Pumba the potbellied pig likes attention. Especially when it means he gets a treat out of it.
Inside his home enclosure a couple blocks from South Tacoma Way on Wednesday, Pumba beat the heat by bobbing for apple slices in his kiddie pool and devouring a small watermelon. Although he’s only lived in Tacoma for about a year, neighbors have grown to love the 2-and-a-half-year-old pig, who greets them at his gate and enjoys walks around the Haunted Farmers Market and South Park.
Pumba is not like other pigs. He’s traveled to 13 states and loves sitting in the front seat. He’ll sit, come and turn around on command (when he feels like it). He gets the zoomies and loves getting cups of whipped cream at coffee stands. He can walk on or off a leash, play chase, is potty trained and recognizes up to 30 people (and holds a grudge to those who tease him or make bacon jokes), according to his owner, Jenessa Johnson…