We feed, house and bathe our pets. We even pick up their poop. Not only do these actions make us think of our furry friends as part of the family, but they make the critters completely reliant on us.

Which is why the poor beasts have no choice if we want to include them in our most ridiculous family photos. Now, the folks who brought the Internet the face-palming absurdity that is Awkward Family Photos have struck comedy gold again with Awkward Family Pet Photos.

Check out our favorite of these hopelessly ill-conceived animal-themed family portraits:

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=905458&pid=905457&uts=1278024750
http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Awkward Family Pet Photos

Nativity: He's the understudy.

Awkward Family Pet Photos

Snakes On A Family: Dad thought a cat or dog wouldn't be good with kids.

Awkward Family Pet Photos

BYOLWD: Don't even bother showing up to a dinner party at this family's house without a little white dog.

Awkward Family Pet Photos

LOL Cats: Cat casual.

Awkward Family Pet Photos

Cougartown: "This was my brother and me in a crib that our dad had built, along with Sadie the cougar. We were modeling for his furniture, but who knows whether or not this confusing pic gave credit to his woodworking skills."

Awkward Family Pet Photos

The Pacifist: We're only going to ask you once… put down the cats.

Awkward Family Pet Photos

Chicken Little: The only real chicken is the guy who doesn't love one.

Awkward Family Pet Photos

Color Me Bad: The dogs preferred the black & whites.

Awkward Family Pet Photos

Man's BFF: This LWD never understood why it was the one who had to go to the groomer.

Awkward Family Pet Photos

Me And My Skunk: A pony isn't looking so crazy anymore, is it mom?

Awkward Family Pet Photos