The bond between this dog and cat is beyond words. The two best friends clearly love spending time with one another and their affectionate antics have been captured on camera by their human, professional photographer Bert Jonkhans.
In an exclusive interview with DogHeirs.com, Bert shared these incredibly awww-dorable images and the story of the beautiful friendship behind them. We have reprinted the interview and photos here with permission from DogHeirs, because this story is definitely “reshareworthy”.
Hessel the Labrador Retriever and Hannes the cat are friends since the day they met. Hessel is now almost 8 years old and Hannes is almost 7. The family lives in the Netherlands.
Bert told DogHeirs, “We got Hannes as a kitten when Hessel was 1 years old.”
“The family where Hannes was born also had a dog. So Hannes was already used to dogs when he came to live with us,” said Bert.
Hessel on the other hand, wasn’t familiar with cats. “Hessel wasn’t fond of cats; like a characteristic dog, he thought cats were for chasing,” he explained.
“True friendship is checking your friend’s breath before he goes on a date…”
“Then Hannes came into his life; a curious little kitten, who followed him everywhere in the house, slept on his bed and ate from his food bowl.”
“From day one Hessel accepted Hannes completely, being the silly, sweet dog he is.”
“A real Labrador, Hessel can be boorish, so he didn’t understand his body is too heavy for lying on top of the cat,” said Bert. “But Hessel always approaches Hannes calmly.”
“On the other hand, Hannes loves attacking Hessel. Especially when Hessel is asleep, or just walking by,” described Bert.
“For example Hannes is sitting on the back of the couch, Hessel walks by and Hannes is giving him a whack on his buttocks. Then he immediately runs away, hoping Hessel will come after him.”
“But they also love to sleep together,” Bert told DogHeirs, “In the beginning we sometimes couldn’t find the cat. We looked everywhere and would find a little cat tail under the dog.”
“The secret of friendship is being a good listener!”
“Lying with the dog is, of course, a very warm place for a cat, he doesn’t mind the dog being all over him.”
“The cat? No… I Haven’t seen him!”
“Over the years they still are the best friends, Hannes is the boss though.”
“They are calmer now that they are older. So the playing and attacking from Hannes has lessened.”
“Most of the time they sleep with each other.”
“We assume that Hannes thinks he’s a dog also. He eats like a dog, he loves water, loves chasing balls, listens to his name and hates to be alone,” Bert told DogHeirs.
“He adapts perfectly into the pack.”
Two years ago, the Jonkhans got another dog called Millie. “Millie is 7 years and was also used to cats when she came into our house.”
“Hannes and Millie accept each other and sometimes sleep together, but they do not have the same bond Hessel and Hannes have.”
“It’s great living with them, and my camera is always in the neighborhood.” Ready to take more great photos! Hessel and Hannes have their own Facebook page here and you and see more of Bert’s photographic work at his website Bert Jonkhans Fotografie.
This exclusive interview with Bert Jonkhans was originally published on DogHeirs.com and was reprinted here with permission.
Despite their obvious differences, Hessel and Hannes love each other unconditionally and get along exceptionally well. We humans could learn from these two…
Since this article was originally published Hessel has passed over Rainbow Bridge. But his legacy of friendship lives on.
And Hannes has a new doggie companion in Olav, a mini wirehaired Dachshund.
Share this heartwarming story of friendship with the friends you love!
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