The Chihuahua Puppy Was Very Serious About Cleaning the Pony's Nose
The lamp is on, the couch is soft, and a very small Chihuahua puppy is hard at work grooming a very large nose. With his speckled brown coat and big ears flattened in concentration, he reaches up from the arm of a green couch to give Clover a lick right on the muzzle. The shaggy pony stands calmly with her eyes half closed, plainly unbothered. A cozy blanket drapes over the sofa, a plant sits near the lamp, and the evening light is warm and golden.
Licking is one of the ways dogs show affection, and it often begins in puppyhood, when pups lick their mother and littermates. Chihuahuas are the smallest breed, yet they usually have big personalities and tend to bond closely with their favorite creatures. Because they are so tiny, they can get cold easily and should be handled gently, and they do best with calm, careful introductions to much bigger animals. A friendly lick is usually a good sign, but it is still wise to watch both animals and step in if either looks unsure. Talk to your vet for advice on safe socializing for a toy breed.
Clover just stands there and accepts the attention with the patience of a seasoned friend. The puppy, meanwhile, seems to take the task very seriously, as if the pony's nose were the most important thing in the room. In his small world, perhaps it is.
