They're Clean, They're Cute and They Cuddle

Jan. 11, 2010 — -- Iguanas had their day but, generally, reptiles are so '80s. Exotic fish were in fashion for a nanosecond. And who could deny the ubiquitous Yorkie, a dog so small supermodels were spotted toting them around the world in custom-made Louis Vuitton purses?

There have been so many trends that holding the title of pet-du-jour for longer than five minutes is harder than finding a lost Yorkie at doggie daycare. Leave it to a breed willing to get down and dirty to reverse that.

Pet micro-pigs are the latest trend in must-have companions. Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, reportedly gave her husband two for Christmas. Paris Hilton has been heard to have one. Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the "Harry Potter" movies, recently brought two home. That's right, home. Pet micro-pigs don't live in the barn, they live in your bedroom.

Jane Croft, a breeder at the Little Pig Farm in Christ Church, Cambridgeshire, England, said a micro-pig is the perfect pet.

"They are so intelligent, and they are so much fun," she says. "They will lay with you in the evening and watch TV, they love their belly scratched and they are very, very loving."

I don't get it. When it comes to pigs, of any size, I have to admit that I think of bacon, pork sausages or a good pork sandwich. I also believe that dogs truly are man's best friend, not a pig. A dog was placed on this earth to be the perfect companion and, in my mind, history shows that they have fulfilled their role exceptionally well. A dog will play with you, go running with you and, when called upon in a time of need, will even protect you.

Hollywood would have you believe the same can be said about a pig. Movies such as "Charlotte's Web" and "Babe" promote the idea that a pig is a sensitive, sweet and loving animal fully capable of challenging a dog's place in my world. And, now, Posh Spice is doing the same thing!

But I was not raised in isolation. I read "Charlotte's Web" and I cried for Wilbur. So, with an open mind, I spent a day with Croft at the Little Pig Farm to see what the fuss over little piggies is all about.