This afternoon I learned that Peanut the Vervet Monkey at Summerfiled Zoo passed away. I feel as though a friend has died. Peanut provided me with one of the happiest moments of my life when I was allowed to feed her dandelion leaves through the cage. Her little hands holding mine as she took the leaves from my fingers melted my heart.

Feeding Peanut dandelion leaves, a favourite snack

Peanut grabbed my finger!

August 2, 2009

Here’s what Summerfield Zoo said today in their newsletter:

“[Peanut] was rescued by Summerfield Zoo after being found living in a box, behind a furnace in a dark basement. When she first came to Summerfield she only stared down, spending her days staring at her feet. Later, when she began to look up she couldn’t believe that there was a world beyond her toes and even a tree in her habitat! A short time after Peanut came to live at Summerfield, we received a call from a zoo in Indiana saying that they had rescued a female Vervet monkey from a local woman’s back bedroom. The zoo in Indiana had no Vervet monkeys in their collection to keep Lilly company so they donated her to Summerfield Zoo as a companion for Peanut.

When she first arrived Lilly was put in a “Howdy doody” cage to make sure they would get along and not fight. A “Howdy doody” cage is what we like to call a “how do you do” cage or an introductory cage.

After Lilly left the “Howdy doody” cage and they were living together Peanut and Lilly became best friends. For the past three years the two of them have lived here happily. In the beginning, Peanut was Lilly’s mother figure and protector. She taught Lilly about manners and good behavior (that Lilly lacked). Slowly Peanut began to show signs of her age and the results of living for years in a box. The more Peanut’s health declined the more Lilly became the mother figure and protector. Now, with Peanut gone, Lilly is uncertain of herself and her place in the world. We are now faced with having to find a companion for Lilly. Vervet monkeys are not available as rescues every day and so we have to purchase a new monkey for Lilly to have as a companion. If you are interested in donating to this cause to help us obtain a companion for Lilly please contact us via phone or e-mail.”

The last time we were at Summerfield Zoo was on April 30, 2011. It was a little chilly, and Peanut and Lilly were still in their inside enclosures, behind glass. Where Peanut was once so timid and afraid, here she is, right against the glass looking at me! I am certain she remembered who I was.

Peanut saying Hi

Thank goodness for Summerfield Zoo for rescuing her from a horrible life!! I am very appreciative for the hard work that Summerfield Zoo does in rescuing abused animals. This event has made me feel a need to take action and do more for Summerfield. I don’t have a lot of money, but I have time, and I have talents. I’ve talked with Danielle in the past about selling my craft items in their gift shop, but we just never went anywhere with it…I think it was around the same time Todd and I moved to Naperville and I got a new job, so it slipped from my radar. Well, I’m back in action, and when Todd and I visit the Zoo this Saturday, I’m going to be snapping tons of pictures and coming up with ideas.

Here’s is Summerfield Zoo’s information. Please consider visiting the Zoo, donating your time or money, and spreading the word!

3088 Flora Road
Belvidere, IL 61008
Summerfield Farm and Zoo’s Website
Summerfield Farm and Zoo’s Facebook Page

Phone: 815-547-4852
Fax: 815-547-5216
Email: Summerfieldzoo@aol.com

I’ll tease you with this slideshow of the animals we’ve visited at Summerfield Zoo. There are a bunch more, but you’ll have to check them out for yourself!

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