Ava the Potbelly Pig: A Barnyard Foodie

Every farm has that one animal who is just a little bit extra — and here at The Gentle Table, that’s Ava, our potbelly pig. She’s the undisputed top pig in the barnyard pecking order (don’t tell her sister, Leela), and she makes sure everyone knows it. Ava is the first to trot over when you walk outside, mostly to see if you’ve brought her an offering. And let me tell you, she is very particular about her snacks.

Carrots? Seems these days that she’ll only accept if they’re sliced into neat little medallions or cooked just right.
Celery? Yes, but only if it’s crisp and straight from the garden — grocery store stalks simply will not do.
Apples? Those usually pass the test.

Ava isn’t a pig who settles. She knows what she wants, and she’s not shy about turning up her snout at subpar produce. Her favourite treat (besides pumpkins, of course)? Our soft pumpkin cookies…which I’ll be sharing shortly. They’re human and pig approved.

Life as the Top Pig

While Ava does enjoy scratches and belly rubs (she’ll happily flop over when she’s in the mood), she’s not quite as needy as her sister, Leela. Think of her as the confident, independent one who knows she’s fabulous. Still, during the cooler months, you’ll often find Ava and Leela snuggled up together in their beds — piggy sibling rivalry has its limits.

The Barnyard Foodie

Here’s where Ava’s clever side really shines: she knows the horses sometimes spill grain in the barn, and that’s basically gourmet compared to plain veggies. She’ll make a beeline for the barn door, and if it’s not already open? No problem. Ava has figured out how to slide it open herself and help herself to whatever delicious morsels have been left behind. Smart girl.

A Pig with Manners

One of my favorite quirks about Ava is that she and Leela were originally trained using French commands to sit, stay, come, lay down, etc.. Every now and then, you can see those manners come back out — especially when food is on the line. To prove she deserves a snack, Ava will sit squarely on her bum, perfectly poised, like the little lady she is. Très chic, non?

A Character Through and Through

From her picky palate to her sneaky barn raids, Ava keeps us laughing (and sometimes rolling our eyes). She’s definitely a trouble maker, but life here wouldn’t be the same without her.