1. The problem is to find the sum of $-5$ and $-61$. 2. We use the rule for adding integers: when adding two negative numbers, add their absolute values and keep the negative sign. 3. Calculate the sum of the absolute values: $5 + 61 = 66$. 4. Since both numbers are negative, the result is also negative. 5. Therefore, $-5 + (-61) = -66$. The final answer is $-66$.