The 8 happiest dogs on YouTube

Want to make a dog smile? A favorite returning soldier or college student, a water slide, or a squeaky toy might do the trick.

By Shea GuntherFri, Aug 26 2011 at 7:43 AM EST

Photo: paintborg/YouTube

There are few things in life happier than a happy dog. It doesn't matter if it's because they hear you pull into the driveway after work or if they find something particularly smelly to roll around on in the backyard; if a dog is happy you are going to know about it. You can see them just vibrate with pure unfiltered joy, as if they can't believe that life can be this good.

Thanks to the ubiquity of cameras and YouTube, there are scores of videos of supremely happy canines just waiting to be found. To save you a little time, I spent my day wading through the river of adorable and picked out eight of the happiest dogs on YouTube. Enjoy!

National Guardsman comes home

There is an entire subset of happy dog videos showing happy pups greeting their soldier-owners back from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is one of my favorites in that genre. For what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in passion. Gracie the dog nearly wags herself out after realizing that her owner, Capt. Andrew Schmidt of the U.S. National Guard, is home. This video became so popular when it first appeared online that the "Today" show did a piece on it.

Whines and cuddles for Air Force captain home from Afghanistan

This is another dog-welcomes-soldier-home video, this time starring Molly the golden retriever. Molly is not content to share the attention of her owner as she greets her in the airport. You can almost hear the relief in Molly's whines as she snuggles up next to her owner.

Soldier surprises shepherd

We have one more video of a dog welcoming a soldier home. Kodiak can't believe that his owner is home while on two weeks of R&R. I love how he keeps leaving the room and then coming back in, overjoyed to find that his owner is still there.

Birthday balloons are for popping

Bunk the dog is a lucky dog. On his second birthday, Bunk's owner fills his apartment with balloons and lets him loose to wreak toothy havoc on them. The results are total canine chaotic bliss.

Home from college

This video is similar to those showing soldiers coming home but with a collegiate bent: This one is of Sunny the dog welcoming her owner Jonathan home from college. The camerawoman and YouTube poster even claim that Sunny is crying. You can clearly hear Sunny snuffling as she dances around, wagging all the while.

Will do laps for squeaky toy

This video beautifully illustrates the exuberance of a happy dog and his toy. Andy the dog makes the most of his small suburban backyard by ripping laps in well-worn loops after his owner throws out his little plastic squeaky fishy toy. A running dog is usually a happy dog. Throw in a squeaky toy and you have a happy, emotionally fulfilled dog.

The Doberman and the slide

This Doberman’s life changed dramatically on the day it figured out she could slide down the water slide into the pool. Dobermans are known for having a lot of energy and this looks like a great way for her to burn off the miles. The owner posted in YouTube that "she enjoys the pool more than I do." Make sure to watch this one all the way through to catch the dog's reaction to a change in water flow. She chases it.

Happy dog. Big tongue.

This dog is the picture of contentment. He's perfectly happy to sit there panting, waiting for its owner to throw him something to retrieve. No hurries; he's a dog. A good dog.

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Trish 02/14/2012 15:14 PM

The dog with balloons as fun to watch. However very dangerous game. If he mistakenly swallowed one of those, it would be bye, bye puppy. Please think twice when it comes to your pets

Lucia 02/10/2012 13:48 PM

Although they are really cute, I don't advise going home and filling balloons for your pup. The elastic piece can project in any direction, including into the back of the throat....where it would be impossible to retrieve. You get my point.

aprild 02/02/2012 19:49 PM

I really thought no one in the world could possibly love their dog as much as I do and their dog love them as much as mine loves me!! lol I'm so glad to hear how many are dog lovers and great owners so many suffer I wish I could take care of all that are left behind.

Enter your name 01/30/2012 14:27 PM

these are adorable- i just came across the cutest video of a collie driving a car filled with his canine friends going on a camping trip. Its worth a watch. .... More

chen 01/30/2012 11:01 AM

dog will never forget you.ture love

KCK 12/23/2011 13:44 PM

Loved these... especially the home coming ones. Definitely brought tears to my eyes, for sure.

mmjk008 Today 22:53 PM

boy do people ever have a lot to learn about love and honour,i think that the pups have this one paws down.

Imangurl 12/21/2011 23:09 PM

The very last dog had an amazingly long tongue. How did it happen?

ManishaAmarasinghe 10/28/2011 08:31 AM

lost my dog a couple of months back and it brings back memories...dogs are just awesome!

Stephanie 10/23/2011 21:08 PM

You missed my favorite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hly0vuXPG-M

Lulu 10/24/2011 11:48 AM

I can imagine the neighbours just love listening to the dog barking like that.

jill Jacobson 10/06/2011 06:00 AM

Nobody better in the world than our doggies.....PURE LOVE

mist 10/01/2011 16:51 PM

That was Tooo emotive.. I..just.. cried.. OMG I love dogs!! Is there any other creature with a soul as kind as theirs?!

Anonymous 10/04/2011 13:13 PM

dogs dont have souls

Melody 12/29/2011 11:55 AM

Dogs have Spirit...to the MAX...Do you?

Anonymous 10/08/2011 02:08 AM

Sad you feel that way. Obviously you never had a dog.

Anonymous 01/10/2012 05:22 AM

how do you know dogs have no souls??

awesome 01/01/2012 17:37 PM

i have had many dogs over the years! and they do have souls! not the ginger dogs, but all other dogs have souls!!

Mark 09/23/2011 10:46 AM

wow, so cute! i love dogs!

Mark 09/23/2011 10:45 AM

this is hilarious

Megaen Today 00:49 AM

I thought only my dog could demonstrate being beside herself with joy, but clearly she is not the only one. Thank you for sharing these lovely videos.

Chimacintosh 09/19/2011 21:26 PM

Golden retrievers are awesome aren't they? You can find another cute golden retriever enjoying the music at this link.

http://chimac.net/2011/05/24/golden-retriever-loves-the-music/

afcles 09/19/2011 07:36 AM

you can not beat a dog for a friend they will all ways be there for you no matter what

Leza 09/18/2011 08:39 AM

These video's made me very sad....I had to put my girl, My ten year old Brindle Boxer (the daughter I never had & always wanted down June 24,2010...after fighting a horrible brain tumor with chemo & treatment...it was awful...NOT a day goes by I don't think of her. I miss her terribly & wish one of these video's were me & MY "Queen Sheeba" reuniting...I would give anything for that...can't hardly type this for the tears...She was my BEST FRIEND in life..."I pray you're.... More

Anonymous 10/13/2011 23:00 PM

Your Sheeba IS waiting, Just like Our DJ IS waiting over the Rainbow Bridge.

awesome 01/01/2012 17:40 PM

Maybe my Shadow and Baron are waiting with them...

Jen717 09/19/2011 14:04 PM

It is so hard when we lose them, but you gave her a good life, and she was obviously greatly loved. That makes her a very lucky dog. So many aren't so lucky. That's what you should remember, above all else.

JaneMarsee 09/19/2011 13:20 PM

Leza,
I’ve been a pet owner for most of my life. I’ve had to say “goodbye” to three cats and three dogs in the past 40 years and it never gets easier; but, one thing is true: GET ANOTHER BABY. It will ease the pain. One day, you will see that all the pain does ease up and then the good memories come flooding back in. Those memories you will have forever. My best buddy was a black lab mix, Sabrina, she has been gone for 12 years and I still miss her; but, my husband and I now.... More

Valerie Trammell 09/17/2011 17:27 PM

I imagine this is what it will be like when we are all reunited at the Rainbow Bridge with our animals who has "passed". This was a very sweet story at a time that many in our nation need something to smile about - and even look forward to...

corkyega 10/09/2011 17:43 PM

dogs are great, allways there for you when you need them

Ellen & the dogs 09/17/2011 14:55 PM

You totally missed the beagles greeting their returning soldier.

worldpeace2020 09/17/2011 08:28 AM

all vidoes are great and natural.
kodiak the dog was forced to run to the owner, by the lame lady,hahaa how funny the lady wants to be seen in her red shoes in the video.

Bruno 09/16/2011 20:43 PM

I had a really lousy day today and this is exactly what I needed! Just fabulous!

Laura 09/16/2011 16:53 PM

Have you noticed that most of the dogs are yellowish ?

ET 09/16/2011 15:00 PM

No, my dog Schnoodles!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5rhTEIYcfI

febbie armstrong hieriem 09/16/2011 14:35 PM

AWW!! AWW!! AWW!!!!! Mindblowing!!!!!!

Rose 09/13/2011 23:24 PM

Wow......this dogs ae awesome but yet cute & cuddly. Thanks...again....this videos are wonderful.

vivana 09/08/2011 22:58 PM

man's best friend ...:)

Veronica 09/04/2011 13:30 PM

Those are just precious animals !!!!!!

hmbalison 09/02/2011 12:21 PM

Thanks for a great collection of videos.

Veronica Isabela Peguero Read 08/28/2011 14:38 PM

oh my god that is so sweet and so funny too.

The 8 happiest dogs on YouTube

Want to make a dog smile? A favorite returning soldier or college student, a water slide, or a squeaky toy might do the trick.

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The 8 happiest dogs on YouTube

Want to make a dog smile? A favorite returning soldier or college student, a water slide, or a squeaky toy might do the trick.

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