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An elderly woman in glasses knits on a couch while a white Bichon Frise beside her is wrapped in loops of cream yarn. 4 / 39

Grandma Ruth Sat Down to Knit a Scarf. Cotton Had a Different Project in Mind.

AI imagebichon friseknittingpet safety

So much for a relaxing knitting session. Ruth sits on the couch with her needles in hand and a half-finished piece of cream wool in her lap, but most of the yarn has ended up somewhere else entirely. Cotton is sitting beside her, loops of string draped over his paws and chest, mouth open in a cheerful grin as if he has been helping all along. Ruth's glasses sit low on her nose and her smile suggests she is not even a little bit surprised. A window with lace curtains, a stack of folded laundry, and a plant on the side table round out the cozy scene.

As adorable as this is, yarn and string deserve a careful eye around pets. Dogs and especially cats can swallow long pieces of thread, and a swallowed string can cause serious intestinal problems that need a vet right away. The same goes for knitting needles, which can poke curious noses and paws. A lidded basket or a craft bag with a zipper keeps your supplies safe between sessions. If your pet loves to join in, offer a sturdy rope toy or a puzzle feeder nearby so they have their own project. And if you ever suspect a pet has swallowed yarn, call your vet rather than trying to pull it out yourself.

In the end, the scarf may take a little longer than planned. But judging by the grin on that fluffy face, Cotton considers this the best craft afternoon of the week, and Ruth seems to agree.

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A white-haired woman in a green quilted vest brushes a white Bichon Frise with a pink brush on wooden porch steps.Every Evening Grandma Ruth Takes Out the Pink Brush. Cotton Knows Exactly Why.A gray-haired woman paints a landscape at a wooden easel in a backyard while a white Bichon Frise sleeps on the grass.Grandma Set Up Her Easel in the Backyard. Her Bichon Took a Different Approach to Art.
An older woman in a quilted vest sips lemonade through a straw on a porch while a white Bichon Frise sits close in front.Grandma Poured One Glass of Lemonade. The Bichon Assumed It Was for Two.A white-haired woman in a green vest lies on the grass with eyes closed, her cheek resting against a sleeping white Bichon.Grandma Ruth Lay Down on the Lawn for Just a Minute. Cotton Joined Her.An older woman in a quilted vest cooks a pancake in a skillet on a gas stove while a white Bichon Frise watches from below.The Pancake Was Almost Ready. The Bichon Had Been Waiting Very Patiently.A white-haired woman in a green vest and denim shirt carries a smiling white Bichon Frise in her arms near porch steps.Cotton Walked the Whole Loop Himself. The Porch Steps Were Another Story.