As we crawl ever-closer to December 31, let’s take a moment to look back at all the very good boys and girls from this year. The ones that deserved all the treats, belly scratches, and sneaky access to the bed.
Here’s some of our favourite animals from 2017, and let me preface this by saying that this list could go on forever because hot damn, every animal big and small, is a very good boy/girl.
Mexico City’s Rescue Dog, Frida
Known for her heroic actions after an earthquake flattened a lot of buildings in Mexico City, Mexico Navy‘s canine rescue champion Frida turned into an online sensation when she was praised for her hard work in assisting to find over 50 people amongst the rubble.
Meet Frida. She’s in the search & rescue division of the Mexican Navy along with two German shepherds. Sadly, she’s been busy lately. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/82nlfkvodW
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) September 20, 2017
Hell, the city even slapped up a bloody mural of her. That’s how good she is.
Also the goggles. I will never get over those goggles.
Fiona The Precious Hippo
From photobombing engagement photos to ripping massive farts in her enclosure, Cincinnati Zoo‘s precious squidgy baby has warmed everyones’ hearts over and over this year.
The latest news with Fiona is that she’s finally being weaned off bottle-feeding so I’m sure her long streak of being a perfect angel might have some slight hiccups with toddler-level tantrums over the next couple of weeks.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ_usKJBZKY/
May you be a big strong handsome baby in 2018, Fiona. We love you.
This Wild Squirrel Wearing An Assortment Of Hats
More recently, we were introduced to Bella – a grey squirrel who, along with her siblings, was saved from a hungry owl as a wee bab and hand-raised by some very kind humans.
After being released back into the wild, Bella was the only one who decided to regularly return to the family who saved her, forging a friendship that is nearing 10 years old.
A friendship so strong in fact, that Bella will pose for photos and let her rescuers put TINY HATS ON HER.
LITTLE HATS. THE TEENIEST WEE HATS.
The Magpie (Honourable Mentions To Bush Turkey And White Ibis)
This year saw one of the biggest avian-arguments this side of the millennium – which bird is best? The internet was ALIVE with people screeching their favourite birds at each other.
I’m surprised no relationships were ended over a heated argument about why the Tawny Frogmouth is a supremely better bird than the Southern Cassowary – a bird that would absolutely kill you given half the chance.
In what was almost certainly a rigged result, the Magpie won the bird of the year, swooping in to steal the crown out from under the lengthy beak of the humble-yet-mercilessly-mocked White Ibis.
I’m sorry, Ibis. First we destroyed your natural habitat and then we destroyed your chances at being marginally liked by the majority.
At least people are getting cute Ibis tattoos, I guess.
The Royal Doggos
We got to meet a couple of sets of royal pups this year – both fictional and legit.
Two corgis absolutely stole the spotlight at the premiere of season two of The Crown, and tbh anyone who protested that they were getting more attention than any of the cast members is extremely wrong and bad and they should feel bad. Look at these two.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbxo7pRAZc-/
Apart from these very posho bebs, some very loved rescue pups will officially be in the UK royal fam once Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tie the knot.
Meghan’s pups, Guy and Bogart, will be living with the couple in Kensington Palace, eating from royal dog bowls, peeing on royal gardens, and chewing on the royal shoes of royal butlers. What a life.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKZeiJTgSJp/
NZ PM’s Late Kitty, Paddles
When Jacinta Ardern won the New Zealand election and was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister, she was snapped greeting the public and cuddling an adorable ginger cat. This is Paddles, and for a while before her upsetting trip across the Rainbow Bridge, Paddles had a Twitter.
Hi, I’m Paddles and I am the First Cat of New Zealand. I have opposable thumbs, I’m purrty special. pic.twitter.com/MPkxdhWCRu
— The Ghost of Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 21, 2017
Paddles was adopted from NZ’s SPCA by Jacinta and her partner Clarke, and was very much loved by them for the time she lived with her humans.
We miss you Paddles, and we’re sad you had to leave us so soon.
This Dog Who Saved All His Farm Friends From Fire
Winning the award for ‘Most Stubborn Animal Of 2017’ is Odin – a farm dog who refused to leave his animal friends when fires tore through his parents’ Californian property.
The best thing about his stubborn nature is that Odin not only survived the fires, but managed to keep his farmyard mates safe and sound, and were found their humans when the fire had passed.
Every Single One Of These 36 Panda Cubs
Look I don’t think I need to add much to this but genuinely every single one of these mischievous panda cubs is the best baby ever and I love them.
These roly-poly babies are here to make things feel a bit better about this week, wether you’re struggling through the last couple of days of the working year, or you’re gearing yourself up for another day dealing with stressed-out customers. Take two mins to watch these panda bebs just tumbling around.
Carrie Fisher’s Beloved Gary, Who Broke Our Hearts
After the passing of Hollywood great and Star Wars mainstay, Carrie Fisher, our hearts were a god damned mess.
Her best friend and therapy pup, Gary Fisher, received an outpouring of love and support from her fans, and he was one of the most important guests at the premiere of the latest instalment, The Last Jedi.
Sitting on the lap of Fisher’s assistant, it was reported that Gary’s ears would perk up every time Carrie was onscreen, in what is likely her last-ever film appearance before her death.
No, I cannot. It’s too much. It’s all too much.
This CIA Dropout, Who Was Too Good & Pure To Be A Narc
Finally, in our round-up is Lulu, the CIA sniffer dog in training who unfortunately was let go from her important duties because she really just wasn’t all that interested in catching perps.
Lulu wasn’t interested in searching for explosives.
Even when motivated w food & play, she was clearly no longer enjoying herself. pic.twitter.com/puvhDk1tRX— CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017
She just didn’t wanna! Lulu’s no narc pup, she’s a good dog who just wants to nap in the sun, and eat snails in the garden, and roll in some unknown foul smell in the grass at the park before walking dirt all through the house.
So here’s to all the very good boys and girls of the past year, and we know you’re not alone here. You’re ALL so very good and if we sat here and talked about you all we’d be here all bloody day.
