Our pets rely on us for safety and survival, but we depend on them as well. They’re the best companions we could ask for since we can interact with them whenever we want and feel less lonely. They also provide us with the most important thing: unconditional love.

These relationships between humans and their pets are very heartwarming and should always be celebrated, so Bright Side found 22 pets who’ve left a permanent mark in their owners’ hearts.

1. “My dad when he first adopted my 1-year-old blind cat, Cheddar, and them together on Cheddar’s eighteenth birthday!”

© _lonely_cactus_ / reddit

2. “Cake day update: I hit 28 months sober today and got extra snugs from my best bud.”

© tdangere / reddit

3. “2 days ago, my wife’s lifelong best friend turned 21. Today, he blessed me with this moment.”

© little-blue-fox / reddit

4. “It’s really good having your pal by your side. This is Buddy and he’s 10.”

© bloodyboppa / reddit

5. “I’m currently away from my wife and my dogs. Here’s my little buddy the last time I came home from being away this long.”

© freak5050 / reddit

6. “Thought I’d share a picture of my best friend and me, 18 years apart!”

© lickydipper / reddit

7. “We’re never ever getting a cat. They’re pests and dirty!” — my father, one year ago. Now he’s taking selfies with his buddy.

© tahaiqbal90 / reddit

8. “No matter how big they get, they’ll always be a pup at heart.”

© kob_ae / reddit

9. “I’ve been setting my alarm 30 minutes early every day to give her more happy time.”

© FatCat45 / reddit

10. “My dad went from ’I don’t want that dang cat’ to carrying her to ’her room’ for bed each night.”

© laurieatari / reddit

11. “My girl, Shelby — her favorite thing ever is cuddles.”

© breeboehler / reddit

12. “From cute to handsome! They grow up so fast!”

© Superb-Emergency / reddit

13. “My boyfriend managed to sneak in our floofer so she could be at my graduation.”

© CaligulasPony / reddit

14. “This is how my cat and my wife sleep every night.”

© TheAngryCatfish / reddit

15. “When we met, he climbed right into my lap and I fell in love. Now he’s my first dog and lifelong best friend.”

© peanutbutterspacejam / reddit

16. “He’s given me 19 years of love.”

© Rubensloth / reddit

17. “Find somebody who looks at you the way my dog looks at me.”

© lvLouise / reddit

18. “The first picture was taken on April 7, and the second pic was taken today. Chewie grew so much in just 2 months!”

© Kramilton / reddit

19. This owner has celebrated more than 16 years together with her dog.

© awkwardyoganinja / reddit

20. This army veteran used to hate cats but fell in love with this little girl

© Cale2266 / reddit

21. “This is spark. Every time I lay on my back he sits on my chest.”

© e_rose1244 / reddit

22. “My best friend became my best man today.”

© rijstafgeprijsd / reddit

Do you also have an animal companion who just melts your heart every time you see them and that you’ll remember forever?