VIDEO: Meet the Galway pig called Babe who thinks he's a dog

Meet Babe, the micro pig who thinks he’s a dog that is brightening up the streetscape of a Co Galway town.

Nine-month-old Babe is the star of Deirdre O’Donnell’s family of pets, which live with her and her partner in Tuam.

However, the pet porcine seems to think he’s of canine origins as he enjoys his walkies with his buddy Ze Ze, Deirdre’s King Charles spaniel.

“Babe’s best friend is Ze Ze, and I take them both for walks on a double lead, even though we rarely go through the town as I get stopped so often by people who want to pet him or take photos that I never get very far,” she said.

“He definitely believes he’s a dog and will chase after a ball if I throw it. He’s also quite fond of the squeaky toys I got for Ze Ze.”

Deirdre says she has wanted a pet pig since she was a little girl and months of pleading with partner Kevin finally paid off last year.

“I’ve wanted a pig for as long as I can remember but I lived in New York until I was 22 so it wasn’t an option growing up,” she said.

“I finally convinced Kevin when I assured him that a micro pig only grows to a certain size.

“But it didn’t go to plan in the beginning when we kept Babe in the house and his tendency to root with his nose ended up destroying some of the furniture.

“Things got worse when he dug up the entire garden and I thought he would have to go but we contacted a vet who suggested a metal ring for his nose to deter him from rooting.

“Thankfully, it’s worked and he only has to wear it for six months.”

Deirdre’s friends and family thought she was crazy to consider getting a pig but have since come to love the quirky addition to the family.

“We have been out to visit my young niece and her school friends in Corrandrum National School where the children all loved him,” said Deirdre.

“Babe is so gentle and placid and loves nothing more than having his belly rubbed. People seem to think he’s the same as the pig in the Vodafone ad that’s been on the telly lately but he’s not.

“He’s a micro pig, with a straight tail and a smaller snout than a regular pig, but the biggest difference is he will never grow to be a full size pig, which is the main reason I got him.

“He does live up to his reputation though in that he’s quite lazy.

“I wouldn’t be without him now and having gone so long wanting a pig, I never thought having one would be as good as it is.

“He’s part of the family now and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”