German Shepherd Siblings Playing Tag Win 'Pet of the Week'

Pets have a way of making us feel like we’re their favorite person, but their love doesn’t stop there. From a cat curling up with a horse to neighboring dogs sneaking through fences to see each other, they share that affection with anyone lucky enough to cross their path.

Our Newsweek readers have shared their own stories of surprising pet friendships—and we’re loving every one.

Want your furry, feathered or even four-hoofed friend featured in next week's "Pet of the Week" contest? Check out how to submit at the end of this article.

This week's "Pet of the Week" winner goes to a pair of playful siblings who never seem to run out of energy.

Harley and Cinnamon are purebred German shepherds. The brother-and-sister duo belong to Brittany Turner, who shared a video of these besties doing what they love most—playing "tag" and wrestling together. The two sprinted around the yard with their tongues out before Cinnamon chased Harley all the way to the car, where he tried to catch a quick break before getting tagged.

Like many siblings, these 1 1/2-year-old pups couldn’t be more different. Cinnamon is always eager to play and dive into the action, Turner told Newsweek via email, while Harley tends to be a bit more moody at times. But the affection for each other is unmistakable, and despite their personality differences, the two just can’t get enough of one another.

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Our first finalist this week is a unique pet with a sense of humor.

Owner Ann Baskervill shared a photo of Esper, her pet ferret. While ferrets aren’t as common as dogs or cats, they’re social creatures who give plenty of love to their humans.

In this snapshot, Esper sticks his tongue out at the camera and appears to be “blowing raspberries,” Baskervill said. The silly moment perfectly captures the mischievous personality for which ferrets are known—and it’s easy to see why Esper keeps his owner laughing.

Ferrets like Esper are curious and playful by nature, so keeping them entertained with ferret-safe toys or tunnels is a great way to make playtime fun and enriching.

Next up are two dogs making the most of a sunny day together.

In the photo, 3-year-old Shetland sheepdog Starsky and 2-year-old husky Skye are perched on a mound of snow, soaking in the sunshine. Owner Kelly Jagers told Newsweek via email that the two love the snow and going for walks together—clearly enjoying each other’s company every step of the way.

"[Starsky] is very loyal, affectionate and brave," Jagers said. "[Skye's] best abilities are showing affection and talking. She has said 'I love you' many times and other words."

Last but not least is another doggo duo, Merlin and Litl' Red, who not only thrive together but also share a special bond with their uncle.

Their owner, Kat Lee-Reeve, shared that her brother goes above and beyond to keep the pair happy. Not only does he walk them multiple times a day, but he also creates enrichment boxes filled with treats and activities for them to enjoy. Merlin and Litl’ Red clearly thrive on this attention, showing that pets can spread love and joy to both each other and the humans around them.

Lee-Reeve joked that her dogs are also part of the "Amazon Prime treat subscription," ensuring their snack supply never runs low.

If you think your pet could be next week's Newsweek "Pet of the Week," send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them, to life@newsweek.com, and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.