Twilight in the Pumpkin Patch, and Something Small Is Peering Out
Twilight has settled over the front yard, the porch light is glowing and the windows of the house shine warm and gold. Down in the pumpkin patch, a scruffy brindle Shih Tzu sits among pumpkins nearly as big as it is, its shaggy brown and black coat blending into the shadows and its dark round eyes peering out curiously. Twisting green vines and dried stems curl through the leaves at its feet, and more pumpkins of every size dot the patch. It looks like a tiny forest creature that wandered in to inspect the harvest.
Shih Tzus are affectionate, friendly companion dogs that usually prefer cozy indoor life but enjoy short strolls and outdoor sniffing sessions. Their flat faces mean they are sensitive to heat, but cool fall evenings are often just right. Pumpkin patches look harmless, but stems and vines can be prickly, and pumpkins left out for a while can begin to rot or grow mold, which is not good for dogs to eat. Plain, cooked pumpkin is a different story and is sometimes added in small amounts to a dog's diet, but it is best to ask your vet before making it a regular habit.
As the light fades, this little patch-dweller looks perfectly at home among the pumpkins. Fall evenings do not come much cozier than this.
