Pet Guardians for the Newborn Child

     Newborns are vulnerable to many forces, including illness and everyday events as well as malevolent evergies from the spirit world.  Among the Delaware and some other Eastern tribes, a new bably is given a pet,  usually a puppy or a kitten, to be its guardian spirit.  The animal grows up and lives with the family, who treat it kindly and with respect.  They speak to it frequently, encouraging the animal to stay close to the child, to sleep nearby, and to play with the baby as it grows.

     Often the newborn's parents attach a small bag containing charcoal around the pet's neck.  The Delaware and other tribes perceived charcoal to be purifying--an energized, protective substance.  Interestingly, charcoal today is still used as a purifier or cleanser in many circumstances.

     If the child is threatened by illness, the animal takes it on instead.  As recalled by Mohegan elder Gladys Tantaquidegon, the animal is thought to say:"I am only a dog.  The child is more precious.  Take me."

     When the pet died, the family buried it with a ceremony that released it from the child.  They also immediately gave their child another animal.  If the child fell ill and died, they placed a string of wampum around the child's neck, thus freeing the animal.