Mochi sat by her empty bowl. She waited for her dad. But the street stayed still.
A butterfly landed on her whiskers. She didn't move.
She walked through the sunny neighborhood. Sniffing gardens. Sniffing porches.
Mrs. Puddle called out, 'He went far for you.' Mochi's ears drooped.
She kept walking. Past Mr. Whisker's shop. Toward the park.
Then she saw them — fish bones along the sidewalk. Another row near the dumpster.
She followed the bones. Paw by paw. Toward the park.
At the park, she found a box. Cans and treats — all labeled with her name.
Underneath was a note: 'For my Mochi. I had to look everywhere.'
Her ears perked up! She knocked the box over with excitement. Then she carried one can home.
She set the can by her empty bowl. Curling up next to it, she began to purr.
Her tail tapped a happy rhythm. The sun moved across the floor. Warm. Quiet.
