As humans, we often come across people we don’t like. Maybe they rub us the wrong way, or maybe they actually did something to provoke ill feelings. But here’s the thing: we should learn to forgive and forget. We don’t have to look far to find prime role models of this very practice – our pets and even wild animals.
Sure, maybe your dog and cat don’t get along all that well (after all, Fluffy did scratch Fido in the eye), but they learn to cohabitate and make the most of the situation. Then there are those animals that live in the wild. If a friendly paw is extended, more often than not, it will be met with a friendly hoof, foot, or wing. Need the proof that most animals see no species or color? Just look at the below unexpected animal friends.
Disclaimer: These guys are seriously adorable.
1.) A little roughhousing never hurt anyone, right? This little bear cub stumbled into a family’s yard in Slovenia. Since then, he’s found a friend in the household dog.
REUTERS/Srdjan Zivulovic
2.) Hessel, the Labrador, and Hannes, the cat, are the best of friends.
Bert Jonkhans
Hessel, just one when Hannes moved in, apparently accepted the cat with open paws.
Bert Jonkhans
3.) This long tailed macaque was caught on camera hanging out with his good friend a ginger kitten. They’ve been seen together in the Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bail.
Anne Young/Solent News
4.) Photographer Lassi Rautiainen caught this bear-wolf due roaming in the wilderness of northern Finland.
Nordic Thoughts
5.) These two unlikely friends, Monty, the horse, and Tyler, the black Labrador, are known to horse around. They also look after their owner whose daughter was killed in combat in Afghanistan. She left her two pets with him to keep him company and in good spirits.
The Daily Mail
6.) This Chital deer was the only one to let a little macaque ride around on her back at a zoo in Malaysia. As a reward, the little guy groomed her and took a snooze.
Carol Smith
7.) This little red fox keeps his bunny bestie warm while they nap.
Don’t Call Me Betty
8.) Gulliver, a white Shire horse, and his best friend Apollo, the miniature donkey, play well together – as long as no one gets stepped on.
Kavery
9.) A big bear hug is all these this polar bear and husky needed to become instant best friends in northern Canada.
National Geographic
“I’m pooped – let’s just lay down and snuggle for a little.”
National Geographic
10.) Mary, the terrier, and Mini Hog, the African albino pygmy hedgehog, make quite the picture-perfect pair.
Million Talks
11.) As if Simba and Timon on The Lion King weren’t cute enough, meet their real-life counterparts, Bob, the meerkat, and Zinzi, the abandoned lion cub.
Matthew Tabaccos
The two live in South Africa’s Predator World Zoo and Game Farm.
Matthew Tabaccos
12.) This baby elephant was discovered injured at the bottom of a well. On the way to the wildlife trust that would help him recover, two baby ostriches eased his fear of flying.
DWST
13.) Bam Bam, the grizzly, and Vali, the chimpanzee, live together at the Myrtle Beach Safari Park in South Carolina.
Barry Bland
They’ve been inseparable ever since they were introduced at the park. Among their favorite pastimes are rousing games of tag and wrestling matches.
Barry Bland
14.) The more the merrier in this wild bunch! A baby monkey, lion cub, and tiger cubs cozy up at a tiger park in China.
REUTERS/Stringer
15.) This obliging German shepherd offers a ride to his friend the koala.
Tumblr
16.) More proof that cats and dogs can become best of friends – this little terrier snuggles up with a tiger cub.
A Letter to My Dog via viralnova
Well, there you have it, folks! Animals really don’t judge. We can all learn a thing or two from the furry friends that we share the planet with.