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A brindle Shih Tzu sits inside an empty cardboard pizza box on a messy floor and looks up at the viewer. 6 / 37

The Pizza Box Was Empty, and the Shih Tzu Was Sitting in It

AI imageshih tzupizza boxcaught in the act

The brindle Shih Tzu sits squarely in the middle of an empty pizza box, front paws together, round dark eyes looking up. Her whiskery face is scruffy and a little stern, which gives her the look of a tiny judge. Beyond the box the floor is a landscape of toys, clothes, and a few stray cables, as if the room itself had been part of the evening's adventure.

Shih Tzus were bred as companion dogs, and they take that job very seriously. They are affectionate, a bit stubborn, and often happiest on a lap or in a favorite box. If a dog steals a slice, it is good to know that pizza is not a great treat. Onion and garlic in sauces and toppings can be harmful to dogs, and rich, greasy food can upset their stomachs. If your dog eats something like that, talk to your vet. Keep leftover boxes closed and out of reach, and offer a safe dog treat instead.

We will call her Mochi. She has the proud, slightly worried expression of someone who just realized the dinner has vanished and she is the only one in the room. There are no crumbs on her face, which suggests a very efficient operation. The box makes a fine throne, and she is sitting on it as if that had always been the plan.

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