If you own a dog, you’ve probably had the urge to spin them into a meme at some point and spread it among your memebase. From facial expressions to adorable clinginess, our beloved four-legged companions can surprise you, make you laugh, and sometimes cry.To prove it, we have selected 50 of the cutest and mosthilarious canine pics. Not every image in this selection of funnymemesfeatures dogs, however. Some are about us and our emotional journeys asowners. Now that’s a little bit better since it hardly ever is about us.This post may includeaffiliate links.
If you own a dog, you’ve probably had the urge to spin them into a meme at some point and spread it among your memebase. From facial expressions to adorable clinginess, our beloved four-legged companions can surprise you, make you laugh, and sometimes cry.
To prove it, we have selected 50 of the cutest and mosthilarious canine pics. Not every image in this selection of funnymemesfeatures dogs, however. Some are about us and our emotional journeys asowners. Now that’s a little bit better since it hardly ever is about us.
This post may includeaffiliate links.
Jeremy Greenberg on Why Dogs Are Hilariously Human
Greenberg writes letters from the pets’ point of view to their owners in his books. Sometimes, he assumes the role so well that some might suspect he’s some Doctor Doolittle-type mind reader. “I am, without any guile, perfectly able to understand what our pets are thinking,” Greenberg confirmed our suspicions.
“But don’t be too impressed. As with dogs, it’s usually just a multiple-choice question of a few thoughts: One, I am hungry; two, I want attention; and three, the impermanence of material existence means that you don’t actually have to go to work and can take me for a walk right now!”
Greenberg on Prankster Pups, Cats’ Dark Humor, and the Pets That Chose HimBeing a dog whisperer, however, isn’t Jeremy’s only occupation. He is also a comedian and believes that dogs can be born entertainers. “Prankster puppies are plentiful. They love to do hilarious things like hide our shoes and terrorize delivery people,” Greenberg believes.Greenberg suggests he did not choose pets as his subject material, “pets actually chose me. I have a terrible personality and cats and dogs are the only beings who can tolerate me. Seriously, I’m the worst.”Wait, what? Cats? Yes, Greenberg says he’s more partial to cats, and other books in his catalog include “Sorry I Barfed On Your Bed” and “Sorry I Slept On Your Face.” Both are collections of letters from cats to their owners.When asked about it, he added: “I relate to cats more because I have poor social skills and love to bite people.” And to address the age-old question: cats or dogs, Jeremy’s answer was much more diplomatic this time: “Truth is that, like music or art, one’s view of which pet is best comes down to personal preference. But I would say that cats have more ‘insult and shock’ humor, and dogs are more observational and family friendly.”
Greenberg on Prankster Pups, Cats’ Dark Humor, and the Pets That Chose Him
Being a dog whisperer, however, isn’t Jeremy’s only occupation. He is also a comedian and believes that dogs can be born entertainers. “Prankster puppies are plentiful. They love to do hilarious things like hide our shoes and terrorize delivery people,” Greenberg believes.
Greenberg suggests he did not choose pets as his subject material, “pets actually chose me. I have a terrible personality and cats and dogs are the only beings who can tolerate me. Seriously, I’m the worst.”
Wait, what? Cats? Yes, Greenberg says he’s more partial to cats, and other books in his catalog include “Sorry I Barfed On Your Bed” and “Sorry I Slept On Your Face.” Both are collections of letters from cats to their owners.
When asked about it, he added: “I relate to cats more because I have poor social skills and love to bite people.” And to address the age-old question: cats or dogs, Jeremy’s answer was much more diplomatic this time: “Truth is that, like music or art, one’s view of which pet is best comes down to personal preference. But I would say that cats have more ‘insult and shock’ humor, and dogs are more observational and family friendly.”
Why Greenberg Isn’t Worried About the Future of His Dog Books
It’s not clear if every pet Jeremy has ever met relayed this message to him or just how he feels personally, but he tackles the question of bodily autonomy in cats and dogs. In a true animal advocate manner, he jokingly added: “Please forget to spay and neuter your pets.”
The Science Behind Why We Can’t Resist Cute Dog Pics
We enjoy browsing through dog pictures online, but have you ever wondered why we find it so appealing? What’s the science behind it? When it comes to our pets, our emotional connection drives our reactions — it’s my dog; I love it, so it makes me feel good. But what makes a meme of a small dog wearing a turtleneck and glasses so entertaining?
But don’t be alarmed — the words “hard drugs” might sound alarming in the context of cute dog pics, but it’s not as severe as it seems. When scientists refer to the potential for addiction in this context, they mean an “addiction to a placebo,” according to Joshua Dale, a scholar from Seattle. It releases dopamine and oxytocin in the brain, but primarily, it just heals you.
Looking atcute dog picturescan also help with your attention and concentration, according to a 2012 study published in the PLOS Journal (4). The brain’s reward system is only triggered when we see a pleasant image as a surprise. So unless you’ve deliberately set up numerous cute dog picture traps throughout your day, you should be fine.
Why Dog Memes Dominate Our Hearts and HealthA 2021 study published in the Psychology of Popular Media Journal has found that, at least based on the results during the pandemic, animal memes tend to be liked more than memes about us (5). The most popular ones are those featuring puppies or babies.It shows that innate survival mechanisms, such as toward helpless animals, automatically trigger a more robust emotional response. The same study reveals that memes featuring young animals are perceived as cuter than those featuring young humans. The same goes for adult doggies and grown-ups.People who own or have owned a dog naturally relate to dog-related content more and enjoy some health perks. According to Harvard Health, having a canine friend can reduce the risk of heart disease (6). Dog owners are also more likely to engage in extra physical activity due to taking daily walks.Having a canine companion may also benefit our mental health. Dogs have been a massive part of therapy and education in recent decades. They’re often used as therapy animals because they help reduce the symptoms of depression and help build resilience to stress, explains Maria Cohut, Ph.D. in a 2018 feature for Medical News Today (7).
Why Dog Memes Dominate Our Hearts and Health
A 2021 study published in the Psychology of Popular Media Journal has found that, at least based on the results during the pandemic, animal memes tend to be liked more than memes about us (5). The most popular ones are those featuring puppies or babies.
It shows that innate survival mechanisms, such as toward helpless animals, automatically trigger a more robust emotional response. The same study reveals that memes featuring young animals are perceived as cuter than those featuring young humans. The same goes for adult doggies and grown-ups.
People who own or have owned a dog naturally relate to dog-related content more and enjoy some health perks. According to Harvard Health, having a canine friend can reduce the risk of heart disease (6). Dog owners are also more likely to engage in extra physical activity due to taking daily walks.
Having a canine companion may also benefit our mental health. Dogs have been a massive part of therapy and education in recent decades. They’re often used as therapy animals because they help reduce the symptoms of depression and help build resilience to stress, explains Maria Cohut, Ph.D. in a 2018 feature for Medical News Today (7).
Dogs vs Cats: Why Both Pets Keep Dominating the InternetLuckily, the health benefits of owning dogs aren’t limited to them. Cats also have the same effect. As some headlines suggest, like the Guardian 2014 article, “Why the internet loves cats – not dogs,” cats are even more prevalent (8). The article claims dogs do funny things to appeal to their owners because they seek validation.On the other hand, a cat gets in a tiny box just because it’s what it feels like at the moment. Essentially, dogs are try-hards. Jack Shepard (author of the article) calls a cat’s behavior “art for art’s sake.” But in defense of dogs comes Elena Cresci, with a 2016 Guardian feature, saying dog goofiness strengthens their relatability (9).Cats always seem too cool for everything, too unbothered, yet there’s a persistent stigma of all cat owners being “crazy cat ladies.” Whichever pet you prefer, there’s no denying that cats and dogs dominate the internet.
Dogs vs Cats: Why Both Pets Keep Dominating the Internet
Luckily, the health benefits of owning dogs aren’t limited to them. Cats also have the same effect. As some headlines suggest, like the Guardian 2014 article, “Why the internet loves cats – not dogs,” cats are even more prevalent (8). The article claims dogs do funny things to appeal to their owners because they seek validation.
On the other hand, a cat gets in a tiny box just because it’s what it feels like at the moment. Essentially, dogs are try-hards. Jack Shepard (author of the article) calls a cat’s behavior “art for art’s sake.” But in defense of dogs comes Elena Cresci, with a 2016 Guardian feature, saying dog goofiness strengthens their relatability (9).
Cats always seem too cool for everything, too unbothered, yet there’s a persistent stigma of all cat owners being “crazy cat ladies.” Whichever pet you prefer, there’s no denying that cats and dogs dominate the internet.
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ReferencesJeremy Greenberg Official Website, 2024. |https://jeremygreenberg.com/bioJennifer Golbeck Ph.D. “Looking at Pictures of Dogs Improves Well-Being.” Psychology Today, April 30, 2020. |https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/your-online-secrets/202004/looking-at-pictures-of-dogs-improves-well-beingYvette Brend. “Cuteness power: Why watching animal videos is good for your brain.” CBC News, April 30, 2017. |https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cuteness-cute-kawaii-power-krigolso-uvic-joshua-dale-japan-1.3984970Kringelbach, Morten L., and Kent C. Berridge. “The Neuroscience of Happiness and Pleasure.” The PLOS Journal, September 26, 2012. |https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3458879/Jessica Gall Myrick, Robin L. Nabi, and Nicholas J. Eng. “Consuming Memes During the COVID Pandemic: Effects of Memes and Meme Type on COVID-Related Stress and Coping Efficacy.” Psychology of Popular Media Journal, January 29, 2021. |https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/ppm-ppm0000371.pdf“Having a dog can help your heart — literally.” Harvard Health, September 1, 2015. |https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/having-a-dog-can-help-your-heart–literallyMaria Cohut. “Dogs: Our best friends in sickness and in health.” Medical News Today, August 26, 2018. |https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322868#_noHeaderPrefixedContentJack Shepherd. “Why the internet loves cats – not dogs.” The Guardian, March 16, 2014. |https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/16/why-internet-loves-cats-not-dogsElena Cresci. “Cats v dogs: which animal owns the internet?” The Guardian, September 6, 2016. |https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/06/cats-dogs-internet-memes-lolcats-keyboard-grumpy#:~:text=Somewhere+in+the+history+of,feline+friends+were+quickly+everywhere
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Indrė Lukošiūtė
Justinas Keturka
Animals