Seeing God in Sarang’s company to Pinto and Toby
Hey there, wonderful Everyday God-talk community! 🌟 This week, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we connect with the divine through our relationships with other living beings. And guess what? These beings don’t have to fit into the traditional categories of “spouses,” “partners,” or “children.” They can be our beloved furry friends – our cats and dogs. 🐱🐶 But today, I want to introduce you to a companion animal that’s still somewhat unusual but gaining popularity – the charming hedgehog! 🦔
Meet Sarang Kang, a chaplain, a Christian educator, and a dedicated member of the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee of PC(USA). Sarang has a profound passion for people and our community. As far as I know, for Sarang, the food we share at community gatherings symbolizes diversity and, at times, racial equity. She’s a true advocate for food equity, and her perspective is inspiring.
On top of all this, Sarang is a loving mom and a dear friend to two hedgehogs – unique and increasingly popular animal companions these days. 🦔🦔 Though they may be small in size, hedgehogs are incredibly sensitive and delicate creatures, which calls for a high level of care and accountability. They teach us about intimacy – revealing just how careful and intricate it can be to connect with the divine in those well-choreographed moments.
Sarang has graciously shared her experiences with these hedgehogs so far, and I hope you’ll find a touch of the divine in these everyday moments, just as I do. 🙏 Let’s explore and celebrate the beauty of our connections with all living beings and continue to discover the divine in the most unexpected places. 💖✨ #EverydayGodTalk #CommunityConnections #DivineMoments
Here’s a brief description of her experience so far …
Toby on the left is the blonder hedgehog. His coloring is a bit questionable, but we’ve heard it referred to as a reverse pinto. He’s approximately 3 years old and was a rescue. While we can’t confirm, we don’t believe he has any teeth. We’ve been fortunate to have him in Sarang’s care for 4 months now.
Pinto on the right is more typically pinto-colored. He’s around 1.5 years old and has a peculiar habit of using the sand as his personal restroom. Sarang has had Pinto since he was 3 months old. Unlike Toby, Pinto does have teeth, and we must warn you, that he’s not shy about using them, so be cautious!
Sarang has never considered herself particularly skilled with animals, although she does like them just fine. Nevertheless, both Toby and Pinto are well cared for and seem to be enjoying their nightly 2-4 hours of wakefulness. They have a regular diet of cat food, freeze-dried chicken, and mealworms. Occasionally, they get treats like watermelon, blueberries, or even Galbi (Korean BBQ). Interestingly, they both share a preference for sleeping under things and tend to hiss when approached. Toby is the more adventurous of the two; once he’s on the ground, he’s off to explore. Pinto, on the other hand, is a bit timider and tends to stay put until he senses the absence of human presence.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that they aren’t exactly the best of friends. They don’t have each other for companionship, but they do have the lion’s share of her disposable income. 😭
Oh, and for those interested, they are available for limited classroom visits. 😊🦔🦔
