Students from John Moores' University celebrate and pose for family photographs as they take part in their degree congregations at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on July 13, 2011 in Liverpool, England. Thousands of students are taking part in graduations across Britain and will begin looking for employment. According to recent surveys there are currently 83 graduates chasing every job vacancy. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

It's often said that pets and their owners can start to look alike, but these adorable photographs take the old mantra to a new extreme. They are the work of Svetlana Valyiskaya (27), from St Petersburg, who snaps pets in everyday poses in her spare time from her job as a commercial photographer. The vibrant costumes and scenes, which Svetlana designs herself, have made the photos a hit in her native Russia – and it's not hard to see why. She said: “I really love animals, they are loyal, faithful and true and always interesting to work with – plus they never criticise the photographs afterwards”. (Photo by Svetlana Valyiskaya/Mercury)

Throughout the course of the long war in Afghanistan, Coalition troops have relied on thousands of military working dogs to help keep them safe, and make their jobs easier. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, to find illegal drugs, to search for missing comrades, or target enemy combatants. Not only are they active on the front lines, but behind the lines they serve as therapy dogs, service dogs, and loyal companions. They also share the same risks as the ground troops, suffering injuries and sometimes death on the battlefields. Gathered here are images of these dogs and their handlers in Afghanistan and back home, from over the past several years, part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan.

Wearing traditional Belarus costumes girls jump over a bonfire as they celebrate the Ivan Kupala night, an ancient heathen holiday, held in the countryside near the town of Turov, some 260 km southwest of the capital Minsk, on July 6, 2014. People celebrate Kupala Night with bonfires that last throughout the night with some leaping over the flames as it is believed that the act of jumping over the bonfire cleanses people of illness and bad luck. (Photo by Viktor Drachev/AFP Photo)

An Iranian Shiite Muslim prays in Laylat al-Qadr, or the night of destiny, during holy fasting month of Ramadan after midnight, in central Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, June 18, 2017. Laylat al-Qadr is the night when Muslims believe the Quran was first revealed to prophet Muhammad. Worshipers gather in religious ceremonies to pray, ask forgiveness and make wishes on one of the most important nights of the Islamic calendar. Shiite Muslims, the vast majority of Iranians, believe the night happens either on 19th, 21st or 23rd of the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo)

The thousands of students gathered at Newcastle Racecourse near Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom on March 3, 2019 for a booze-filled night of mayhem. The last race ended at approximately 8pm then the grandstand became like a night-club. (Photo by Craig Connor/North News and Pictures)

Actress Hiba Abouk attends Hugo Boss night party 2011 on December 13, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

A model performs on the catwalk of the Lambertz Monday Night event at Alter Wartesaal in Cologne, Germany, 03 February 2020. (Photo by Friedemann Vogel/EPA/EFE)