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An older woman in a green shirt and floral apron reads a newspaper while a brindle Shih Tzu sleeps curled on her lap. 23 / 28

Abuela Rosa Only Wanted to Read the Paper. Chispa Had Other Plans.

AI imageshih tzulap dogmorning

Abuela Rosa has her newspaper open and her reading glasses on, but she is reading with only half of her attention. The rest belongs to Chispa, who has curled into a tidy brindle circle on her lap and fallen fast asleep. The little Shih Tzu's chin rests on the edge of Rosa's floral apron, her face tucked in, her breath rising and falling. Rosa wears an olive green shirt and a gold earring, and her gray hair is up in a loose bun. Sunlight spills across the kitchen counter behind them, where a basket of linens, a green mug, and a folded checkered towel sit waiting.

Lap sitting is one of the oldest jobs in the Shih Tzu handbook. The breed was developed as a companion, and many of them are happiest right next to their person, warm and quiet. Small dogs can burn through energy quickly and then crash into deep sleep, so a short play session before settling down is a good routine. If you want to move your dog without waking her, slide a hand under her chest and hips and lift slowly. If your dog begins to snore or twitch in sleep, that is usually normal dreaming. A lap dog still needs regular exercise and grooming, so check with your vet or groomer about a routine that fits her coat.

Rosa will probably finish her paper eventually, though it may take the whole morning. Some news is simply less important than a sleeping dog who chose her lap.

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A smiling older woman in a floral apron sits in a rocking chair while a brindle Shih Tzu sleeps on a knitted cushion below.Abuela Rosa Rocked Slowly. Chispa Slept Right Beneath the Chair.A smiling older woman washes a dusty car with a sponge as a wet brindle Shih Tzu hops on hind legs beside a spraying hose.Abuela Rosa Turned on the Hose. Chispa Took It as an Invitation.
An older woman in a floral apron drinks from a tan mug on a doorstep while a brindle Shih Tzu looks up in the foreground.Abuela Rosa Took Her First Sip of Coffee. Chispa Had Questions.An older woman in a green cardigan plays an old upright piano while a brindle Shih Tzu sits upright on the bench beside her.Abuela Rosa Started Playing the Old Piano. Chispa Had Reserved Seating.An older woman in a floral apron scatters grain for chickens in a backyard while a brindle Shih Tzu walks beside her.Abuela Rosa Scattered the Chicken Feed. Chispa Followed Right Along.A smiling older woman in a floral apron and glasses washes a brindle Shih Tzu in a sudsy metal tub in the backyard.Abuela Rosa Filled the Old Washtub With Bubbles. Chispa Knew What That Meant.