Dogs With 'Beautiful Friendship' Despite Age Gap Win Pet of the Week

From an orphaned lamb that was adopted by a gentle dog to the moment a cat caused chaos by backflipping over the table, heartwarming pets have been melting hearts and prompting laughs this week. But it isn't just viral pets that we like to showcase, we also share our reader's funny and heartwarming pet videos in our weekly Newsweek Pet of the Week. If you think your pet should be part of next week's line-up, follow the instructions at the end of this story to get involved.

Winner

This week's Pet of the Week winners are Frank and Minnie, two dogs with a heartwarming bond. Frank, a lively mixed breed, and Minnie, a rescued pit mix, didn't always see eye to eye. "When we brought Frank home, Minnie was very curious but also barking and growling at him. She was unsure if he was friend or foe," owner Christy Klingman told Newsweek. Concerned about their relationship, the family took their time introducing the two, allowing them to sniff each other while being carefully supervised. But as the weeks passed, Minnie's initial hesitation turned into affection. "Minnie has taken to Frank like it's her puppy," Klingman said. Now, she plays the role of both protector and disciplinarian. When Frank gets too excited and barks excessively, Minnie gently puts her paw on his back, reminding him to settle down. If he chases the vacuum, she steps in front of it, as if to say, "Enough, Frank." Now 8 and 5 years old, the duo are often found napping together or playing tug-of-war.

Finalists

Our first finalist this week is American pit bull puppy Oatley, who instantly won the heart of her owner, Mela. "She's just the sweetest," Mela told Newsweek. Oatley enjoys playing, snuggling, and—of course—sleeping in her cozy baby playpen. She recently learned the commands "sit," "no" and "hush." At bedtime, she loves wearing her pajamas, and whether at home or on the go, Oatley is always by Mela's side, often riding in her pet stroller.

Next up this week is Koji, a lovable black cat who had a heartbreaking start in life. "He is a bottle baby failure. We nursed him with a tiny bottle because his mom was killed," owner Tracy Doyle told Newsweek. Despite his tough start, Koji has grown into a playful and curious cat. He's known for his adorable squeak noises, which make him even more endearing. A natural hunter, Koji loves chasing anything that moves, always keeping his family entertained.

Last but not least this week is Gus—short for his full, distinguished name, Angus Theodore Wilson. Now 3 years old, Gus has been with his owner since he was a tiny 5-week-old kitten. "Gus was found in a bush crying loudly. He was scared, alone and definitely hungry," owner Luann Wilson told Newsweek. Now, he's the sweetest companion, always by his owner's side—sometimes without her even knowing! "My son took this photo [above] of Gus at 3 AM looking guilty... No wonder I don't get good sleep," Wilson laughed. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.