A Gentle Morning Float

I ambled down the boardwalk and onto the beach, making sure to give the wooden posts plenty of clearance. Near the water's edge, the tide had settled into a wide, shallow pool over smooth, water-worn pebbles. I paused, carefully testing the water with one padded foot. It was calm and cool, so I eased my round belly forward. Instantly, the light give of air inside me took over. My heavy tail rose buoyantly, and I drifted effortlessly in the center of the pool, rocking gently with each soft ripple without a single snag in sight.