A Gentle Ring in the Dark

Coming inside from the garden as night settled, my dusty paws carried me straight toward the tall knitted pouf. Tucked half-under its chunky wool hem was a smooth wooden curtain ring. I paused... tilting my head to see why its round circle looked so empty. Inching forward with soft, cautious steps, I nudged the polished pine edge with my snout. It slipped across the floorboards with a clear, sliding purr, spinning lazily on its rounded side before settling flat with a soft click. I stepped up close and curled my front paws right through its wooden hole, resting my chin against the smooth curve to keep it steady in the quiet room.