20 Wholesome Animal Memes for People Who Woke Up and Chose Happiness Today

Blake Seidel • Lead Editor

Jun 2, 2026 4:15 PM EDT

Are you choosing happiness today?

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: happiness is a choice. Sure, there are lots of external factors that can affect your happiness, but in the end, the only one who controls your emotions is you. It's easy to blame someone (or something) else, but it won't help you feel better in the long run.

Here's an example: Let's say that it's really hot today, but you're not a fan of the heat. You're sweaty. Sticky. You feel gross and uncomfortable. It's easy to get all irritable and snappy at people because you're hot. Despite contrary belief, you actually have several options to regulate how you feel. The first is to stay upset that it's hot and complain all day about how hot it is. The second is to take action. Find a cool relief spot with some air conditioning, buy an umbrella to keep yourself in the shade, and then continue with your day, happy that you did something for yourself. The third option is to look at the high temperature from a different pawspective. How beautiful it is to be outside on a hot, sunny day? How does the sun feel against your skin? Aren't you blessed to experience such a sunny day and possibly work on your tan?

Now, we're not saying it's an easy choice, but there are some things we can do to make it easier. Our personal favorite is to surround ourselves with things that help us choose happiness, like wholesome animal posts! These hilarious and heartwarming memes are pure smile fuel, so we're pretty sure that if you get all the way to the end, you'll be feeling happier than a doggo with a brand new stick. If you don't trust us, get all the way to the end and see for yourself!

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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @misak1nz
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via sillydicemaze
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via @petsruletheuniverse
One of the reasons why we love animals so much is because, every day, they wake up and choose happiness. They will always do the things that lead them to joy, even if sometimes that means breaking into the treat cabinet and eating all their treats while we're not home. They will never do something that purposefully sets them off the path of joy, and we think that's pawfectly admirable.
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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @mourninglambs
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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @urrrinal
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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @woofgonecrazy
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via mysterypuppy
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via @petsruletheuniverse
When we first saw this, we were like, “Who in their right mind would sleep in a barn next to a miniature horse?” and then thought about it some more, and we might be this target audience. It's weird, it's quirky, and Basil looks pretty adorable, so honestly, yeah, we'll book it.
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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @petsruletheuniverse
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via @northstardoll
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via @petsruletheuniverse