A Spiraled Surrender

A shiny silver ring poking right out of the crushed gravel driveway dared me to blink! Sufferin' succotash—I dropped to my knees, braced both heels against a chunk of limestone, and grabbed the curved metal loop with all my might. With an almighty heave, I yanked backward! *Squelch-twang!* The spiraled steel dog tie-out stake uncoiled from the damp earth, flipping straight up and showering cool white sand across my vest! The corkscrew tip spun like an acrobat before dropping across my lap. I sat flat on the grit, brushing chalky dust from my whiskers and grinning at my twisted iron trophy!