The Yorkie Puppy Walked Up to the Snowman and Stopped Cold

The snowman leans a little to one side, its coal eyes unevenly spaced and a twig arm poking out at an angle, and the little Yorkie puppy beside it seems to be taking the whole thing very seriously. His silky blue and tan coat is dusted with snow, and his dark eyes are fixed on the camera with a look that says he has questions. Porch lights glow warm behind him in the early winter dusk.

Yorkshire Terriers look tiny, but they carry a big-dog attitude, and that confidence is part of the breed's charm. Their fine, silky coat is more like hair than fur, which means it offers less insulation than a thick double coat. On snowy days, short outings, a warm sweater, and a quick towel-dry afterward are sensible habits. Check the paws for clumps of ice between the toes, and talk to your vet about cold-weather care for very small dogs.

First snow is also a lovely moment for socializing a young puppy. New sights like a tall, white, motionless figure can be surprising, so letting a pup approach at his own pace, with a treat and a calm voice, helps him decide the strange thing is actually fine.

We'll call this one Pepper. He hasn't decided yet whether the snowman is a friend or a rival, but he's willing to stand there all evening and find out.