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An older woman in a floral apron scatters grain for chickens in a backyard while a brindle Shih Tzu walks beside her. 28 / 28

Abuela Rosa Scattered the Chicken Feed. Chispa Followed Right Along.

AI imageshih tzubackyard chickensfarm life

Feeding time is the busiest hour in this backyard. Abuela Rosa leans forward in her floral apron, a handful of golden grain trickling from her fingers, while a brown hen and a white hen peck eagerly around her feet. Chispa trots right alongside, brindle fur a little dusty, paws carefully stepping among the birds as if she were a very small supervisor. The yard is gloriously cluttered, with a tin bucket, clay pots, work gloves draped on the fence, and strings of dried red peppers hanging from a post. Rosa has a gentle look on her face, glasses perched on her nose, completely at home.

A dog and chickens can get along, but it takes care and attention. Many dogs have strong chasing instincts, and even a friendly small dog can accidentally frighten or injure a hen, so a leash or close supervision is wise at first. Reward calm behavior, keep your dog from eating chicken feed or droppings, which can upset her stomach, and wash hands after handling birds. Shih Tzus were bred as companions rather than hunters, so many are gentle, but every dog is an individual. If you are introducing a dog to a flock, go slowly, keep sessions short, and ask your vet or a trainer for advice.

Today the chickens ignore the little dog and Chispa ignores the chickens, which is exactly how Rosa likes it. She tosses another handful of grain, and the whole yard hums along.

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