There are pros and cons to living with a baby monkey. Most of them revolve around the inescapable facts of 1. baby and 2. monkey. This is something my adopted soldier, Staff Sergeant K and his platoon found out when they rescued and adopted one in Afghanistan.
Meet Joe the monkey
Joe
One of K’s men was on patrol when a villager threw a rock at a baby monkey. The rock struck its nose and injured him. After seeing this, the soldier bought the monkey and brought it back to their forward operating base so they could care for him.
You can see Joe’s injury here and why the soldiers rescued him.
They named him Joe and decided to adopt him. So that would be 24 soldiers, 1 monkey, no problem, right? Well, like many forms of life with the word “baby” in front of it, Joe did not like to be alone. Or to sleep at night. Joe made this known to his human friends with the time-tested tactic of throwing tantrums. K told me that they had a meeting to work out the logistics. That made me smile. I pictured the normal agenda, sharing intel, upcoming missions and then…monkey-sitting duties.
Why I like Joe
It was good for Joe to get out of an abusive situation. But I think Joe was also good for the soldiers. I base this on my years of no psychological training. (This would be similar to my years of no medical school in A Healthy Cigar)
K and his men were in a remote area and they had many difficult days. They had limited contact with loved ones and few amenities. That also means they few distractions from their situation (one reason why mail call is such a morale boost.) But here is a little innocent monkey they can care for. I think pets help you take the focus off yourself at times. In a stressful situation, that can actually reduce your stress. I did a quick search just now and WebMD has 27 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health. Of course, none of them are about combat, but I believe the same principles and blood-pressure lowering benefits apply.
Roomies
K’s wife wrote me, “Did you hear about the monkey?” She was home with a newborn and my daughter was 4 then. We both suspected that baby anything was going to be more work than they expected. We laughed about the learning curve. But even if Joe kept them up, he made them laugh too. Joe was fun and affectionate and good to be around. What more can you ask of a roommate?
© Gina left the mall, 2012
pets are amazing companions, and yes the health benefits are many. It is so relaxing to have a pet and play with it.
I’m very glad they got to have some of those health benefits!
I have always wanted a pet monkey. I would adopt Joe in a second if given the opportunity. I hope that Joe finds a good home when the troops leave Afghanistan.
When K and his platoon left this area, they gave Joe to the troops taking their place. With so many people looking out for him, I think his chances for a good home are pretty good 🙂
Aw, poor little Joe, and his sad nose. So glad that he found the company of a few good men!
That he did Helena, that he did.
Glad the troops had a companion but what a PITA monks are. There dirty and nasty too! – hope no one was bitten by the thing b/c they carry a deadly virus to humans.
I’m glad too. And fortunately, I didn’t hear of any biting incidents. They have enough dangers out there.