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An elderly man on a porch carves a piece of wood with a small knife as a red and white husky sniffs the falling shavings. 28 / 32

Grandpa Kenji Started Carving a Block of Wood. Maple Couldn't Look Away.

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Curl after curl of pale wood drops to the porch floor as Grandpa Kenji works a small knife along a block of wood, head bent in concentration, brown sweater sleeves pushed back slightly. The shavings are piling up into a little mountain at his feet, and Maple is fascinated. She sits right beside the bench, nose lowered toward his hands, watching every stroke of the blade with total focus. A wooden railing, a few planters, and the green backyard surround the quiet porch workshop.

Whittling is a relaxing, traditional craft, and plenty of older adults enjoy it for the focus and steady hand work it requires. Around dogs, though, a little caution goes a long way. Sharp tools should be put away whenever you're not using them, and it's wise to work with the dog at a slight distance so a sudden nudge doesn't cause a slip. Wood shavings can be tempting for curious dogs to chew, but swallowed splinters can irritate the mouth or digestive tract, and some woods are better avoided entirely. Sweeping up shavings after each session keeps things safe. If your dog chews and swallows wood and then seems uncomfortable, talk to your vet. Huskies are naturally curious, so giving them a proper chew toy nearby can redirect that interest.

There's a nice rhythm to watching someone make something by hand. For Maple, it's like a slow-motion show full of interesting sounds and fresh scents.

Whatever Grandpa Kenji is carving, perhaps a little bird or a spoon, he has an audience who will stay until the very last shaving falls.

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