Posts by J.B.
Fun for One
I’ve known few chimpanzees (or humans, for that matter) that could entertain themselves quite like Burrito. He’s not always playful but when he is, he is as close to pure joy as I’ve witnessed. While Chad and I were cleaning Playroom 1 this morning and Jamie and the gang were grooming on the greenhouse platform,…
Read MoreReintroduction Update
Back in late October, we began “reintroducing” the members of Cy’s family to one another with the hope of creating a more stable social group. The idea, in short, was to split off the alpha, Cy, along with the dominant but short-tempered and socially awkward Willy B, until their relationship with one another was clear.…
Read MoreEarly Christmas!
With the success of the Fill the Fridge for the Holidays fund in our Comfort & Joy 2024 online auction, we thought we’d bring Christmas to the sanctuary a little early. Grace and Kelsi ordered some extra special treats along with our usual produce delivery and the staff set about decorating the trees on the…
Read More(Un)Serious Business
For Jamie, territorial patrols are serious business. For her ragtag crew? Not so much. Giving Tuesday is tomorrow, but thanks to a special early bird offer, you can double your gift now! In addition to the generous year-end matching donor, a couple came forward with a $5,000 match specific for Giving Tuesday! Double your gift…
Read MoreDistractions
Sometimes, while cleaning, I can hear George Costanza saying, “We’re making incredible time!” Patting myself on the back, I begin to think about all of the things we can get done with a few extra minutes before lunch all the snacks I could eat from the snack cupboard while taking a leisurely break. But then…
Read MoreAfter Lunch Activities
Primate chow always tastes best after a long walk. The chimps in Jamie’s group often take a stroll around Young’s Hill just after lunch. Many will take their chow bags—paper lunch bags filled with primate biscuits that are given out after their fruits, veggies, and nuts—and eat them outside. But Jamie saves hers until she…
Read MoreNowhere to Hide
There’s a drive-up window in Burrito’s playroom where he can order up play partners any time he wants. Even if no one is in the kitchen we’ll catch a glimpse of him on the security monitor, so he knows we won’t leave him waiting long. It certainly makes getting things done difficult at times but…
Read MoreThe Matchmaker
We often describe Rayne as being socially savvy. She seems to have a special ability to understand the needs of her group mates—in particular, to recognize their limitations and vulnerabilities and adjust to them. This is especially evident in her interactions with Willy B but it’s true of all of her relationships to varying degrees.…
Read MoreHappy Jamieween!
It was a day filled with boots, books, food, friends, and long walks with rag dolls come to life—a chilly but otherwise perfectly spooky day to celebrate the birth of our favorite now-47-year-old trickster, Jamie. Happy Jamieween, everyone! Can you guess who the pumpkin thief was this year? Don’t forget that today is the last…
Read MoreAllow Me to Reintroduce Myself
The integration of Cy’s group and Willy B’s group in the spring of 2022 resulted in countless benefits to members of each: Willy B finally got to groom with the boys, Mave and Dora became instant and inseparable best friends, Honey B discovered the joys of morning mall-walking with her girl gang, and everyone found…
Read MoreSometimes You Just Need a Hug
Burrito sure is a good friend.
Read MoreFall is the Best Season
According to personal experience, the internet, the faculties of reason and good judgment, and nearly every facet of observable and measurable reality, fall is the best season—pumpkin spice notwithstanding. Sure, I enjoy the green shoots of spring, the long days of summer, and the fact that pushing snow around with a big tractor is considered…
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