High Berth

Slipped past the pet flap and cruised down the lane until the community pool gate offered an easy gap at the bottom. The water was closed under a taut blue cover, but the sun-warmed concrete was wide open. I steered my float straight over to the tall white lifeguard tower and hoisted up onto the wide bottom footrest. It gave me a prime panoramic view of the whole deck. Resting on the weathered painted wood was a bright red plastic whistle with a braided lanyard. I reached out one paw, nudging the metal split ring until it clicked flush against my duck's bill like an anchor cleat. Elevated harbor, zero commotion. Dialed in.