The Unsuspecting Friendship
July 27, 2022 by Chad -
Today, my phone sent me a notification of a memory from last year. One year ago, the quarantine period for the Lucky Six ended and got to be closer to their neighbors (at the time): Willy B, Honey B, and Mave. It doesn’t feel like it has been a year, but at the same time it feels like it’s been over a year. A lot has happened since, like the Lucky Six’s “neighbors” aren’t their neighbors anymore. They are one big group. Since they have been living together for almost three months, it’s hard at times to think they were ever two separate groups.
One of the budding relationships we didn’t anticipate in this new group was that of Mave and Dora. During the introduction process, Mave and Dora didn’t necessarily have bad interactions. Their interactions just were never the best. Lackluster is a word that could describe it. They were mostly low key and in short spurts. After the full integration, their friendship really started to come to fruition. At first, it seemed like Mave would just follow Dora constantly with Dora trying to get away. As the weeks went by, and Mave showed Dora what support she could offer as a friend, Dora stopped trying to escape Mave. Or at least as much. There are still times when Dora does want her alone time, but Mave now seems to get the hint when that is. Mave will leave her alone for a little while (but not too long), interact with the others, before returning to Dora.
It is now not an uncommon sight to find these two together in the afternoon, side-by-side.
One day, I even found them like this. Laying down, holding hands, and just staring at each other.
Later on, something startled Dora. I couldn’t see what caused Dora to become upset, but she started alarm calling, followed by screaming, before racing off into the Riverview Greenhouse. Mave was in the other room, but she heard Dora and followed the screams to the greenhouse. As Mave emerged from the Marmot Playroom, Dora leaped towards Mave and they embraced in the most endearing hug I have seen.
That hug seemed to calm Dora down.
I, for one, personally cannot wait to see how this friendship blossoms even further!
Here are some bonus photos from today!
Gordo eating some fingerling potatoes at lunch:
Jamie enjoying a raspberry branch as browse:
Terry in the Riverview Greenhouse with a mouthful of water and wadge in hand:
Jody watching some construction around Young’s Hill:
And resting in the afternoon:
Annie foraging for some pre-breakfast prickly lettuce:
Burrito racing toward me as I was taking the above photo, telling me it’s time to race:
Rayne relaxing inside where it’s cooler:
Dora in her patent Happy Dora Pose:
Cy grooming Mave grooming Willy B:
Cy catching up on all the latest celebrity news a couple of days ago:
We also want to thank our friends at Tru Earth! About a year ago, as an ongoing effort to reduce our environmental footprint, we switched the detergent we use to wash the chimpanzee’s blankets. Tru Earth were kind enough to start a fundraiser store just for us. Twenty percent of every purchase made from this unique URL will go toward the chimpanzees! If you are in need of cleaning supplies or other eco-friendly products, please consider shopping at this site!
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Is there plans to make the 2 groups into one happy family?
No, not after what happened to Burrito
i don’t know what happened to Burrito. Presumably something bad while introducing his group to the other 3?
Yes. A couple of days into the merge, there was a fight at 4:30 am. As a result, Burrito had to be castrated.
Jesus H. Christ!!!!!
such a beautiful story….. reminds me of Missy and Annie …………I think Mave sees a need in Dora that she needs to fill….. she’s a natural mother with a nurturing nature:kissing_heart:
I, too, was thinking of Annie-Missy, Missy-Annie!
This makes my heart so happy!! Don’t we all wish for 1 person that comes into our life for the rest of our life. :revolving_hearts:
Mave is quite the hugger…I still remember when she met Burrito.
Chad do you ever have a day when you’re on that side of the house and are *not* asked to play with Burrito?!
Linda, do you have the date of the Mave/Burrito hug please?
Wonderful photos as always and lovely catch up news.
Hi CarolR.
If you go to youtube and type in “Burrito meets Mave”, it will show up.
Enjoy!
I save so many of the videos, but that one escaped. Just look at those faces….and what a special hug!
I don’t have the date, but here’s the link. The hug that went on forever :slight_smile:
Mave & Dora were close friends as youngsters. So glad they are able to rekindle their friendship thanks to you all! I love Dora’s happy possition! She is truly able to relax in her fabulous loving environment.
Thank you, Nancy, that explains a lot!
Oh that is a great little tid-bit of information from their past! Thank you, Nancy, for sharing that. Makes the friendship all the more endearing now.
Maybe Mave has been waiting to be with her ever since.
…..the Burrito and Mave embrace will live forever…. rated five stars…. w o n and Emmy …..don’t ya know:thumbsup:
Mave and Dora! Dora and Mave! The photos of the two of them holding hands and the reassurance embrace are so dear. I am glad Mave persevered. The best friendships are worth the extra effort as these photos show.
Great stories Chad. Excellent photos of everyone. And thanks for the tip about shopping through the Tru Earth CSNW store!
PS: Hope your BFF Burrito didn’t race you ragged!
Dora is just one little love bunny. It must be heartening to see the relationship grow.
As for Cy, rock on Ozzy!!! Thanks for the laugh. I really needed it.
The pictures of Mave and Dora could not be sweeter. Thanks Chad for a beautiful blog.
Having seen and interacted with the chimps in their previous surroundings, I am just so happy to see the difference in their lives today!! Just the ability to go out into the sun and grass makes my heart sing! Thank you so much!!