smile

Smiles. Smiles are the universal sign of happiness. 

Did you know that smiling is actually more contagious than the flu? And that studies have should that when you smile, a true smile, "it affects certain muscles that actually make you feel happy or joyful. You smile because you are happy and when certain muscles are hit, your brain sends even more happy signals or endorphins."

Smiling is the ultimate gift you can give yourself, and others will catch your smile, too. 

We hope the following smiling animals are contagious to you, too! Here's to a happy day! 

What is it about animals that make us feel so warm and happy inside? They are just so pure and so loving, even the ones that you may not think are loving. All animals tend to show love and affection in their own way, much like humans. 

Like a human, they may have some trust issues or they may be scared when it comes to love. Animals are so much like us yet better. They truly are the essence of warmth and purity. 

Face it, when you come face to face with an animal, you can't help but smile. It's impossible and it's not something we ever want to fight. Take a breather with these heartwarming and silly gifs, guaranteed to put a smile on your face (small or large).

See? They don't only just scream. 

We do love those screaming possum memes though. We wanted to share another side to these screaming cuties! A side of them being sweet, and sporting a big wide grin! 

Go on and look at these photos... then look straight into our eyes and say you didn't smile. You won't be able to. 

Nothing brings on a smile like being smiled at! And if you need another positive energy boost -- check out this small gallery of awwdorable baby animals! 

Do you think you can make it through this entire list without crack the slightest smile? If you do, you might be a monster.

Our faces hurt from smiling at these lovely smiling faces! We hope it'll provide you with that same joy. 

Have a great weekend and don't forget to smile! 

Oh my, oh my! If these aren't the most precious pictures we've ever seen -- we don't know what is! We seriously cannot contain our smiles looking at these purrfect lion cubs smile! 

It's totally contagious! 

The cubs are both males who have yet to be named, born January 11th to mom Kali and dad Arnold, at the Audubon Zoo.

The duo went in for a routine check-up and had their first round of vaccinations -- both "healthy and active," says zoo curator of large mammals, Joe Forys. 

"The cubs looked great. Their body condition is outstanding. They are both growing at a rate that we would expect. We're really happy," continued Forys.

The cubs great health is all thanks to their loving and doting mother! Forys said that Kali is providing her babies with absolutely everything they need and more. These two sure look like happy cubs to us! 

Just when you thought cats couldn't get any cuter...they go ahead and give you this look. 

How are we supposed to resist such a face? The answer is we're not. And they know it. 

Here are 12 cats who are dead set on keeping that awful dogter away with their bright smiles! 

Nori is an Aussiepoo mix, half Toy Australian Shepard and half Toy Poodle. But Nori is more than just another pup, he has gone viral for his "unique" looks...and by "unique" we mean human-like expression. 

We can't really tell if it's the eyes or the smile that give Nori his human-resembling face. He has large almond-like eyes but also a pinkish smile -- both very human-like. His owners, Keven and Tiffany from Seattle say that they're often stopped on the street by strangers commenting on Nori's unique little face. 

Kevin said, "When he was a puppy, we couldn't go more than a block without someone stopping us to ask questions about him."

You can follow Nori on Instagram!

See the adorable pictures below!

Story via DailyMail

When they are smiling, we are smiling too. Just can't help it. 

It is physically impossible to get through these images without bursting into a giant smile yourself! Go on, just be prepared to stare lovingly at your screen for the next 2-4 minutes. It's okay, we did it too. 

Don't you feel like the world is smiling at you?

Marnie is a 16 year old Shih Tzu that was adopted from a shelter at the age of 11. She's adorable and her cute little tongue is always out. Despite living a harder life for a while, she's been living the high life over the last 5 years. Just take a look at her cute face.  Via: The Chive