A familiar warmth

I slipped back through the gap in the heavy entry door, leaving the cool night outdoors behind. Inside, the quiet hallway felt still and reassuring. I walked over to the woven runner by the coat rack, feeling the familiar prickle of coarse wool under my paws. Above me, a stray dry pine needle had hitched a ride on my plush shoulder during the afternoon walk. I tilted my head and let it fall onto the mat, watching it rest among the familiar patterns of the floor.