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An elderly man in a wicker chair sips lemonade with a lemon slice while a Shih Tzu looks up from the foreground. 19 / 36

Otis Poured Himself a Lemonade and Pepper Watched Every Sip

AI imageshih tzulemonadeporch

Otis sits back in a wicker chair on a porch with a tall glass of lemonade in his hand, a slice of lemon perched on the rim and a relaxed look on his face. Pepper sits in the foreground with her head tilted up and her round dark eyes fixed on him, as if she has some thoughts about that glass. Behind them, potted plants, a woven basket, and a few tools make the porch look well used and well loved. A little dish of crackers sits nearby, and a screen door hangs half open to the garden beyond.

On a hot day, the important thing for any dog is cool water and shade. Shih Tzus have thick coats and short noses, which can make hot weather harder for them, so keep walks short and avoid the warmest part of the afternoon. Lemonade is a drink for people only, since sugary and citrus drinks can upset a dog's stomach. If you want to treat her, a few ice cubes in her water bowl is a simple and safe way to cool things down, and your vet can offer more tips.

Pepper is polite about her interest, and Otis lets her look. The breeze moves the leaves, the ice clinks, and the afternoon drifts by in no great hurry. It is hard to imagine a nicer way to keep cool. The lemon slice stays safely on the glass.

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