Anyone who has ever had a pet knows that special feeling: the soft pattering of paws, the warm gaze of a faithful companion or the joyful hopping through the living room. Pets give us closeness, comfort and unconditional love - and leave a deep mark on our hearts. But a real pet is not always possible in everyday life. Sometimes there isn't enough space, time or simply the right moment. This is exactly where our new NICI Lifelike collection offers a wonderful alternative - it captures the essence of our favorite pets in lovingly designed plush friends that inspire with their realistic design and heart-warming charisma.

Because pet love is universal. It often begins in childhood - with the first rabbit, the longing wish list for a dog or watching the cat snooze for hours on end. Pets are family members, best friends and comforters of the soul. They listen when no one else is around and are simply there - without saying much. We want to bring this feeling back with NICI Lifelike. It makes pet love tangible - for children, for adults, for everyone who loves animals.

The collection includes six animals that many people know from everyday life or from very special encounters. For example, there is the donkey, which is perhaps rarely kept as a pet, but is the centerpiece of many farms. Donkeys are considered smart, calm and incredibly gentle. The NICI Lifelike donkey looks so lovingly with its faithful eyes that you almost expect it to snort softly. His gray-brown fur, typical long ears and peaceful charisma make him a wonderful cuddly friend for animal lovers young and old.

Right next to it: the little pig, which not only looks realistic with its pink skin and brown spots, but also absolutely charming. It's hard to believe that pigs are some of the smartest pets around! They are playful, sensitive and social - characteristics that this cuddly toy captures perfectly. Whether as a farmyard friend in the nursery or as a decorative lucky charm - the Lifelike pig is a real character with a cuddle factor.

Of course, a real pet collection should also include dogs. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a gentle giant with soft, tricolored fur, a friendly look and cozy charisma. It embodies loyalty, calm and security - perfect for anyone who wants a four-legged companion who is always by their side. The loving design impressively emphasizes these characteristics: the NICI Lifelike Bernese Mountain Dog looks like a real puppy - ready to cuddle up to you. The Boston Terrier is a little more lively: small, alert, curious - and irresistibly cute. With its distinctive black and white markings and lively look, this little guy is the perfect friend for adventure and play. Boston Terriers are known for their humor and distinctive character - and that's exactly what you can feel in this plush version. He brings energy into the nursery - and a bit of big city flair to boot.

And then there are the gentle representatives - like the rabbit. Many children start their pet experience with a rabbit. They are quiet, sensitive and gentle - and yet full of personality. The NICI Lifelike bunny combines all of this: with silky soft fur, an alert look and a pose that looks as if it has just hopped out of the grass. It stands for the tender moments of animal love - for quiet trust and silent friendship.

The classic, the cat, concludes the series. Few animals are as divisive as cats: independent, proud, headstrong - and at the same time cuddly, playful and trusting. The Lifelike cat achieves precisely this balancing act. She lies relaxed, her soft gray tail curled around her paws, her ears alert, her gaze calm and curious. It looks like a cat that has just been disturbed during a nap - ready to purr when you approach it. A perfect addition for anyone who loves cats but can't take one in.

What these six cuddly toys have in common is the extraordinary attention to detail with which they have been designed. Each animal tells its own little story. The lifelike design makes them realistic, but the typical NICI expression also gives them a portion of heart. Real enough to look as if they could live. Soft enough to be immediately taken to heart.

Whether as a gift for children, as a memento of a beloved pet, as decoration in the living room or simply as an animal friend for the heart: the NICI Lifelike collection hits a nerve. It appeals to all those who love animals - with or without a real pet at home. Because sometimes it is enough not to keep an animal, but simply to carry it in your heart. And with NICI Lifelike from September 2025 - in your arms too.