Evening Explorers

Every evening, Kinja and Alley couldn't wait for one last walk before bed. They moved through the desert with a purpose. Every bush deserved investigating, every scent needed checking, and every rustle in the grass might be a kangaroo rat. Their glowing collars drifted through the twilight like tiny green lanterns while my husband and I followed several steps behind. Some nights they came home empty-pawed. Other nights they reminded us that beneath their soft, spoiled appearances, they were still very capable hunters. Watching them explore, it was easy to forget we were just visitors. To them, the desert already felt like home.