Makin Bacon is nonchalant, as the kids like to say these days. Unbothered. Pretty happy with life, as long as he has his favourite food - pumpkin - on tap. And then he can curl up in front of the fire or in his own personal electric blanket. Yes, literally a pig in a blanket.
But the 11-month-old miniature pig is also set to become the next big thing in Canberra, up there with the likes of Hephner the alpaca, as his owners hope he can be used not only a therapy animal but as a supporter of local charities.
The happy little pig is owned by Bungendore couple Tenaya and Gen Ikeda. She is a federal public servant and they have just moved south from Queensland for her work.
And coming with the couple were their five dogs and five horses - and, of course, Makin Bacon.
The couple take Bacon out with them wherever they go, and he attracts attention every time. Trips to Bunnings. Into the local bank. Around the local markets. People love him. And usually want a photo. Which Bacon is happy to provide, curly tail wagging as he meets new people.
Tenaya met the little pig one evening on a remote Queensland road.
"He just shot across the road," she said.
Luckily, the pig went under the car and through the tyres. Tenaya still took him to a vet and decided to keep him after an owner could not be located.
"My husband was originally like, 'You are finding somewhere for him. We are not having a pig'," she said.
"And then so many people said to my husband they wanted to buy him to put on the spit. He was around six months at the time. And because he was a mini and a baby, the fat is supposed to be tastier.
"My husband is a very big empath and he cried. Every time someone tried to buy Bacon for food, he was in tears. So we kept him."
Now, Makin Bacon has a growing following on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
"We want to use that engagement to draw people out to the local communities, especially to Bungendore, and bring in some more tourists," she said.
"And with his fame, if we can support charities, animal welfare charities, children's charities. We just want to make sure Bacon is happy and healthy and we put back into the community."
Makin Bacon has been invited to his first event - the Bungendore Yarnbombing project on June 13 - and it's likely to be just the first of many.
The next step is Makin Bacon merch including soft toys and stickers. Tenaya and Gen intend to also use the proceeds from sales to help local charities.
"We want to get him registered with the NDIS so he can be a therapy pig," Tenaya said.
"We've had a few people reach out to do private sessions and to go into the special education schools."
In the meantime, Makin Bacon is loving life. He's smart - he can open the cupboards and he knows how to swipe on Tenaya's phone. But not that smart.
"He thinks he's a dog. He's not," she said.
Makin Bacon is a house pig. He sleeps in bed with Tenaya and Gen. He watches TV. He has a penchant for Japanese hip-hop. He loves being primped and pampered.
"He has a better hair routine than me," Tenaya said, with a laugh.
