Cute Overload

Rule of Cuteness #20: Curl up your paw

...and if your eyes match the carpet, BONUS!

Other bonus features: head tilt, teeny tail, and I can hear the purring if I get really close to the screen... ;) Thanks Jiminy S.

Rule of Cuteness #19 Show your paw pads!

...Especially if they're clean....

Steve H. sent in Mika and and Charlie...

Rule of Cuteness #18: Dainty paws

First of all, this image comes from "HedgeHogCentral.com." It's the most brillo name ever. Home of the INTERNATIONAL HEDGEHOG ASSOCIATION, PEOPLE! Please look at this logo—it's a HedgeGlobe logo. Oop, I mean "IHA."

Next, let's all take a look at this month's winner of the "Hedgehog of the Month" contest; "Sable", also known as Miss March. Sable has the most prosh, teeny paws, and deserves a standing ovation. Absolutely anerable.

Especially her one limp paw. Too much. Thanks for sending in, E to the C!

Rule #17: Have a teeny tiny tail

Would you please just look at Master Fluff. Yes, the same Master Fluff of "Doc-tare Pepp-are Manshons" fame. She has the smallest cutest tail ever captured on film. And if you lean really close to the screen, you can snorgle her ears.

Remember the deal; "If you bring me dee treats, I come out of dee manshon." Wise, wise, words, Master Fluff.

Rule #16: Keep your eyes at the height of your nose *and* have a five-head, (large forehead) and make sure your body is as tall as your head.

Oh, and gingham.

Welcome to the Cuteologist listing, Esther ;)

Rule #16—Shoot. Nevermind.

For the longest time, I was planning to do Rule #16: Possums Can Never, Ever, EVER be Cute. I mean, it has ALWAYS been irrefutable—undeniable! Until now.

As my younger sister said as soon as she grew strong enough to beat _me_ up for a change: "Ah! so NOW the TABLES ARE TURNED!"

It's true. Possums can be cute, and here is the proof, thanks to one Meg C.:

And again in an artful pose, just waiting to be re-created in your Drawing 101 class:

Big props to serg at University of SouthAustralia who posted the original photos that Meg C. found. Schweet.

Rule of Cuteness #15: Small ear to head ratio

Let's just make this rule official and stop messing around. This guy is totally otterlicious—note teeny webbing in hands.

This is "Snowdrop" the otter, from the Dartmoor Wildlife Park in Devon, UK. He needs 120CCs of milk STAT!

Thanks for the tip, Lyssa B.!

Ladies and Gentlemen—we can achieve world peace with this image

Let's show this image to all World Leaders (Perhaps carried on a silver tray by UN Ambassadress Angelina Jolie?). Without a doubt, he ooh's and aah's (in their respective native languages) should lead to world peace instantly. The image may also cure cancer if used properly. Please be aware that two Cuteologists lost their lives bringing you this photo, due to head explosion.

At least Three Rules of Cuteness have been acheived, therefore earning the Coveted Cuteness Trifecta®:
#11 Cute animal + food
#6 Mimic humans
#14 An everyday, small item makes you look small

I give you... Akagami Hamster:

Rule of Cuteness #14: If an everyday, small item makes you look small, it's cute

Would you just look at the size of that green Post-It® note next to this kittens' "litter box"? Now, look at the Post-Its® on your desk—now look at the kitten. Repeat!

Rule of Cuteness #13: "Juicy" eyes and noses

...are instantly cute. I submit to you; "Chicken" the Pomeranian. A delightful little fellow, who travels by purse, and delights everyone he meets with his 5 pounds of energetic fluff. He's the perfect example of a wet nose and eyes. You can almost hear him as he's whisked away—"Listen, I've had it with the close-ups—this show is over!"

[Click the image to see the glisten!]

Thank you, Mary and Daveeda!

Rule of Cuteness #12: Fuzz + floppy limbs are cute

If there's one thing I know, it's everybody loves a friendly, floppy, fuzzy limb. We just want to reach out and grab it for some reason. Why do we do that? It may relate to Rule of Cuteness #2; look helpless. Does a floppy limb look 'helpless' and need 'support'? Who knows.

Like, check out this floppage from Laura Richmond's family hamster and "Porkchop's" lil' tail from Jen Mulson:

Rule#11: A cute animal + food = even cuter

Alertly point out by photographer extraordinaire Kora Manheimer The bunny "Oolong" has earned his spot on the Internet by balancing dessert items on his head.

Please also see my new favorite site photo, submitted by Lora Singleton, of a Daschund puppy in a bun.

And let's not forget that we must bow down to the Japanese in every category [Japanese national anthem playing in background] For their brilliant kittens and puppies as sushi and desserts sent in by Rae Wescott:

Rule of Cuteness #10: If you haven't grown into your feet yet, it's cute.

This bunnilicious photo of "Elliott" was found on Flickr, by a Heather W.

Rule of Cuteness #9: Piles of a cute thing jack up a cuteness rating exponentially

Exhibit A, People!



piles of kudos to Sarah Serata ;)

Rule of Cuteness #8: You're cute if your furniture doubles as a meal

Mmm, delicious recliner... This Frodo-Footed hamster, (obviously his BHF is "Baruchito") alertly submitted by Heng Joo Seng. Heng Joo, you outdid yourself.

Rule of Cuteness #7: A thing, accompanied by a smaller version of that thing, is always cute

This rule could also be called the Japanese rule of cuteness. Japanese characters are always accompanied by a little friend that helps them along, provides humor on demand, etc. AKA the Paris Hilton rule.

Props to The Australian Embassy!

Cuteness GOLD!

Thanks to The Statesman Journal of Salem, Oregon, for the following photo which should win an effing OSCAR. It fufills so many cuteness rules, for starters, it's more than one type of baby animal, second, it's a Chihuahua and Chipmunk combination! The only thing cuter might be the Chihuahua and the chipmunk nursing on a deer, causing a Cuteness Trifecta™—but—that would also be weird.

Apparently, a quick-thinking vet (who is obvoiusly a fan of CuteOverload.com) sent this Chihuahua home with an orphaned baby Chipmunk and hoped for the best. Holy Thanksgiving!

Rule of Cuteness #6: Mimic Humans

This image covers many cuteness factors; multiple animals, looking helpless (it would be fun to turn the water on) and mimicking humans. Humans love it! I mean, half of America's Funniest Home videos is based on animals mimicking humans (the only two things better is suddenly scared people falling down or a surprise hit to the groin).

The party continues at Cats in Sinks.com

Rule of Cuteness #5: Fisheye lens + baby animal is always cute

Unless of course it's an iguana. The best example of this being the rock solid, high-cuteness factor of the Japanese calendars "The Dog" or "The Cat."

Rule of Cuteness #4: more than one species of baby flopping around is cute

The color coordination is irresistible, and the low-down camera angle just accentuates the fact they are not much larger than the blades of grass they sit on. *But* I give them an 8.5—no paws are up, and there is the BEF on the bunny (Beady eye factor)

 

Rule of Cuteness #3: an Inquisitive Look

oh, AND putting your paws up. Why don't you just shoot us?

Thank you, Victoria S.

// original photo removed at the request of the owner //

Rule of Cuteness #2: Look helpless

they are also abiding by rule #5, which is that cuteness in numbers can jack up your rating significantly.

How to be cute, rule #1: Put your paw up