SUMMERDALE — The pig has found its way back home again.

In 1982, Velma “Cooter” Peebles of Summerdale made the pig for her brother-in-law, R.C. Peebles after a heart operation in which he had a pig-valve installed.

The handmade ceramic pig became a guardian angel of sorts, staying with R.C. on his journey to recovery at his home north of Auburn, near the Alabama-Georgia state line.

Nine years later, the valve and the pig were still going strong when R.C. died of a blood clot and the pig fell into the hands of R.C.’s son, Darrel.

Cooter died in 2000 and R.C.’s brother, E.L. “Pee Wee” Peebles remarried in 2002.

Born in Brewton, Pee Wee still lives on the same corner overlooking Summerdale School where his family moved when he was 1-year-old.

Recently, Pee Wee himself had to have a pig valve installed.

“They said it was because of a genetic defect,” Pee Wee said.”I guess (R.C.) and I both had it.”

Soon after his valve replacement, a familiar figure showed up at Pee Wee’s door.

Darrel Peebles, now a minister in South Carolina, had returned the pig to Pee Wee with a note, a poem really, proclaiming the legend of the pig.

The note read, “He kept it with pride and showed it to all. For years he and the pig had a ball. It has waited on the shelf since the day RC died. Awaiting the next person who would be qualified.

“So the time has come and Pee Wee has stepped out. A pig’s valve inside and mud on his snout.

“So keep it safe and display it with pride. Until someone else has qualified.”

At his home in Summerdale with his wife Ida at his side, Pee Wee delights in showing off the pig and joking about his new pig valve.

“I’m as good as new,” he said. “I can eat anything I want except for ham or bacon. I’m scared I might be eating one of my cousins.”

He hopes the new heart valve will bring him many good years to spend with his family. Between them, the Pebbles’ have six children, 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Like the pig, Pee Wee, who is 79, has a wonderful outlook on life.

“My next birthday, Jan. 22, I’ll be around 40 … twice,” he said, holding up two fingers like a peace symbol. “And I hope to be around for a while longer.”