[ WP ] scientists have invented a serum that allows animals to speak . Your dog was recently given the serum , but it appears the treatment has not worked . Your cousin , whom you have n't seen since your youth , comes to town to visit . As the door opens , your dog suddenly whispers in your ear : `` run . ''

‘ Run ” 
 
 “ Hey! You can talk, finally! How are you girl? ” I was so excited. I had been hoping that my Golden retriever, Mylie, would start talking soon. 
 
 “ Run ” She said it flatly again. She looked distressed. Her tail was tucked between her legs and her ears were down. 
 
 “ Run ” 
 
 I sighed. I could see what was happening. Mylie was my family dog and lived with my parents. We had adopted her when I graduated from middle school. I have since moved away for University but was home for the summer. I am a diehard runner and Mylie knows that every morning when I am home, she gets to go on her run with me. I always knew that she enjoyed her runs but I had no idea she looked forward to them this much! I was touched, if I am being honest. 
 
 This morning had been different though. My cousin was coming to stay with us and I had not had time for my run. My Father ’ s sister and her husband had moved to Australia many years ago with their infant daughter Tessa. My aunt and uncle were researchers and were there studying some ant species. To be honest, bugs are not my cup of tea so I have mostly avoided learning about their work. I guess I should have paid more attention because last week my aunt and uncle were both killed in an accident while working in the field. The details of this accident are still sketchy at best. 
 
 The suddenly loss of her parents meant that my 15 year old cousin had to come live with us. She was arriving this morning and my mom wanted everything perfect for her. 
 
 “ run ” I stooped down in front of Mylie and rubbed her head. “ I ’ m sorry girl, I know you want to run but I can ’ t right now. We need to welcome your new roommate ” 
 
 “ run ” wow, I always thought she was an intelligent dog. On the news I had seen videos of dogs having great political debates. My dog seemed to pale in comparison. 
 
 I didn ’ t have time to console my dog anymore, Tessa had arrived. I had not seen her since she was a baby but the family resemblance was immediately obvious. She looked so much like my Dad. 
 We passed a pleasant day together. She was a little shell shocked and upset but very pleasant. The whole day was dotted with Mylie ’ s incessant interruptions of “ run. ” By the time we were getting ready for bed, my mom could take it no more. 
 
 “ For the love of God, just take her for a quick run! Tessa is already sound asleep and I don ’ t want her or us kept up all night by Mylie! ” I was annoyed but the dog had been loyally single minded all day. I might as well make her happy. I got ready quickly and left with Mylie. She is a very good runner but tonight I could barely keep up. 
 
 We ended up running much farther than I had originally intended. It was a nice evening and Mylie was so into it that we kept going. We got home late and quietly got ready for bed. That summer was spent pleasantly trying to help Tessa acclimate to her new life and trying to teach Mylie more words. I mourn my aunt and uncle but I am glad to have Tessa in my life. 
 
 Actually, no. That last paragraph is a lie. It ’ s a dream. It ’ s a wish of what I want to have happened. My therapist tells me that I am slowly slipping in and out of this delusion of the happy home life I wish I still had. Of Tessa becoming like a sister to me and living out my days happily with her and my parents. I need to remember what really happened, and here it is: 
 
 As I started to circle back towards the house, Mylie stopped dead in her tracks and looked up at me with big, sad eyes. 
 
 “ I love you and I am so sorry ” I was shocked by Mylie ’ s sudden vocal abilities and confused by their meaning. With that, she bit my leg, hard. She bit until she drew blood. I screamed and cried and kicked at her until lights came on in the houses around us. 
 
 “ I love you and I am sorry but I had to ” Mylie lied down and whimpered until the police and ambulance showed up. As the paramedics tended to my leg I heard the police questioning my dog. 
 “ I am sorry but I could not let her go home. Got there and you will see why ” Said Mylie calmly before being carted off to the pound. 
 
 I was released from hospital the next day and Mylie was released into my care. She had saved my life and for that I can pardon the pain and stitches. 
 
 The police found Tessa waiting in my closet, knife in hand. She had killed my Mom and Dad and was waiting for me to return. Tessa was killed in the police stand off so I will never have closure. I will never know why she killed my parents. There has been speculation that she caused the malfunction which killed her parents as well, but we can prove nothing. 
 
 
 Mylie saved my life and for that I will run with her every evening for the rest of her life. 

