Merlin the Pig Is Here to Get You Through the Election

It’s election week. Stakes are high. Nerves are frayed. And every reasonable person in America is sick and tired of waking up to a mailbox jammed full of unreasonably large flyers. You might be wondering how to get through this home stretch. Maybe you’ve run out of new ways to take mental health breaks.

Fear not voters, for we have figured out the perfect distraction. His name is Merlin, he’s a Davis-dwelling house pig and he knows how to use those talking buttons to communicate with his human roommates. His primary concern in the world is consuming vegetables and ice cubes and, when he doesn’t get them on demand, he has … feelings.

@mina.alaliistg he’s going through his teenager phase. he’ll be listening to my chemical romance in no time♬ original sound – Mina Alali

And it’s not just door-slamming Merlin is willing to employ when he doesn’t get his way. Check out his response to not getting to eat a snack that was never intended for him in the first place.

@mina.alaliI sincerely hope none of you ever have to experience a hoof to the tata♬ original sound – Mina Alali

Delightfully, he also hits a “child abuse!” button every time his doggie roommate Maverick wants to play.

@mina.alaliMerlin had a lot to say this morning♬ original sound – Mina Alali

Merlin’s owner Mina Alali is a singer-songwriter and influencer who also lives with pigeons, rats and a bearded dragon, in addition to taking care of a rescued cow named Moo that lives elsewhere. Together, they have over 92 million (!) likes on TikTok and 2.3 million followers.

Alali, along with her husband Alex, makes keeping this menagerie seem surprisingly normal, taking Merlin for (incredibly slow) walks.

@mina.alaliMy boy really said, “no pictures or videos unless I get a treat🐽”♬ original sound – Mina Alali

As well as for hangouts at the Davis farmer’s market.

@mina.alaliking merlin stopped by for a visit at our local farmer’s market 🙂♬ original sound – Mina Alali

Alali is also teaching Merlin impeccable table manners, as one must with any willful child.

@mina.alaliHad to go over manners with Merlin cause he’s getting sassier by the day♬ original sound – Mina Alali

Especially one that will wreck a kitchen the second he’s left unattended.

@mina.alalireason number 526 why you should maybe reconsider adopting a pig♬ original sound – Mina Alali

At least Merlin is learning to clean on command.

@mina.alaliMerlin still does housekeeping for anyone who’s interested, rate is 15 ice cubes & 18 blueberries per hour♬ original sound – Mina Alali

And when he’s content? He’s a perfect angel.

@mina.alali my friend, simira, said watching this was more therapeutic than her last therapy session LMAO #merlinthepig #rats #ratsoftiktok #cutestvideos #pigsoftiktok #mina #fyp #xyzbca ♬ original sound – Mina Alali

(Merlin’s love for his rat siblings is intense. Alali has previously disclosed that she had to put extra locks on her rat cage because Merlin kept letting his rodent friends out when she wasn’t looking. “I would come home and there would just be rats on his back,” she said, “crawling around the house.”)

So, any time you need a break this week, remember: There’s always Merlin the pig. You can follow him, Alali and the whole gang on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.