Five Black and Tan Puppies Fit Into One Basket. Somehow.

Count them again, because there are five black and tan Dachshund puppies in this basket, and they are stacked like a puzzle. Heads poke out at every angle, ears flop over the rim, and a gray plush toy and a blue rope sit among the legs. A tan-faced pup in the front looks up while the others peer in different directions from the pile.

Puppies love piling together, and there is a good reason. In a litter, warmth comes from siblings, and young dogs cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults. Sleeping in a heap keeps them cozy and secure, and it is why a new puppy sometimes cries when first alone at night. A soft blanket, a warm water bottle wrapped in a cover, or a ticking clock can help a lone pup settle, though it is best to ask your vet for advice. Dachshund litters are usually small, often between two and six puppies, which makes a five-pup basket a full house. Keep toys appropriate for their size, and check them often for torn parts that could be swallowed.

With this many puppies, nobody has much personal space. Nobody seems to mind, either, because a crowded basket is a warm basket, and they are all in the middle of it. If one wriggles out, he will likely wriggle straight back in a minute later, because the best spot in the house is always the one with the most siblings.