Introduction: Paper or Cardboard Justice Dog

About: During the COVID-19 crisis, all of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's religious services moved into an online-only format. I generally organize Sunday school activities for the children of the Fellowship …

The dog in the story was described as "enormous," but we never found out what color it was, how shaggy it was, or even what kind of dog it was! What kind of dog did you picture as you listened?

Maybe that's the kind of dog you'd like to make!

Supplies

-cardstock or thin cardboard (like a cereal box)

-the dog pattern (found here)

-markers

-scissors

-an X-acto blade (optional)

Step 1: Get Your Pattern Ready.

If you're using cardstock and you have a printer, you can print the pattern directly onto the cardstock.

If you're using cardboard, print the pattern onto regular printer paper and cut out the shapes.

If you don't have a printer, trace the pattern from your computer screen onto plain paper (or sketch it by looking at the picture), then cut out the shapes.

Step 2: Trace the Pattern.

Outline both shapes of the pattern on cardboard or cardstock.

(Note: if you printed the pattern directly on cardstock, you get to skip this step!)

Step 3: Cut Out the Pieces.

Cut out both pieces.

If you used cardboard, depending upon how thick it is, it could be tricky to cut out all of the details out. Do you see in the pictures how I've cut around the shape very gradually? If you cut the cardboard away from the lines a little at a time, it's easier. But you can always get a grown-up or older sibling to help if you need to!

Step 4: Decorate Your Dog.

This is the super fun part! What does your dog look like? What color is it? Does it have spots? Stripes? Is it happy? Mad? Your dog can look like anything! I gave mine orange splotches and a goofy face. The part that sticks out on his body looks like its neck, but that's actually the tongue! That's why I colored it pink.

(Note: Make sure to put something under the pieces while you decorate them so that you don't get marker on your table. Not that I speak from experience.)

Step 5: Fold the Body.

Fold the legs down so that your dog stands up.

Step 6: Cut a Slit Under the Mouth for the Tongue.

Have a parent or older sibling help out with this one. This step is easiest with an X-acto blade, but you can also use scissors.

Step 7: Slide the Tongue Through the Slit. Play With Your Dog!

There it is! What's your dog's name? What does it sound like when it barks for justice?