I’ve been watching what humans do with their feet before they leave.

When they go outside, they sit down first. They take out special coverings and put them onto their feet. Sometimes they tie them. Sometimes they fasten them closed. Different coverings for different conditions.

Then they stand up and leave.

The sound changes after the coverings go on. Harder against the floor. More careful.

When the humans come back inside, they stop right away. They take the coverings off and leave them beside the door. Their feet touch the floor again.

I have seen humans begin to leave without the coverings. They stop, turn around, and go back for them before continuing.

They keep their feet uncovered only when they remain inside the den. The coverings go on before leaving. They come off after returning.

Every time.

I think humans change their feet before the outside touches them. That is why the coverings are different for different conditions. Wet outside. Cold outside. Rough outside.

The feet must be prepared correctly before the human can cross into the outside.

June (quietly): “Would the outside still know them without the coverings?”

Walter: “Yes. But it would touch them differently.”