Meet Merlin, the pig with an outsized personality and a flair for drama. Merlin isn’t your ordinary farm animal—he’s a highly intelligent, chatty pig who lives with his owner, Mina Alali. Mina isn’t just your average pet parent either. Along with Merlin, her household includes a dog, a cow, rats, a pigeon, and even a bearded dragon. This unique pet family lives in perfect harmony, though it’s safe to say that Merlin takes center stage with his antics and larger-than-life behavior. His expressive personality has made him a social media sensation, with fans flocking to see his sassy tantrums and clever tricks.
Mina, who is deeply committed to enriching her pets’ lives, spends a lot of time teaching Merlin how to communicate using buttons programmed with specific phrases. These talking buttons are commonly used by pet owners to help animals express their needs and desires. Merlin, however, has taken this to a whole new level. Where most animals would use these buttons to ask for basic things like food or playtime, Merlin uses his buttons to express opinions, throw tantrums, and even sass his owner. His button-pushing skills are advanced and perfectly reflect his headstrong personality.
In one memorable video that has gone viral, we see just how determined—and dramatic—Merlin can be. The video starts with Merlin already in the middle of one of his classic tantrums. He had been asking for something, but when Mina told him “no,” the pig wasn’t having it. Instead of accepting her decision, Merlin immediately begins hitting the “I can” button repeatedly as if to argue his point. It’s clear Merlin is trying to make a case for himself, believing that persistence might just pay off. Unfortunately for Merlin, Mina stands firm, refusing to give in.
Frustrated, Merlin sulks off in the most dramatic fashion possible, heading straight for the bathroom. Once inside, he gently closes the door behind him—yes, this pig has learned how to close doors. However, there’s one problem. While he can shut the door, he hasn’t quite mastered how to open it again. This doesn’t stop Merlin from expressing his frustration. Instead of asking to be let out, he resorts to a new tactic: twanging the doorstop’s spring repeatedly, making an annoying noise that only adds to his protest. Though it didn’t get the reaction Merlin had hoped for, Mina eventually opened the door for him, but not before the pig made his point clear.
Merlin’s tantrums don’t stop there. In another incident, his love for snacks takes center stage. Like many pets, Merlin has a soft spot for food, particularly veggies. One day, he asked for a vegetable snack, and Mina, the indulgent mom she is, was happy to comply. However, Merlin’s appetite wasn’t satisfied with just one snack. Immediately after devouring his treat, Merlin decided he wanted more. He approached the buttons again and requested another vegetable snack. This time, Mina refused, knowing that Merlin had already had his fair share for the moment. The result? Another tantrum, of course. This time, Merlin sulked off to the bedroom, moving with exaggerated slowness, making it clear that he was not happy with his mom’s decision.
What makes Merlin’s tantrums so entertaining is not just his behavior, but Mina’s reactions. Like any seasoned parent dealing with a stubborn child, Mina talks to Merlin as if he fully understands her, and to some degree, he probably does. When he slams doors in her face, she scolds him, saying things like, “It’s not nice to shut the door in my face.” Yet, Merlin, in full teenage defiance mode, continues slamming doors with attitude. His tantrums and door-slamming behavior have become a signature part of his personality, showcasing just how smart and cheeky he truly is.
Mina’s relationship with Merlin is a testament to her patience and love. Despite the pig’s stubborn ways, she continues to work with him daily, expanding his vocabulary and ensuring he stays engaged. The bond between them is heartwarming and reflects a deep connection that goes beyond the usual pet-owner relationship. Merlin’s intelligence allows him to communicate on a level rarely seen in animals, and Mina’s dedication has helped him flourish into the sassy, tantrum-throwing pig that the internet has come to adore.
She Could Barely Walk or Breathe When Rescuers Found Her
Rescuers swooped in, but when they got the pup into their care, she had lost the use of her back legs, was struggling to breathe, and weighed just around 20 pounds.
Merlin’s antics have made him a social media star, with fans eagerly awaiting each new video. His sassiness, combined with his obvious intelligence, makes him an endlessly fascinating animal to watch. From arguing through buttons to throwing tantrums when he doesn’t get his way, Merlin has become a relatable figure for anyone who’s ever dealt with a stubborn child—or in this case, a stubborn pig. His journey from a regular pet to a viral sensation shows that animals, especially ones as smart as Merlin, have unique personalities that can bring joy, laughter, and even a bit of mischief into our lives.
So, whether Merlin is shutting doors in Mina’s face, twanging doorstops in frustration, or demanding another snack, one thing is for sure—this pig knows how to steal the spotlight. His tantrums may be over the top, but they are also a hilarious reminder that even animals can have big personalities and a flair for the dramatic. And as long as Merlin has something to say—or in his case, a button to push—you can bet his story is far from over.
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