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An elderly man in a brown cardigan whittles a block of wood on a porch as shavings fall near a black German Shepherd. 9 / 36

Grandpa Otis Got Lost in His Carving. Bear Was Watching Something Else.

AI imagegerman shepherdwhittlingporch

Tiny pale curls tumble from the knife and drift onto the porch boards like snowflakes. Grandpa Otis sits hunched over his work in a brown knit cardigan and plaid shirt, glasses on, both hands steady around a small block of wood. He is completely absorbed. So is Bear, though for different reasons. The black German Shepherd sits low at Otis's side with his nose angled toward the growing pile of shavings, eyes following each piece as it falls. Behind them, an open screen door, a gray bucket, and a few potted plants line the weathered porch.

Many dogs are fascinated by wood, and German Shepherds, with their strong jaws and love of having a job, are no exception. Chewing on sticks or wood scraps may look harmless, but splinters can injure a dog's mouth, throat, or stomach, and treated or painted wood can contain harmful chemicals. Sweep up shavings when you finish a carving session, and keep sharp tools out of reach. If your dog has a strong urge to chew, sturdy chew toys made for large breeds offer a safer outlet. Giving a dog something to do with its mouth while you work, like a stuffed puzzle toy, can keep it happily occupied at your side.

Bear may be hoping one of those shavings turns into a treat, but he seems content just to keep Otis company. Every porch project goes better with a patient supervisor.

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