The power in the presence of pets

It’s amazing what the presence of an animal can do — the way that just by being there they can bring so much laughter, chaos, comfort and joy. 

One year ago, I got my first pets. At least, they’re the first ones that have belonged only to me as an adult. I’d wanted a pet for a while, but I don’t feel like I’m in the position to give a dog or even a cat as much time and attention as I would want. So I started thinking of smaller pets that could be left alone for longer periods of time during the day, wouldn’t require quite as much work, but would still bring something cute and alive into my home. That’s when I saw that a local Green River family I know had some baby Alpaca Guinea pigs they were looking for homes for. 

As soon as I saw the picture they posted of the little fluff balls, I knew I wanted them. It’s best to get more than one Guinea pig since they’re social animals that can get lonely and depressed if they’re on their own. Here was the perfect chance to get two brothers that already knew and were comfortable with each other, animals who could keep each other company when I’m gone and give me some cute little friends when I’m home. 

I wanted them, but also had some reservations and took a while to make the decision to actually keep them. I ended up fostering them for a few weeks while I took the time to research and think through the decision. But of course I got attached to them pretty quickly, and then I didn’t want to let them go. 

One year later, I’m so glad I kept them. My fluffy little piggies have become a big part of my life. I named them Jisung and Taehyung because their curly reddish-brown hair reminded me of members of some of my favorite k-pop groups. Jisung is the most outgoing and adventurous. Taehyung is more cautious and likes to do his own thing. They both love eating, from crunching veggies to getting treats to munching on fresh hay. They like running around and “popcorning,” which is when Guinea pigs spontaneously jump and twist around in the air because they’re happy. They also like to “wheek,” making a high-pitched squeaking noise, when they’re excited (mostly when they want food). They’re very skittish animals, so we’re still working on them being willing to be held and pet, but I love their long, soft hair (even if it can be a pain to groom them sometimes). Making progress in getting them to trust and be comfortable with me has been so rewarding, and just watching them makes me so happy. 

I’m also lucky enough to be able to enjoy time with lots of other pets that aren’t directly mine, from my parent’s two huge black dogs, Joss and Hunter, to my friend Pam’s “shop cats” Rocket and Pockets at Tynsky’s Rock Shop, to our own “office dog” at the Green River Star, Precious. 

From dogs to cats to Guinea pigs to any other kind of pet imaginable, having animals in our lives can have so many benefits, especially for mental health.

According to News in Health, “Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.”

There’s a reason the Green River Police Department and Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office have pursued the use of therapy dogs. Trained animals can be especially useful in helping comfort and calm those who are distraught and bring happiness to those who are struggling. 

Even just being around our everyday pets can be an endless source of laughter and amusement. Animals also seem to sense when humans are hurting and be there to offer comfort and support. They’re the best non-judgmental listeners, and they love unconditionally.

Honestly, I think we can learn a lot from animals to apply to how we live, and I think almost everyone could benefit from having some sort of animal’s presence in their life.