SUPPLIES NEEDED:

I large round rock

1 smaller sized rock

4 pebbles

2 small flat rocks

black or brown felt (optional)

glue - silicone is best or hot glue gun

green felt or small piece of Astroturf (optional)

paint

stick on eyes

1 sturdy piece of paper or cardboard

TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR ROCK DOG

After collecting your rocks, think about the shapes of them. Is the rock for the body narrow? Fat? Stubby? Use the shapes to determine what kind of show dog your rock will be. Is he tall and skinny like a Dalmatian? Is he short and stubby like a Dachshund? (pictured above) Do you want your dog to be brown? Tan? Black? Stripped? With spots?

DIRECTIONS:

STEP ONE: Go outside and hunt for rocks. Most often, round smooth rocks work best. Since there are no rocks to speak of in Brooklyn, I had to settle for bumpy concrete ones to make my own.

STEP TWO: Wash all the dirt off your rocks and then let them dry.

STEP THREE: Glue the head to the base of the body (the bigger rock). Then glue on the eyes, nose (which can either be a pebble or felt), glue four small pebbles on the bottom of the big rock for feet, glue two flat rocks for the ears (or felt), and glue a small pointy rock on the back for the tail (or you can use felt).

STEP FOUR: After allowing the glue to dry, decide what color your dog will be and then paint him.

STEP FIVE: After waiting for the paint to dry, draw and cut out a small ribbon. Color the ribbon in with marker, paint, or crayon and glue that onto the dog.

STEP SIX (optional): If you'd like, you can make a patch of grass for your dog to sit on. Using either green felt or Astroturf, cut out a circle and glue the dog onto it.

CONGRATULATIONS! NOW YOU HAVE YOUR VERY OWN SHOW DOG!