Once the question’s been popped, telling your parents that you’ve just become engaged can be something that’s worth thinking about. While having cleared the hurdle of actually managing to have a successful relationship thus far, cementing your love for one another can be as blissful and rewarding an experience as it can be nervewracking for some.

In most cases, you’re likely to experience a great deal of euphoria, and depending on the relationship, the next step will differ greatly – and that’s telling your parents. If you’re lucky enough to have a healthy relationship with your parents and they support your relationship with your partner, this can actually be a seriously fun project! But for those who haven’t won their parents’ blessings yet, well – you’ll just have to wait until we write the article on “best places to elope to!”

Okay, so now that you’ve managed to get the details out of the way, breaking the news to your respective parents and loved ones is something that you try and make as joyous as possible – after all, it’s a pretty momentous day in your lives! One of the best possible ways to tell your parents that you’re hitched is face-to-face. Sometimes, you really can’t explain the subtle details to someone you love over the phone or via a webcam.

Being able to make physical contact with them adds a whole new level of meaning to your discussion as well as your tone and body language. Plus, parents love seeing their kids as they grow older – so visiting your folks if you’re out of the house is always a nice surprise.

From there on out, the easiest way to ensure that they literally get the message is via phone. Whether you send your parents a typed message, a voice recording, or even just call them, being able to hear them directly is always the preferable form of communication to use when broaching such a serious issue.

Sometimes, being creative and taking a selfie in the area where you proposed is a great way to capture the moment to share with your family and friends. Sometimes though, it might be a good idea to wait a day or so before telling your parents, so that you allow yourself time to let the news sink in as well – rather than screaming over the phone in excitement!

Adopting a dog is one of the most wonderful things an animal lover can do – and the joy on these dogs’ faces explains why.

Car windows were definitely invented for dogs. This newly adopted pup is enjoying his first “freedom ride,” which is what shelters like to call an adopted dog’s first ride to its new home. This fellow is soaking it all in and letting the wind blow all the worries of his pre-adopted life away.

This is Rölli, a nature-loving dog of the Samoyed breed who was adopted and now lives with his sweet mom in Finland. Rölli is super happy in his new adopted life, as is evidenced by his ecstatic smile. We are so happy that Rölli found a hiking partner who enjoys getting out of the house for long nature walks in the beautiful Finnish landscapes, just like he does! Frolicking in the meadows is definitely any dog’s ultimate fantasy life.

This poor pitbull, who had clearly had his ears clipped and possibly experienced other abuses, had been rescued by a shelter. Despite having escaped his rough situation, he was clearly lonely and sad. His new family took him home and rehabilitated him, and just look at the incredible difference it made! Now, this regal dog is a loved family member, and his posture shows him beaming with pride and happiness over this positive twist of fortune.

What dog transformation list would be complete without Charlie the pit bull, who became a Twitter sensation after his aunt posted about his adoption, accompanied by the powerful tagline ADOPT DON’T SHOP. Now he’s become a symbol for dog adoption on the internet, and it’s easy to see why. He went from a sullen, lonely looking shelter dog to a beaming fur-baby with a flower crown and an infectious grin. All dogs deserve a happy ending like this!

Now, this is a truly amazing turnaround. Pablo, an 8-year-old Chihuahua mix, was suspected as having been abandoned by his previous owners. He was suffering from cataracts, arthritis, a heart murmur, an intestinal infection, and a hernia, ridden with ticks and fleas, and could barely walk. He was adopted and rehabilitated by a couple who admirably took on all his medical issues. His new dad writes that now, “he just follows me around like a shadow everywhere I go! He’s such a darling.” We couldn’t agree more!

This sweet angel’s name is Tofu, and she has experienced an amazing transformation since being adopted by her new family. The picture on the left is from when her family first saw her at the shelter, and they knew right away she was the one. According to her parents, “She was so shy and timid. Now she loves riding next to us in the car and has claimed the front seat as her own spot!” What a lucky pup.

This adorable little mixed-breed pup was lonely and scared at the shelter. You can see in her eyes that she was in desperate need for some loving care in a good home. 8 months after being adopted, she is on top of the world, as is evidenced by the huge grin on her face as she enjoys a run with her family by the lake. This is amazing proof of how wonderful adopting a dog can be!

This adorable Italian Greyhound and Chihuahua mix named Henrietta was adopted by her mom Laura, who’s keeping her tiny body nice and toasty inside her coat. Laura adopted Henrietta (Henry for short) after she was found wandering on the streets, malnourished and afraid. Laura writes, “At first she was very nervous — she hid in the bathroom for the first week!” Looks like lucky little Henry found the perfect dog mom to rehabilitate her and the perfect spot to stay warm!

Ripley traveled a very far way to find a home, and her story is truly inspiring. Rescued by an organization in Iran that saves abandoned puppies and injured dogs, Ripley was fortunate enough to be flown all the way to the United States when she was 8 months old and was adopted into a loving home. Just a few months later, this striking creature is happy, healthy and enjoying a summertime dip in her very own puppy pool with a huge smile on her face.

Meet Hank. He was rescued at only four months old by the local Humane Society, covered with scars and very timid and afraid. Now Hank enjoys a picture-perfect life with his new parents, who are just as cute as he is. Here they are posing for a perfect family shot, with Hank stealing the scene with his charming underbite smile. There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing an adorable pooch getting a new lease on life with a lovely family.

This is Harper, a dog of the Vizsla breed who was rescued and brought to the Fairfax Animal Shelter. She had been adopted and returned three times within the first year of her life and when her current family adopted her she looked lost, confused and scared. Now just by looking on that giant grin on her face, you can tell that Harper has finally found her forever family and can say goodbye to the shelter forever!

Komi and Tori are Welsh Corgi mix dogs rescued by an organization called FreeKoreanDogs in Toronto. Since the two were rescued in Korea when they were two months old, they have shared a strong bond. “From the moment that they were rescued, they have never been apart. They do everything together; eating, sleeping, and playing. They rely on each other and especially Tori (orange pup) takes care of Komi a lot.” Fortunately, they found a family to adopt both of them together and make them Instagram stars!

Sometimes, it can take a while for owner and dog to warm up to each other. That wasn’t the case with Jessie when she met Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dusty. He had been rescued from becoming a puppy mill dad by True North Rescue Mission in New York City, and upon meeting Jessie, he felt an instant connection. Jessie writes, “Here’s Dusty on his adoption day! This photo was taken the actual MOMENT I met him. Can you believe that!?”

Thor is a very lucky Alaskan Malamute rescue dog, who seems to have found a wonderful doggy dad to have late chats into the night with. Thor puts his arm adorably across his dad’s and the two snuggle up for an evening of heart-to-heart conversation. We can imagine Thor telling his dad all about a day full of adventures, or maybe confessing about a crush on a new lady dog friend. Whatever the case may be, it’s great to see the sensitive side of these two manly friends.

It’s naptime for three out of this family of four adorable pugs – Lexi, Dougie, Maggie and Basil (one is not pictured) – who were all rescued from Muffin Pug Rescue in the UK. Now they all live together in one big happy family, taking full advantage of a big comfy couch and using each others’ pudgy, pillowy bodies as cushions to achieve ultimate nap goals. Imagine cuddling up in the corner with these sweet snuggly masses of doggy delight!

This adorable young pup, Penny, is being cradled by her new dad. You can tell she’s excited for the fabulous new life she’s heading to. Her dad John wrote, “Here’s our dog, Penny. This is the moment in the elevator at Bideawee’s adoption center in New York when we knew we had found the perfect little girl.” With a dad like that, it’s clear that Penny is moving on up to the good life.

Princess and Passion are a bonded pair of dogs who were taken to the shelter after their owner passed away. After spending some time in the shelter and being cared for by volunteers and fosters, a family was found who could adopt them both. They were renamed Frannie and Frieda are now living happily and getting up to mischief together. Sitting in the back of their ‘getaway car’, they look like a canine Thelma and Louise!

This majestic Malamute/German Shepherd mix was found in country backroads by a kind woman who rescues dogs, who took her to the vet. Once she was restored to health, she was adopted to a forever home, and now appears to have made a stunning turnaround with a beautiful coat and loads of energy. Her mom writes, “Wynter is the sweetest dog. She is great with my kids, old dog, and kitties… I love watching her play in the snow. She looks so happy and free.

This is Motley Crews (yes, that’s really his dad’s last name!), a mixed rescue dog who is having a fantastic time in his idyllic home by the lake. Here he is taking advantage of the ample digging opportunities of this deep snowfall, his white coat almost seamlessly blending in with the snow! He’s clearly loving every minute and judging by the rest of his Instagram account, he seems to have found an amazing family to be a part of.

Meet Yumi, a chocolate brown poodle who is sweet as can be! Yumi was the runt of her litter, and was in danger of being dumped in the garbage by the breeder when she was saved. Her new mom reports: “Four months later, and Yumi is the most playful, loving, healthy gal.” It’s hard to imagine anyone throwing this adorable pup away, but it happens all too often. We’re so glad she was saved and images of her cuteness could grace the internet!

This quad of hungry Pekingese darlings were all adopted by the same family in South Africa, and it looks like they have found the key to success in convincing their parents to give them food scraps – by working together and overwhelming their victim with cuteness! It’s hard to imagine being able to resist faces like these asking you for anything. It must be so great having a whole crew of siblings to team up against the parents with.

This cute little guy seems to be having a great time accompanying his mom to the office, where he’s getting lots of attention and love. However, he does seem to be mischievously eyeing that cup of pens, considering what kind of chew toys they would make. A puppy’s naughty nature is just one of the things that makes it so lovable. Hopefully, he will continue being on his best behavior and keeping mom company on her lap.

This is Toby, whose life was massively upgraded when he was adopted by his new family. In the shelter, Toby’s sleeping situation was less than ideal. That looks really uncomfortable! Now, Toby sleeps in the lap of luxury in a big fluffy bed. As one viewer commented, he looks like he’s already pawed the snooze button a few times this morning! Wishing many more lazy days in bed for this precious pooch; he’s really earned them.

This pitbull is clearly having the time of his life dressing up in this adorable Batman ensemble. As a lonely dog in the shelter, he never could have dreamed of the new role life had in store for him once adopted: beloved pet dog by day, superhero by night! He’s definitely using his powers to fight evil with that giant goofy grin on this face. One thing’s for sure, this is a dog who seriously loves playing dress up!

If there’s anything better than receiving a mother’s love, it’s clearly the love of a doting grandmother. This sweet photo was taken at an annual adoption day in a local park, where this woman decided to get herself a friend for life. The pair look positively beaming to have found each other, and what makes it all the more special is that this sweet senior lady will have a constant companion that she can dote on and spoil like a grandchild.