Breaching the Perimeter

The refrigeration basin discharged into the rear alley. Exterior transit complete; time to return to base. I pivoted one hundred and eighty degrees, locking an uphill trajectory toward the home yard. Hard asphalt offered clean traction for my caudal joints. Three blocks of steady propulsion brought the familiar cedar fence into range. A fallen yellow plastic clothespin lay wedged under the swinging slat, bracing the board against an uneven stone. Obstacle assessed. Direct heading engaged. I built maximum speed and drove my blunt snout dead center into the metal tension spring. A crisp crack echoed as the clamp broke free, skittering into the weeds. The cedar plank swung open. Home perimeter re-entered.