EVERYONE AT MINDY'S WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU A SAFE AND
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.

We would like to welcome all of the new members to Monkey Tales

WHEN SENDING HOLIDAY CARDS, PLEASE CONSIDER SENDING A
MONKEY GREETING CARD. A NEW ALBUM HAS BEEN SET UP WITH
HOLIDAY GREETINGS AND CHRISTMAS CARDS. PLEASE
VISIT http://pictures.care2.com/welcome/176637916

In this issue, Lorraine will be sharing the highlights of her visit
with Missybelle and all of her friends with you.

For all of the new members, who are not familiar with the
Missybelle Story, you can read it at a webpage that Lorraine
has set up http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?missybellesmom.
You will see how heartbreaking a decision it was to have Missybelle
sent to a sanctuary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lorraine
missybellemom2@...

MY VISIT TO THE SANCTUARY By: Lorraine Pirillo

It's wonderful that my husband and Linda's husband get along great
so I can just go off with Linda and not worry about him. Last time
we stayed Bob was working so it was really boring for my husband he
likes the monkeys but he's not into feeding and cleaning. So things
were terrific this time. I got a real view of what Linda's days
consists of this time. How hard she works. She starts way before
she comes out of the house in the morning between 6:30 and 7AM.
Linda starts by feeding the cows, pigs goats while the sweet potatoes
are cooking in the microwave and the monkey biscuits are soaking in
Juice. Then it's time to wash the fruits and vegetables and prepare
the cart for the morning monkey feeding. I tried to help but sometimes
I think I got in the way. The first thing in the morning while the
cooked sweet potatoes are cooling Linda starts handing out the warm
soaked in juice monkey biscuits. Then the treat of sweet potatoes get
handed out some are very gracious when you feed them and some will try
to take your hand off while your trying to feed them, so with some you
really need to use caution. With the Capuchins, Linda had metal
tubes welded to the cage so the little tikes can't grab you or knock
the food out of your hands while your trying to feed them you need
six pair of eyes one pair for each monkey. All the above needs to
be done for 42 monkeys. While Linda is feeding she takes in all that
needs to be done during the day such as which cages need to be
cleaned which houses need to be cleaned takes a good look at each
monkey to check that all is well physically. Then it's back to the
feed kitchen to replenish the cart. You can hear Linda coming and
going by the sound of the cart. Now out to the stumptails for
breakfast. After all this is done which takes close to 2 hours
Linda will go to the her house pick up a cup of coffee on the run
to check the e-mail and back out again to start the cleaning. This
is monumental. Each house needs to be scrubbed with a scrapper for
the heavy soil and strong scrub brush, then all is wiped down with
a solution of water and bleach. This disinfects. Not only the
shelves are cleaned but all the walls, floors and even sometimes the
ceiling needs to be done. I lost count of the houses I think there
is about 16 houses and many igloos but don't quote me on this I could
be a few short. I saw Linda climb inside an opening about 18" by 24"
to clean a house and let me tell you it doesn't smell like perfume. I
helped her clean a few houses and I was only assisting and the sweat
was dripping off me I had monkey poop from head to toe and my muscles
were aching and that was only assisting with one house a day. She
sometimes does four houses in one day by herself. She amazes me with
her energy she never stops moving even if I went to get something to
save her a trip she would be behind me because she can't just stand
still for a minute. Next all the cage areas need to be cleaned, raked,
dirty toys removed and clean toys replaced clean blankets some even
have to be screwed in so the monks don't take them out side and get
them soiled. Platforms are cleaned daily. I forgot there was wash to
be done in between the monkey blankets and cleaning rags. I'm getting
tired just telling you about this and at this point it is probably not
even 12 o'clock yet. Then the feeding starts all over again. While we
were there Linda had a family birthday party to attend but she did not
leave until all was done with the monks. Good thing she has an
understanding family.

I got lucky while I was there one of the Board members Bob brought
some college kids over to put up a telephone pole in one of the
monks cages these kids worked very hard dragging this pole across
the pasture and into the cage watching at all time that they
didn't get grabbed by a monkey then they dug the hole and put up
the pole this is enrichment for the monkeys. The next thing that
happened was a site to be seen. Linda opened the cage door to let
the curious monks into the cage where the pole had been erected
and you should have seen this monkey run up that pole and sat on
the top like he was King of the Jungle. It brought tears to your
eyes that something so simple could bring such joy and
entertainment to these monkeys then there was vying for who was
gonna sit on the pole a lo and behold they let the baby Sunshine
sit there. You can see her from across the pasture sitting up
there so proud. Linda's husband is a great guy he goes to the
markets and picks up all the fruits and veggies for the monks
he's always on the run for something that is needed for the
sanctuary such as cleaning supplies, feed for all the other
animals that also share the sanctuary. They bring enrichment
to the monks. Especially Sugar and Sassy give Gabby and George
the Patas monks exercise by running back and forth by their
cage and they race back and forth this can go on for half an
hour it's a site to watch. I saw Phoebus grooming Sassy the dog
when she sat by the cage and I saw Sugar another dog give one of
the capuchins a big wet kiss through the cage. It's amazing how
they all accept each other. Even the little Marmoset, Meja, came
to the window so I could take some pictures. I forgot Linda also
has the inside cages to tend to after she is finished outside. I
don't know how she does it day after days without a day off ever,
and all by herself with no help. She amazes me. My husband tried
to help her with the produce some weighing more then 50 pounds but
she said she knew where they went and would grab the box off the
pick up and carry it to the garage and store it away in the
commercial fridge. Linda is one in a million. She knows the
personality of every monkey who likes what who won't eat certain
things it's incredible. I hope for her sake she can get some help
and maybe just cut her work load a little. She does the work that
should be done by at least 5 people. I could go on and on but I
think you got the picture.

I didn't spend as much time with Missy as I would have liked because
it upsets Phoebus. When I play with her he comes over and threatens
but he was much better then last time he wouldn't let me near her at
all last time I was there. We had to lock him on the other side of
the cage, this time he would stay close but no threatening except
once and a while he would go for me. But on the whole he was very
gracious. One day Phoebus blocked Missy from trying to go over to
my husband and Missy had such a hissy fit. She started screaming
at Phoebus and showing him her teeth and chasing him which is
almost unheard of that a female would threaten a male. But I think
she got so mad that he was blocking her way that she couldn't help
herself. He got so upset he put his arms across his chest in a
submissive gesture. I felt bad for him because he's only trying to
protect his girlfriend. Which is a wonderful thing. But, I was still
able to get a few kisses from her and plenty of grooming on my hands.

Indigo appears to be as content as a monkey could be with his
handicap. He is fortunate that Linda cares for him but what he went
through prior to his coming to the sanctuary is very evident in his
face and in his body and in his temperament. Linda would like to
introduce him to the other monkeys, she has his cage next to the
others so they can socialize through the bars for Indigo's
protection. Her hopes are after they have become familiar with each
other she will be able to let them mingle together. I don't know
how Indigo will react to this, he is very introverted and tame.

Linda just has a knack at knowing what monkeys need and want and
things that will enrich their lives. We were talking one night
about the telephone pole idea with our spouses and her husband
said "what's gonna be on the pole" and Linda responded a monkey.
And don't you know it, as soon as the door was opened into the
cage with the pole Detroit flew up and sat on that pole like he
was the king of the jungle, Linda and I started to laugh because
of the previous conversation about the monkey on the pole.

Sunshine rules the roost, she came over to watch me and Detroit
tried to get her away from me by pulling her she proceeded to turn
around and give him a swat and when he persisted she swatted
him again and he walked away. Linda said she's only getting away
with this because she's still a baby. Detroit is 4 times her size
and could have really hurt her but he just walked away. She is
really a spry one I guess because she is just a baby. And boy she
looks like she can fly when she jumps from pole to pole and to the
rope she has an amazing range she actually looks like she's flying.

I don't want to glamorize this either. It broke my heart to bring
Missy there and to have to give her up but it was in her best
interest to be with monkeys not humans. It still brings tears to
my eyes and tugging in my heart when I remember things she used to
do. It's hard that I can only see her once a year. I feel close to
her because I send toys and donations to help with her food and
upkeep. Linda always keeps me updated about Missy and the Sanctuary.
I don't want people to think they can go out and get a monkey and if
it doesn't work out they can send it to a sanctuary. I really don't
want people to think this is the answer to a problem that should
never have become a problem to begin with. I happen to be very lucky
that I found this sanctuary. I only share my story to prevent people
from making a mistake that will stay with them for a lifetime plus
it will negatively impact the life of other monkeys and make room
for another baby to be snatched away from it's mother before it is
even able to see. So please if you were thinking of getting a
monkey or you just love monkeys read my story and then Sponsor
one of the monkeys at the sanctuary they need your help. Through
no fault of their own they are living in cages not the wild.

Toy Drive Update

So far several toys have been collected, but we are a long way
from reaching our goal. Please try to have all of your toys
delivered to the sanctuary by December 15th.

HERE IS A LIST OF SOME OF THE ITEMS ALREADY COLLECTED
FOR INDIVIDUAL MONKEYS

Tool Bench
Small Busy Box
Toy Tambourine
Pails and Shovels
Mini See and Say
4 Small Kong Toys
4 Large Kong Toys
Playskool Xylophone
2 Plastic Serving Spoons
Talking Light Up Telephone
V-Tech Alphabet Talking Game
Playskool Light n Music Go Round
Playskool Music Light and Move Ball
15 Baby Rattles (most of the monkeys enjoy rattles)


MULTIPLE MONKEY TOYS (13 ENCLOSURES TO GO)

1 Toddler Swing
2 Basket Ball Tug Toys (basket balls with 2 straps crisscrossing
where 2 monkeys can tug on them)

HELP US MAKE THE FIRST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MONKEY TOY DRIVE A SUCCESS.

Wouldn't you like to help make a Monkey's Christmas dreams come true.
Our goal is to collect at least one toy for every monkey. The toys do
not have to be new, just in good condition. What many people do not
realize is that monkeys can enjoy the same toys that human children
do. All you have to do is make sure that the toy is sturdy or durable
enough to be played with by a strong child. For example, Fisher Price
or Playskool, busy boxes or riding toys make excellent choices for
them. They cannot be something that can easily be taken apart. The
capuchins, especially Cookie, love playing with musical toys that
play nursery rhymes. She just keeps pushing the buttons over and
over until the batteries need recharging. As you are putting away
all of the backyard toys, if your child will have outgrown some of
the toys by next summer, consider sending them to the monkeys.
Keep this in mind as you are getting rid of the old toys to make
room for the new Christmas toys. They also enjoy flat bed sheets,
that will have plenty of knots tied in them. They like to drag them
around and hide under them. When they peek out to see if anyone
is watching, another monkey will quickly pounce on them and then
the wrestling fun begins. Spray them with a little perfume and they
enjoy it all the more. All of the monkeys love to play with pails
and shovels, sometimes out of necessity dust pans and containers
are substituted. They love to scoop up and fill the pails with
mulch from the floors of their enclosures. Kong toys for dogs are
also used as enrichment items. If you would like to donate a toy
as a gift for someone, please indicate this when the donation is
made. A gift notification will be sent, letting that special
someone know that you have made the donation in their name.

Just to give you an idea as to what monkeys play with, please visit
http://amomentintimedonations.freeservers.com/catalog.html where you
will see photos of some of the monkeys enjoying themselves, with
their toys.

There is a picture of Cookie, playing on her slide. Monkeys do not
use the slide the same way we do. They slide down the edges of it as
opposed to the middle. They do enjoy using it as an additional
climbing structure.

Missybelle is sitting by her Christmas Tree, showing how she used to
spend her Christmas, as a pet. As you can see by reading Missybelle's
story http://amomentintimedonations.freeservers.com/custom.html while
everything possible was done to make her happy, this life style did
not work out for her. Primates do not make good pets. Now she spends
her life in as natural a setting as possible. While there are no more
Christmas trees and lights, it does not mean that she does not still
enjoy playing with many of the same presents she used to receive. She
now gets to enjoy playing with them, with her new primate companions.
Her former owner, Lorraine, believes that she has already given
Missybelle the best Christmas present possible, a new life at Mindy's
Memory Primate Sanctuary.

Katy Jo is enjoying herself swinging on a toddlers swing.

Detroit has climbed up high, just as soon as he was given a
basketball. He did not want to share his new found treasure.

When Pumpkin arrived, he came with a carload of toys. Ginger very
quickly confiscated his purple riding toy and really made it work
for her.

Toys can be mailed to:

Mindy's Memory Primate Sanctuary
P.O. Box 134
Newcastle, OK 73065


*************
Please read "A Monkey's Prayer" which was written by Linda
http://www.mindysmem.org/monkprayer.html
*************


PHOTOS OF ALL THE ABOVE MONKEYS AND THEIR FRIENDS
CAN BE VIEWED AT http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monkeytales
Mindy's has the largest enclosures of any Primate Sanctuary,
complete with wooden shelves and perches for the monkeys to sit
on and climb to. Please bear in mind that many of the pictures
are taken at an angle, as the monkeys can be sitting as high as
15 feet up in the air. This could make the enclosures look
smaller than they actually are.

ALL RESIDENTS OF THE SANCTUARY ARE AVAILABLE FOR
SPONSORSHIP, FOR DETAILS VISIT THE MINDY'S WEBSITE

THE NEXT ISSUE WILL FEATURE CHRISTMAS WITH THE MONKEYS

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT THE SANCTUARY????

Many new friends are being made. Sunshine is now in her
permanent enclosure. When she was placed with Missybelle
and Phoebus, she was still a baby and needed someone to
teach her how to be a monkey. They did a wonderful job, and
now can go back to the nice quiet life they were accustomed
to. As Sunshine matured, she needed a larger enclosure.
She is now sharing her life with Detroit and Neeko. Her days
are spent wrestling, tumbling and constantly swinging all over
the place. It is hoped that one day that troop will consist
of Sunshine, Detroit, Abu, Neeko, Suki and Bonny.


Remember, when sending a Greeting Card, consider sending a
Monkey Greeting Card. Please view our selection at
http://pictures.care2.com/welcome/118046932 or by using the link
at the Mindy's homepage (http://www.mindysmem.org). There are
Birthday, Anniversary and Everyday cards available. This will be
a wonderful way for you to help us promote the sanctuary.

If you would rather send a card featuring a species other than a
monkey, please visit the Greeting Card album that I have set up
for Mostly Monkeys Sanctuary (http://www.mostlymonkeys.org) by
visiting http://pictures.care2.com/welcome/102604785 Here you
will find Parrot, Badger and Raccoon in addition to Monkey
Greeting Cards.

Visit the Missybelle Before Mindy's photo album
http://pictures.care2.com/welcome/484014251

Visit the Missybelle Enjoying Life At Mindy's photo album
http://pictures.care2.com/welcome/963449033

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you are considering switching Internet providers and are
going to switch to AOL, please visit a web page that was set
up by Missybelle's former owner Lorraine
http://hometown.aol.com/missybellemom2/myhomepage/index.html
By using the link on the bottom of the page you will receive a
free trial period. When the free trial period ends, if you keep
the service for an additional 6 months, Lorraine will receive
a $15.00 check, which she will donate to Mindy's.

If you have a website consider adding a banner to link directly
to Mindy's.

When shopping at http://www.vegecyber.com always use our code
2027MM when checking out so the sanctuary will receive 5% of
your purchase donated.

When shopping at http://www.igive.com please list Mindy's as
your charity of choice so the sanctuary will receive a
portion of purchase donated. The amount donated varies by store.

Make a donation to the Building Fund to help raise funds for
housing future residents. This fund was established after funds
were not raised quickly enough to rescue 2 research monkeys,
Ben and Norman before they were sold back into research.

Make a donation online using Paypal, there is a link on the
Mindy's homepage.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY - LINDA BARCKLAY, DIRECTOR
http://www.mindysmem.org
mindysmem@...


WRITTEN BY - MISSYBELLE'S FORMER OWNER, LORRAINE PIRILLO
JOANNE CHRISTIE-SHPAK
PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE
http://amomentintimedonations.freeservers.com which features
several wildlife sanctuaries including Mindy's. There are also
links to various click for donations, which are done at no
cost to you. You can also find helpful organizations as well
as ways to help your favorite cause.

To subscribe monkeytales-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

To unsubscribe monkeytales-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com