A Gentle First Tap

The concrete felt solid and cool under my paws. I waited quietly, listening to the soft breeze in the grass beyond the porch. Then, my tail gave a tiny, careful twitch all on its own. I leaned forward just an inch and tapped my soft snout against the smooth side of the grey cooler box. A dull, quiet thud answered back. I stood firmly in place, watching the light shift, feeling completely steady and awake.