Reader photos: Two cats are better than one

Something about the magic that happens when animals befriend other animals makes us wonder, time and again, why humans can't always follow their lead.

Hundreds of photos submitted to The Times' photo-sharing site, Your Scene, by readers have only strengthened our deep and abiding love of animal friendship.

We couldn't help noticing that a large volume of these photos featured two cats -- sometimes siblings, sometimes parent and kitten, sometimes simply unrelated friends -- who just can't get enough of each other's company.

Take submitter Ernie's photo, above, as an example. Ernie's two cats, a brother-and-sister pair (the orange tabby is the female, the darker tabby is the male), are about a year old, but their harmonious relationship seems destined to last their entire lifetimes.

After the jump, check out our other favorite reader photos that illustrate the fact that two cats are better than one!

Submitter cqbud's cat and kitten spoon so sweetly that it makes our hearts hurt a little bit.

Submitter carlos' cats Chachita and Benito engage in a sweet cleaning ritual while snuggling.

Muffin and Tiger enjoy nap time with their plush cow.

Submitter Ming's relaxed cats even helped another reader relax. "I'm actually in a better mood after looking at this picture," J commented. "Adorable." We couldn't agree more, J!

Submitter arkay says these two cats, a brother-and-sister pair, are "excellent friends." It certainly looks that way!

Submitter Piscean Amber suspects these two feline friends are dreaming of catnip.

We can't quite be sure where one of submitter steve g's cats leaves off and the other begins.

Submitter sosunny's cats Cricket and Daisy take time out for a hug.

Submitter jeanie antolini's feline friends look like they were just caught committing an embarrassing act. No need to be embarrassed about your love, kitties!

Is this a two-headed cat? No, just submitter John Thomas Ellis' sweetly sleeping felines.

Submitter nanb calls these two cats her "best friends and babies." We'd be inclined to feel that way, too, if we shared our home with such a cute pair.

Submitter three73 says Lelu, the gray tabby, cleans her pal Corben every day. Fortunately, Corben doesn't seem to mind.

Cats Rodney and Pouferina look like they were cut from the same cloth -- er, piece of fur.

Submitter Big D channels the Beatles when describing this sweet scene: "All you need is love." Amen, Big D!

"Everyone loves this box," submitter Frances explains of her photo. These two cats -- at least, we think there are only two in there -- certainly do seem to be enjoying themselves!

"Our new sofa, draped with a temporary blue sheet, is where Ms. Koja and brother Sammy take a bundled up snooze," explains submitter moondawgie.

Submitter HEV's kitties look like they've just settled their brains for a long winter's nap.

Submitter Seth's cats certainly look comfortable.

Submitter Dan's cats Ozzy and Ziggy look like they've claimed the couch to watch a sporting event -- or maybe a classic movie on cable -- together.

Submitter LKBrause's cats Stanley and Maggie look like they may have chosen an uncomfortable sleeping position -- but then again, cats seem to actually enjoy uncomfortable-looking sleeping positions.

Submitter Bert's cats can always get jobs as bookends if this whole house cat gig falls through.

Submitter Jules' cats Phoebe and Pippin cozy up together on a nice, comfortable couch. Ah, what we wouldn't give for a nice, comfortable couch instead of a desk chair right about now.

Submitter Erin's cats Sugar and Oliver almost form a perfect heart. It's okay; cute is good for you!

Even though cuteness is good for us, submitter Mimi's gray tabbies are almost too much for our hearts to take. Wake up, kitties!

Submitter Jay's cats don't just nap as one -- their eyes are also drawn, as if magnetically, to the exact same mysterious spot!

Submitter Cissy's cats like to play and sleep together, she says.

A warehouse at submitter Sanzui's workplace tends to accumulate stray cats, which are cared for by employees. These two are pictured shortly before they were both adopted and moved to a new home together. "So sad to let them go," Sanzui says. We can see why!

Submitter john's brother-and-sister duo are a toothache-inducing sight to behold.

Submitter BIGBADZERO's tabbies know the importance of a good bear -- er, cat -- hug.

Submitter JM's cats Hazel and Hopper share not just a bed, but also their vivid markings!

Submitter Manon's cats just can't get enough of each other. See more photos of animal friendship at Your Scene's Four-Legged Friends album, or better yet, share your own! Submitting is easy; just click the "submit" link at the top of the page, pick your photo (.jpg format) and include a caption that tells us a little about your subject matter.

RELATED PHOTO ESSAYS:
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-- Lindsay Barnett

Comments

[Dipp]

These are soooo cute. Thank you!

[ali]

nice :X
I love cats :X

[Mystery girl]

OMG THAT WAS WAS SO CUTE. I LOVE CATS SO THAT JUST MADE MY DAY EVEN BETTER.