A Shih Tzu and a Bunny Found the Best Seats to Watch the Hens

Side by side at the edge of a doorway, a black and white Shih Tzu and a small brown bunny stare through a wire fence at the chickens strutting around the yard. The Shih Tzu's dark eyes are wide and curious, her face tilted slightly to one side, and the bunny sits upright with ears alert. A few hens peck through the grass beyond the mesh, and boots and baskets crowd the corner behind them.

Rabbits and dogs both have a natural curiosity about the world outside, and watching birds or other animals can be great entertainment. Chickens, though, make noisy and unpredictable neighbors for a dog, so a sturdy fence helps keep everyone safe and calm. If you keep chickens, rabbits, and dogs on the same property, give each species a separate, secure space, and wash your hands after handling any of them, since animals can carry germs that people should not spread around. Shih Tzus were bred as indoor companions, and many are happy to spend a morning watching the yard without feeling the urge to chase.

The two seem equally fascinated. Neither moves a muscle, and their eyes follow the hens like spectators at a very slow, very funny show. It is the sort of moment that makes a farmyard feel like a small town, full of characters and gossip. All the bunny and the Shih Tzu need is a good seat and a bit of time.