Remembering Leonard 2011-2019
/Leonard, one of the first four pigs to arrive at HEEFS, is someone we will never forget. Anyone who has had the honour of being in the presence of his enormous toothy grin and huge floppy ears will always remember the special aura of calm energy that surrounded our beloved Lenny.
Arriving at HEEFS
When Len and his herdmates, Bear, Captain Dan and Bobbie arrived at HEEFS in December of 2014, he was an active and fully mobile four-year-old pig. They all arrived from a failing sanctuary where they were loved but could no longer be cared for. Known as the “old soul”, Len loved nothing more than exploring the pastures and forests of HEEFS by day and gazing up at the moon by night.
Differently abled
As the years passed, Len’s back legs began to fail him. As is often the case with pigs of Len’s size, arthritis set in and his mobility declined. But this didn’t stop Len from enjoying life to the fullest. His stall at HEEFS was outfitted with everything a pig could ever want, from buckets for foraging to blankets for snuggling and there was even a TV installed so the volunteers and Steve and Derek could cuddle in with Len to watch movies and his favourite cartoons. When he wasn’t being massaged, belly rubbed or read to by volunteers, Len enjoyed the quiet company of stall-mates, Bobbie, Herc and Mercy.
A special place for Len
Even with his back legs failing, Lenny was able to scoot outside to the patio that was built just for him. Affectionately named the Lenai, Len’s patio was completed just months before his passing and it was with tears of joy that the caregivers, volunteers and Len’s best friend, Derek, watched as he scooted himself out to enjoy some sunshine on his snout and gaze up at the moon at night.
