Free to Be
March 25, 2016 by J.B. -
Jamie was raised as a performer and then spent two decades in a laboratory. Here at the sanctuary, she is finally free to be a chimpanzee, but more importantly, she is free to be whoever she wants to be.
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And only Jamie can get away with wearing purple boots. Great video!
Beautiful!
Did I see right? Did she pull up the zipper???? Amazing creatures. I love them all so much, no favorites, they are all special in their own right.
Yes, these particular boots are too small for her to fit all the way on her feet, but she does her best to stuff her toes into them and then she zips them up.
That is brilliant.
How did you know she wanted boots in the first place? Did you just happen to put boots in with them or did she see the caretakers wearing them. Same question with the troll dolls. How did you learn all these things.
Jamie is pretty good at making her desires known. When the chimps first arrived at the sanctuary, she became obsessed with a visitor’s boots, so we knew then that she was interested in footwear. From there, we just started putting boots in with the chimps’ enrichment and paying attention to how Jamie reacted to different types. With Foxie, it was dumb luck – Diana just picked up a troll when she was shopping at Goodwill for the chimps, and Foxie fell instantly in love.
Awe, Jeeb, buy her a pair-a-boots that fit! Datz jez cold, man…. ????????
But, srsly. Has she ever actually wanted boots she could wear, like they do with the neck scarves?
They’re just so quirky-n-weird. Makes me a little weepy: they’d prolly accept me as family on the first visit.
Live this! ????????????
Hi Carla – Yes, she’s had a few pairs that fit her, including one pair that was custom made for her by a company in Australia: https://staging.chimpsnw.org/2011/05/these_boots_wre_made_for_walkin/
The problem is that she always needs something new, so after a few weeks, the custom boots aren’t so special anymore…
Sanctuary is a beautiful concept because it allows freedom of self, freedom of personal expression, and the sheer joy of experiencing it all. Sanctuary is a word that you feel with your heart instead of finding a meaning with words. CSNW is a dream come true. But, on another note, those purple passion boots are the bomb! Why oh why can’t boot manufacturers make a boot to fit a small, wide foot so Jamie can patrol Young’s Hill in the style she deserves?!?! Excellent video J.B., thank you!
Great video! The Boss Lady is such a sweetheart!
I’m thinking Jamie was looking for Ellie to try on the new purple boots. Since last time Ellie tried to go on patrol,,,, Jamie was not very impressed with her. lol lol