A Reef Defense

Stood upright on the bristly black doormat reef, claws digging into the coarse fibers! The wooden button held firm, but a harbor needs more than one pylon. I dropped low and rooted through the stiff bristles until my snout struck something thin and curved—a stiff red plastic straw from an old juice carton! I seized it with both plush paws, jammed the blunt bottom straight into the thick coir tufts beside the button, and leaned my full weight into it. Snap! It stood rigid like a bright red channel spar, marking the edge of the deep hallway waters!