Dogs and people have been hamming it up together for over 32,000 years, research shows. What’s even more interesting, perhaps, is that the dogs we know and love today evolved from wolves not, as long believed, by the hands of man but by their own choosing.

As wolves, they began domesticating themselves as they voluntarily joined in with humans for hunting purposes. Over the years, their physical genome evolved into those of a dog’s, and we’ve been bonding with them ever since.

Though dogs can bond with all humans, it seems to be particularly strong when they bond with kids.

Perhaps it has something to do with the pure innocence and zest for life that dogs and kids have in common. Or, maybe it’s because they make the perfect partners in crime. Whatever the reason, there’s no question that dogs and kids make the best of friends!

To pay homage to the love and laughter-filled friendships between dogs and kids, The Dodo put together a compilation of random kiddos paling around with their furry buds.

Just be forewarned, you might die of the cuteness overload!

The video shows the world all the joyful adventures kids have when they grow up with a dog for a best friend.

They capture the adorable pranks kids like to pull on their four-footed besties. Like the mischievous boy above luring his doggo in for an innocent blast of hose water to the face.

Of course, no compilation of children with their dogs would be complete without showing the inexhaustible love they have for each other.

When a child grows up with a dog, they truly do have the best friend in all the world.

When nothing else seems to bring them comfort, a big ol’ hug from their dog does the trick in a matter of moments. Other times, kids just need a hug from their pooch after their laughter overwhelms them. Either way, there just doesn’t seem to be anything that quite compares to a doggy hug.

One of the best parts about bringing puppies up with kids is that they get to explore the world together.

Everything is new to both of them and even the simplest of things is so much fun. Not to mention, a dogs life is just more full when they have a kiddo best friend. They get to experience things that they probably never otherwise would. In the end, we get all the benefits of this precious friendship in adorable videos, pictures, and memories.

We can’t forget how much dogs can nurture our mental growth, too!

While not every dog knows over 1,000 words, they don’t need to in order to help your kids learn. Dogs are known for the calming effect they have on our emotions and when one is cuddled up on your youngster’s lap as they learn to read, your kid will be less likely to have the urge to get up and run away from the task at hand.

All babies love to laugh, and all parents revel in the sound of it. A great way to fast-track and multiply those comical little outbursts is to let your baby grow up with a dog.

Not only will they both manage to entertain themselves, but they’ll keep you chuckling along too!

Of course, there is also no better snuggle partner in the whole world!

This baby was sleeping so soundly that his mom just had to get a cute video of it. While she was recording, though, she discovered the source of her son’s peaceful slumber. A little dog nose popped through the covers and it made perfect sense. Is there anything more snuggly than a warm, furry doggy cuddle buddy. Um, we’re pretty sure there isn’t.

These are just a few of the heartwarming moments in the sweet compilation. We’re pretty sure that these images are proof-positive that every kid should grow up with a doggy best friend.

To see all of the uber-cute moments in the compilation, watch The Dodo’s video below. Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: The Dodo