Fire Wood

[Gergie]

I have been working on a Santa ornament for about 10 days. It was starting to take shape, and I was getting to really like that Santa.

Well, we just got a puppy 3 weeks ago, great dog, and will be the best dog ever, but not today.

I went down stairs to get something and my Hunter pulled the towel I had my carving stuff off the table and onto the floor. And when I got back my daughter was holding my Santa with many well placed chew marks on it.

It is now in the fire wood box. So sad, but a lesson learned.

[Wb7whi]

Re: Fire Wood

Had that happen recently to a shelf elf I kinda liked. The modification was not kind.
Was out at the dog park today and sitting there carving away while my dogs were out being dogs when somebodys dog came over and sat down and looked at my blank and said "I really must have that." I am mostly imune to that look and I won.

[Tom Ellis]

Re: Fire Wood

Gergie, I would make an ornament out of if. Might make some fun memories in the future.

Tom

[Bob K.]

Re: Fire Wood

That's a tough loss

[susieq]

Re: Fire Wood

Hi Gergie,
welcome to a very large membership...... Nearly everyone who carves and has puppies, has had something like this happen.

Years ago, I was struggling to get some ornaments ready for our woodcarving club show that was coming up fast. I had been painting 3 ornaments at the dinning room table. I got up next morning, still fuzzy from lack of coffee, and noticed our 6 month old boxer pup looked like he had something in his mouth.

After chasing him down and wallowing around in his mouth with my free hand, I got something that felt like part of a corn cob. I pulled it out to look at it and couldn't make out what it was at all....until I saw faint flecks of red paint...
Then I knew! I ran into the dinning room to look and sure enough, Toby had grabbed the ornament with the nicest face. I was sick.

But at the show, I had a photo of Toby beside the chunk of chewed wood, flecked with paint, and a small sign that said, "carved by Toby". It got a lot of comments and laughs. It was a very long time ago and Toby is gone now, but he was a great dog and I wish I had him back.....

[blanchard65]

Re: Fire Wood

Dogs mans best friend most of the time. I bet after time you will grow to love the dog more than the carving. hope so.

[rickm]

Re: Fire Wood

i have several carvings with well placed chew marks, to be honest as time passes they are my favorites

[rickm]

Re: Fire Wood

when # 2 son was little i was working in the basement and he came along and pulled a bunch of wood from a pile and started sawing and hammering on them. I said wht are u doing? he said making a car? I said, didnt you think I might not have plans for those pieces? I did actually. He kept working but I could tell I hurt his feelings. Today I go in the basement and look at that little car, its still there, and think ya know I could have been a better dad. I think of that when i open my pie hole today. treasure yr chewed carvings, they were done with love even if you didnt appreciate it at the time.

[Gergie]

Re: Fire Wood

Thanks for the support, "The naughty Puppy Support" I am over it and have started in a Buffalo. It's interesting how these things go.

Rick I remember I had just got a big order of Bird eyes from VanDykes and my 6 year old Daughter, went into the shop and cut the wires off them and glued about a dozen eyes to a board, for my birthday, how could I be mad. So cute, but I did hide my eyes after that.

Anyway I see I'm not in the boat alone when it comes to pets and children.

[Kadiddle]

Re: Fire Wood

Sorry for your loss. We must all have had that happen. I kept my dogs carvings. Now that he has passed on I"m glad I still have his works of art.
Carve On,
Kadiddle

[toycarver]

Re: Fire Wood

It's folk art now!

[WhittleBurner]

Re: Fire Wood

A lesson well learned 'eh...puppies especially are so curious nothing is sacred!

It's a challenge to train our dogs to not chew on wood. I have had a couple chewed by mine and visiting dogs. So far I've had some luck getting them to not chew wood, but I do let them chew sticks and branches outside. I guess cottonwood bark looks to much like what they are allowed to chew outdoors, had a couple decorated with teeth marks. We're still working on cottonwood.

Another temptation we found is gourds, I topped off a gourd and walked away to come back out with one of the dogs looking like he found the golden prize prancing around the back yard. Well turn the new chew marks and cracks into part of the design.