snuggle

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.

Have you ever been overtaken by the feeling of just wanting to crawl under your blankets and stay there for a while? Cozying up under them in the morning, not wanting to get up for work? We know you have. It's a universal feeling that everyone understands. 

That feeling becomes even more intense though when you have an animal snuggled up with you. Nothing is more difficult than getting up from under your blankets when your dog - who's technically not supposed to even be on your bed - jumps up to cuddle you in the morning. But, at least you can be assured, when you are at work, that your pupper is getting the snuggles that you want so desperately. At least one of you should.

We hope you enjoy these warm and snuggly doggos from r/TuckedInPuppies as much as we do and that you have an amazing weekend!

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.

Whoever started the rumor that cats are not affectionate clearly has never owned a cat. Cats are very affectionate - they just choose their preferred times for being affectionate, and they're picky with who they love, just like we are. It's part of what makes us love them so much. When a cat is affectionate with you, you've earned it, and for that, it feels so much better. 

This cat who went viral on imgur is one who is so affectionate, his owner ItsMoni is even calling him overly affectionate with no perception of personal space. And the internet, as have we, has fallen in love with this cat. Because it's almost as wholesome and heartwarming to watch a cat love its owner as it is to be loved by one yourself. 

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!

People who have no pets seem to truly have no idea what they're missing. The love and joy that an animal brings into a household, the brightness and pure positivity. And it's important to remember that, of course, you're not the only one who's made happy by their presence, but that they're also made happy by yours. 

There is nothing more gratifying in the world when you have a pet than seeing that pet love you back. Whether you see in the way they snuggle with you or in the way they just chill next to you, when animals love, they love hard. And it is the most beautiful thing in the world. 

So, if you know anyone who's considering adopting, show them these pictures, and their mind will hopefully be set on "yes".

I don't know if you've noticed, but it is cold outside. And there is nothing that we want more each and every day than to be able to not get out of bed, not go to work or school, just stay under the covers, rolled up and snuggled up in their warmth. One might even say that we are burrito-ing ourselves. Get it?

So, in honor of our endless desire and just as endless inability to snuggle up in our blankets every single day in this cold weather, we are bringing you some freshly baked, just out of the oven, little cat purritos. Looking at those wholesome snuggly pictures should make you a little bit warmer. At least a little bit.