The patio was bright and warm. Gravel sparkled in the sun. A soft dog bed sat near the flowers.
Mia chased a butterfly. She ran too fast. Trip! She landed on the gravel with a soft ouch.
Mia looked down. The white cone felt heavy. The blue bandage on her leg made her sigh.
Mia tried to step forward. Clank! The cone bumped the patio table. A bird flew away with a chirp.
Mia froze. She watched the dust settle. Her tail gave one slow thump against the ground.
Mia tried to reach her squeaky toy. Bonk! The cone knocked it away again. Whine.
Again and again. Each time the toy bounced away. Mia pawed at the gravel. Her blanket looked on.
Then Mia saw it. A warm sunbeam touched her injured paw. Her tail started to wag.
Mia leaned into the warmth. She closed her eyes. The cone could not block the sun.
A tiny bark escaped. Happy. The sun felt good on her paw. The cone stayed, but so did the warmth.
Mia rested her chin on her dog bed. Her tail swished across the blanket. The cone stayed on.
Mia smiled in the afternoon light. Healing was happening. One sunny moment at a time.