It doesn’t take much for an animal to look adorable, but this bunch of creatures managed to turn up the cuteness dial to another level. Some of these pets and wild animals were in the middle of the year’s most harrowing natural disasters.

Such huge species of weta, giant wetas, can be found in New Zealand. They are examples of island gigantism.

No matter how adorable dogs can be, they like to chew things to pieces. Inside, you’ll see a selection of photos of little pooches ruining various things.

While it’s doubtful that these furry pets intentionally photobombed their archenemy, they still make for funny and really cute photos. Somehow the sneaky background culprits make the pictures even cuter.

A hungry fox sprung into action in Yellowstone Park as it dove for a mouse in the snow. See just how high this cute fox jumped without taking its eyes off its prey for one second.

These baby koala bears were discovered in their dead mother’s pouch. The poor mum was hit and killed by a car. Luckily, the driver took the animal to the local vet and little twins got a chance to survive. Inside this post, you’ll see an amazing chronology of tiny koalas’ growth.

A selection of cats, dogs and other animals that have that I-wanna-kill-myself look being in the center of attention.

Quebec Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) had to treat, but more importantly, clean up a stray dog that was extremely dirty.

Remember that not everything you are about to see is pleasant.

A huge lion was about to drink water at the waterhole when a black-backed jackal came nearby…

Nowadays only a literate cat can boast to be a truly intelligent pet.

Justin Rollins became a soldier in 2006. He was deployed to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne. He was killed in spring 2007. But he emailed photographs of him playing with a puppy to his girlfriend the night before his death. Justin’s family decided they wanted to have that puppy that Justin held. The dog was found and sent to The Rollins. It traveled from Iraq, Bahrain, Brussels and New York before landing in New Hampshire. The little pet is named Hero in memory of the dead soldier.

A dog becomes the real man’s best friend, especially when you live at one of the most remote corners of the world. These are dogs of Bely Island located near the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia. They risk their lives chasing a hungry polar bear away from Siberian weather station. They are heroes who protect humans of the isolated spot from the powerful beast.

Photographer Mark Taylor tests his patience by taking pictures of all sorts of very cute animals hanging out. From ducks and rabbits to dogs and cats, he manages to catch them being completely adorable, which isn’t too difficult.

From the looks of these very cute images it is difficult to tell who is actually in charge and who is better, cats or dogs.

Can you imagine your young child curled up with a massive python snake? Check out these images of a 7-year-old kid who is doing just that with his parents approval.

Sometimes our beloved pets do really crazy and even evil things.

A cat is hidden on each of these photographs. Can you spot them all?

I would also smile if I were one of these two cats invited for their birthday party.

Autumn is especially beautiful during the foliage. But it’s so much cooler to observe the fall’s beauty when dogs are playing in colorful leaves.

Who knew there were so many gorgeous birds in the world? This collection will introduce you to all kinds of colorful pigeons, parrots, hummingbirds, toucans and many others.

Quetzal

The self-effacing egret spent over 30 minutes patiently fishing before landing the shrimp. Within seconds a disrespectful seagull showed off some impressive acrobatics and stole the tasty dinner right from the egret’s mouth.

These incredible moments were captured by photographer Andy Long, 55, who was taking pictures of the wildlife in Fort Desoto Park (Florida) that day.

The lives of these two elephants, a baby and its mother, could have ended if workers from South Laungwa Conservation Society didn’t try to help and free the trapped animals.

Sometimes certain situations arise that require a person to think quickly in order to save someone. Read further to hear a story about the amazing rescue of a trapped and helpless shivering dog told by a courageous rescuer.

You might have to ask for a raise if you had to work with him.

Do you think this is Photoshop? No, it’s not. The full story is right after the jump.

Only imagine this. You have paid a lot of money for your Bahamas vacation. You have counted the days till you are in heaven. You are finally on the Bahamas beach… And here they come!