Clambered off that chipped brick onto the cold grey concrete step—night freezing my plush seams! The mail hatch hovered high up on the heavy door, glinting like an unreachable citadel. No turning back to the wet dirt now! Prowled along the porch wall on all fours... struck gold! A coil of thick green garden hose looped tight against an iron spigot, dropping down right onto the second step like knotted anchor rope! Clamped my teeth into the stiff, cold rubber ridges—heave, scramble! Claws gripped the ribbed plastic until my paws scrambled onto the top riser. Shoved my snout right against the brass door base, breathless, grinning fierce. Port gates are right above!