"Get back here, Dog!"

She ran after the yellow lab to the end of the block.

"Unbelievable," she muttered under labored breaths as she pumped her legs against the wet asphalt in her house slippers.

She rounded the corner and stopped. Sitting a few feet away was Dog being patted by a man on his knees.

"Where did you come from, girl?"

Dog looked at her, tongue hanging from the side of her mouth.

The man followed suit. "Hi," he said from the ground. "Is she yours?"

She nodded.

Dog wagged her tail as she watched the two humans smile at each other.