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March 14, 2011
Dear Friends,
I am writing to you through my tears. We have had so much
sadness at the sanctuary, and I haven’t been able to bring
myself to write about our losses until now. Three of our
favorite monkeys have left us with aching hearts. Earlier this
year, Lucy and Cappy died together the same night, leaving
Puchi alone. Now Jimmy Sr. is gone and Chi Chi is without the
loving companionship she cherished for the past ten
years.
I was privileged to have these three magnificent beings in
my life. They all had suffered through long hardships before
they found refuge at Jungle Friends. Lucy was near death at
the hands of a neglectful hoarder. Jimmy Sr. lived with the
abuse from an organ grinder, then more years confined as a pet
store display. I am so thankful they all found their way into
the sanctuary and into our hearts. Here they found love and
compassion with their monkey and human friends.
Every morning was a miracle when we found Lucy still with
us, still hanging on though her body was ravaged by cancer.
Lucy and Cappy were inseparable, even leaving this life
together. They passed within the same hour. Their companion,
Puchi, was distraught when his long-time friends were gone,
but his many human friends at the sanctuary lavished love and
attention on him so he would not feel so alone.
In truth, Puchi has recovered from his loss better than I
have. I am thankful that Lucy no longer has to suffer, but I
just can’t wrap my head around the fact that Cappy is gone. I
think monkeys are more insightful about these things. I miss
Cappy’s screams of delight whenever I approached -- he was so
happy to see me. He wasn’t looking for a treat; he didn’t want
anything from me except my love. You just don’t find that kind
of love very often and I feel that loss every day.
I was not ready for another blow. About 3:00 a.m.
yesterday, Mimi alerted me that Jimmy Sr. was in trouble. I
ran to his enclosure and my heart dropped when I saw that he
was gone. Chi Chi was by his side threatening us, protecting
her dear old friend. You could see in her eyes that she was
very upset, not sure what to do. She did not want us to take
Jimmy from her. I am sure that she felt so alone.
Later that morning we moved Puchi and Chi Chi to adjacent
habitats, leading up to a formal introduction. Although they
are different species of capuchins, we feel they will be a
great comfort to each other. Chi Chi and Puchi are probably
the most affectionate monkeys at Jungle Friends. Both are very
kind, both are elderly, and foraging is their favorite
pastime. We all think they will make a great couple and enjoy
a tender relationship.
Coming from such troubled pasts, I believe our departed
friends found their “golden years” at Jungle Friends
especially sweet. They lived their lives here with such
enthusiasm, such flair, and that is how we will remember them:
Cappy’s huge grin when he spotted a friend or wrestled with
his pal Puchi; Jimmy’s amazing leaps when he felled an
obliging volunteer with a well aimed bit of mulch; Lucy’s
strong spirit as she continued to live and love on her own
terms, long past the doctor’s prognosis. I am thankful for the
opportunity I had to care for these dear friends, and for the
loving memories I will have forever.
P.S. GREAT
NEWS!! It is now March 15th and we
have had a new development - Chi Chi and Puchi are TOGETHER!
They were foraging side-by-side yesterday and then Puchi
groomed Chi Chi and in the night we found them both snuggled
up right next to each other! |
Remembering Cappy
