Five Kittens Made a Hideout in the Garden Bed. A Shih Tzu Found Them.
At the edge of a wooden garden bed, a black and white Shih Tzu rests his chin on the timber and peers inside with a soft, curious look. His flowing fur is damp and a bit tousled. Down in the dirt, five little kittens have gathered in a huddle, white with spots, tabby, black and orange, all staring up with wide, bright eyes. A trowel and a clay pot sit nearby, and warm light from a lamp glows across the evening yard. It looks as though the kittens have found the best hideout in the garden.
Shih Tzus are small, friendly dogs bred as companions, and they are usually gentle and affectionate. Their long coat needs frequent brushing, and a trim around the eyes helps keep their vision clear. Garden beds are tempting hiding places for kittens, and kittens often use soft soil as a litter box, which is why many gardeners are not thrilled about them. Fresh fertilizers, bark mulch and slug bait can be harmful to pets, so choose pet-safe products. If you have kittens exploring the yard, keep an eye on them, and ask your vet when they are old enough for outdoor time.
The Shih Tzu seems to be studying the situation with great seriousness. He has found five new neighbors in the flower bed, and he is not sure what to say first. The kittens are not sure either, so everyone just stares.
