Lily tiptoed barefoot down the wooden steps that led to the sand. She barely remembered this place, but she could find her way to the beach, especially with the help of her furry companion.
Pickle trotted ahead of her, his silvery fur catching the early morning light as he bounded toward the shoreline, barking joyfully at the waves. The tide was low, the sea calm, and the world felt soft and slow, like it was still waking up.
Lily held her flip-flops in one hand and let her toes sink into the cool sand. She loved it here. The smell of salt, the music of water against rocks, the feeling that anything was possible when the ocean was this close. After all, she had a magical beach puppy!
She followed Pickle to the edge of the water, where he had stopped, and was now digging furiously in the wet sand.
"Hey, what did you find?" she asked, crouching beside him, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Pickle gave a triumphant bark and stepped back.
