Grandpa Started Whittling on the Porch. Every Curl of Wood Had an Audience.
Curly pale wood shavings pile up around the porch steps as Grandpa Gus works his knife over a small block of wood. He bends close, glasses low on his nose, carving with slow, careful strokes. Sunny sits right beside him with her mouth slightly open and her gaze fixed on the falling curls, as fascinated as a child watching snowflakes. Around them, the porch is a happy clutter of old boots on the window ledge, stacks of scrap wood, a potted succulent, a coil of twine, and a pair of clippers waiting for the next project.
Whittling is a classic hobby that many people pick up in retirement. It keeps the hands busy, rewards patience, and turns a simple stick into a little treasure. With a dog nearby, though, it pays to be careful. Sharp knives and a sudden nudge from a friendly nose can be a bad mix, so it helps to teach your dog a solid stay or give them a spot a few feet away while you carve. Wood shavings are not food, and swallowing lots of them or chewing splintery offcuts can irritate a dog's mouth or stomach. Sweep up when you finish, store your tools securely, and avoid letting dogs near wood that has been treated, stained, or varnished.
Whatever Grandpa is carving today, Sunny is the most loyal audience he could ask for. Maybe the finished piece will turn out to be a little wooden Lab.
