Think about the first time you when to the zoo and saw all of those animals that you'll never encounter in your day-to-day life. It can be exciting, confusing, and shocking all at once to see these incredible other animals.
These photos are a reminder that our pets may feel the same way because these ones were not prepared for what they'd see when they met animals of different species. The reactions these pets have are so dramatic they could star in a soap opera.
Too Much Bass
This dog's face is both shocked and terrified at the same time. It's a spitting image of how we have all felt when our moms yelled so loud at us that it felt like the bass was thumpin' in our dining rooms.
This poor pup definitely forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer to defrost and his mom just got home to find out that dinner won't be ready in time. That's a lot of bass to take right to the face.
Pool Days Are Supposed To Be Relaxing
Ahhh, summer. Those blissful days when you can just kick back by the pool, read a book, and do some light swimming. That is, until the weird neighbor you've never met before comes over to "get to know you."
This dog is all of us reacting to meeting new people in social situations. Sure, he could bond with the duck over a shared love of the pool, but that's just not on the agenda. He's sure this guy is a quack.
This Cat Is Probably Thinking Of Ways To Weasel Out Of This Cuddle Session
We all have that over-affectionate friend who gives 10 second long hugs despite the fact you saw them yesterday. There's nothing against that friend, they're great. But sometimes people who aren't normally affectionate have a hard time getting used to the touching. This is cat and ferret are that friend duo.
This cat froze the second the ferret jumped up on them and started kissing them. They are definitely questioning how they got there, what their life choices have been up to that point, and what this strange cuddle-monster is on top of them. The confusion is adorable.
This Ostrich Is Lost-rich
This ostrich is very, very, lost. It stumbled into a herd of animals it couldn't name so instead of looking like it didn't belong and walking away it decided to sit down and pretend it was in the right place.
This lostrich is basically us whenever we've been in a social situation where we know we don't belong but we don't to draw any more attention to ourselves. Just grab some complimentary coffee and stand in the corner, look amused, and laugh every time someone else does. It's a perfect illusion.
Sea Dog, Meet Land Dog
They say seals are the dogs of the ocean. This would be more accurate if they didn't so violently eat their prey and scare the living daylights out of their competitors on the food chain. But seals do have puppy dog eyes and apparently, they get along well with dogs so the comparison holds.
Look at this calm and cute hug this seal is giving this lab. The lab looks uncomfortable as if it just met its half-brother for the first time but that's okay. It's the start of a strange and beautiful relationship.
Counting Sheep Is Keeping This Corgi Up All Night
The age-old adage is that if you can't sleep, just count some sheep. That's supposed to calm us down, make slow our heart rate, and take our mind off of the stressful parts of our day. Well, what if the sheep is the stressful part?
Otis the corgi definitely isn't going to bed anytime soon thanks to this spider-sheep. The gravity-defying animal just shocked him to heck. Otis is just scared of the future and thinking about what kind of terrifying feats spider-sheep will accomplish after this.
Duck, Duck, Dog
We've all got different responses to fear. The common ones are flight, fight, or freeze. This dog chose to freeze and the result is this incredible photo that looks like a picture of a spy deep, deep, undercover.
Out of fear of being discovered that he is in fact a dog, this dog chose to just be still until the ducks forgot their suspicions. He's repeating the mantra "fake it 'till you make it" in his head until they truly accept him as one of their own.
So, We're Not Having Crab For Dinner?
Dogs are so curious, they'll insert themselves in front of pretty much anything to check it out — including that angry scuttling crab on the beach. This dog seems to like this angry little hard-shelled beachcomber since it continues to try and put its nose directly into the crab's face.
Luckily the crab doesn't end up hooking itself onto the dog, and instead, the two waltzed down the shore stressing the other out. It's not the romantic walk on the beach either wanted, but it is cute for us.
You Don't Have To Be A Dog To Show That Puppy Love
This first meeting before a chicken and a puppy is probably the cutest thing you'll ever see. The chicken's motherly instincts automatically responded to this cute little pupper's fluffy body and she decided to do what she does to her own eggs – sit on the dog to keep it warm. Our collective hearts are melting.
The chick on the side looks a little miffed like he caught them in the act. Don't worry little guy, just forget your sweater your mom will sit on you. It's just her adorable and strange way of keeping you warm.
Deer Me, What Is That Thing?
Deer apparently don't have the natural curiosity that dogs do when they see something they don't recognize. Instead of walking right up to it and giving it a big ol' sniff, deer freeze and back away slowly. That happened when this deer saw a little kitty in the window.
Who's going to tell this woodland lad that cats are mostly harmless, especially when they're behind glass? As long as the cat doesn't figure out how to open doors then this deer is safe. Wait, cats can already do that?
Why Are You Trapped In There Brother?
Otters are another animal that's been dubbed the dog of the sea — and this photo proves why. When a dog walked by and saw an otter in a tank and it acted just as friendly as another dog would, and they greeted each other like old friends.
They're probably both wondering why the other is stuck behind some glass and on a leash. Oh well, no matter to circumstances these friendly creatures are just happy in each other's company. All we know is this photo is otter-ly adorable.
This Is Beary Scary
This cat had an encounter with the terrifying unknown and lived to tell the tale. When Reddit user's roommate brought home a real bear skin rug complete with the bear's still attached slack-jawed face, her cat had the fright of its life.
Honestly, bear rugs are scary. Period. The cat probably wasn't reacting to the bear's face but the knowledge that these things are still being made. This home decor is so tacky it's terrifying.
A Bird On the Snout Is Worth Two In The Ear
You know what they say about starting a Field of Dreams — if you build it, they will come. Turns out, that also applies for dogs and bird nests since all this cute little golden retriever had to do was grow some ears and a nose and then voila! A home for some birds.
This first meeting was definitely relaxing for the birds, but we don't know if we can say the same about the dog. He looks slightly worried that he's going to move and knock one of the birds off of his face.
This Cat Smelled Durian And Saw the Secrets Of The Universe
Sometimes we stumble across something we wish we hadn't. In this case, it's a cat meeting durian for the first time. Even though it's technically not a different species of animal, the durian is the smelliest fruit in the world so this cat's face is very priceless.
Moments after this the cat fell backward as it processed what just happened. It went through the stages of grief and learned how the universe came to be. Those eyes have seen and smelled it all.
Doesn't Matter What Happens, This Dog Refuses To Move And Disturb This Fawn
Dogs have the same reactions we do when our pet falls asleep on our laps — don't move or breathe so they don't wake up. This dog felt that way when a little baby fawn wandered through the woods to sit on its paws and yeah, this photo is so adorable we could cry looking at it.
Look at how stressed and happy this dog looks at this baby being in its lap. It's feeling so blessed that it's there, but also stressed since the photographer is making noises. Shhh, don't frighten the little one.
These Are...My Babies?
Sometimes people look really good together. Usually, it's couples, siblings, or best friends that just connect with each other so well that the world around them gets a little brighter. This adorable dog and her newfound bunny puppies have that kind of special bond.
This dog is definitely asking herself if these are her babies. Sure, they have big ears, small tails, and like to hop more than run, but they could be hers right? It probably doesn't matter to her since they're lovable and cute all the same.
This Cat Was Sure, But This Dog Definitely Wasn't
This dog's priceless reaction to a cat trying to befriend it is a whole mood. We've all felt this way when our parents dropped us off somewhere we didn't want to be and one of the big scary kids came up to us to say hi. Eventually, we discovered they were nice.
This cat looks like it's ready and waiting to be this dog's new best friend and this dog looks super unsure. Don't worry little buddy, they're nice and if you get close you can eventually eat some of their cat food.
You're The Headrest For Me
Sometimes you just know your new friend will be the perfect place for you to rest your head. Maybe they have nice broad shoulders perfect for napping or maybe they have a long snout that's the size of your body. That's what this dog found out when she met her new cow friend.
This is less of a shocked reaction and more of a peaceful realization. She felt the soft snout of the cow and realized they're going to be friends forever – this cow is just too perfect of a headrest. She's even looking into taking him on flights.
Just Becuase You Make Us Sit Together Doesn't Mean We're Going to Be Friends
We all know that old mom trick of putting you and your sibling in the same room until you work out your problems. They also use this tactic when trying to get you to be friends with the new neighbor's kid. But you don't really know about Jimmy since he ties his shoes left foot first.
This dog and cat were placed in the same bed to get to know each other, but they're not sure about the other one yet. The dog looks very skeptical about this small purring dog placed in front of him. Approach with caution.
This Lion And Dog Are The Real-Life Version Of Beauty And The Beast
Disney didn't tell us about this remake. This scene between a lion and a dog meeting is a tale that's not as old as time and definitely is as scary as it is adorable. You definitely don't see this exchange often.
The dog played it completely cool as the lion reaches up and kisses and sniffs its paw before losing interest. The dog's tale was wagging and we're sure it was happy to meet the lion, but undoubtedly it was screaming internally the entire time. We know we were.
Nope, Nevermind!
This dog excitedly ran up to this floofy feline to see if they wanted to play. As it turns out, they didn't. Sometimes it can be lonely being the only dog in the household, as no one wants to run around the backyard with you.
They've learned that sometimes you just have to play solo. Trying to recruit the cat to join in on the fun will only end up backfiring.
Who Goes There?
It's wild to think about everything that goes on up in the trees above us. There's an entire world above our heads that we aren't paying attention to. Owls sleep in hollow trees, preferring to perch on the highest branches they can find.
Owls are light sleepers, and it seems that this guy was disrupted from his sleep by a nosy squirrel. Scaling the tree, it looks like the squirrel wasn't expecting to meet an owl at the top, either.
A Black Cat Shows Up On A Farm
Is it bad luck if a black cat climbs up above your head? These three sheep are curious as to what this cat is doing on the edge of their pasture. In Scottish culture, it's perceived as a sign of prosperity if a black cat visits a home.
In Britain and Japan, black cats are also considered good luck. These three sheep want the cat to come down but the cat is thinking it's best to keep a safe distance.
This Dog Knows What's About To Happen
It's never good when a cat sneaks up on you with that look on its face. That face is full of bad intentions. This chocolate lab has seen that face before, and knows that it better make haste or get a cat's paw upside the head.
This cat decided that the couch is not big enough for the both of them, and this dog can't escape the situation fast enough!
The Stair Dare
This cat is daring the dog to take one step further down the stairs... What is it about cats being on power trips? They always seem to want to put all of the other animals in the household in their place.
This dog knows that he's in a pickle. He wants to come back downstairs, but he doesn't want to get pawed by his sibling. He's thinking that he'll probably have to spend the night upstairs without dinner.
Ahh A Big Scary Dog
Huskies have a reputation for a lot of things-- being escape artists, being a stubborn dog to train, and for their high-energy and tendency to get bored easily. However, they usually aren't known for being afraid of little dogs!
This Siberian Husky leaped into their owner's arms when they saw a small Jack Russel Terrier approaching. They were afraid of the tiny pup and sought comfort in their owner's arms. We wonder if their ego was crushed as passerby's take photos of the hilarious situation.
What Are You?!?
These two dogs received their first introduction to a ferret (on a harness and leash we might add) and they were totally thrown off guard. It looks as though the ferret was afraid to run up to the dogs and see if they wanted to play, even though the dogs are clearly much larger than them!
It turned out to be the dogs that were bewildered in this match-up. The fluffy ferret doesn't look to be much of a threat though.
Get The Green Thing Out Of Here, Please
We're not sure who joined the family first, the dog or the bird, but this dog wishes it were the only pet in the household! Apparently, the daughter of the family adopted the dog, and he is deathly afraid of the son's bird.
They must live under the same roof, but this dog sure wishes that they didn't have to share a chair! It looks like the dog was all set-up with a towel and a bone with this bird came in and decided to wreck his peace of mind.
Run For Your Life, Doggo
This good boi was just doing good boi things when he found out that he was getting a new sibling. They were waiting patiently in the kitchen, hoping that another dog would be introduced to the family. But no.
For whatever reason, their owner decided that it would be a great idea to bring a cat into the mix. And while it would be polite for the cat to be kind to their new family member, they are clearly not emotionally available for a healthy relationship with this canine.
Oh, You Think Their Eyes Look Weird?
This pug's owner thought that it would be a nice surprise to bring home a new toy for their dog. They picked out a squeaky little yellow giraffe that the pug could chew on and squeak around the house. They weren't expecting this reaction though!
When the pug was shown their new toy, their face lit up in horror. "How could you bring this thing into the house?! It's terrifying!"
Noooo Why?
Why were the corgis afraid of the zucchini? This isn't a riddle, we're really asking. For whatever reason, these two corgi siblings are not having a good time after their owner brought in a zucchini from the garden.
They wanted to show off how large their squash grew to this season, and hold it up to the dogs for scale. They corgis really, really wish that she didn't, though. We thought only kids hated vegetables, but this is next level.
Who Does This Guy Thinks He Is?
It looks like this little owl was cruising around a bookstore when he came upon someone who looks like him, but isn't quite the same. Tokyo has an owl cafe where customers can enjoy the company of 25 owls while they sip on a beverage.
It looks like owls have made their way into bookstores, too! The little owl was walking around (book shopping?) when he stumbled upon a stuffed animal owl looking him square in the eye. What kind of sorcery is this?
Outnumbered
Being outnumbered is never fun. It means that you have the disadvantage from the beginning, because you have no one to back you up! The odds are stacked against this puggle and he knows that things aren't looking food for him.
It looks like this is his first introduction to these two cats, who don't have a friendly demeanor. The dog is hunkered down, clearly showing that they're submissive to the cats' demands. We hope his day gets better.
Hello Mrs. Bird
This beautiful wintertime photo captures a happenstance meeting between a squirrel and a bird in the snow. They both look at each other curiously, perhaps trying to communicate. This guy on the left is a red squirrel that lives in northern Europe and Siberia.
They're found in the woods where they can find a more reliable source of food year-round. The first winter is always the toughest for survival for these squirrels. It looks like this guy is happy and healthy as he checks out a red bird.
That Thing Doesn't Look Friendly
Who doesn't love lobster? This dog, that's who. This Beagle was cruising around the kitchen, hoping to score some bites of whatever his human was cooking. He came to immediately regret his timing, as his owner shows him what's for dinner.
The beagle has never seen a lobster before, and they wish that they never had. The dog appears to be wishing that their owner would put the lobster back in the water where they came from.
Bunny Meets Aussie
This cute photo shows an Australian Shepard meeting a rabbit for the first time. The dog saw the pet bed alongside the cage and thought that it might be for him. So he went over and took a sit and saw that there was a bunny checking him out.
Meanwhile, the bunny is wondering why the dog is stealing his bed! "Hey man, that's my bed! I guess you can sit in it while I'm in here, though."
We Did Not Discuss This, Karen
This is a photo of Russell the cat meeting Coco the dog for the first time, and the cat doesn't look pleased. While the dog is relaxing on the couch, happy to be welcomed into their new home, the cat is having buyer's remorse on his human's decision.
When their owner was out later than usual, this is not what Russell the cat thought they were doing. Hopefully Coco isn't taking up Russell's spot on the couch or there is about to be a turf war.
Helloz I Would Like A Boop
This Burmese kitten sitting up on the kitchen counter met a dog for the first time in this photo. The brave little kitten showed no hesitation when it encountered a much larger dog. It looks like this chocolate lab is asking the kitten for a boop on the nose.
They both look curious about their meeting and want to figure out who the other one is. The cat thought the meeting went well, but isn't a huge fan of dogs, yet.
"So What Are We Going To Name Her?"
Zoey the German Shepard lives in Japan and her family decided to add a new member. Zoey is curious about the kitten that turned up, but it looks like everyone will get along just fine. They decided to name the little kitten Sushi.
Zoey has been a good girl and getting adjusted to their new home in Japan after living in California. Now she'll have a new friend to adventure with.
"How Do You Turn Him Off?"
Lori the cat wasn't thrilled with the new addition of a bird. She was used to living by herself, living a pampered life filled with long naps and quality apparel. She wasn't ready for her home to be interrupted by a chirping bird that never seems to sleep.
The bird's name is Mango, and this was Lori the cat and Mango the bird's first introduction since the bird arrived. We're guessing that Lori is going to stay salty about this one for a while.