Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Sponsor-a-day

Today is for chimp love

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Today we celebrate love, not only in it’s countless beautiful forms, but also for what it makes possible. And making this day even more special, a day of sanctuary love was sponsored for the chimpanzees by both Kathleen Corby and Secrette Miller.

I don’t think I could ever sum up all the love we have in our hearts for the chimpanzees and the gratitude we have that they are able to live the lives they do. Kathleen shared this heartfelt message which definitely speaks for us all:

“I love Missy, Annie, Negra, Burrito, Jamie, Jody and Foxie. Why not celebrate their life in Sanctuary on The Day of LOVE?! I cannot fathom what their lives must have been like during the decades before they arrived at CSNW. I have great respect and admiration for what they had to overcome and for who they are today. May love and generosity fill every day of their lives. And may the Cle Elum Seven always serve as an example of the importance that all captive chimpanzees deserve the right to live a life full of good health, comfort and care, choices, friendships, and LOVE. Sanctuary is love. Let’s all celebrate our CSNW Love today!”

Kathleen and Secrette, thank you so much for sponsoring such a special day for the chimpanzees and for all that you both do to give them a life full of love. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Speaking of love, we’ve received a lot of it over the past two weeks during our Share the Chimp Love campaign. So much, that we increased our goal! Joan and Pat Borders, who gave us a generous $2,500 gift early on in the fundraising made another $1,000 gift, and yesterday we received a $1,000 gift from the Armstrong Family as well, pushing us well beyond our original goal of $12,000. Now we have just $209 to go to reach our new goal of $14,000 on the 14th! Many thanks to EVERYONE who has donated! For those who haven’t, there’s still time!  You can make a gift for a loved one, yourself, or just to celebrate love.

For inspiration, here are some photos of the chimps celebrating love:

Annie and Missy:

annie lovingly gazing at missy

Negra:

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Burrito:

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Jody:

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Foxie and Dora:

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Jamie:

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Be sure to check the blog later today to see the chimpanzees’ 2015 Valentine’s Day celebration!

Today is for loved ones

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Very appropriately for the day before Valentine’s Day, today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by two caring people in honor of loved ones.

 

Doris Wunch is honoring her husband, William Goodman, with this sponsor-a-day message: “This Friday, February 13, is my husbands birthday. As a animal lover, he will be honored to share his day with these fun loving chimpanzees as they enjoy their freedom in the beautiful northwest.”

 

Virginia Ray sponsored the day in honor of her mother with this message, “In memory of my Mom who raised me to have a great love of all creatures.”

 

It’s very touching for the humans at the sanctuary to learn more about donors and their loved ones through the Sponsor-a-Day program and to be able to share wonderful people and touching messages with our supporters. And these messages of love are also helping to provide for the care of the chimpanzees.

On our social media sites this week leading up to Valentine’s Day, we’ve been sharing “Love is…” images. With these loving messages for today’s day of sanctuary from Doris and Virginia, it only seemed fitting to share them in this post

 

William, we wish you the happiest of birthdays filled with the things you love, and Virginia, we hope you will have many memories of your mother today remembering what made her the happiest in life. Thank you for being a part of the chimpanzees’ happiness.

 

Lovie is for Annie

 

Love is for Burriot

 

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Love is for Jamie

 

Love is for Jody

 

Love is for Missy

We will post Negra’s message on our social media sites tomorrow – you can view our public Facebook page even if you’re not signed up with your own Facebook account.

 

Happy Birthday, Judy!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by the chimpanzees’ good friend, Judy Nash! Today is Judy’s birthday and she shared this beautiful message:

“February 12th is my birthday and I can’t think of a better gift to get than sharing with the Cle Elum Seven. These individuals have a special place in my heart and it gives me great joy to watch them blossom and enjoy sanctuary life.”

Judy, we’re so lucky to have you in the chimpanzees’ lives! What a compassionate way to celebrate your life, along with theirs. Thank you so much for all you do to help ensure a sanctuary home in which the chimpanzees can grow and bloom as the amazing individuals they are. We wish you the happiest of days!

This guy says eat lots (and lots) of food and do some hooting!

Burrito with chow in mouth

Today is in memory of Joseph

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Jean McNeill in memory of Joseph, her partner of 35 years. Joseph passed away 7 years ago and would have been 66 today. He was a lover of chimpanzees and all creatures in need and we are so touched that Jean is sharing this special day with the sanctuary. Jean is a long time friend and supporter of the chimpanzees and helps all of the primates here at CSNW at every opportunity. She is  pals with each of these amazing chimpanzees and makes a direct difference in their lives in so many ways. And she even helps to ensure we humans have what we need to provide quality care for the chimpanzees and their home.

Life offers us so many moments and loved ones to celebrate, remember and honor. I don’t think we could ever stop being amazed when someone chooses to include the chimpanzees in these special times.

Jean, thank you so much for honoring Joseph’s memory through the gift of sanctuary and for including each of the chimpanzees in your life in such a meaningful way. We are honored to have Joseph remembered here today. You provide the chimps with hope, love, home and sanctuary and we’re so grateful to have you as part of our chimp family.

Jamie working hard patrolling Young’s Hill:

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Jody, Missy, Annie, Foxie and Burrito:

bunch of chimps on a structure

and Queen Negra, enjoying her throne of blankets in the sun:

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web negra nest sleep cute close up window PR IMG_9580

In memory of Susan von Beck Turner

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by James and Jennifer Douglas to honor the memory of their dear friend, Susan von Beck Turner, and shared this heartfelt message about her: “Susan touched the lives of many dogs and humans and made them better.”

Susan had a lifelong passion for rescuing dogs and saved hundreds, healing their health and spirits and finding them forever homes. When Susan’s own dog, Cardiff, began failing in health and she was unable to find the kind of boarding care she wanted for him, she decided to leave her job and went on to build a well-respected and successful dog boarding facility, Cardiff’s Lodge, here in Washington. Sadly, after a long illness, Susan passed away last October. Today would have been her 52nd birthday. If you would like to learn more about Susan and her life, you may do so here.

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James and Jen, thank you so much for being a part of the chimpanzees’ family and for all you do to make their lives better. We are touched that you have chosen to honor Susan’s legacy of care and compassion in this way today.

And to Susan’s husband, Ed Turner, and your family, we share our deepest sympathy for your loss and wish for you the comfort and peace she brought to so many beings. We are so honored to be part of the difference that Susan’s life continues to make in the world.

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Bill and Nicki Walters – more celebration!

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Mari and Adam Osuna are continuing the three day streak of honoring Bill Walters for his birthday, and they are also honoring Bill’s wife Nicki, who was the first to sponsor-a-day in honor of Bill’s birthday.

As Mari and Adam suggest: “let’s keep the party going for Bill’s Birthday!”

We at the sanctuary are more than happy to do just that.

If you missed the first blog and you’re curious who this couple is who obviously have some very caring and generous friends, you can read about Bill and Nicki on their business page.

Many thanks to Nicki, Kenneth, and now Mari and Adam for sponsoring the last three days in honor of Bill.

Parties are an important part of sanctuary life, too. Celebrating and having fun with friends is good for everyone. Burrito is often the most enthusiastic party-goer amongst the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees, and here are a few photos demonstrating his enthusiasm:

Burrito with easter basket

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burrito licking bottle

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with his friend Foxie:

Burrito with Foxie

Happy Birthday, Bill!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Nicki Walters in honor of her husband, Bill, on his birthday! Bill and Nicki are the owners of Pooper Trooper and their mission is to give back by supporting local animal welfare groups. They have been long-time supporters of the chimpanzees and wanted to share this special day with them.

Bill, we understand you are a huge Seahawks fan! And while we recognize this may be a bit of a sensitive subject right now, maybe you will find this photo of Burrito playing a little relatable…

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and nevertheless, a party is a party! At least if you are Burrito:

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Bill and Nicki, thanks so much for all you do for our animal friends and for celebrating your own special day by making the chimpanzees’ day better. Bill, many pant hoots to you from all of the primates here at CSNW! Happy Birthday! We hope you have the best one yet!