A Pig's Life

LiLou, 5, is the World's 1st Airport Therapy Pig. Of course, the airport that engages her services is SFO.

Years of experience under her belly, LiLou is rounding into form. She was trotted out at the SF Symphony’s 19th Chinese New Year concert:

In one nook, a gaggle of fancily attired women in traditional Chinese gowns hitched up their form-fitting skirts, fell to their knees and, hoping that their zippers were up to the strain, said hello to the belle of the ball, LiLou the pig.

In the Year of the Boar, LiLou, whose day job is SFO’s therapy pig, was an honored guest, decked out in pearls and red nail polish, the same color as City Hall’s dome was lit that night. LiLou herself is black and white and not at all camera shy.

LiLou likely is aware that behind their smiling faces some concertgoers viewed her as ambulatory bacon. It takes generations to change hearts, minds, and stomachs. Perhaps some day we'll chew the fat with her kind only metaphorically.