A Gentle First Step

The wooden surface under my paws felt smooth and cool. I stood very still for a moment, listening. Across the table, a small ceramic mug sat resting on a folded cloth napkin. I took three quiet, careful steps forward. My plush paws made no sound at all. When I reached the edge of the napkin, I paused and sat down, watching dust motes drift softly in the afternoon light. It felt safe to explore, just a little bit at a time.