A Shih Tzu Puppy Kept the Snowman Company in the Front Yard
Beside a small snowman with a carrot nose and a red plaid scarf, a gold-and-white Shih Tzu puppy sits in the snow, looking at the camera with a calm, serious face. His fluffy fur is dotted with a little snow, and his paws are neatly together. A wreath hangs on the house behind them, and the quiet yard is covered in a thin white blanket. A few pine cones and fallen leaves poke through the snow, and a garden hose coils near the porch.
Shih Tzus are sweet and sociable little dogs with long, silky coats. In snow, that hair can collect ice balls on the legs and belly, so a gentle wipe or a trim by a groomer can help. They are not made for long winter walks, and many are happiest with short outings followed by a warm cuddle indoors.
After playing in the snow, dry his paws and fur, and check between his toes for ice or salt. Sidewalk de-icers can irritate paws, and some are toxic if licked. Never leave a small puppy outside alone in the cold, and keep an eye out for shivering, which is a signal to go inside.
He has the quiet pride of a puppy who helped build a snowman, even if all he did was sit nearby and look charming. Together they make a very small winter party, one fluffy and one frosty, and neither is in a hurry to leave.
