A Gentle Tap
The quiet warmth on the water felt so still... until I felt my own breath. I blinked slowly, taking in the soft orange glow across the lake. Wondering if I truly could move, I carefully extended one small brown paw. I pressed my pads against the cool, weathered grain of the wooden plank beneath me. It felt solid, grooved, and real. Beside me sat a rounded green dock post, quiet and steady. I nudged my coat collar neatly, staying right where I sat, watching the golden ripples sway.