The Great Dane Curled Around the Piglet While Snow Covered the Yard

Snow covers the yard, and a harlequin Great Dane has made himself into a living windbreak. His black and white patched coat blends with the frosty ground as he curls his long legs and tail around a small pink piglet. She is nestled deep against his chest, snout tucked in, eyes shut. His head rests nearby, big dark eyes alert but kind, and the porch of a grey house waits behind them.

Pigs are sensitive to cold, especially when they are young, and even short-haired dogs like Great Danes feel the chill, so cold weather needs careful planning. Neither should be left outside for long in the snow. A warm, dry shelter with deep bedding, away from drafts, is important for any pet in winter, and a vet can say what temperatures are safe for your animals. Great Danes, with their thin coats and long limbs, often benefit from a coat in freezing weather. Short outings, followed by a warm indoor rest, are best.

Let's call the piglet Pearl. She does not seem to mind the snow at all, because she is wrapped up in warm fur and her friend's steady breathing. The Dane keeps still, lowering his chin to guard her. A snowflake lands on his nose and he lets it melt. Winter can be as long as it wants. For these two, a good cuddle makes it feel short.