And as recent online sensations can attest, the family pet plays an incredibly important role in most households.
Proving they're no different to any other family, Lisa Osbourne, wife of reality TV star, Jack Osbourne, uploaded a snap of her little girl enjoying some downtime with the pet dog and it has, unsurprisingly, melted the hearts of Lisa''s legions of fans and followers.
The 29-year-old mum, who welcomed second daughter, Andy Rose, into the life she shares with eldest daughter Pearl and doting dad, Jack, in May has delighted social media users by uploading an adorable shot of her toddler and family pet Bruce.
The snap, which the mum-of-two shared just hours ago, has amassed thousands of likes so far and reminds us all how important it so to nurture your child's love of animals.
Pearl, who appears to be laughing uproariously while playing with Bruce, couldn't look happier in the snap which Lisa captioned: "Pearl thought it was the most hilarious thing to ever happen in the history of mankind when Bruce decided to come and sit on her."
Lisa, who married Jack in 2012, is clearly relishing every moment of family life and finished her post by hashtagging the phrases 'Belly laughs', 'I love three-years-olds' and 'Love of my life'.
Tributes have poured in for the beautiful Pearl, with one fan writing: "Could Pearl be any more adorable?"
We really don't think so!
