cuddling

January 21st is the actual annual date of National Hug Day. Although frankly, if we are being honest, this should be a much more common sort of day. Kind of like a Friday. Hugging should happen more often and amongst more people (only if the people actually agree to it, of course- consent is important!). When animals hug, it bursts into our brains as if we are being hugged ourselves. It is so sweet and heartwarming, that I'm pretty much convinced we should make it a regular holiday.

We have here raccoons, dogs, cats, reptiles, seals, dolphins, and bunnies! My goodness, are there any animals even missing? There are mixed-species hugs and homogenized-species hugs. We can learn a thing or two from these darlings. Love is a powerful thing and these little guys show us exactly why.

Sometimes we have to lean on each other in order to make it through the day, the week, and even the year. This can happen emotionally but also, of course, physically. Animals often find this comfort as well in hugging each other and sleeping with each other in a cuddling position. Sometimes, we need a friend to be our pillow. No matter the weather, Randy Newman's "You've Got a Friend in Me" will be playing in the back of our minds whenever we see animals hugging it out. 

Below you will find otters, cats, dogs, and even rats (hey, that rhymed!). Love has no boundaries, even in the animal world, as you all will be able to see. The utter sweetness is so massive it can give you a toothache. Get ready to visit the dentist.

Dogs have their fur, it is true. And yet, dogs nowadays are often just like us in that they love the luxury and comfort of pillows and blankets. Frankly, this is very understandable. Comfort is key. Comfort is life. And while dogs enjoy life in the house rather than outside in the woods, why not go all the way? Why not make an entire blanket fort so that you are never too hot or too cold. 

Below are 12 pictures of dogs who treat themselves and know how to do it right! Come rain or shine, these dogs have their blankies and they look darn cute as well. What's better than having fur? Having fur surrounding your fur.

This post is for the people in the crowd who truly believe that cats are not affectionate. We, cat owners, know that they are wrong of course, but the stereotype prevails. It's true that cats show love differently than humans and differently than dogs, but they still show it. You just need to know what you're looking for. 

Sometimes, a cat will show you love by blinking slowly while looking into your eyes, other times, they'll do it by showing you their bootie. And sometimes, it's a lot more straightforward than that - when they come to you, asking for physical affection in the form of cuddles. And our amazing Facebook users shared stories of just that which were so adorable we had to share them with you too. 

We don't know if you've heard, but there is this rumor about cats not liking cuddles and not being affectionate. We know, how ridiculous is that. Clearly, anyone who knows anything at all about cats knows that if you have earned their love and affection, they will give it back to you tenfold and more. 

Cats are so affectionate. You just have to allow them to be affectionate with you on their own terms. It may take some time for it to happen, but eventually, if you are nice and respectful enough, it will. And maybe your cat will end up as cuddly and loving as this one. 

Has your cat ever given you the ever so gentle but strict paw on your face to stop you from cuddling them any further? Yeah... the pain is acute when that happens. Like, please, all I want is to love you, why won't you let me friggin' love you. It's a hard life, being cat owner. You have to constantly contain your all-consuming need to pet and kiss and touch the floof while also giving your cat space to be its cat self. 

It's so hard. But... at least when they are feeling cuddly, it's worth it. Because lawd knows there is nothing better than those moments when your cat comes up to you and begrudgingly asks for cuddles. That- that is what being a cat owner is all about.

A tale as old as time... The first act: dads insisting on not getting a pet. The second: dads complaining about the pet the family got and acting like they can barely tolerate it. Act three: finding your dad cuddling your new cat/dog on the couch... still acting like they can only barely tolerate them. 

Really, they should stop pretending, we all see through them. No one can withstand the power of the cute.

r/dadswhodidnotwantpets on Reddit is the ultimate proof of that, considering how many people share their stories on it. It's wholesomeness galore, heartwarming stories and nothing else, and as someone with a dad just like one of those, I love these stories more than anything.

If you've woken up today on the wrong side of the bed and find yourself in need of some love and support, you're at the right place. Some pictures of floofy and affectionate cats cuddling and snuggling each other will do you some good, we promise. 

Scrolling through these pictures of kitty cat snuggles will bring some joy and calmness into your day and turn what you thought won't be the best day into a better one. Because what wouldn't we do to go to our kitties while we're working and studying and just lie down next to them for some snuggles? So, if you can't get the real thing, you'll get the love vicariously through these pics.

Have a purrfect day, cat lovers!

There is something so insanely heartwarming when it comes to two different species getting along. And to take it one step further, when two interspecies are getting along so well that they are inseparably and snuggle with one another! It's almost too cute for our hearts to handle. 

Meet Sakura, the otter, and Mochi, the cat. The two live in the same household and often are both featured on Instagram at @kawauso_sakura. If you're looking for that aww-filled moment then look no further. Sakura and Mochi are here to deliver quite a punch! 

Animals have the power to make us feel every range of emotion, especially the aww's.

It's National Hug A Bear Day! And we here at Cheezburger are celebrating! Now, it's important to remember that you should actually go out and hug a bear. That is a bit dangerous at the end of the day, no matter how cute and cuddly bears may appear. 

No, National Hug A Bear Day is actually a day that refers to teddy bears and is meant to celebrate hugging! Yeah, you heard right. On this day, you aren't supposed to go out and hug actual bears. The way to celebrate National Hug A Bear day is by hugging your teddy bear, or by hugging your friend's teddy bear, or giving a big ol' 'bear hug' to one of your friends or family members. 

That doesn't mean that actual bears shouldn't be celebrated, of course, since bears are unbearably awesome. So, since we can't come give y'all bear hugs right now, as a compromise, we've decided to give you an adorable collection of some of the most teddy bear-like looking bear cubs instead.

Okay, so we know cats are adorable. They just are, in every situation. But sometimes, the cute is so overwhelming we have to cover our faces with our hands and shield out eyes from it. It's too much, one more look and the butterflies will burst right out of our stomach.

They don't even know how cute they're being when they're doing it, that special moment when they're sleeping, you gently touch them, and they just squeezeeeee their tiny widdle faces. All instincts tell us to give them a big ol' kiss in that moment, but we can't. We must not interrupt them when they're doing the squeeze-face thing. It's too precious to ruin. 

It's snuggle time. Yes, we said it. It's the middle of the week, and you may be risking getting sleepier and awwing so much it tires you out completely, but it's time for some wholesome snuggles with the most wholesome cat purritos. 

These adorable kitties will make your heart surge with joy just like they do to us. There's no way to avoid it. It's a whole explosion of cuddly cuteness. Makes us want to get under a blanket and snuggle with them, just to feel that relaxation take over us as well. Use these pics as an example and take a breather, treat yourself to some cat snuggles and relaxing tea, and may the second half of your week be snugglier and warmer than the first.