that is done, we plan to welcome six more chimps and then create a 2nd two-acre habitat. It’s going to be a busy year!
Chimps always seem to know when the things we are building are meant for them. When we built Young’s Hill in the summer of 2011, the Cle Elum seven knew right away that it was their new habitat. How would they have known that? They’d spent their lives in small cages and hadn’t been outdoors since they were little kids, if ever. And surely they had never seen an electric fence before. But somehow they knew. In fact, months before we were ready to let them out, I took out my keys to unlock a chain near the entrance to the new enclosure and the chimps began hugging and screaming – they thought I was letting them out! Needless to say, I felt pretty bad about that. Luckily, they did go out later that summer and now Young’s Hill is part of their home. Honey B, Willy B, and Mave are just as ready to claim their new spaces and we’re looking forward to seeing them run, climb, and swing their way through the new playrooms and beyond.
In addition to the video above, I thought I’d share some bonus photos of Foxie from this morning. This is typical Foxie – she starts our patrolling with the gang and then wanders off by herself. She’s got a real independent streak.
Fast, Just like Missy!
What better timing that yesterday’s blog was all about how fast Missy is and today’s blog is all about how fast Honey B is. I am not sure anyone is as fast as Missy, but that might be a trait Missy gave to her daughter Honey B! Unlike her mom who is more of a chimp’s chimp, Honey B likes to seek out her caregiver’s attention if it is an option, though she does enjoy spending time with Mave and Willy B too! Honey B is a very creative person. She loves making up silly games and she always has us laughing! One of her favorite games might be where she has a caregiver chase her, then she sprints out into the chute, and busts back through the door at a full sprint! I was only able to catch a short moment of Honey B playing this game, but I assure you all it went much longer (Willy B slept through all of it)! Sometimes she even likes to sprint up into the mezzanine, run around upstairs, swing on the bars, climb down the ladder downstairs, sprint out through the chute, and then of course repeat! After Honey B has burned off a small amount of energy, she usually appreciates it if you sit with her. This is where she would enthusiastically groom the person she is with or simply stare into your eyes and relish your company. Honey B really just likes spending quality time with her people, human or non-human.
It’s now time for Honey B to get her beauty sleep!
