A Corgi Kept One Lamb Warm Beside a Cold Fireplace

A tricolor Corgi lies on the old wooden floor in front of the fireplace, ears up, with a white lamb tucked snugly against his chest. The lamb's face is half hidden in his fur, and her wool looks soft as a sweater. Behind them, split logs wait in the hearth, boots stand by the wall, and a basket holds a gray blanket. Books crowd the shelf over the mantel. It is the kind of room where everything is a little lived-in, and the two friends seem to be the calmest part of it.

Corgis were bred as herding dogs on farms, and despite those short legs they are quick, sturdy and full of energy. They tend to be bright, bold and talkative, and they usually bond closely with their people. Their long backs mean it's smart to keep them at a healthy weight and avoid too much jumping off high furniture. Young lambs lose body heat quickly, which is why farmers often keep them somewhere warm and dry in cold weather. A sensible rule for any home fireplace is a sturdy screen and keeping pets and animals well back from sparks and hot surfaces. Between the books and the boots, this room has seen plenty of cold evenings, and a warm companion makes any of them better.

The hearth may be empty tonight, but between the Corgi and Cotton there's plenty of warmth already. The Corgi's ears twitch now and then, listening for footsteps, but he doesn't move an inch.