Missy and Annie with big playfaces

Play, play, play

October 17, 2008 by Diana -

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I don’t know what it was – the weather, the shed being built, or new-found stardom for the Cle Elum Seven, but the chimpanzees were SO playful today. Jamie was sporting a shirt and her tutu for most of the day, and I saw each of the chimpanzees playing at some point. I was able to catch a few photos. The one of Jamie hanging is so precious to me – she reminds me of a little girl. Of course, she’s not a little girl – she’s ony a few years younger than me, but perhaps today, for whatever reason, she felt young again. (For a bit of background on the chimpanzees wearing clothing, please see this blog post).

Missy and Annie with big playfaces Missy and Annie with big playfaces
Jamie playing by herself
Jamie and Foxie playing - in style and with trollJamie and Foxie playing – in style and with troll

9 Comments

  1. Avatar Denice on October 17, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    I volenteered today for a couple of hours and it truely was a great day for all.
    The weather was picture perfect.
    The “tutu” was most fitting.
    The play faces were plenty.
    The laughs were many .
    No sand was thrown.
    No spitting was done.
    It was a great day for all primates……………



  2. Avatar Andrée on October 17, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    Beautiful! I love their playface : )



  3. Avatar Margaret and Karen on October 17, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    We love it, love it, love it! Our Jamie is such a kick. And it is always lovely to see Annie and Missy together.



  4. Jeani Goodrich on October 17, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Oh what beautiful faces! And Diana, I agree with you, the picture of Jamie hanging in her tutu is very precious. I especially love her toes curled up together. She reminded me off the now 25 year old who wouldn’t go anywhere unless she was dressed in a tutu until she turned 5. I guess kindergarten made her put clothes on. Glad the Cle Elum 7 can be who they are, when they want to be, and not care who knows it.
    Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures. And Foxie, as always, is wonderful with her trolls.



  5. Avatar Steph on October 17, 2008 at 10:32 pm

    I love the playfaces! They look so happy. It makes me feel happy just looking at them. Thanks for sharing.



  6. Avatar Theresa on October 18, 2008 at 8:52 am

    My morning did not go well until I saw these pictures. Jamie in her tutu hanging from the bars not only made me laugh it brought happy tears to my eyes. To be able to play and have fun and do whatever they want is the gift you all have bestowed on them. It’s a very heartwarming thing to see. You guys rock!!



  7. Avatar Jill on October 18, 2008 at 10:42 am

    I love that every entry about the Cle Elum sevens’ behavior is a constant reminder how close to humans they are. What girl didn’t dress up in tutu’s and what child didn’t swing from the “monkey” bars on the playground? Thank you for all your posts and glimpses into how happy the chimps are now. I know I can always come to this site to cheer me up when I’m feeling down and at times helpless about all the animal welfare changes I want to see in this world. You all are a constant inspiration to me!



  8. Avatar Cindy on October 18, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    Laughter is the best medicine, after yesterday’s soberingly hopeful look at Jody, to see such shear joyful abandon today is infinitely more moving and inspiring. Right up there in the best things is laughing with happy chimps!!!! I had a long tiring day and coming home to play faces and Jamie in her tutu was just perfect!!!!!!



  9. Avatar Shelly on October 19, 2008 at 10:26 am

    Oh my gosh!! These photos are SO GREAT!!!!! I can tell by the comments that everyone else has made – that we share in the sheer joy the chimps are experiencing now. My heart physically lifted and I instantly felt SO happy when I saw these photos. Just melts me to see these chimps enjoying themselves. The tutu and playfaces are classics!



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