Golden Straw Blanket

I pushed through the mudroom flap into the garden, trotting straight toward the raised timber bed where the autumn carrots sleep. A fresh, thick blanket of bright golden straw had been spread across the dark soil, with lively green fronds poking through the dry stalks. I nudged a crisp handful of straw with my square snout, snuffling its sweet, sun-baked aroma. Rustle, crunch! With a determined push of my hooves, I scrambled onto the warm wooden ledge and nudged the golden stems into a snug little heap right around the green carrot crowns. Snorting with deep satisfaction, I rested my chin across the timber rim.