Every farm has its characters, and here at The Gentle Table, one of the biggest personalities comes in a surprisingly compact (but not quite lap-sized) package: Leela the potbelly pig. She arrived with her sister, Ava, back in 2016 from a humane society in Quebec. Thanks to the kind folks at Ralphy’s Retreat and some sage pig-keeping advice from Happy Tails Farm Sanctuary, I quickly learned that pigs would be the perfect fit for my lifestyle—and I can confidently say, I’ve never looked back.
Leela, the Professional Cuddle Pig
While her sister Ava can be a little on the bossy side, Leela is pure sweetness. She’s a total suck—begging for scratches, nudging for belly rubs, and generally demanding that the world revolves around her snuggles. The funniest part? She seems blissfully unaware of her size. In Leela’s mind, she’s a tiny lapdog, and nothing makes her happier than attempting to snooze across your lap like she’s the world’s heaviest throw pillow.
A Pig with Refined Taste
Leela’s diet proves that pigs don’t just eat anything. Her absolute favourite snacks are pumpkins (what pig doesn’t love pumpkins?) and crunchy carrots. But offer her limp celery and you’ll get the most offended piggy side-eye you’ve ever seen. Leela has standards—and she’s not afraid to turn her snout up at anything less than farm-fresh perfection.
The Spa Queen of the Barnyard
When she’s not chasing belly rubs or hunting down pumpkin treats, Leela can usually be found indulging in her favorite pastime: mud baths. She’ll happily wade into her kiddie pool during the summer, then follow it up with a roll in the dirt—because every true farm diva knows that mud doubles as the best (and most natural) sunscreen.
Leela’s a true member of the family. She brings humor, sweetness, and a whole lot of muddy snuggles to life on the farm. And stay tuned—her sister Ava has her own story to tell, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
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[…] 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 […]