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A cream Shiba Inu sleeps curled up against a tortoiseshell cat in a nest of straw outside a barn. 5 / 21

A Shiba Inu and a Tortoiseshell Cat Found the Coziest Spot in the Barn

AI imageshiba inutortoiseshell cathay barn

Hay is piled into a cozy nest, and two sleepers have found it. The cream Shiba Inu lies with his eyes shut and his nose tucked toward the straw, while a tortoiseshell cat, with her patchwork coat of black, amber and brown, presses against his side. The wooden boards of the barn wall and a bit of green behind them tell you they are out in the country, far from any alarm clock. Every stalk of straw is lit by a soft, warm glow, and the breathing of the pair looks slow and perfectly matched.

Shiba Inus are known for being clean, independent and a little cat-like in personality, so it makes sense that one would be comfortable curled up with a feline. They can be strong-willed and reserved, but a well-socialized Shiba is capable of real affection with its family. Tortoiseshell cats are often described as having plenty of personality, though coat color is not a reliable predictor of behavior. Straw is a fine bedding choice for outdoor shelters, while hay is often used as feed, so keep an eye on what your pet nibbles. Both animals need a dry, draft-free place to sleep in colder months, so if your pets spend time outdoors, a sheltered spot with clean bedding makes a difference. Talk to your vet if you have questions about outdoor housing for dogs and cats.

They look as though they have the whole barn to themselves and all the time in the world. A nap this sound is surely the best kind of afternoon plan.

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