Pigs are undeniably cute, especially piglets. But as any pet pig owner knows, they don’t stay small for long—unless you happen to have a mini pig, and you name it something majestic like Merlin (personally, I would have chosen Hamlet McBacon, but that’s just me).
Mina Alali, a TikTok user from California, has gained viral fame for her relationship with her miniature pig, Merlin. While many people have pigs of all sizes—miniature, medium, and even the giant farm pigs who might be hanging out with a spider named Charlotte—not everyone takes their pig on adventures like it’s their child.
Mina’s heartwarming videos of her bonding with Merlin have captured the internet’s attention, sparking a desire for people to own their own pigs. However, raising Merlin wasn’t always as easy as it looked. Alali shared with Yahoo Finance that owning a pig had been a lifelong dream, but training Merlin was more challenging than expected. If you’ve never been around pigs, you might not know that they tend to squeal—loudly. In a non-farm setting, that could be a bit much.
Mina explained that she had to teach Merlin how to remain calm when being picked up, or else he’d squeal incessantly. Thankfully, with time and patience, Merlin became much more comfortable being handled. “It’s definitely an obstacle sometimes…You have to dedicate as much time and love and affection to [the pig], as you would a toddler,” she said. The internet is glad she persevered, as her adorable videos of Merlin continue to steal hearts.
Though Merlin is a miniature Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, he’ll still grow to about 80 pounds, which is pretty sizable for a mini pig. What makes Merlin stand out even more is his intelligence—he can communicate with Mina using electronic buttons, a skill that has left viewers in awe. Seriously, Merlin is making me rethink my own pet situation, as I’m not sure my dog would ever be capable of pressing a button—he’d probably just chew it up.
But it’s not all just button-pushing; Merlin also goes on adventures with Mina, like grabbing coffee at Starbucks. Can you imagine a mini pig ordering a morning brew? The baristas certainly seemed entertained, and honestly, who wouldn’t be? Merlin is already a star, and I wouldn’t be surprised if, one day, he’s selling his own skincare line to fans.
With over 1.8 million followers on TikTok, Merlin’s star is only rising. However, before you rush out to get a pig, keep in mind that Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs can weigh anywhere between 70 to 175 pounds and live up to 20 years. Owning your own Merlin is a long-term commitment, but for those ready for the challenge, it could be a life filled with love, laughter, and a lot of squealing!