I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, I’ll say it always: hockey players and their pets are pretty much the best thing ever.

Though I’ll fully admit to being more of a dog person than a cat person. Hockey players with their dogs are the best thing ever. Especially when that player is celebrating his or her dog’s birthday, which is exactly what Connor Carrick was doing recently.

Happy 3rd birthday to the little guy yesterday. Hard to tell, but he's smiling too.

A post shared by Connor Carrick (@connorcarrick) on

I have no doubt he’s smiling his own little dog smile - how could he not? It was his birthday and he’s just plain got it made. Plus those two just look like they’re made for each other.

You may remember Carrick’s dog is also a practice partner of his, so we know he’s a very good boy, who hopefully had a very good (and productive!) birthday.