I live with a pet pig & we share the bedroom – I tuck him in at night but people think it’s ‘ridiculous’ & call me ‘mad’
A WOMAN has left social media users totally baffled after revealing she shares the bedroom with her pet pig.
Meet ”animal lover” Valerie and her rather unusual choice of pet – Homer the pig which even gets to sleep in the same bedroom as Valerie and her partner.
The US-based couple, from Pennsylvania, have become an internet sensation thanks to the big pig which has amassed fans across the world.
According to Valerie, the five-year-old ”pet” is a ”Vietnamese pot- bellied pig with a great big personality”.
Sharing their bizarre journey together, the animal lover said that ”Homer had a rough start in life”, as the pig was allegedly was tiny and ”blind in one eye”.
”I found him huddled in the corner of the pen of piglets.
”The lady who was his birth mummy really wanted to find him a home and asked if I’d be willing to take him home.”
Without any hesitation, Valerie said ”yes” – and so their unusual adventure began.
Since then, their bond has grown strong and Homer is now an essential part of their family, as well as her that of her friends’ and her companion’s.
”Pigs are so smart and entertaining, and Homer is no exception.
”I love sharing videos of his antics and also helping people realise that pigs can be great pets by showing his daily routine,” said Valerie, whose TikTok page, @homerthepig, has won her more than 830k followers.
”Homer has a great life here in the country with lots of room to roam.
”He has a kitty cat best pal and some chicken and guinea friends.
”I hope you enjoy watching him interact with us as much as we enjoy sharing him with you!” she said on their YouTube channel.
As well as chilling and hanging out with the other pets of the family, Homer also gets to roam around the family’s home – and even has his very own bed in Valerie’s bedroom.
The pig, which celebrated his birthday earlier this year, sleeps right next to Valerie, patiently waiting for the redhead to tuck him in before bedtime.
The bed, which is complete with a frame with his name all over, also has a pig-themed blanket, a cosy pillow, as well as several toys to keep him company during night.
According to Valerie, when the summer gets warmer, she will even switch the air conditioning on for Homer who likes to be nice and cool – although he will never say no to blankets.
Keeping a pet pig or 'micropig'
Fancy getting a pet big? Here's what to know...
The Gov UK website states: ”If you keep a pig or ‘micropig’ as a pet, you’re considered a pig keeper. You must follow the same traceability and welfare rules as pig farmers.
”As a keeper, you’re legally responsible for the welfare of your pig. You must look after it by:
- providing it with a suitable place to live
- giving it a suitable diet
- making sure it can behave naturally and normally
- protecting it from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
- You must follow good hygiene and biosecurity standards to help prevent the introduction and spread of disease.”
”Homer is always cuddled up in blankets in winter. Even in summer and with air conditioning, he loves his little blankets.
”He’s had this since he was a little guy,” she explained in the now-viral video.
But although the duo seem to share a lovely bond, some social media users were stunned by the bizarre bedtime routine and having a big pig as a pet.
One wrote: ”May this level of madness never locate me.”
Another was just as gobsmacked, writing: ”Ridiculous, it makes no sense.”
Someone else chimed in, joking: ”Where’s dr Phil to explain this one to me.”
However, for the most part, the comments were kind – and there were plenty of those envious of Homer.
”I wish someone took care of me like Homer,” wrote one Instagram user.
”Animals deserve to sleep good as well! GN Homer!” a fan agreed.
”Homer has a bigger bed than me,” someone else cried.