Back in 2014, Cynthia Bennett and her boyfriend decided to adopt a dog to join them on their hiking adventures around Colorado. They were initially looking for a Golden Retriever mix at an adoption event, but when Cynthia entered the pen, a pup “five times bigger” than the other dogs his age ran straight for her and flopped into her arms. It was love at first sight, and the couple brought Henry home.
Photo: Henrythecoloradodog
Photos: Meet the Cat and Dog Besties Hiking the Colorado Wilderness Together
From the start, Henry was a big fan of the hikes his parents took him on. He quickly earned the nickname “little mountain goat” due to his love of bounding up boulders and cliffs just to look over the edge. Life was good for Henry. And then, in September, it got even better.
“I really wanted a rescue kitten,” Bennett said in an interview. “I’d looked for five months, and I saw lots of different kittens, but none of them really had the right personality or fit. I knew that I wanted to take him anywhere — camping, hiking.”
Then the couple met Baloo. A Siamese mix from a local shelter who took an immediate liking to Henry. Henry liked Baloo back, and Baloo refused to be left behind when the rest of the family hiked. So the human couple bought a cat harness, although Baloo didn’t need it: all he wanted to do was ride on his best friend’s back, and also on his head sometimes.
“I call them brothers,” Bennett said, “but I think Baloo thinks that Henry’s his mom because he constantly looks for a teet. So he’ll go in, and you can tell he’s looking because he’s nuzzling under Henry’s armpit.”
The result of this special relationship is the most adorable family hike photo series ever taken. 
This is Henry. He is an avid climber and loves his mom.
And this is Baloo. He needed a best friend.
Will this work out?
Oh yes, yes it will.
“The wind hurts my eyes!” “Look away Baloo.”
Sometimes Baloo sucks on Henry’s armpit because he misses his mom.
But mostly they just snuggle in front of the majesty of the Colorado wilderness.
Baloo likes his hiking buddy so much, he doesn’t mind if you put him on Henry’s head.
No matter how cold it is.
Because Henry makes him feel safe and loved.
And they are both so happy that their mom brought them together.