Naughty Duke the Pooping Dog

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick a smooth, flat face

   Choose a pumpkin with a broad, even area on the front, since the dog silhouette needs room to read from the sidewalk. Wipe the surface clean and dry it. Avoid deep ribs or scars running through where the body will sit, as they break up the shape. A rounder pumpkin like the one pictured shows the profile clearly.

2. 2

   Transfer the outline

   Tape your dog stencil firmly onto the flat face so it does not shift. Poke closely spaced holes along every line with a pushpin or transfer tool, including the small deposit shape behind the dog. Remove the paper and connect the dots lightly with a washable marker so you can see the full outline. Keep the legs and tail as solid connected shapes, since this is a peel and nothing needs bridging.

3. 3

   Score the border

   With a fine detail saw or a sharp craft knife, trace just inside your marker line to score the edge of the silhouette about a quarter inch deep. This gives you a clean wall to peel up to and keeps the edges crisp. Do not cut all the way through the pumpkin wall. An adult should handle all sharp tools while kids help hold the pumpkin steady.

4. 4

   Peel the skin inside

   Using a vegetable peeler, a clay ribbon tool, or a lino gouge, remove only the orange skin inside the scored outline down to the pale flesh. Work in shallow, even passes so the whole dog sits at one consistent depth for an even glow. Peel the little deposit shape the same way. This is the step that carries the design, so take your time keeping the depth uniform.

5. 5

   Clean and light it

   Brush out the peeled area and dab it dry. Rub the exposed flesh with a little petroleum jelly to slow browning if the pumpkin will sit out for days. Drop a battery LED puck or string light inside through a small lid or a bottom hole, never a candle. The dog will shine dim orange while the surrounding skin stays dark.

6. 6

   Aim it and photograph

   Point the silhouette toward the sidewalk or driveway so evening walkers catch it at eye level. Set it on a bench or step where the profile is not hidden behind plants. Shoot your photo at dusk with the light on to capture the glow against the dark skin. Retouch any spots that browned by peeling a hair deeper before the shot.

Written with AI to match this design