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An older man in a red plaid shirt whittles wood on a cluttered porch as a small white Maltese in a blue collar looks up. 4 / 35

Grandpa Was Concentrating Hard on His Whittling. Pearl Was Concentrating on Him.

AI imagemaltesewhittlingporch

Curly wood shavings pile up around Grandpa Gus's boots as he works a small block with his pocketknife, frowning in deep concentration. He sits on the porch step in his red flannel, surrounded by the cheerful clutter of a man with many projects: work boots, a basket of gloves, scraps of lumber, a garden trowel, and potted plants by the door. At his side sits Pearl, the little white Maltese in a blue collar, gazing up at him with wide, adoring eyes. She doesn't care about the carving at all. She only cares about him.

Hobbies like whittling can be relaxing and rewarding, but they come with a few safety points when a small dog is nearby. Keep knives and sharp tools out of reach and never leave them on the floor. Small chunks of wood and splinters can be a hazard if a dog chews or swallows them, so sweep up shavings before letting your pup explore. Maltese are small and close to the ground, which means anything that falls is right at their level. A designated spot with a comfy mat or bed nearby lets them stay close while you work.

Pearl's devotion is a big part of what makes the breed so beloved. Maltese are famously attached to their people, and she looks like she'd sit there watching Gus all afternoon if he let her.

A whittled figure might take hours to finish, but a look like that one is a masterpiece all on its own.

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