Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

Sponsor-a-day

In honor of Lynn, Dr. Mel, and Burrito!

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Today was sponsored by our two friends, Dawn Garcia and Jo Arroyo, in honor of three more friends who share January birthdays: Lynn Williamson, long-time chimp house (and event and tabling!) volunteer, the late Dr. Mel Richardson, former veterinary to the chimpanzees, and our much beloved guy, Burrito!

“Happy Birthday dear chimpanzee friends and Mr B fans!”

Thanks so much, Dawn and Jo, for celebrating these three special individuals and all they have, and continue to bring, to the lives at the sanctuary and beyond.

Happy Birthday, Lynn! Thank you so much for the difference you make for so many with your kind heart. We’re so lucky to have you as part of our chimp family.

Dr. Mel, your spirit and legacy continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of so many and you are greatly missed.

Burrito, our lives wouldn’t be the same without you. Every. single. day we’re so grateful you were born and that we have the privilege of knowing, and caring for, your resilient, goofy, strong, endearing self.

For Daniela and Runyon

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Today was sponsored by Ellen Greene in honor of Daniela Garofalo with this lovely message:

“This donation is in honor of my dear friend, Daniela’s birthday. Because of her, I formed a close bond with her special canine companion and family member, Runyon.”

Ellen, thank you so much for celebrating your dear friends, Daniela and Runyon, by choosing to add something special to the lives of the chimpanzees. We love seeing the beautiful circle of compassion and care that exists between all species.

Happy Birthday, Daniela! May your and Runyon’s day be a beautiful one filled with what, and who, make your heart full.

Foxie and Missy:

Honey B and Mave:

Annie, Missy, Burrito:

Burrito (foreground), Missy (center), and Annie (rear)

Happy Birthday, Bubs!

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Hearts near and far are full of love and celebration today for Burrito on his 37th birthday! I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that we couldn’t be more grateful, or more full of joy to celebrate this beloved guy, especially after all he’s come through. We even received the gift of a second day of sanctuary sponsorship from dear friend of all the primates here, Kathleen Corby! She sent this beautiful message for Burrito:

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BURRITO! Last year you had one too many trips to that beautiful new medical clinic. May this year be filled with good health, laughter, love, joy, chase games, tug sessions, Slinky madness, and food, food, and more food! Love you sweet boy. Happiness always…..”

Kathleen, thank you so much for adding to this special day!! We so appreciate your amazing presence and support in the chimps’ (and humans’) day to day lives.

Given Burrito’s penchant for snow snacks lately, he must have been doing a snow dance for his birthday all night because this is what we arrived to, along with Burrito blowing raspberries and pointing out the window. Burrito speak for “I need a snow snack immediately, please!”

For the first portion of the party we built crazy snow snacks with frozen grapes and cherries which all the chimps loved. That is, when they could get in to sneak some from the boss, who dragged both the table and the big plastic turtle pool into a corner and went to town. Jamie really had an amazing un-birthday for herself today! 😉

Second party (like second breakfast if you’re a hobbit…or Burrito…or me…) was spaghetti boats for lunch made by Anthony! Burrito LOVES spaghetti!

Naturally, because it was a grand celebration of all things Burrito, all of the chimps, and most especially Burrito, chose to spend their entire day in the warm cozy loft together where I could capture nary a photo!! They’d run down for a snow snack and scurry back upstairs to their nests and each other. But who could blame them?

But for third party, Chad managed to capture a couple photos of Burrito enjoying his birthday dinner forage and holding onto his grab bag.

(Of course, Mave, Honey B and Willy B got to partake in the parties on their side of the house right along with the seven, enjoying snow buckets, spaghetti boats, forages and whole apples! They were more excited over those whole apples than just about anything I’ve seen from them yet).

Despite not being able to capture much on film, to be honest, it made my heart swell just to see Burrito back with the girls, ensconced in their embrace and being groomed by them most of the day, napping near them, eating with them. Finally. Back with his family. And I kinda suspect, Burrito himself couldn’t have wished for a better birthday this year.

Happy Birthday, Bubba!! We love you so very much!!

Happy Birthday, Burrito!

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This very special day of sanctuary was sponsored by Eric DeHart in celebration of Burrito’s birthday!

“My family and I love all the chimps. However, Burrito is my favorite!”

Eric, thank you for sponsoring such a special day and for loving Burrito and his family! We’re so grateful for all the love and care that surrounds them all and truly appreciate your generous gift.

Words could never fully express the profound joy and gratitude we feel today as we celebrate beloved Burrito on his 37th birthday! If anyone was ever deserving of a whole lot of birthday hoopla, it’s this guy. He’s come through so much all these long months and we’re absolutely thrilled to see him returning to his old self and finally back with the girls just in time to party.

Happy Birthday, Bubba, we just love you so much.

Burrito and Foxie:

Happy Birthday, Manuela!

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Manuela Santacreu sponsored a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and shared this lovely message about her gift:

“Avoir cette jolie pensée pour les chimpanzés aujourd’hui illumine mon anniversaire! Je leur souhaite une longue et belle vie et souhaite à toute l’équipe une excellente année.” **Please pardon any inaccuracies in translation: (“Having this lovely thought for chimpanzees today lights up my birthday! I wish them a long and good life and wish the whole team a happy new year.”)

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and wishes, Manuela! We so appreciate you always sharing your own special day with the chimpanzees and the lasting difference you make in their lives through your generous heart. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays from all of us here! May your new year ahead be full of beauty.

Beautiful Miss Honey B:

Queen Neggie:

Sweet Jo:

Honoring the past, present and future

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Long-time friends of the sanctuary, Kery Shaw and Terran Baylor, sponsored this New Year’s Eve day of sanctuary and shared this special message about their gift:

“As I write this, my partner and I pass by a transportation vehicle filled with cows. It’s hard to imagine living in a world where animals still endure so much suffering. I’m grateful for CSNW, a place that provides sanctuary for all beings, not just Chimpanzees and Bovines. I’m grateful for such an incredible organization that fights hard to advocate for animals. Here’s to the past, may we never forget where they came from. To the present, for the chimps, bovine and staff/care givers. To the future, the supporters/donors/ & animal lovers, let’s continue to working hard on making animal cruelty history!!! THANK YOU to all of you for your hard work, generosity & compassion.”

Kery and Terran, thank you so much for always holding the chimps, and all of us, in your hearts and for all you do to bring light to, and relieve the suffering of, all our fellow animals.

Burrito:

Nutmeg and his mama, Betsy:

Honey B:

Happy Birthday, Tracy!

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Tracy Headley sponsored today to celebrate her friends on her birthday! Tracy is a dear friend to the chimpanzees and humans alike and we’re so thrilled to celebrate her and her gracious, kind heart today.

Tracy, thank you for all that you bring to the world and to the lives’ of others, including these ten amazing chimps and four amazing bovines. I suspect you make more of a difference than you’ll ever know. May you have the most joyful of days! Happy Birthday from all of us here!

Foxie, of course: