The Glazed Tile Ring

I pushed past the front screen door and trotted out toward the street, letting my black leash trail quietly over the sidewalk. Just past the corner, a warm, chalky scent drew me toward the brick steps of a neighborhood pottery studio. Near a wooden drying pallet, a small circular ceramic kiln spacer caught my eye. I paused, tilting my head to inspect the pale stoneware ring. Two steady clicks of my paws. I lowered my snout and gave the heavy rim a gentle nudge. It gave a dry, ringing rasp across the brick pavers, rolling smoothly until it encircled an uneven iron drainage bolt. I rested one front paw firmly on the rim. Snug, level, and held tight.@shortythebarking