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A Blossoming Friendship

February 3, 2021 by Kelsi -

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Since Burrito’s life-threatening situations, most particularly the rattlesnake incident, Jamie seems to be more tolerant of Burrito. It wasn’t that they weren’t friends before, they would play or groom from time to time. But something in their friendship has shifted. For example, Jamie often wants to go on walks alone with her caregivers; she will even hideout in the culvert to ditch everyone. Recently though, she doesn’t mind when Burrito joins, she doesn’t even try to ditch him! We find them going on adventures, like climbing the twister. They even share a barrel while eating! He is kind of her shadow sometimes. Could it be that Burrito is less reactive overall, maybe? Could it be the near death experience, possibly? Or it could be a little column A and a little column B, we will never know for certain. But, what I do know is that watching them share a barrel while eating a meal brings me more joy than words can express.

I mean look how close they are!

Burrito wearing a blanket around his neck. It looks like a sweat towel, which makes perfect sense for him because he is always working up a sweat. Wait, no, his caregivers are the ones sweating.

Bonus Mave photo! Personally, I love a good photo of chimps hands or feet clasped together.

7 Comments

  1. Avatar Jane C Olinger on February 3, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    Both the video and the barrel-sharing photos are startling! I never would have imagined these two bonding in such a strongly connected way. Beautiful to witness!



  2. Avatar CeeCee on February 3, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    Oh Jamie, I love how complicated and smart she is.
    She can be so sweet and thoughtful. Maybe Burrito is like that irritating little brother that you totally take for granted…. Until you realize he could be gone.
    Jamie must have picked up on how scared all of you were about Burrito, and she knew how serious it was.
    It seems to me that Burrito has a much different appreciation for life after his scare too.
    I find a lot of inspiration in their “new” relationship.
    Thank you for the great pictures and story today, and everyday 🙂



  3. Avatar Ken on February 3, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    Yes many thanks for the beautiful video today and the such a great story.

    Thank you and have a wonderful evening everyone!



  4. Avatar Chris on February 3, 2021 at 5:53 pm

    Do you think Burrito’s demeanor has changed since his alteration? Maybe less testosterone driven behavior? It seems as though he rarely gets in trouble with the others since his castration. It’s nice to see him getting along so well with everyone. Maybe it’s because he’s just so darned charming.



    • Avatar Linda C on February 3, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      I’ve fwlt the same way. I’ve definitely noticed them together more in the last year.



  5. Avatar Linda C on February 3, 2021 at 6:12 pm

    Lol, Kelsi, you and the hands! 🙂
    I’ll bet you like one of my favs, some of the ladies on the greenhouse lower platform in the summer a year or 2 ago, taken from above, Foxie laying back with her legs raised up against the post, feet clasped.



  6. Avatar Kathleen on February 3, 2021 at 7:33 pm

    Well that was fun! Jamie was so funny in the video on the “down slope” towards the chimp house. I can hear you stomping your feet as a “Come on!” coaxing Jamie to continue after she stopped (and she turns her back on you, pretending she’s totally unaware you’re there. What a tease!). And when Jamie takes off it’s a fake out, she chooses to slow down. Burrito finally takes the lead and Jamie is cool with it. I think Jamie knows, she knows how close we all came to loosing this boy. I get the feeling she knows Burrito takes her mission of patrolling the property very seriously, just like she does. But sharing Jamie’s coveted barrel is another story. Wow. This seals it, Jamie knows for sure that having pesky ol’ Burrito adoringly at her side is a pretty cool thing indeed. And she is grateful. And I am grateful for both of them.

    Thanks Kelsi, such a wonderful post. As always it brought such joy and laughter into my day.



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