Ancient Pet Cemeteries Found in Peru

[zonkers]

LIMA, Peru -- Even in ancient Peru, it seems dogs were a man's best friend. Peruvian investigators have discovered a pre-Columbian culture of dog lovers who built pet cemeteries and buried their pets with warm blankets and even treats for the afterlife.

"They are dogs that were thanked and recognized for their social and familial contribution," anthropologist Sonia Guillen said. "These dogs were not sacrificed."

Since 1993, researchers have unearthed 82 dog tombs in pet cemetery plots, laid alongside human mummy tombs of the Chiribaya people in the fertile Osmore River valley, 540 miles southeast of Lima. The Chiribaya were farmers who lived from A.D. 900 to 1350 before the rise of Peru's Inca Empire.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1501AP_Peru_Ancient_Pets.html

[Teaser]

1. ZOMG!!!111!!!!1

Don't bury humans there. Just don't. You've all seen what will happen.

They will come back as Cujo.

[hlthe2b]

2. The mark of civilization...

Nice bit of history revealed...

[DavidDvorkin]

3. That's touching

Especially the part about the blankets and the treats.

[goclark]

4. That is very touching.

I loss my precious doggie last month.

He was 11 years old.

[DavidDvorkin]

5. Sympathies, goclark

That's difficult. Did you have him the whole 11 years?

[goclark]

6. Thanks so much, I had him for 11 precious years

He was like a little bundle of joy from God.

[Kolesar]

7. My sympathies, too

They are such wonderful companions. I even miss the dog we were dog sitting for four months when his house was up for sale.

[goclark]

8. Just when I think I am able to handle it

I start crying.

One thing that I have learned is how much any expression of sympathy means to the owner.

Our postman sent a sympathy card and I couldn't have been more appreciative.


Sometimes people have tried to comfort me and I know they are well meaning.
They say, " just get another doggie, that will help you."

All I can say is,because I have no children and he was like a child to me,that won't work.

Just like you can never replace a child by "getting another child," he can't be replaced in my heart.

I have many friends that have adorable second pets but I'm not up to it.

I just want to remember him and treasure him always.

Thank you for taking the time to express your sympathy.