Big Salmon Lake s y m p h o n y

she sensed his frustration. it was jagged, like the broken-off quills of a porcupine, and pricked at her fear evermore. but he withdrew, even if he stared and glowered, and when he buried his head in the water she took a step towards the lake edge, slinking, carefully. and then further, until she stood with all four paws in the frigid cold, and she lowered her muzzle to the surface as if to drink. and then she moved out further, and had the universe access to speakers and youtube, the Jaws theme would most certainly be playing. 

the silt of the lakebed was no longer in reach of her paws, and smoothly, in the manner of an otter, she slid smoothly into the water and began then to swim in earnest, face set stoically, yet ears slicked back and tail curled inward even under the surface of the water.