As we ready ourselves to usher in the new year, let’s not forget about all of the reasons we had to smile in 2017. And let’s admit it: cute animals provided us with a lot of those smiles! Chosen from a list originally compiled by InspireMore, these 21 animals definitely cheered us up the most this past year. 🙂

This dog who would escape just to hug his friend

This hedgehog who goes on all kinds of adventures

Oh, you know. Just a deer enjoying an apple. 🙂

These traveling pals

Cats will be cats! 😉

This bird who looks like he’s fresh from the shower

This dog who had a party with all of his friends

“Heyyyy why is there a hole in my flower garde…..Oh!”

“Our foster dog gave birth yesterday. To baby cows” ?? 😉

This father and son

“So my dog has a closet for all of his neck ties and bow ties”

This dog trapped in some sheep

This cat who thinks he’s a person

No “cone of shame” here! 😉

The raccoon who took refuge from fireworks on a porch

This pup in his $9 pirate costume

Frida, the dog who saved lives after the Mexico City earthquake

This hedgehog enjoying Christmas

This dog in a cup

Lennu, Finland’s “First Dog” 🙂

This adorable smiling Alpaca