A Labor of Love

Intricate, well cut; 30 figure pieces.  Note poem on sign motivating boy and his dog to "dig for bait".  I was given a dog at age 3 named "Skippy" who looked much like this dog.  For 15 years, he accompanied and guarded me from other dogs and animals, but allowed humans near me.  He died when I went off to Amherst College in 1954.  And, yes, I have "dug for bait!" as a boy, but didn't catch many "edible fish".  The "real fishermen" (grownups) had already caught the larger, more edible fish.  Pickerel are simply too bony.

"Sittin and Wishin won't change your fate:
The Lord provides the fish;
But you have to dig the bait."