What a pig he was.

Yesterday afternoon while nestled in a pile of shavings, Mr. Policeman, long time CAS resident and beloved member of the CAS family, peacefully gave up his struggle against painful degenerative arthritis and other old age related health complications. He was at least eleven years old.

Mr. Policeman, who received his name from the NYPD after being seized in a Bronx drug bust, arrived at CAS five years ago as one of thirty refugees from a struggling farm animal sanctuary. Once his good friend Belle passed on, Police preferred the company of humans and chickens to other pigs. The one exception was Charlie the curmudgeon, whose miraculous story of recovery is told in my book, Where the Blind Horse Sings. The two often sunned themselves—sometimes rear to rear, sometimes snout to snout—on the shavings pile outside the barn.

Police was an iconic figure at CAS, and a gentle spokesperson for his species. He had a particular soft spot for children, and “naptime” with Policeman (a child would straddle Policeman and then slowly stretch out along his massive belly, thus “taking a nap” with Mr. P), said more to them than our words ever could. Indeed, Police touched many hearts with his patience, his sensitivity, and his “I’m so happy to see you” grunt whenever he was approached. He was an intelligent and emotional being who shared peaceful bliss with anyone that took the time to know him. The impression he made, and the questions his kindness raised are an open invitation to reexamine who we are as humans and how we should live in order to be worthy of this kind of love and trust.

Yes…what a pig he was. We at CAS are proud to have offered him a safe and loving environment in his last years. It was an honor to call him friend.