10 of the most heartwarming animal stories of 2020, so far

Gabbi ShawDec 5, 2020, 04:09 IST

A pair of penguins embrace.Tobias Baumgaertner

In a year that had no shortage of heartbreak and bad news, some of the most uplifting moments came from animals.
A lonely otter at a sanctuary in England found love after staff created a dating profile for him.
A sloth met some dolphins at a Texas aquarium, and a dog befriended some monarch butterflies in California.

There's no doubt about it - 2020 was a difficult year. Some of the only good news this year came from our animal friends.

From a budding friendship between a dog and a dolphin, to a bar made exclusively for squirrels, animal stories were about the only things putting a smile on our faces during a truly troubling year.

Keep scrolling to see 10 of the most heartwarming stories of 2020, so far.

We learned about the 8-year friendship between a dog and a dolphin.

Gunner and Delta. Tyler Blanton

After this sick swan was found in a wildlife preserve, he was rescued by a New Yorker, and even got to ride the subway.

Bae, a female mute swan riding in a New York City subway train after she was rescued by Ariel Cordova-Rojas. Ariel Cordova-Rojas via AP

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary in England made an online dating profile for an otter named Harris after his mate died ... and it worked.

Harris' dating profile. Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Cher helped rescue the "world's loneliest elephant" and brought him to a Cambodian sanctuary.

Kaavan and Cher. Leng Len/Reuters

A baboon held a lion cub and recreated one of the most iconic scenes from "The Lion King."

The male baboon and lion cub were seen in an area where lions are known to leave their young while out hunting prey. Kurt Safari

An Ohio man built an outdoor bar for his neighborhood squirrels to enjoy snacks.

A squirrel enjoying a snack at "The Nutty Bar." Michael Dutko

When dolphins at a Texas aquarium were introduced to a new sloth friend, they were so overjoyed, they imitated him.

Two upside-down pals. Texas State Aquarium

These two widowed penguins hugging each other for comfort in the early days of the pandemic moved people around the world.

This photo of two penguins in St Kilda, Melbourne, has been moving people around the world. Tobias Baumgaertner

Pistachio the green puppy was born in Italy.

Pistachio is different to his siblings, who have the same fur as their mother. Cristian Mallocci/Reuters

Milo is a 2-year-old Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever whose best friends are butterflies.

Milo with a butterfly on his face. Jen Bennett

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