Hello Kitty Backpack By Rachel Golub (intern)

It was another hot sunny day at the Chimps Inc. sanctuary. All the chimps were enjoying the nice weather. Six of the chimps had access to the Big Habitat and the Playhouse. While some enjoyed the sunshine others wanted to escape the heat and stay indoors. I was in the chimp kitchen washing some dishes and cleaning up. Kimie was sitting in the playhouse watching me intensely as I scrubbed with the soapy sponge. I started to put things away when I noticed that Kimie was struggling with a pink Hello Kitty backpack. After trying for a few minutes, she finally got the backpack on. Although she only wore it for a short while after that, the sight of Kimie wearing her Hello Kitty backpack was enough to make me smile.

Kimie and Her Feline Friend by Kristin Harvill-Stoughton (caregiver)

It was a quiet Sunday, the perfect day for Kimie to spend a little quality time with her old friend Monkey, one the house cats at Chimps Inc. Monkey was brought into the chimp house through a feed door in the kitchen, and loved every second spend with her beloved chimp companion. Kimie played with Monkey, gently patting and petting her, all the while with a big grin on her face. When it was time for Monkey to go, Kimie did not want to bring her back to the feed door, but reluctantly did in return for a small treat. Monkey was not ready to leave and quickly leapt back into the playhouse away from the feed door. Another 20 minutes went by before the two decided they had their fun for the day. Everyone asks us if Monkey is "photoshopped" into pictures with Kimie, but I can now denounce these rumors and tell you, yes, Kimie really loves her feline friend!