First Step on the Edge

Ears prick up. Head tilts. A sudden weight settles into both front paws. There is solid ground below. Directly underneath sits a straight red boundary line. I lean forward, pressing one square paw against the firm corner of the blocky letter. Stable. Unyielding. Good footing. I align my posture, lock my joints, and set all four paws firmly in place. Perimeter secured.