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An elderly Black man in a rocking chair whittles wood while a red Shiba Inu sits close, watching the shavings fall. 5 / 31

Earl Was Whittling on the Porch. Maple Was Sitting Very, Very Close.

AI imagered shiba inuwhittlingporch

Wood curls scatter across the old porch boards in a growing heap while Earl sits in a worn rocking chair, his knife moving slowly along a small carving. He wears an olive cardigan and plaid shirt, his gray beard and brow set in calm concentration. Beside the chair Maple the red Shiba Inu sits with ears forward and her dark eyes on the falling bits of wood, head lowered as if to study each one. A blue mug of tools, flower pots and a chain-link fence sit behind them in the soft, late light.

Whittling is a quiet craft that many people take up for its calm rhythm, and the tiny curls it produces make for a lovely porch sound. For dogs, however, wood shavings are not toys. Small pieces can be swallowed and may irritate the mouth or stomach, and some woods contain oils or sap that can bother dogs. Sweep up as you go, keep the knife and carved pieces out of reach, and give your dog a proper chew toy so she has something to focus on. If your dog swallows a lot of shavings or seems unwell, call your vet.

Maple is disciplined for a dog who has a whole pile of curls at her paws. She watches without grabbing, the picture of a good porch companion. Earl blows the dust off his carving and keeps going, with his friend right at his feet.

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A smiling elderly Black man in a cardigan stands behind a red Shiba Inu on a leash in a market garden with vegetable tables.Earl Took Maple to the Market. She Picked the Pace and He Followed.An elderly Black man in a cardigan plants tomato seedlings while a red Shiba Inu digs in the soil beside him.Earl Planted a Row of Tomatoes. Maple Planted Nothing, but She Dug a Lot.
An elderly Black man in a green cardigan gently tucks a blanket around a red Shiba Inu lying in a round dog bed.Earl Smoothed the Blanket Over Maple. She Looked Up at Him Like This.An elderly Black man in a cardigan smiles down at a red Shiba Inu with an open mouth in a bright kitchen.Earl Hummed an Old Song in the Kitchen. Maple Couldn't Hold Back Her Grin.An elderly Black man sits in a folding chair at dusk with a red Shiba Inu in front of him and a sunset behind.Earl Pulled Up a Chair to Watch the Sun Go Down. Maple Watched Too.An elderly Black man sews a patchwork quilt in a cluttered living room while a red Shiba Inu sleeps curled on the fabric.Earl Was Stitching a Quilt. Maple Decided the Scraps Were Her Bed.