Dog rescued from bathtub after getting paw stuck in drain

This is Gavel. The German shepherd was fired from his job as a police K-9 in Australia for being too friendly. The good news is the Governor of Queensland had another job for him as the state's official Vice-Regal dog.

(Photo via Governor of Queensland) 

Fiona the hippo weaseled her way into our hearts -- and we'd like to think we are better off for it. She shocked zoo keepers at the Cincinnati Zoo when she arrived six weeks ahead of schedule. She spent time in the zoo's nursery where she received around-the-clock care and now she is thriving. She has a large following that supports every weight gain milestone she hits. Other memorable Fiona moments from 2017 include when she photobombed a wedding proposal, did a flip off of her mom's back and somehow made farting look cute.

(ZooBorns/Barcroft Images/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

With the opening of an office door, in walked a young girl who would warm hearts across the world. Marion Kelly became an instant internet sensation when she crashed her dad's live TV interview on the BBC. The little girl with the adorable glasses even held her own press conference after she went viral, with the help of mom, dad and little brother, James. 

(YELIM LEE/AFP/Getty Images)

A nun wielding a chainsaw was the heartwarming story we needed at a time when Hurricane Irma was causing so much heartbreak. The Miami-Dade Police Department posted pictures and a video of Sister Margaret Ann helping clear downed trees after Irma ravaged Florida in September and people on social media were quick to praise her selflessness and kindness.

(Photo via Miami-Dade Police Department/Facebook)

At 6 years old Edith Fuller of Tulsa, Oklahoma became the youngest contestant to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May. During her time in the competition she spelled the word "nyctinasty" correctly and we L-O-V-E-D it!

(REUTERS/Joshua Roberts)

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who was shot during a congressional baseball practice over the summer, received a standing ovation after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals game in October.

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Kevin Durant called his mother, Wanda, the "real MVP "during his emotional NBA MVP speech in 2014 and in 2017 the two were able to celebrate his first NBA championship together in the middle of the Golden State Warriors home court.

(Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Sometimes photoshoots don't go as planned -- and that's totally okay. Indiana Conservation Officer Levi Knach and his K-9 partner Kenobi posed for their portrait in February and the progression from stoic to true puppy love was as heartwarming as it gets.

(Photo: Indiana State Parks/Facebook)

A bond randomly formed over the popular smartphone game Words With Friends proved that true friendship has no age limit. Spencer Sleyon, 22, and  Rosalind "Roz" Guttman, 81, competed with each other on the scrabble-like app for more than a year. Over the 300+ games they played together a true friendship formed. Spencer traveled to Florida, where Roz lives in a retirement community, and the two got to finally meet in person. 

(Photo via Spencer Sleyon/Twitter)

Video from inside a Utah school shows the moment an11-year-old girl learned she'd been adopted. Tannah Butterfield embraced school office manager, Jackie Alexander, in a moment that truly defines what pure joy looks like.

(Photo via Instagram)

Former President George W. Bush vs. a plastic rain poncho was the heartwarming battle of the year. Bush's struggle during President Trump's swearing-in ceremony appeared to not only amuse the public -- but himself as well.

(REUTERS/Rick Wilking)

Carson Wentz has a special connection with Eagles fans and had a particularly close bond with 9-year-old Lukas Kusters. Lukas was battling cancer and his last wish was to thank the Eagles quarterback. Wentz was able to fulfill that wish before Lukas passed away in June. Then in October, Wentz presented Lukas' older brother and the rest of his family with a game ball. 

(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A Baltimore school choir's performance of Andra Day's "Rise Up" left many people with goosebumps. The video posted on the choir director's Facebook page deeply moved countless people with many commenting on the positive message it sent and how it brought them to tears.

Watch the performance for yourself here.

(Photo via Kenyatta Hardison/Facebook)

Is that your new pink leg?"

It's the question that warmed hearts and uplifted spirits.

Anu is a 7-year-old girl who goes to school in England. Video from BBC Midland showed her wearing her new prosthetic leg at school for the first time and the reaction from her schoolmates couldn't have been better. Anu shared hugs with her friends and they helped her test out her prosthetic by running around the playground while holding hands.

(Photo via BBC Midlands/Facebook)

When thinking of heartwarming stories that leave us teary eyed, nothing comes close to a military homecoming. This picture from May captured U.S. Army Specialist Daniel Paredes surprising his wife Selena at Yankees Stadium after his return from Iraq.

(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Hurricane Harvey ravaged Texas in August, but through all the tragedy there were touching signs of compassion. This photo shared by the Harris County Sheriff's Office showed Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Johnson rescuing two small children from heavy flooding. The photo became a symbol of hope, in the face of devastating times. 

(Photo via Harris County Sheriff's Office/Twitter)

Derrick Campana, a real life "Dr. Doolittle," has dedicated his career to making prosthetics for animals at Animal Ortho Care in Sterling, Virginia. He made two front legs for this pony named Angel Marie after she was left too crippled to walk from an accident soon after she was born.

(REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, California started a program that uses remote control cars to take young patients to the operating room. The cars were donated by the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive. 

(REUTERS/Mike Blake)

A picture really is worth a thousand words.

Liberal Member of Parliament Warren Entsch lifts up Labor MP Linda Burney as they celebrated Australia's parliament legalizing same-sex marriage in December.

(AAP/Lukas Coch/via REUTERS)