PRECIOUS PETS

Precious Pets Magical, Medical Piggies

by Georgie Damschroder

We all know that being around animals improves your mood; how could it not? A snuggle with a feline or a game of fetch with a fido is sure to spin any bad day into a good one. But although your pet can help with mental health, can they really heal you physically? An ancient Native American tribe called the Incas certainly thought so when they “discovered” that guinea pigs may be able to help out their doctors. Being very spiritually driven, the Incas believed that guinea pigs were gods, and began to use their supposed holy powers within their tribe. A common healing ritual would be to rub down one’s entire body with a guinea pig! When the critter made a squeaking noise, the part of the body it was on at the time was thought to be injured. Other methods like this became so popular that Inca doctors, known as Curanderos, always carried the piggies around with them. It was also said that the particularly holy and rare black guinea pig could sense and clear away bad energy, so perhaps even the most ancient of people knew how happy a tiny, furry pig can make you!

Two of these mystical piggies live in Amanda Lakes neighborhood with the Gladen family! Two-year-old Snickers was brought by Santa as a Christmas present, but after she became a bit lonely, the family brought home one-year-old Oryo to keep her company. The two pigs belong to daughter Kyla Gladen, who showers them with love and was even able to teach them tricks! For example, Oryo is practically a professional at playing dead. Unfortunately, Kyla and her siblings need to attend Shawnee Schools, and the rest of the family can’t be home all the time, so when they finally return after a day out, the guinea pigs are quick to welcome them with excited squeaks and lots of love! They have also taught themselves to give loud chirps to let their people know when they need food or water.

While the idea of having tiny critters named after notoriously messy barn animals may sound daunting to some, the Gladens assure that it’s not as hard as it seems.

“They’re pretty easy, like a cat. As long as they have food and water they are good!” says Leslie Gladen.

While Snickers and Oryo love snuggling and playing in their tank, when the weather’s just right, the family takes them outside. The piggies love to frolic around with one another while nibbling on grass and just about anything edible they can find! Playing is a necessity, so be it outside in the grass, inside, with the family or with each other, Snickers and Oryo will find a way to make any time into play time! Though the guinea pigs may not be able to cure any disease, they make up for it ten-fold with their constant love and adorable faces! The Gladens are sure to have many more fun days with Snickers and Oryo, the medieval medics!

{Source: haypigs.com}