November 27, 2008 - Thankful Monkeys - thanks to you!

Dear Friends of Jungle Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving! In this Jungle News, we are going to give you something a little different. Thanksgiving from the monkeys' perspective. But first, allow me to introduce myself, the newest member of the Jungle Friends team.

My name is Shauna, and I joined the staff a couple of months ago as the executive assistant. I am a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in journalism. I have always had a passion for animals, but could never pass chemistry, math, statistics, etc. without some kind of divine intervention (which never came). This job could not be more ideal for me. I get to work around animals all day and do what I am good at and what I truly enjoy. For this, I am very blessed.

My job is to make Kari's, and hopefully everyone else's, life at Jungle Friends a little less hectic. I hope to bring new, innovative ideas for fundraising, as well as catching up things that have fallen behind. If anyone would like to help fundraise (hint, hint), please don't hesitate to email me and share your thoughts.

Enough about me. time for some monkey business! We asked the Jungle Friends monkeys what they are thankful for, and here are just a few of the things we heard.

	Mela - our latest arrival! I am thankful to be in a place where there are lots of other marmosets like me! As the new girl, I had the starring role in the marmoset "Dating Game" with all the bachelors here lining up to meet me! My new boyfriend Chachi is the best. The gourmet cuisine is pretty terrific too. Bananas and Jungle Jelly, mmm.
	Howard I am thankful that Gainesville Pet Rescue donated a bag of great little toys just our size! I love new toys as much as I love peanuts. Whenever I get a peanut, I get so happy I have to do a dance. My caregivers call it my "peanut dance." I hold the peanut behind my back and chirp happy sounds to it over my shoulder. When I got my new toy, I just had to bust the same move! Toys and peanuts are my favorite things.
	Lulu I am thankful that I am taming the pinecones in my habitat. They were very scary and rude! They have these little spikes shooting out the side, so I have to pick them up very carefully. The staff knows about their wild ways, and they help me. When I sound the pinecone alarm, they pick it up, throw it to the ground and stomp on it and then throw it out of my sight! I am so happy that they have the same mission as I do! It's been hard work battling those pinecones, but we'll show them.
	Ebi I am thankful that every morning, when the staff checks my water, I get to play "teeter-totter" on the pipe. I think they plan for me to do that now. They always give me time to climb on top and jump up and down. It's great to have caregivers who know the importance of monkey play....
	Jimmy I am thankful that everyone here understands my need to be pampered and my need for flare. Every morning, the staff brings around aromatherapy, which I eagerly take (more than one, if I can) and rub it all over my body. It promotes good health, you know. It makes me feel good. I also love my bright blankets. I say, bright and fluffy means fabulous. And that is exactly what I am.
	Andy I am thankful that I have such an expressive face. I love the attention it gets me! When the staff walks by my habitat and I want to play, they know it! They call it my 'big play face.' I like to play! They also say I look so human. I'm not sure - is that a compliment?
	Phil and Lil We are thankful for the fuzzy sleeping bag hammock that hangs in our habitat. Especially during the cold months, we love to curl up together and snuggle in it. We are each other's best friend, and we are so grateful that the caring staff at Jungle Friends took us in and allowed us to stay together. But oh, how we love that hammock!
	Volcano and Tripoli We are thankful to be out of the laboratory and into the Florida sunshine! Now we can enjoy plants: you can eat them, you can swing on them, you can even find bugs living in them and eat those too. We just love the great outdoors!
	Jak I am thankful for my best friend, Abby. When I first got here, I was shy and timid and not sure how to act around other monkeys. Abby taught me that it's okay (and lots of fun) to run wild. That's what we do all day - swing, jump, chase and play. Oh yeah, I'm also thankful to have plants in my habitat! Not only are they fun to bounce on, they're delicious, too! Jak's girl Abby
	Noah I am thankful for my roommate Fala and for branches. Fala is my first girlfriend, and I think I may keep her around for a while. She is very sweet. She came from a lab in California and has had kind of a rough past, but she feels safe with me. I protect her. And I am thankful that there are branches in my habitat, just what I need to be who I am. Ever since I was little I've had an acrobatic talent, and I love to just 'hang around' Now I have Fala and branches - who could ask for anything more?

The Jungle Friends Staff

We are very thankful for the opportunity to serve the 118 monkeys in our charge, and to know each one of them as an individual with a unique personality, quirks and all. Please keep the monkeys in mind this holiday season of giving, and remember that our mission to give them a forever home would not be possible without the support of amazing people like you!

Happy Holidays,
Shauna

P.S. If you missed the Inside Edition broadcast, the Jungle Friends segment is now up on our website! You can find it on our "Monkeys in the Media" page. (Note: Video no longer available on YouTube)

Everyone at Jungle Friends will be very thankful if you make a donation today!
Sponsor A Monkey and the monkeys will be thankful that you're helping to provide food, shelter and care for them every day!	"Shop" at our online Jungle Store and your friends and family will be thankful that they are getting great monkey gifts this year!	Contribute to the Research Retirement Fund and monkeys in research labs will be thankful for the chance to have a sanctuary home!
Give to the Memorial Medical Fund and all our monkeys will be thankful that our on-site clinic can handle their medical needs!	Make a General Donation ..and our office manager will be very thankful that she can pay the bills!	Donate from our monkeys' Wish List and we'll have even more thankful monkeys!