In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move. ~Henry Rollins
Photos from today.
Foxie & Burrito:
Jody:
Missy:
running
MISSY on the 6th Day of HOOT!
Since we are racing around getting ready for tomorrow, Missy seemed the perfect choice to acknowledge the eve of the HOOT! 2016 gala.
When Young’s Hill was first opened, we described Missy as “a spring that was coiled up for decades, just waiting to be released.” She embodies the idea that sanctuary is not just a place of comfort and safety, but also a place of opportunity. When Missy finally had the opportunity to run, she seized it and did not let go.
In rare moments of stillness, which could easily be misinterpreted as resting or recuperating, Missy is in fact plotting her next adventure. Her eyes survey the landscape for the next hill to climb or the next tightrope to walk. Thirty years in a cage is a long time…too long to ever let an opportunity go to waste.
We’re so excited about the opportunities before us this year, and we intend to move forward with every bit as much determination as Missy. Tomorrow at Hoot!, we will raise funds for the next phase of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest so that more chimpanzees can call this sanctuary home.
As chimpanzee research comes to an end, let us ensure that every chimpanzee can finally feel the joy that Missy has discovered.
Missy doing what she does best
Missy seems to have boundless energy and is the chimpanzee most likely to be seen climbing structures with absolute ease, fire hose walking without so much as a wobble (or the use of her hands) and also sprinting around Young’s Hill at full speed. I think JB’s description of her being like a coiled up spring waiting to be released captures her spirit perfectly.
After foraging for lunch on Young’s Hill, Missy made her way up to the top of the hill and climbed the tallest structure. She barely sat down long enough on Carlene’s Tower to take in the view of the valley below before heading over the bridge and climbing back down. And then she was off, doing what Missy does best.
Fan Mail
Today on the sanctuary’s Facebook page, I asked fans which chimp of the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees they were most drawn towards. A lot of people couldn’t chose among the seven, not surprisingly.
Some people were able to name names, however, and comments about what draws people to the chimps keep coming in, including this great comment from volunteer and friend of the Seven, Katie Patterson: “Missy has an energy and enthusiasm for life that is contagious, especially considering everything she has been through.”
Here are a couple of photos of Missy taken earlier this week that epitomize that energy:
airborne!
It’s so great for the other six chimpanzees to have Missy as a role model for enthusiasm!
Thanks to Katie and everyone who has shared their thoughts about the chimps on our Facebook page this afternoon. Keep posting – it’s great to hear what you like about the chimps!
Giving Missy a run for her money
There’s no question that Missy gets the most out of Young’s Hill. She has always been very playful and energetic, so we expected her to be in her element out on the hill. But I am still shocked to see Jody running. I think Jody might be a little surprised herself, given the face she makes when she runs!
Jamie running
Missy isn’t the only one who’s getting plenty of running in on the hill. It’s so awesome seeing the chimps getting to really run a relatively long distance for perhaps the first time in their lives. They are getting so much exercise!
