Animals are here to prove again that they can break our hearts with their cuteness. Seriously, it's not fair. Can you think of anything cuter than an animal hugging its stuffed animal self? It's animal inception and our souls can't take it.
A seal at a Japanese zoo was recently given a plushie version of itself that it wouldn't stop cuddling no matter what zookeepers did. It's like holding a mirror, except way softer and more narcissistic. Meet the adorable seal and other animals who love their mini versions.
He Loves His Little Seal Self
An 'earless' seal at the Okhotsk Tokkari Center in Hokkaido, Japan, was taken in by zookeepers after suffering an injury while he was out there in the wild. While nursing him back to health for reentry back into his environment, zookeepers gave him a seal stuffed animal.
The seal took to his new mini-me buddy like a fish to water. Or in this case, seal to water. Ever since being gifted with his little friend the pair have been inseparable. Don't worry, it's okay to cry over how adorable this is.
The Center Lets You Peek Into Seals' Lives In The Wild
The conservation is the only facility of its kind in Japan where they specialize in raising and rehabilitating earless seals. Don't worry - they're earless by nature, not by injury. I wonder if they ever get jealous of humans with their ears pierced...
At this facility, you can get right up close and personal with the seals. During feeding, which happens 5 times a day, visitors can go greet and observe the seals while learning about their natural ecology. Who knows, you might even witness this content little man with his plushie self there.
Hugging His Stuffie Is The Main Event
During feeding times at the Okhotsk Tokkari Center, you can watch the seals perform tricks like waving, rolling over, and high-fiving guests. Now that all sounds like fun, but the real showstopper is this precious guy hugging his little stuffy.
Look at the face of pure contentment as he looks off into the distance while squeezing tightly on the mini seal. He's watching the other seals do their thing while he enjoys some quality time with himself. It's hard to tell these two apart.
These Corgi Cuddles Will Melt Your Heart
We're seeing double over here. Is it two corgis or just one? Is the plural for corgi corgis, corgi, or corgus? This optical illusion of a photo generates a lot of confusion but none of the questions center around whether or not this photo is adorable. It is, by the way.
Maybe when this little guy dreams he dreams of himself. That's understandable if he's falling asleep staring at his own stuffed animal face every night. Sweet dreams little guy, don't think too hard about doppelgängers or you'll have nightmares.
This Chow Chow And His Lion?
We've all had an identity crisis at some point in our lives. Maybe we've cut our own bangs, dyed our hair blonde, or started hanging out outside record shops saying 'man' trying to prove we're one of the cool kids. Mom, it's not just a phase!
This chow chow is seriously going through something. Instead of bonding with a mini-me stuffy, he's taken a liking to a little lion plushie. It's kind of close but it's not really him. Just let him outgrow this phase on his own This pair is way too cute to split up.
That Hound's A Dachshund
Dachshunds are more than just the adorable vertically-challenged dogs that we know nowadays - they have a long and decorated history in the sausage realm. Reportedly, the first hotdogs were named after the German breed and called 'dachshund sausages.' The name was later changed to 'hotdogs.' That name's a Weiner for sure.
This little guy seems to feel unsure about his little stuffie self - much like people are unsure about hotdogs. Is the mini version real or fake? What's really inside? He's going to have to watch a documentary to be sure.
This Bed Hog Will Steal Your Covers And Your Heart
We all know what it's like to share a bed with a complete animal. It's that person who lies right in the middle and steals all the covers for themselves while you shiver in the cold. Now imagine how much of a struggle it is sharing a bed with two of these beasts.
This dog and his mini-dog stuffy definitely don't know the meaning of personal space since they're lying in the middle of the bed and probably snoring all night. You have to forgive them immediately though when you take one look at those puppy dog eyes.
The Word Pom-Pom Finally Makes Sense
Did you know that Pomeranians are also called Pom Poms? Not to be mistaken with the cheerleading accessory or the craft novelty item, these dogs are so fluffy that their names must be repeated. Just make sure you don't glue them to a scrapbook.
This photo really fits the whole 'Pom Pom' name. This little guy knows he's so cute he warrants the repetition both in name and form. If you squint, it looks like these two are posing for a family portrait. Now, where's the scrapbook to post the family photo in...
These Little Piggies Went Straight Into Your Heart
Even pigs are getting in on this adorably narcissistic trend. But why stop there? Why not include everyone's favorite big-bad-wolf tricksters in the fun of the trend? In fact, make it 3 pig-stuffed animals to match their folktale counterparts in The 3 Little Pigs.
These pigs in a blanket are the ultimate real-life version of the snack food that we love. Just don't think about this photo while eating them - you might not like them anymore. Let's start a petition to rename the snack food 'undisclosed meat in pastry.' Sounds delicious.
Penguins Are Officially In
Thanks to Happy Feet we know that penguins have dreams and aspirations. Also thanks to Happy Feet, we know that penguins are amazing tap dancers. But did you know they're also skilled at being adorable?
This photo screams major 'is this my son?' energy. This penguin looks like he looked away for two seconds in the grocery store and his child wandered off and now he's looking in every corner for the little rascal. Luckily, no, this is not your son and you don't have to call the service desk.
Cheetahs Need Cheetahs Too
Even the fastest land animal in the world can't run from the need for a little friend that resembles them. Or from our undying love for this pairing. Seriously, all those spots are way too cute.
Ruuxa the baby cheetah at the San Diego Zoo is no stranger to having a buddy - she's got a dog friend Raina that accompanies her everywhere too. Raina must have had the day off when this photo was taken and was substituted for this mini-stuffed cheetah. No matter her buddy choice, Ruuxa truly cannot stop doing cute things that the internet loves.
The Dinosaurs Came Back Just To Make Us Happy
Dinosaurs apparently went extinct 65 million years ago. Luckily for us, we can continue to see these giants on the big screen chasing Jeff Goldblum and Chris Pratt and on the TV as a big purple hugger. Or even in your living room?
This little girl hasn't heard the news yet. Who's going to break it to her? Actually, please, nobody tell her, she doesn't deserve to be sad. This adorable puppy should forever live in happiness and hope that she'll see or grow up to be a dinosaur. Just stay away from meteors.
What's Black, White, And Furry All Over?
Hint: it's not a cow. Actually, it is a cow, but it's also a dog. Does that make sense? This picture will clear things up if you're confused.
Spot here definitely fell in love with a friend who has the same sort of eye marking that he does. They definitely trade eyeliner-wearing tips and bond over a lot of Jackson Pollock dot paintings. Spot doesn't understand why his friend doesn't seem to like steak as much as he does though.
Husky and His Less Animated Twin
We knew that huskies are descendants from wolves thanks to Balto and Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Snow Dogs. But what we didn't know is that they're related to stuffed animals too?
They have to be - there's too strong of a family resemblance here to deny any relation. These two are similar in shape and learned behavior. See how the one on the left is copying his real-life counterpart's pose? Wait, is the one on the left or the right real? These two look spookily similar...
The Cutest Cerberus
This husky took a hard pass on every convention here and decided to go with a stuffed animal choice that was equal parts cute and mythological. Instead of just one dog, he chose two, and the result is the cutest Cerberus in history.
This Cerberus would not fit in guarding the gates of Hades, nor would it do a good job guarding the Chamber of Secrets from Harry Potter. Any confrontation would have this dog rolling over waiting to be cuddled.
Little Dog, Big Spoon
Even dogs need to unwind at the end of the day and ask themselves if they're working towards their goals. Are their tails being chased enough? Does that patch of grass warrant a good roll in? These questions keep dogs up at night.
We've interrupted a private cuddle session here folks. These two were sharing a moment where they pillow-talked about their hopes and dreams of moving away from the city and settling down somewhere in the country where they can run and chase squirrels all day. It doesn't matter if they come from different manufacturers, their souls are kindred.
Another Corgi For Your Soul
What's better than one corgi on this list? Two corgis on this list! Or I guess it would be four corgis. Don't bother updating your glasses prescription if you're seeing four corgis every time you see one. That's not a vision problem so much as it is an ideal situation.
This corgi enjoys spending time with her mini-me by cuddling her when she lays down for the night. It doesn't look like the stuffed animal version is getting much shut-eye though. Maybe she's lying awake thinking about the price of cotton-kibble these days.
My Wrinkles Match Your Wrinkles
You ain't nothing but a hound dog - but that's exactly what this dog is looking for. When this basset hound chose his stuffed animal he may have gotten the breed confused and gone for a bull-dog instead, but at least he got one whose colors match his.
This adorable pup knows the value in finding somebody you're comfortable growing old and wrinkly with, even if they're just a stuffed animal. Stuffies get creases when you put them in the wash a bunch of times anyways.
Long Dogs Unite
Sometimes these twinning toys don't look a whole lot like the pets who love them. Whether it's the lack of stock at Petsmart or a breed that looks close enough, there are some pets who love slightly-off versions of themselves.
This case is definitely more of a pup manifesting an aspiration than getting an actual twin. This cute guy wants to be long and lean and decided to get himself a stuffed animal version of himself that shows his body goals. He doesn't need it - he's perfect the way he is.
This Puppy Didn't Find Her Mini Me, But She Found A Spot In Your Hearts
Some of these animals really embody the 'close but no cigar' saying when it came to picking out their stuffed animals. On the other hand, some aren't close at all. But do they still melt your heart with their blinding cuteness? Yes, yes they do.
This puppy clearly decided for herself that she'd rather set some goals than look at a mirrored version of herself. Look at those adorably pointy claws! She can easily use those for bear skills if she works hard enough. Those squirrels won't stand a chance when she learns to climb trees.
