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An older man in an argyle sweater whittles wood on a porch, shavings piling up, as a red merle Australian Shepherd watches. 28 / 32

Kenji Thought He Was Just Whittling on the Porch. He Was Putting On a Show.

AI imageaustralian shepherdwhittlingporch

Curl after curl of pale wood peels away from Kenji's small knife and tumbles onto the porch boards, where a little drift of shavings has already formed. He sits hunched in concentration, wearing a cream argyle sweater over a blue plaid shirt, glasses perched low as he shapes a small block of wood. Right at his knee, Maple watches the falling shavings with intense interest, her mouth slightly open and her ears relaxed, as if each one might turn into something wonderful. A blue mug, a pair of green garden gloves, a basket of tools, and muddy boots fill out the cozy backyard porch scene.

Woodworking hobbies like whittling can be relaxing and rewarding, and having a calm dog nearby makes it even nicer. Still, a few safety habits are smart. Sharp knives and tools should always be put away when not in use, and small offcuts or splintery shavings are not good for a dog to chew, since splinters can injure the mouth or gut. Some woods, along with stains, varnishes, and finishes, can also be harmful if swallowed. Sweep up shavings when you are done, and offer your dog a safe chew toy instead of letting them nibble on scraps. Australian Shepherds are curious and quick, so a clear "leave it" cue comes in handy during projects like this.

Whatever Kenji is carving, a bird, a spoon, or maybe a tiny wooden dog, it has an admiring audience. Maple would give it top marks no matter how it turns out.

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