When Passions Collide!
While the headline above reads a bit like a bodice-ripper novel, it is actually about the interaction between Sidney, my new hunting pooch, and my woodworking equipment. Sidney is a 17-month-old German Shorthair Pointer; she is a sweet little thing with an unbelievable amount of drive and determination. And those characteristics are so important in the field. Less so when she is hanging out in my shop.
In recent weeks she has chewed the plugs off of three different power tools and her kennel heater. In addition, she chewed through the cords of two heat lamps that I also use in her kennel. She has also grabbed uncounted pieces of wood, sandpaper discs, the window scraper for my windshield and even a full CA glue bottle. I am clearly forgetting something but you will have to forgive my aging memory.
Now, responsible pet owners who have read this far are undoubtedly thinking: 1. Rob’s an idiot, 2. Give the dog a chew toy, and 3. Watch your dog! The only responsible pet owners who are likely not judging me harshly are other GSP owners. (I chose not to mention the many dog beds she has destroyed. She is a busy girl.)
The crazy small wires that control my CNC router, when they are connected to my CNC router.
While all the previously mentioned acts of minor destruction were more annoying than catastrophic, there was one electrical cord incident that stands out. While lounging in her doggie condo section of the rather elaborate kennel/dog run I’ve built, Sidney managed to reach through the wooden slats and chew about a 6-inch section of the control wiring of my CNC router. A rather expensive piece of equipment that does not work at all without said wiring.
My basic philosophy regarding all things electrical is this: if I don’t mess with electricity, I won’t get hurt. In this case I found myself repairing all of the above-mentioned items. Including my CNC wiring, but I am worried that my fix there will only last so long.
The unholy taped up mess of my CNC wires.
And to the responsible pet owners, I have given Sidney chew toys. I have showered her with them. Some, the stuffed kind she destroys in minutes. The harder ones keep her interested for several seconds at a time. But nothing has her interest like something she should not have. The good news is that she shows every indication of being a really good hunting dog.
