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A grandma in a green cardigan hand-stitches a patchwork quilt while a Jack Russell Terrier sleeps on the pile of fabric. 25 / 28

Grandma Had a Quilt to Finish. There Was Just One Small Problem in the Middle.

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Needle in hand, Odessa bends over a patchwork quilt of faded florals, plaids, and soft pastels, tugging a thread through with practiced care. Her glasses rest up in her hair for now, and her green cardigan sleeves are pushed back for work. A basket of thread spools, a pincushion, scissors, and a blue mug crowd the table beside her, and folded fabric is stacked on the shelf behind. The trouble is that the quilt has an occupant. Pip has sprawled across the whole heap of fabric, head tucked on a fold, eyes closed, sleeping as soundly as if the quilt were made just for him.

Quilting is a craft with deep roots in many American families, often passed from one generation to the next and made from scraps of clothing that carry their own memories. It is also a hobby that pairs well with a calm pet, with a few precautions. Needles, pins, and thread can be dangerous if a dog swallows them, since thread and string can cause serious internal problems. Keep a closed pincushion or magnetic dish handy, count your needles when you finish, and sweep up loose pins and thread ends before leaving the room. If a pet ever swallows something sharp or stringy, call your vet right away.

Odessa does not seem the least bit bothered by her furry paperweight. She will simply stitch around him, one square at a time. Maybe that is how the best quilts are made: slowly, patiently, with a warm little dog right in the middle.

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