Lookalike German Shepherd And Black Cat Quickly Turn Into Each Other's Shadow

There's no predicting which household pets will become best friends and which ones will remain largely indifferent to each other. In a sweet video that's been viewed more than 174,000 times on YouTube, a pet owner named Remy described how she and her husband thought that their cat, Juniper, needed a companion, so they got another cat, Jolene. Then, Juniper's behavior suggested she actually preferred being left alone, while Jolene was constantly seeking cuddles. Something needed to be done for Jolene.

"It was very obvious to us that she needed someone that was as cuddly and as vocal as her," Remy shared in an interview with Cuddle Buddies. Remy's husband visited a local animal shelter and brought home a rescued German shepherd puppy named Jocko. Almost instantly, Jolene and Jocko became BFFs. Remy described the big black dog and small black cat as "two peas in a pod" and "each other's shadows." She said, "Their black coats and their white patches make it look like they're literally copy and pasted."

Pet lovers can never seem to get enough stories about cats and dogs living in harmony. "Jocko and Jolene; a tale of two furry adorable black beauties 🐾🐈‍⬛🖤🥰🖤," one viewer wrote, while another praised the animals' owners: "They got a cat for their 1st cat. Then, got a dog for their 2nd cat 😂 These are my type of people ❤."

Of course, Jocko and Jolene are not unique — the internet is full of heartwarming tales of the cutest pet friendships — but still, there's something immensely joyful and unexpected about seeing dogs and cats who love each other. Jocko and Jolene like to play, wrestle, and explore the backyard together. Often, Jocko nibbles on Jolene, a type of allogrooming (social grooming) behavior referred to as "cobbing" because the action resembles eating corn on the cob. Sometimes, the pair of besties just sit together and stare out the window. Remy said in the video, "I never expected my cat and dog to become best friends."

If you're planning to introduce a cat and a dog and hoping they might eventually become close pals, patience is the key. Most animals react well to being introduced gradually. Short, supervised, positive interactions followed by rewards of high-value treats can pave the way to a beautiful friendship. "Soul mates from a past life ❤," one viewer suggested, and another observed, "The darling voids are best friends!! 🐈‍⬛🦮"

Want to see more stories about the loving bond that can develop between felines and canines? Check out this golden retriever meeting her ragdoll cat best friend's kittens, and this feisty cat who falls in love with a chocolate lab.