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Darwin, Howard and Marvin
April 6, 2009
Dear Friends of Jungle Friends,
I have both happy and sad news to share.
On the happy side: Darwin is doing really great! It seems that we now have his medication regimen figured out and it's working, whew! For many long weeks, Darwin had to stay our clinic, where his wounds could be monitored and re-bandaged, and our carestaff could watch over him during his every waking moment. (Read more about Darwin's neuropathy here) At last Darwin is healed and back with Dharma! What a reunion! They really missed each other and are very glad to be back together. Darwin went right to work grooming Dharma and evidently, she had really let herself go...
When will I ever get out of this clinic?
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You can go, thanks for bringing him home!
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I need some monkey love!
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Let's take a look at those teeth!
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Let's see, what shall I do next...
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I think I will just take it slow and easy for now!
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On the sad side... I am very sorry to tell you that we have recently suffered two losses.
On March 5, Howard, one of our elderly squirrel monkeys, passed away. He was fine in the morning and came to breakfast; a few hours later, he was found in his outdoor habitat with his eyes closed and unmoving; he looked very peaceful.
Howard enjoys his newfound freedom
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Howard was at least 25 years old; he was captured in the rainforest as a youngster and spent nearly two decades in laboratory research, until he was retired to Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary on August 19, 2004. I remember the day I first met Howard, when I visited the lab negotiating his release - I am so happy that we succeeded and Howard was able to spend his golden years at Jungle Friends. I feel privileged to have known Howard; I sure will miss that little guy and his famous peanut dance!
Kari's first meeting with Howard
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Now, just a few weeks later, my heart is aching again with the loss of another dear soul. Thursday morning, Marvin left us. He was an elderly monkey who was diagnosed with cancer about 8 months ago. Marvin lived longer than the vets anticipated.
Marvin relaxing at Jungle Friends
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Day before yesterday, Marvin did not come out when breakfast was being served. Ashlei called me when she found him curled up indoors and unresponsive. I could tell that he was ready to leave this life for the next. Lucy, Marvin's companion, was beside herself. She shrieked at us, letting us know that our intrusion was not welcome. I don't think Lucy wanted to share the little time she had left with Marvin with the likes of us, so we left them alone to say their goodbyes.
Marvin and Lucy had so many good times together; they were such show-offs! Marvin would chase Lucy around and then Lucy in turn would chase him. They would climb the trees and swing on the ropes as easily as any of the younger monkeys -- the horrible abuse they both suffered was soon forgotten when they joined our Jungle Friends family.
Lucy is actually taking Marvin's death better than I am. I know she will miss Marvin, but I don't think monkeys grieve as we humans do; they probably have a healthier way of dealing with death.
We will all miss our old boys, but Marvin and Howard are now truly free.
Please make a donation to the Laboratory Monkey Retirement Fund in memory of Howard and to our Memorial Medical Fund in memory of Marvin. Thank you in advance for your compassionate support!
Your donations enable us to provide the best possible care for our special needs monkeys. We thank you for your generosity and compassion!
Lots of monkey love,
Kari and the monks
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