Picture from Monkey World
Although today wasn't one of the 'proper' Bank Holidays, it was nice to have a lazy day at home and not feel guilty about having spent the entire day watching television. After a lazy morning and a long walk with Jack I changed back into my tracksuit bottoms and slippers in preparation for breakfast and was looking forward to watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks in the early afternoon. Now that my New Year Resolution to do something work related every day has bitten the dust and I am working at my own pace I had decided not to do any work today. Mandi had already pitched up on her side of the sofa and was watching Monkey Life on Pick TV. I am a sucker for a cute chimpanzee so while I sat down idly watching and waiting for the film, I soon got involved and we ended up watching every episode of the back-to-back run of the show (billed by the channel with the hashtag #BankHolidayMonkey - brilliant).
I have always loved chimpanzees in particular, there are a few pictures of them up in my office and I recently started collecting the chimp toys from special boxes of PG Tips, I only have three so far including one dressed for Christmas but he lives in the boxes of decorations and only comes out once a year. It was the chimps that caught my attention on this show although they have all the species at the enclosure. The work they do is wonderful and sounds like my dream job, being able to rescue abused primates from laboratories and circuses (to give two examples) and give them quality of life.
Watching how happy they are in their new surroundings is truly heart warming (although I am a bit of a softie when it comes to animals, especially monkeys) which shows that animals are only as nice as the way they are treated. It's a similar situation with rescue pets, they have been given a second chance at a happy life in a loving environment.
I know we descend from monkeys but I was fascinated by the similarities in behaviour such as jealousy and affection towards each other. As an example a toddler chimp got jealous of a new born baby getting all the attention and threw a strop that equals any child in the supermarket. None of this has put me off wanting one as a pet, although Jack might object. Come to think of it, Mandi might be a little annoyed if I brought one home.
No podcast this week.
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May housekeeping
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