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People with pets have their camera rolls dominated by them. And for good reason. Our precious companions provide so much joy, we want to make the moments last. You're on a tiring business trip? No problem, just open up a shot of your goofball and you forget all about it, even if for a little while.

But don't just take my word for it. Take the subreddit 'Funny Animals' for example. Its moderators describe the online community as "a place where we can laugh at our non-human friends" and since its creation in 2011, it has attracted over 1.2 million members, who are constantly sharing pictures of their dogs, cats, and other creatures that make their days shine brighter.

Continue scrolling and check out some of its all-time most popular posts!

#1

Be Like Rosie

Be Like Rosie

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Leekun
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cat first: WTF is this??? Get it away this instant! Cat second: I love him/her and if anything happens to him/her, I will claw you to death!

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#2

And I Looked, And Behold, A Pale Horse. And The Rider's Name Was Death

And I Looked, And Behold, A Pale Horse. And The Rider's Name Was Death

Aztery Report

Between verbal jokes, slapstick comedy, and funny animal pictures, there are numerous reasons we laugh. But are humans the only species that can find humor in life?

The tricky part is that philosophers and psychologists have long struggled to come up with an exact definition of what constitutes humor in the first place.

They've presented numerous theories over the years, one of the most popular being the "incongruity theory" of humor. At its basic level, this theory states that humor arises when there's an inconsistency between what one expects to happen and what actually happens — and this includes comedic tools like puns, irony, and twists of fate.

According to this definition, it sounds like the vast majority of animals probably don't have a sense of humor, as they lack the cognitive mechanisms and networks that would allow them to identify such inconsistencies.

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One known exception is Koko, the famous western lowland gorilla who understands more than 1,000 American Sign Language signs and 2,000 spoken English words.

This clever primate is known not only to use language to humorous effect by playing with different meanings of the same word, but also to understand slapstick comedy — she's reportedly signed the word "chase" after tying her trainer's shoelaces together and made laughing noises at her trainer's clumsiness.

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#9

“Does Your Dog Bite?” “No, It’s Worse. She Judges”

“Does Your Dog Bite?” “No, It’s Worse. She Judges”

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But there are various issues with the incongruity theory of humor and related theories, including the fact that they fail to take into account that jokes with predictable punch lines can also be funny and that certain incongruous things aren't funny.

Furthermore, they also seem to evade the primary reasons why we laugh: being tickled by a friend or family member.

#10

They Look Extremely Pleased To Know One Another

They Look Extremely Pleased To Know One Another

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Recently, a few psychologists came up with a new theory. They propose that humor arises from the so-called benign violation or "something that threatens a person’s well-being, identity or normative belief structure but that simultaneously seems okay," they wrote in a paper about the theory.

#16

When You Love Cookies

When You Love Cookies

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#17

Cutest Note Ever

Cutest Note Ever

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Benign violation can explain why a number of things make us laugh, including being tickled: that is, tickling benignly invades someone's physical space.

You can't tickle yourself because that doesn't constitute a violation and complete strangers can't tickle you to the point of laughter because you won't perceive it as a benign act.

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Under this theory, various animals do, in fact, have "humor," if only they can be tickled.

#19

He’s Back Once Again

He’s Back Once Again

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Scout Finch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it came to pass that on the special day the ONE did appear.

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Research shows us that our primate relatives — chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans — all produce laughter-like sounds when tickled (as well as when they're wrestling and play-chasing).

This also suggests that humor and our ability to laugh likely came from humans' and great apes' last common ancestor.

Additionally, another study discovered that chimpanzees can make silent "laugh faces" just like humans.

#23

Huh? Wazzit? Wha .. What's Happening??

Huh? Wazzit? Wha .. What's Happening??

Aztery Report

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TheAquarius1978
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine does that a lot, not getting under the blankets, but if i wake him up by accident, he's confused look is hilarious.

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#25

Buddy

Buddy

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STress
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Later, the boy sat on him and rode to the sunset...

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Dogs are also known to have a kind of panting laugh and play face that's suggestive of humor.

But as far as these pictures go, we're probably the only creatures that can appreciate them. Which makes them even more special.

#26

That's Rude 😒 🥲

That's Rude 😒 🥲

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#29

There Are Best Friends

There Are Best Friends

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Local foodie
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a program in zoos that gives cheetahs their own emotional support dogs and it’s so ADORABLE 🥰

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#33

Who Wore It Better?

Who Wore It Better?

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#37

Are There Posts Worth 999 Views?

Are There Posts Worth 999 Views?

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TheAquarius1978
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Moon Moon is at it again..... For those of you that don't get it lol just Google " Moon Moon "

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#38

Wish That Was Me

Wish That Was Me

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Nunya Bus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dang cats are smart and give no f*cks. I love when cats across Nativity scenes and toss the baby Jesus from the Manger and sleep there.

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#40

I Almost Had A Heart Attack This Morning...

I Almost Had A Heart Attack This Morning...

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#44

Dude Look Those Eyes He Is Pissssed

Dude Look Those Eyes He Is Pissssed

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#47

Someone Isn't Taking Whole Wedding Seriously

Someone Isn't Taking Whole Wedding Seriously

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STress
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's two of them. And the minister looks like he's gonna cry any moment...

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#49

Might Teach Him Some Boxing

Might Teach Him Some Boxing

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Ty Stratton-Quirk
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"You may be wondering how I got in such good shape. The answer is simple: pushups, situps, and plenty of juice."

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#50

Stock

Stock

pietradolce , twitter.com Report

Note: this post originally had 142 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.