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A man in red plaid whittles a piece of wood while a Yorkshire Terrier looks up at his hands. 26 / 29

Pip Watched Every Wood Shaving Fall From Grandpa's Knife

AI imageyorkshire terrierwhittlingporch

Grandpa sits on the porch with a small knife and a piece of wood, brow lowered in concentration, curls of pale shavings dropping to the boards. Pip sits near his knee with her head tilted up, following every flick of the blade. His red plaid flannel and round glasses suit the quiet, careful work, and a watering can and a few plants sit behind him.

Tiny curls of wood are scattered across the porch like confetti, and the garden stretches beyond the railing. Pip's tan-and-blue coat is dusted with a few stray bits of wood, and she seems absolutely fascinated.

Whittling is a calm, rewarding hobby, but a sharp blade and a curious dog need careful planning. Keep knives and carving tools out of reach and away from a dog's path, and sweep up shavings promptly, since wood chips can splinter and hurt a dog's mouth or paws if chewed or swallowed. Some woods, such as certain types treated with chemicals, are also unsafe, so ask before letting her chew on anything. A safe chew toy gives her something to do while you work. If she gets a splinter or limps, your vet can help.

The little carving will take shape slowly, and so will the afternoon. Pip is in no rush for either. By the time the carving is done, the porch will need a sweeping and the dog will need a good brushing. Both seem like fair prices for such a pleasant afternoon.

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