The Stove Was Warm and the Old Rescue Dog Was Not Alone

Outside, the evening is cold, but in front of the old cast-iron wood stove the room is toasty. A black mixed-breed dog with a white patch on his chest has laid his head down on a knitted blanket, eyes closed and muzzle a touch grey. Right against him, a pink piglet is out cold, her little hoof tucked beneath her chin and her curly tail draped over the cloth. A basket and a pair of boots sit by the window, and logs glow in the stove behind them.

Dogs from rescues often turn out to be wonderfully gentle, and many seem to understand how lucky a warm spot by the fire is. Mixed-breed dogs come in every temperament, so getting to know their personality over time is part of the fun. A word on fire safety, though: always keep pets a safe distance from a wood stove, because the metal can get hot enough to burn skin even when the flames are small. A sturdy stove guard is a great idea in a home with animals. Piglets also get chilly easily, so a warm blanket and a draft-free place to sleep matter a lot.

Let's say the piglet's name is Pearl and the old fellow is simply called Mutt, because he never needed anything fancier. They share the quiet, the crackle of the logs, and the soft rise and fall of their sides. The night can be as cold as it likes out there. In here, everything is exactly as it should be.