Pictured above, Sassy Phrass, the pot-bellied social worker pig, visits with elders and children each month. She lives with Kathy Duenckel and her family in Frazier Park.
By Kathy Duenckel
I’m engaged to Jeff Richardson. Between us we have three children in our home: Madi Richardson, Brandelyn Duenckel and Larson Duenckel. We also have two Old English bulldogs, Sophie and Soaker. The special member of our family is Sassy Phrass. I believe she is a miniature pot belly pig as she is almost full grown.
Sassy started doing charity work at the adult day care center in Santa Clarita Valley where my mother-in-law goes three times a week. When the supervisor heard of her, she asked if Sassy could attend their annual Christmas party.
There were probably 70 or so senior citizens at the party. Sassy performed her tricks for them and let them hold her. She also gave them each kisses. It made them all so happy that I decided it would be nice to bring her every month or so to cheer them up.
The very next invitation to Sassy was to The Year of the Pig Celebration, on February 16.
The seniors were overjoyed to see her again. She gave each and every one of them a kiss and she let them hold her. She preformed her tricks again which she now has down to perfection. When we pick up Madi at the Boys & Girls Club Sassy sometimes goes along. The kids just love her.
At home Sassy sleeps at night with Jeff and me. She snuggles with the kids on the couch when they are watching TV. If no adult or child is available, then she resorts to snuggling with the dogs. Thanks for the interest in Sassy, she is quite a remarkable pet and would love to meet you. Her full name is Sassy Phrass Richardson.
This is part of the February 23, 2007 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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