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When you see a mirror, you see yourself. This seemingly basic ability demonstrates whether an animal being possesses self-awareness. Humans, great apes, dolphins, elephants, and magpies are also said to pass Gordon Galoup’s famous "mirror test."

It’s still debatable whether our pets like dogs, cats, or rabbits have that same ability. But from what countless pet owners have seen, gazing at yourself is quite a trend in the house animal kingdom. Bored Panda compiled a list of the most adorable little pets looking at their reflections, as if they were telling them: “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the furriest of them all?” We may not know the reason for such behavior, but at least we know the motif.

#1

Find Someone Who Looks At You The Way My Cat Looks At Himself In The Mirror

Find Someone Who Looks At You The Way My Cat Looks At Himself In The Mirror

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Rowlie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"rembembe:You're goregoeous, You're beautiful, You're the most beautiful cat in the world"

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#2

I Caught My Cat Staring At Himself In The Mirror Looking Like A Renaissance Painting.

I Caught My Cat Staring At Himself In The Mirror Looking Like A Renaissance Painting.

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#3

The Importance Of A Selfie Angle

The Importance Of A Selfie Angle

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nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if I'm as pretty as this kitty, I would need several mirrors in every angle as well

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When we look into a mirror, we recognize that the image we’re looking at is our own. Psychologists see it as a special mental act which requires sophisticated aspects of our consciousness. Interestingly, the ability to be self-aware of one's reflection is not something we’re born with. It’s only between the age of 18 and 24 months that babies begin to understand what it is that they’re seeing in the mirror.

The mirror self-recognition test has been applied to animals since its inception in the 1970s and has been considered to be the gold standard indicating whether a living being is self-aware or not. While very few animals and primates have showed signs of self-awareness and passed mirror tests, our beloved dogs have failed it.

According to The Cut, “They do not seem to know, or perhaps they don’t really care, what is going on with the mirror’s scentless, two-dimensional representation of a dog.”

#4

Looking In The Mirror

Looking In The Mirror

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#5

Owl Sees Himself In The Mirror

Owl Sees Himself In The Mirror

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#6

Kill Them. Kill Them All.

Kill Them. Kill Them All.

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However, many scientists feel skeptical about whether the mirror test is the right indication of animal consciousness. For example, the primatologist Frans de Waal argues that self-awareness should be understood as a broader concept. “I cannot imagine that a cat or a dog—even though they don’t recognize themselves in the mirror—I find it hard to imagine that they have no awareness of themselves,” he said.

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And while in human developmental psychology, the mirror represents a significant threshold in our sense of self, animal minds don’t necessarily work like the human mind. Not every animal is attuned to social intelligence so deeply like us, and not every animal perceives the world in its visual dimension. Dogs, for example, could have failed the mirror test because their primary instrument of perception is smell.

#8

"I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, And Gosh Darnit, People Like Me"

"I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, And Gosh Darnit, People Like Me"

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Nea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never felt this confident looking into a mirror. But then i lack his grace and beauty

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#9

My Cat Thinks My Makeup Mirror Is Mesmerizing

My Cat Thinks My Makeup Mirror Is Mesmerizing

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#10

Baby Otter Looking At The Mirror

Baby Otter Looking At The Mirror

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jevais
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Truly hope that this baby isn't kept in captivety for life. Otters don't live bath tubs.

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#11

My Rabbit Does This Every Day. Not Sure What He's Thinking About…

My Rabbit Does This Every Day. Not Sure What He's Thinking About…

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#13

Daily Ritual To Connect With The Mirror Cat

Daily Ritual To Connect With The Mirror Cat

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#14

Then She Licked The Mirror Because It Seemed Like There Was A Nice Dog In It :)

Then She Licked The Mirror Because It Seemed Like There Was A Nice Dog In It :)

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#15

Looking In The Mirror

Looking In The Mirror

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#16

The Mortifying Ordeal Of Being Known

The Mortifying Ordeal Of Being Known

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Nagawa (Cofa) Kishiki
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you see the reflection of the dog from your angle, that mean the dog is looking at you though the mirror as well.

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#22

My Dog Has Discovered Her First Mirror. She Keeps Rolling Her Ball To The "Other Dog" And Whining Because She Wants To Play

My Dog Has Discovered Her First Mirror. She Keeps Rolling Her Ball To The "Other Dog" And Whining Because She Wants To Play

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#24

My Chinchilla Saw Himself For The First Time In The Mirror Today

My Chinchilla Saw Himself For The First Time In The Mirror Today

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#26

"I Don't Even Know Who I Am Anymore"

"I Don't Even Know Who I Am Anymore"

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#27

He Already Knows How Pretty He Is

He Already Knows How Pretty He Is

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#28

He Kept Looking Into The Mirror For Quite A While, Seems Really Depressed About The New Look After Shaving.

He Kept Looking Into The Mirror For Quite A While, Seems Really Depressed About The New Look After Shaving.

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Tracey Hirt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat used to do this when we would get him his summer cut. He’d keep looking in the mirror as if he couldn’t quite believe we had done this to him again. He really was more comfortable in the summer in 100+-degree temps without all the floof.

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#29

Happens After Ever Bath She Gets. She Goes To The Sink, Stands Up, Paws Down, And Looks At Herself In The Mirror.

Happens After Ever Bath She Gets. She Goes To The Sink, Stands Up, Paws Down, And Looks At Herself In The Mirror.

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#30

Put This Mirror On The Bedside Table And Renly Couldn’t Handle It

Put This Mirror On The Bedside Table And Renly Couldn’t Handle It

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#31

I Rescued A Dog Tonight. She Just Keeps Following Me Around Smiling At Me... Even Through The Mirror

I Rescued A Dog Tonight. She Just Keeps Following Me Around Smiling At Me... Even Through The Mirror

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Lucas
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dog watches my reflection to see what I'm up to in the kitchen - she uses the shiny glass of the oven door.

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#32

This Is Toki, My Pet Cockatiel, Singing To Himself In The Mirror C:

This Is Toki, My Pet Cockatiel, Singing To Himself In The Mirror C:

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#33

Today My 7 Week Old Puppy Saw Himself For The First Time

Today My 7 Week Old Puppy Saw Himself For The First Time

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#35

Meet Kaiser, My 2-Year Old Gsd Foster. Last Night He Discovered Mirrors. Now He Comes By Every 10 Minutes Or So Just To Sit And Stare At Himself

Meet Kaiser, My 2-Year Old Gsd Foster. Last Night He Discovered Mirrors. Now He Comes By Every 10 Minutes Or So Just To Sit And Stare At Himself

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#36

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall...

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall...

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Lavender Brown
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who's the cutest of them all???? You are!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

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#37

This Cat Sees Himself In The Mirror

This Cat Sees Himself In The Mirror

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Mike Rodrick
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw a video of a cat like this that looked like it was dancing with itself in slow motion. 1 of the coolest things I've ever seen.

#38

This Fb Marketplace Photo Looks Like An Art Piece To Me

This Fb Marketplace Photo Looks Like An Art Piece To Me

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#39

She Used The Mirror To Look At Me. I Just Thought She Looked So Precious ^.^

She Used The Mirror To Look At Me. I Just Thought She Looked So Precious ^.^

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#40

We've Been Feeding A Stray For A Few Weeks - Helped Himself To A Tour Of The House And Ended Up Getting Mesmerized By The Mirror

We've Been Feeding A Stray For A Few Weeks - Helped Himself To A Tour Of The House And Ended Up Getting Mesmerized By The Mirror

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#42

Looking In The Mirror

Looking In The Mirror

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#43

Every Morning When I'm Getting Ready For Work My Cat Protects Me From This Scary Mirror Cat.

Every Morning When I'm Getting Ready For Work My Cat Protects Me From This Scary Mirror Cat.

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Bill Lee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh my gosh that cat in the mirror looks like it isnt in the mirror and its actually standing in front of the cat. probably because that mirror is so clean. so clean it would sell for $1,000,000 in an adcution.

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#44

We Don’t Deserve Dogs. This Is Dakota. She Faced Her Greatest Fear- The Dog Who Lives In Our Mirrors - To Sit With Me In The Bathroom When I Was Sad

We Don’t Deserve Dogs. This Is Dakota. She Faced Her Greatest Fear- The Dog Who Lives In Our Mirrors - To Sit With Me In The Bathroom When I Was Sad

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#45

Looking In The Mirror

Looking In The Mirror

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#46

Longfellow Meeting Himself In The Mirror For The First Time.

Longfellow Meeting Himself In The Mirror For The First Time.

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#47

Tfw You Realize How Mirrors Work... Because You Realize You See Your Human And Not Just Another Angry Kitten.

Tfw You Realize How Mirrors Work... Because You Realize You See Your Human And Not Just Another Angry Kitten.

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#49

My Doodle, Using A Mirror To Spy On Me While I Sleep. The Second I Show Signs Of Life, She Runs Over To Me So We Can Go For A Walk Or To Get Pets. She Thinks She's Fooling Me. She Understands How Mirrors Work, But She Doesn't Understand That I, Too, Understand How Mirrors Work.

My Doodle, Using A Mirror To Spy On Me While I Sleep. The Second I Show Signs Of Life, She Runs Over To Me So We Can Go For A Walk Or To Get Pets. She Thinks She's Fooling Me. She Understands How Mirrors Work, But She Doesn't Understand That I, Too, Understand How Mirrors Work.

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#50

Put A Mirror In Front Of Him And He Thought He Had Made A New Friend

Put A Mirror In Front Of Him And He Thought He Had Made A New Friend

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#52

It Looks Like It Nailed A Job Interview

It Looks Like It Nailed A Job Interview

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#54

Looking In The Mirror

Looking In The Mirror

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#56

Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who's The Handsomest Bun Of All?

Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who's The Handsomest Bun Of All?

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#57

My Dog Looking Into A Vanity Mirror.......he Was Honing In On My Grand Daughters New Toy. Look At Me!

My Dog Looking Into A Vanity Mirror.......he Was Honing In On My Grand Daughters New Toy. Look At Me!

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#59

My Sister's Dog When She Was A Puppy, Fascinated With Mirrors. Meet Millie!

My Sister's Dog When She Was A Puppy, Fascinated With Mirrors. Meet Millie!

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Lucas
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most puppies are - they think it's another dog but usually grow out of it. I think they take no notice of themselves in mirrors generally because most of them have no sense of vanity rather than it being 'no sense of self' as they so called experts believe. Just my theory.

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#60

Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who’s The Pretties Skink Of All?

Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who’s The Pretties Skink Of All?

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#61

She Was Confused By The New Mirror. (Apologies For Potato Quality)

She Was Confused By The New Mirror. (Apologies For Potato Quality)

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Binxyminxem
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL the potato in the caption made me laugh! Someone's hungry lol! The photo looks fine to me though! Funny cat 😄

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#62

This Is My Favorite Pic Of My Dog

This Is My Favorite Pic Of My Dog

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#63

My Dog Does This Too. This Is Her Looking At Me Through A Mirror. Face With Tears Of Joy

My Dog Does This Too. This Is Her Looking At Me Through A Mirror. Face With Tears Of Joy

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#64

Mirror Mirror Who Is Cutest White Cloud?

Mirror Mirror Who Is Cutest White Cloud?

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#65

This Is Winnie. She Is 11 Weeks Old, Has Mastered “Sit” And Doesn’t Understand Why She Can’t Play With Her Mirror Sister. She Is A Mini Bernese Mountain Dog, And A V Good Girl.

This Is Winnie. She Is 11 Weeks Old, Has Mastered “Sit” And Doesn’t Understand Why She Can’t Play With Her Mirror Sister. She Is A Mini Bernese Mountain Dog, And A V Good Girl.

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#67

My Kitty Looking At His Reflection In The Mirror.

My Kitty Looking At His Reflection In The Mirror.

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#68

Usually My Cat Ignores The Mirror, Walked In The Bathroom And Caught Her Looking At Her Reflection

Usually My Cat Ignores The Mirror, Walked In The Bathroom And Caught Her Looking At Her Reflection

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#69

I Forgot To Turn My Magnifying Mirror Off Last Night Before I Left The House. Came Home To This Little Situation. Meet Roscoe.

I Forgot To Turn My Magnifying Mirror Off Last Night Before I Left The House. Came Home To This Little Situation. Meet Roscoe.

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#70

When You Get Up From A Nap And Look In The Mirror

When You Get Up From A Nap And Look In The Mirror

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#71

This Is Belle’s Reaction After A Friend Brought Her Big Dog Over. She Sat In The Dark Looking At Herself In The Mirror Until I Picked Her Up And Took Her To My Room.

This Is Belle’s Reaction After A Friend Brought Her Big Dog Over. She Sat In The Dark Looking At Herself In The Mirror Until I Picked Her Up And Took Her To My Room.

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#72

"Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, Who Is The Fairest Of Them All?"

"Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, Who Is The Fairest Of Them All?"

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#73

Who Made Me? And What Did They Make Me For?

Who Made Me? And What Did They Make Me For?

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#74

Contemplating Life

Contemplating Life

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#75

Our Cat Frodo Sits On The Sink Every Morning And Watches Us Through The Mirror. It's Unnerving But Cute

Our Cat Frodo Sits On The Sink Every Morning And Watches Us Through The Mirror. It's Unnerving But Cute

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EA
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This cat has a toupee! With a built in lil emo fringe! Adorable

#76

My Cat Checks Himself Out In The Mirror Everyday

My Cat Checks Himself Out In The Mirror Everyday

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#77

My Rabbit Really, Really Likes Looking At Himself In The Mirror.

My Rabbit Really, Really Likes Looking At Himself In The Mirror.

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#78

My Rabbit Also Likes To Stare At Himself In The Mirror

My Rabbit Also Likes To Stare At Himself In The Mirror

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#79

This Was The First Time She Saw Herself In The Mirror

This Was The First Time She Saw Herself In The Mirror

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#80

Surprise Guest!

Surprise Guest!

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Tracey Hirt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandparents had that exact mirror! Is that common? I’ve never seen another one like it before now.

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#81

Every Single Day, Tito Sits Here And Stares At Himself In The Mirror For At Least 3 Solid Minutes. We Call It His Daily Affirmation Time. "I'm Handsome, People Like Me. I'm A Good Jumper, I Keep My White Fur Exceptionally White, And I'm A Great Conversationalist."

Every Single Day, Tito Sits Here And Stares At Himself In The Mirror For At Least 3 Solid Minutes. We Call It His Daily Affirmation Time. "I'm Handsome, People Like Me. I'm A Good Jumper, I Keep My White Fur Exceptionally White, And I'm A Great Conversationalist."

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#82

He's Lived Here Since The Day He Was Born In April 2011. Today Is The Day He Suddenly Notices The Bathroom Mirror And Decides To Be Terrified.

He's Lived Here Since The Day He Was Born In April 2011. Today Is The Day He Suddenly Notices The Bathroom Mirror And Decides To Be Terrified.

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#83

The Cat Wouldn't Stop Looking Into My New Mirror

The Cat Wouldn't Stop Looking Into My New Mirror

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#84

Whenever I Go To The Bathroom, He Stares At Me Through The Mirror Like This...

Whenever I Go To The Bathroom, He Stares At Me Through The Mirror Like This...

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#85

Doin A Protecc From The Heckin Floof In The Mirror. She Growls At Herself At Least Once A Day

Doin A Protecc From The Heckin Floof In The Mirror. She Growls At Herself At Least Once A Day

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#86

First Time Looking In The Mirror

First Time Looking In The Mirror

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Bill Lee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omg that looks like my little baby shkelly!! (Her name is shelly, but i wanted her name to be kelly, so i just say shkelly. my brother named her.)

#87

Reflective Boi

Reflective Boi

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#88

Contemplating Existence

Contemplating Existence

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#89

My Cat Stares Me Down Through The Mirror When I’m On The Toilet

My Cat Stares Me Down Through The Mirror When I’m On The Toilet

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#90

She Discovered Herself In The Mirror And Thought It Was An Intruder Cat That Needed To Be Growled At And Batted Around Slightly