Cabin John was high on this hog

By Charles A. Bookman
Seattle

The Jan. 1 article “Prince George’s wants potbellied pig out” brought back fond memories of Petunia, who shared our back yard in Cabin John in the 1990s.

Almost overnight, this cute piglet grew into a 150-pound sow who provided hours of amusement to the children in the neighborhood. One day, she would be a bucking bronc for 5-year-olds; another, she would be pulling a wagon down the street.

Winters were a little tough, but with a heat lamp in her shed and a little TLC every now and then, Petunia maintained her girlish charm (if not her girlish figure). And she was a good neighbor, even though she could slip free from almost any leash, especially when, in the spring, she would get it in her head to find a mate. More than once, I received a call: “Your pig is up here on Seven Locks Road.” How on earth did these strangers get my phone number?

The Post’s article was right about the difficulty of relocating a pig. They are homebodies. I did have to move, though, and I am thankful for the network of pig sanctuaries that take in former pets.

For those of you in the area of Seven Locks Road and MacArthur Boulevard who might occasionally wonder: Petunia is living happily ever after in a sty at Porcinus Sanctum in Joppa, Md.