An evening for snuggling up
Just one
more dance
Warm tea. A soft blanket. And one slightly restless paw.
Not quite over yet
Suawi had decided that this day did not have to be quite over yet.
Outside, the sky was slowly turning deep blue. The little lamps glowed in the sitting room, a cup of tea waited on the table, and the orange blanket was exactly where a blanket belonged: over her legs, around her tummy and a little way under her left front paw.
After the beach and a thorough shower, her fur was still a little damp and rather ruffled from being towelled dry. Suawi had tried to smooth it down. In a few places, her fur had other ideas.
Well, it could stay that way for now.
Everything within paw’s reach
Music began to play on the television. Three dancers stepped onto a brightly lit stage. Their colourful scarves floated through the air, jewellery sparkled, and their steps looked so effortless that you might think nobody had ever accidentally trodden on their own tail.
Suawi took a sip of tea. “They’re rather good at that,” she observed.
She put her cup down and pulled the blanket higher. There was still some tidying to do in the kitchen. Her beach bag had not been unpacked either. Fortunately, both were well beyond her immediate paw’s reach.
Today she had built a castle, acquired a moat and met a crab. That was quite enough for a single day.
The paw had other plans
The music grew a little faster. Under the blanket, a hind paw began to move.
Suawi did not notice at first. She watched the dancers, then the flowing scarves, and finally her own paw, which had apparently decided to join the performance.
“We’re resting,” she explained to it.
The paw stayed still for a moment. Then her tail began to sway.
Suawi glanced over at the dark tuft resting on the sofa cushion. Very slowly, it moved from side to side.
“You too?”
A very little dance
On the screen, the dancers twirled. Suawi lifted a front paw and tried a small, graceful movement. As she did, the blanket slipped from her shoulder.
She caught it, wrapped herself up again and nodded contentedly.
That was enough dancing for the time being.
We’ll watch one more
When the music ended, she clapped softly with her front paws. Then she rested her head against the cushion. Her tea was still warm. Her fur was drying.
Suawi thought of the sandcastle and wondered whether the little crab had found the shadiest spot by now.
Then the next song began.
She had meant to turn the television off. Suawi pulled the blanket up to her chin.
“Oh, all right,” she murmured. “We’ll watch one more.”
Her hind paw had already agreed.
Goodnight, Suawi.