A pet pig named Charlotte is accompanying her owner on a road trip across the United States, and she’s changing the way people think about animals. The outgoing pig is making lots of new friends who are delighted to meet her.

Charlotte’s owner believes there’s “some power in people seeing an animal get to be their own voice,” and her message is indeed important. Charlotte and her mother were rescued from a breeder who was selling “mini” pigs they no longer wanted to care for. There’s no such thing as “mini” pigs, though — they all grow up. Nervous at first about adopting the pigs, Charlotte’s new dad can’t imagine life without them, and has even adopted a third!

Charlotte’s heartwarming story shows that pigs are intelligent, lovable and make great companions! And sometimes the best way to share that message is by letting people meet the curious critters themselves.