December 24, 2019
  
'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Jungle Friends,

Not a monkey was stirring, not squirrels or spiders or even capuchins.

Monkey blankets were drying on the clothes line with care.

Vegetables  were simmering in crock pots for the morning diet fare.
 
The monkeys were nestled all snug in their heat caves,  With visions of nuts and other treats that they crave.
 
The onsite staff had settled in for the night,  When out in the yard a loud chatter gave us a fright.
Baby Lani was startled!

Radios and head lamps we quickly did gather,
We sprang to the golf carts to see what was the matter.

The moon shimmered on the lawn and large banana tree leaves, This is North Florida, ya know, there was no snow to be seen.
 
When what to our wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature monkey, little  Lani, the baby marmoset, so tiny and dear.

She was out in the runway chirping away. 
Whatever had startled her, no one could say.
Clydette was
 alarmed at the commotion!

Go back to sleep silly monkey, Santa won't come with you out in the cold.

But she had woken the spider monkeys, now there's no going home. 

They were barking and shaking and pointing the blame.  So we calmed them with peanuts and called them by name.
 

Now Udi, Now Goldie, Now Clydette, and Lizzy,
Calm down Molly and Travis and, Picasso, and Gizzy.
Udi swings into action checking it out!
To the top of Thunder Dome Udi did swing.  We scanned and we searched, but we couldn't see a thing.
 
As we climbed back in the golf carts to finish our check, We  noticed Kari was missing. Where'd she go? What the heck!

But then there was a twinkling and we heard something stirring.  It was the staff doing heat checks, their flashlights were blurring.
 
We jumped back in the carts and were turning around,
When suddenly someone came out with a bound.

They were dressed all in red and they flew like a streak.
Was that St. Nick? Where was Kari? We were starting to freak!

Taco and Allie are calling for Christmas treats!
A bundle of treats was flung on their back,
Looked like some kind of elf, opening that sack.

They had passed treats to the monkeys in no time at all,  Then they were off to the birds who had started to call.
 
We turned around quickly, in time to catch up, 
We were cold and exhausted and just a bit fed up.

Then giving a nod in the cart they did sit
It was Kari all along and she wasn't tired a bit.
 
Down the yellow brick road in our cart we did flee.
The Sanctuary was buzzing with excitement and glee.

Kari was exclaiming as we drove out of sight,
MONKEY CHRISTMAS to all, and to all a Good Night!
Kari, Jackie & Potter


Founder and Executive Director

P.S. Don't forget to make your last tax-deductible donation for 2019!
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