One of my favorite things are watching videos of people reunited with their pets after a long absence, whether it was due to an illness, a business trip or being deployed, seeing the pure, instinctive joy and love of an animal being reunited with their hooman always brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.

But now I found a new thing that is almost as good - videos of people getting new furbabies as surprise presents. I'd probably enjoy it more but part of my cringes at the thought of giving a puppy or kitten as a gift unless you're damn sure that this is the exact animal the receiver wants. Otherwise, you're giving the person a gift of a 10-15 year commitment to an animal that they might not even want or get along with.

That said, I have to say that the guy that comes in about halfway of this compilation is a master player. He gives his girlfriend a puppy for Christmas and uses the puppy to propose marriage to her. That's a whole new achievement level unlocked there, my friend.

Open thread below...