25 Photos Of Big Athletes Holding Small Animals

Top dogs and small dogs, together as they should be.

Being a pro athlete is tough work. Lots of acting macho. Lots of pretending you're superhuman in front of the cameras.

So when athletes need to chill out and get in touch with their gentler sides, it's no surprise to see them turn to the companionship of small animals. Sometimes larger-than-life figures need to get down and hang out with our world's tiniest and most cuddly life forms.

And you know what? Animals and athletes go great together, because of course they do. The truly amazing thing is that they photograph together even better.

1. Just check out LeBron James holding a hungry panda.

2. Delonte West holding a penguin, and Lamar Odom wishing he was.

Dallas Mavericks

3. What about Delonte West holding a tortoise?

Dallas Mavericks

5. Dan Marino and Torrey Smith proudly hold pups.

6. And because one dog isn't enough for one person, here's Torrey Smith holding two dogs.

7. Olympian Gus Kenworthy loves dogs like they're his children.

8. And here's Yovani Gallardo with the Brewers' official pup, Hank, who's dressed in people clothes because why not?

9. Dogs are the best, aren't they? Sydney Leroux holding her dog makes for a wonderful shot.

10. And so does Serena Williams with her dog.

11. Want another? Here's Megan Rapinoe and her lil dog.

A photo posted by Megan Rapinoe (@mrapinoe) on

12. But let's go back to seeing two dogs. Just two dogs lounging with Mesut Özil.

A photo posted by Mesut Özil (@m10_official) on

13. Care for one more another dog? Vernon Davis has a Frenchie for you.

14. Okay, enough K-9 action. Vernon Davis wants to let the people know: SLOTHS CAN HANG TOO.

15. And so can other exotic animals. Justin Verlander holding a baby tiger doesn't look dangerous at all. Right?

16. And here's Visanthe Shiancoe holding his two pet ferrets while they attempt to eat him.

17. Mario Balotelli's adorable piglet named "Super" rests comfortably.

18. Darnell Dockett's monkey appreciates being held, but the little fella has no idea what to do with his hands (same).

19. David Ortiz loves America's pastime and Falcons, but did he show love to that lonely eagle? Who knows.

A photo posted by David Ortiz (@davidortiz) on

20. Mamadou Sakho lets a koala chill like in its element.

21. Colin Kaepernick's 17-year-old tortoise is still small enough to hold (at least, he can do it), even though it weighs in at 115 pounds.

22. Chad Johnson liked to take his pet lemur out and about in Miami during the offseason.

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23. Mike Miller and his java macaque named Sonny were inseparable until he decided to give the monkey away to a sanctuary.

Getty Images

24. No professional athlete, however, can match the relationship Mike Tyson has with pigeons. Tyson has always loved his birds, because in his words, they "never judged me or made me feel inadequate."

A photo posted by Mike Tyson (@miketyson) on

25. Live on, small animals. We're better for your existence.

Stringer via Getty Images

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