I first got my delightful Piggy at a jumble sale in Bristol when I was 7 years old. My cousin brought it for herself, but as she saw that I liked her more she gave it to me.

I fell in love with her straight away even though she was very worn and well loved by someone else. I named her Piggy and she held a little baby piggy in her arms.

Piggy will always remind me of my childhood days spent with my Grandma and Grandpa who I loved very much. My Grandma was very good at sewing and helps mend Piggy.                                      

My Dad got cross with me when I was on Bus in London with my Mum, and my Dad pulled piggy and she tore in half as she was made of cloth and stuffing. I remember this moment even to this day as I cried and I knew my Grandma could mend her body and torn arm.      

I also remember trying to run away from home when I was about 8 years old, as we had moved to London, which was difficult for me as I missed my grandma who lived in Bristol. Piggy went everywhere with me and my monkey too.    

Piggy would go on holiday with me and I think I must have been about 11 years old when I realized that piggy should stay at home and not go out with me.    

I think Piggy became less important to me when I left home when I was 20 years old as she went to live with my Mum. My Mum made sure piggy was placed on a special chair in the bedroom with monkey too. They were both safe and well looked after. 

My relationship to Piggy is very important as I brought her out a few years ago to America where I have lived for the last 19 years.  

Piggy sits on a special small chair with my Sasha dolls which I also played with as a child. I would feel very sad and full of grief if I lost Piggy, as she was my companion as a child and have many fond memories of holidays, tea parties in the garden and sleeping on my bed at night. I spent many hours with Piggy and Monkey (my mum has Monkey in London) at my grandma’s house.    

When I look at Piggy each day, and every so often I touch the threads that my Grandma mended.  It reminds me of happy days with my Grandma and Grandpa who I loved very much. My Mum loved piggy just as much as me as it reminds her of my childhood, which went by far too fast now that I'm in my 40s.