Otis Fixed the Fence While Pepper Guarded the Stick
Otis kneels by a section of fence with a hammer in his hand, lining up a loose board, a bucket of nails and tools nearby on the grass. Pepper stands right in front of the camera with a long stick clamped proudly in her jaws, her whiskers poking out around it. The yard is a little rough and well used, and the late afternoon light makes the whole scene glow. A blue bucket and a pair of work gloves sit in the grass, and the board he is working on is already half straightened.
Fetching a stick is a natural game for lots of dogs, but sticks can splinter and cause injuries in the mouth or throat, so many vets prefer a chew toy or rubber ball instead. Shih Tzus are small, and a big stick can be awkward and hard for them to manage. If you work on a project outdoors, keep tools, nails, and boards out of reach, and pick up loose hardware before a dog explores. Talk to your vet about safe things for her to carry. A designated stick-sized toy keeps both the dog and the project safer.
Pepper clearly believes she has been put in charge of supplies. Otis is working steadily, and she is guarding the stick as if it were a prize. It is a good example of a small helper with big confidence. The fence will be fixed in time, and the stick will stay put.
