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A black and tan German Shepherd leans down to sniff among lettuce plants as five kittens roam the garden bed. 21 / 33

The German Shepherd Counted the Kittens Again and Again in the Garden

AI imagegerman shepherdkittensvegetable garden

Among the green leaves of the vegetable garden, a black and tan German Shepherd leans down with ears at attention and nose near the soil. Around his paws, five kittens are on a tour: an orange one nosing a leaf, a calico looking up, a grey tabby pouncing at a sprig, a black one peeking from behind, and another grey one sniffing a lettuce. Tomato vines and a wooden fence stand behind them.

German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, and protective, and they excel when they have a task. Guarding a litter of kittens may be the sweetest job of all. Gardens can hold dangers, though: some plants, such as tomato leaves and onions, can be harmful, and fertilizers or slug pellets are dangerous. Check the garden before letting kittens out to explore, and watch them closely. Cats also tend to see loose soil as a litter box, so be prepared for some digging. If your pets eat something they should not, call your vet at once.

The Shepherd keeps a close eye on each kitten, and every time one wanders off, he gently moves to keep it near. He seems to be counting, again and again. The kittens do not care about being counted. They have found a garden full of new smells, and every leaf is a mystery. The Shepherd sighs, smiles, and starts counting once more.

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