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An elderly man in a vest whittles wood on a porch beside a fawn Pug and a pile of curled wood shavings. 32 / 38

Grandpa Ken Whittled on the Porch. Mochi Followed Every Single Curl.

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A little knife, a small piece of wood, and a pile of pale curls gathering on the porch boards: Grandpa Ken whittles slowly, glasses on, concentrating on each careful stroke. A new shaving drops off the blade, and Mochi follows it with his whole head. The Pug sits right at the edge of the shavings with ears folded back and his round dark eyes fixed on the pile, as though waiting for one to move. The old porch has a worn railing, a small potted plant and a garden stretching away in warm evening light.

Wood shavings are a fascinating mess for a curious dog, but they deserve a little caution. Some woods, such as black walnut and certain others, can be harmful if chewed or swallowed, and any splinter or sharp piece can irritate a mouth or stomach. It is best to sweep up shavings quickly, keep tools out of reach, and give your dog a safe chew toy as a substitute. Whittling itself is a calm, traditional craft that many older adults enjoy, because it needs patience and steady hands and gives a nice feeling of making something. Keeping your pet at a safe distance from the knife means the hobby stays peaceful. If your dog swallows something odd, call your vet.

Whatever Grandpa Ken is carving will take a while to finish. Mochi is happy to supervise every single curl until it does.

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