Browse ›
An elderly man in glasses sits at a lace-covered table with a cup of tea and cookies while a Shih Tzu watches from a chair. 5 / 36

Otis Poured the Tea and Pepper Pulled Up a Chair

AI imageshih tzutea timecookies

A lace cloth covers the table, and Otis has set out a cup of tea and a plate of round cookies beside a cloth napkin. Pepper sits up on a chair at his elbow, front paws on the table edge, her small face turned toward the plate with plenty of hope. He looks down at her over his glasses with a smile, in no hurry to answer her stare. The cloth napkin is folded in a neat square, the tea is the color of honey, and a little jar sits at the edge of the table.

Tea time is a lovely routine, but a few sweets and drinks are not safe for dogs. Chocolate, raisins, and anything with the sweetener xylitol can be dangerous, and caffeinated tea is not good for pets either, so keep cups and plates away from a determined nose. A Shih Tzu is a good table companion because it is small and sociable, but its begging can turn into a habit if it is rewarded. Offer her a dog-friendly treat of her own at the same time and she will feel included without a stomach ache.

Pepper is polite about it, and Otis is considering the situation. The tea is warm and the cookies smell good, and the room is quiet. In this little afternoon ceremony, everyone has a seat and a part to play. It is a tiny test of willpower, and it is gently entertaining to watch.

More from this collection

All 36 →
An elderly man dozes in a recliner while a brindle Shih Tzu sleeps curled on the armrest beside his shoulder.The TV Was Off and Both of Them Were Out ColdAn elderly man in glasses sits on a wooden dock beside a glowing lantern and fishing gear with a Shih Tzu in the foreground.Otis Lit the Lantern on the Dock and Pepper Took the Front Seat
An elderly man in glasses sorts old black-and-white photos on a table while a brindle Shih Tzu sniffs at them.Otis Sorted Old Photos and Pepper Inspected Every OneAn elderly man in a cardigan kneels with a hammer by a wooden fence while a Shih Tzu holds a stick in her mouth.Otis Fixed the Fence While Pepper Guarded the StickAn elderly man in glasses reads from a book on a couch while a Shih Tzu sits beside him looking up.Otis Read Out Loud and Pepper Didn't Miss a WordAn elderly man in a cable-knit cardigan stretches on a gray yoga mat while a Shih Tzu lies on the mat beside him.Otis Rolled Out the Yoga Mat and Pepper Copied Every Stretch