As the old saying goes, “a dog is a man’s best friend,” but this pet pig might disagree. Meet Chowder, the 6-year-old Vietnamese potbellied pig who has his own group of unlikely animal friends. The domesticated farm animal lives with five rescue pups—named Rika, Slick, Nya, James, and Bashe—and his human, Shelby Madere, in Southern California. (Altogether, they make up @piggypoo_and_crew.) We know dogs make great pets, but Chowder proves he’s just as lovable and loving as his furry siblings.

Pigs are known for being very sociable and intelligent, and this is especially the case for Vietnamese potbellied pigs, who love nothing more than a good cuddle. “When I look at my crew, I see the reflection of who I am in them,” says Shelby, who regularly shares photos of the adorable gang on Instagram. “Their happiness, their safety, their health, their whole lives rely on me and I will never ever let them down.” Chowder doesn’t let their differences get in the way, and often plays in the yard with his canine crew and even wears the same matching collars—tailored to his size of course.

Keep up to date with the adorable day-to-day lives of Chowder and his crew on Instagram.

Meet Chowder, the pet pig who lives with five rescue dogs and his human, Shelby Madere, in Southern California.

This band of unlikely animal friends have a unique bond.

Piggypoo and Crew: Instagram

h/t: [Instagram Blog]

All images via @piggypoo_and_crew.

Related Articles:

Adorable Pig Grows Up Bonding with Dogs, Thinks She’s a Puppy Too

The Sweet Adventures of a 2-Year-Old Girl and Her Adorable Pet Pig

Adorably Fuzzy Pigs Look Like Sheep and Act Like Dogs

Adorable Dog Duo Always Gladly Welcomes Cat Best Friend into Their Snuggle Time

Travelers Are Using This Site to Live All Around the World in Exchange for Pet Sitting