cute puppy walking on two legs to show his cuteness

2020 has been a difficult year, to say the very least. Between the stress of a global pandemic and the resulting lockdowns and social distancing measures, it's common to feel down in the dumps. Enter: Cute dog videos. From their winkling eyes to their wagging tails, these bundles of fluff are sure to give you a reason to smile.

The current public health crisis has done a number on our collective mental health. A reported 45% of Americans say COVID-19 has negatively impacted their mental health, according to a recent study published by the Kaiser Family Foundation. But a BarkBox study found that 85 percent of pet parents said that their dogs have “helped them get through a difficult time in their life.” While an adorable pup is not a cure-all, and shouldn't be used as replacement for sufficient mental health care, leaning into the innate cuteness of puppies can help you feel better. And you don't have to have a pet in your family to reap the benefits — and experience the endless giggles — that animals provide, either.

So give yourself some reprieve (and a reason to smile!) and enjoy the following cute puppy videos.