Hi, I am Vixen. The moon looked like a silver cookie in the sky. Mom walked into the field to take a picture, and I ran my patrol loop. I sniffed the rocks, the weeds, and the cool wind. The ground was lumpy and dark, so Mom used her phone light to help her feet find the flat spots.
I slipped under the rig where the shadows are deep and safe. I could see the phone light on the gravel and hear Mom’s soft steps coming back. Tail still. Ears up. I waited.
Then I jumped from my hideout and said BOO. One sharp bark. Then another. A tiny growl for good measure. I am small, but my voice is very big. My job is to make the night behave.
Mom startled and then laughed. I did a proud little hop. She told me I was brave and very smart. I agree. I am the Night Shift Supervisor.
We walked back together toward the warm glow of the rig. The phone light made bright stripes across the rocks. I stayed close to her ankle, just in case the dark tried anything. It did not.
At the door she scratched my chest, and I melted like warm butter. I curled under my blanket and watched the moon through the window until my eyes closed. Patrol complete. Mom safe. Tail tired in a good way.
Nose boops until next time.