Missy then and now
November 19, 2009 by Diana -
Every once in a while it’s good to look back to see how far we’ve come. Though we are very focused on the future – the next celebration, the next event, the next fundraising initiative, the next building improvement, etc, looking back can be really motivating.
One way to do this is to see how much the chimpanzees have changed since their arrival to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
The below “before” and “after” photos appear in the 2010 calendar, which you can purchase through the online store (and, yes, I am looking forward to lots of people buying the calendar and sharing the Cle Elum Seven with friends, family and coworkers this year!)
Missy on her first day at CSNW, after years of living as a biomedical research subject and “breeder”
Missy after one year in sanctuary
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Big difference! From little hair on her belly and sparse hair on her arms and legs to a full, thick coat and a dark face that was pale on arrival. Not to mention her sad eyes are now bright. I think looking back on occasion is good to remind people what a big difference a sanctuary with love and good food can make in a laboratory chimp’s life. Every laboratory chimp in the U.S. deserves a life like this. The proof is in the pictures.
I love her hairy tummy and that happy, healthy face. Good job, CSNW.
what a feeling it must be for all the caregivers to look back and then to see all the current positive & healthy progress in them that you nurtured & helped create ..
Missy Socks is lookin’ good ~~ CSNW is awesome.
There’s so much more Missy “in there” in the second picture! Such contentment and amusement and health.
So much to be thankful for!
What an amazing transformation!
Missy had a hysterectomy shortly before coming to the sanctuary. In fact, she almost died following the surgery. Her belly was shaved for the procedure and was still growing back when she arrived. It definitely grew in thicker than it was before. I’m amazed at her face and how much more content and confident she looks now.
She “looked” so much older, haggard, sad, gaunt, drained and just wore out.
Certainly not the Missy I know now…………
Thank you to all who have helped her become frisky, playful, rested, (mischievous) happy and oh so playful in her new environment.
Hey that’s my water bottle!
Wow, that’s amazing. There’s no life behind her eyes in the first one. Only one year and she looks alive again. 🙂
She has a serenity in the second picture which is hard to miss.
I like to look back periodically. It reminds you of how far you’ve come.
Again — what you guys do is tikkun olam — healing the world.
Thank you for looking back. It is indeed good to see the progress. In the first picture there is a very tired looking Missy who looks like she wanted to give up. I can understand why they almost lost her during surgery. What was there for her to look forward to? To see her eyes now! The happiness, contentment, and the joy that shows in her face is so rewarding and I thank everyone who had a part in her happiness unfolding. Way to go CSNW!!!
Jamie – thanks for donating your water bottle to a good cause 😉
You’re sure you didn’t sneak in another chimp while we weren’t looking!! : ) The difference is amazing and proves what a great job you guys are doing. In the old picture.. is that her suture line from her hysterectomy on her belly? I’m so glad she survived her surgery. I wonder how far they would have gone to save her. The labs treat them like disposable goods. Very sad…
On the other side of the spectrum….. CSNW rules!!!!!
By the way — I just want to plug the 2010 calendar. If you don’t have yours yet, it’s even better than the 2009 calendar!