Max was a golden retriever puppy with a fluffy coat and eyes that sparkled like the brightest stars on a clear night. He loved to play fetch, go on long walks, and snuggle up for belly rubs. Lily and Max did everything together, from exploring the woods behind their houses to having long conversations (well, Lily talked, and Max listened intently, his tail wagging in response).

So go ahead. Give in to the crush. Your heart rate will thank you.

“You never worry about the puppy’s political opinions,” notes entertainment critic Lena Hodge. “You don’t get cancelled for following a corgi. In a fragmented media landscape, puppy crush videos are the universal language. They are the last remaining monoculture.”

Typically, these videos feature three key components: