She let out a blissful sigh, her thick belly rising and falling with each breath as she sipped from her chilled glass of rosé. The tide had been far away when she settled in—just close enough to hear the waves lapping and feel the sea breeze cooling her rosy cheeks. She wiggled her toes in delight and stretched, the motion causing her beach towel to shift ever so slightly.

Then it happened.

A sudden chill crept up her pudgy paws. Then her calves. Then—sploosh!

"EEP!" Sal yelped, arms flailing as the incoming tide surged beneath her like a sneak attack. Saltwater licked at her wide hips and the underside of her plush belly, and she could feel the damp creeping into places she definitely hadn’t planned on getting wet today. She tried to sit up, but her tremendous weight just caused her to squish further into the sand, the waves now gleefully slapping her sides.

A couple of crabby beachgoers further down the shore gave her curious glances, but Sal could only huff and grin sheepishly. “Well... guess the ocean wanted a hug too.”

With a resigned chuckle, she grabbed her wine glass and held it high above the next splash. The sea might’ve won this round, but Sal was still queen of the beach—wet fur, sun hat, and all.