The Dog Dies
Today, the Everett estate is in mourning. Cooper, the family's beautiful and fun-loving golden retriever, died at the ripe old (for a dog) age of 11. He's been declining little by little over the last month until he couldn't go on anymore. The entire family is grieving, but Helen seems to be the most affected. She has been crying for hours, inconsolable despite the efforts of her parents.
"Come on, baby girl. It's all right…" Mr. Everett gently hugs her. "Cooper had a great life with us. Sadly, nobody can live forever — that's just the way it is."
Hearing that, Helen bawls even harder. Mrs. Everett looks at her husband worriedly and takes over as Helen's consoler. "Helen, darling, your Dad is right." She sounds very gentle — it's almost strange to hear. "It's something everyone must go through, but you have to be strong. Don't cry, think of all the good times you had with Cooper."
She can't finish as Helen breaks free of her embrace, screaming, "But there will be no more! He's gone! He's gone..." She runs out of the room, crying her eyes out.
image [https://i.imgur.com/VMhh7UY.jpg]
The Everetts exchange weary glances — nothing they can say will help at a time like this.
Mr. Everett turns to you. "Alice, find Helen, please. She needs company."
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You nod and go looking for Helen, thinking along the way. Why would Helen react so violently? Of course, Cooper has lived with the family a long time, and he was fun to play with, but ultimately, it's just a dog — an old dog. What happened isn't surprising. Why is Helen so upset? They could always buy a new dog. You find Helen in her room, sitting on her bed and clutching Cooper's old collar in her hand. You settle down next to her and spend some time sitting with her in silence.
Helen turns her red teary eyes to you. "Why did Cooper leave us, Alice?"
You remember how Helen reacted to the words of Mr. and Mrs. Everett. You are not sure you know what to say to calm down Helen when even her parents couldn't do it. So, you resort to a hug. You embrace Helen and say nothing, holding her tight, trying to give her a sense of security. Helen sniffles, and tears start rolling down her red cheeks again. She doesn't push you away, so you keep hugging her and let her cry into your shoulder.
image [https://i.imgur.com/guNM2e9.jpg]
Soon, Helen starts feeling better. "Thanks, Alice." She gives you a sad smile. "You are a good friend."
You are proud of yourself for making Helen feel better. You did a good job, you think. But you are still curious about Helen's reaction. You must understand her better to help her more efficiently in the future. "If I may ask," you say gently, copying the tone Mrs. Everett used in the living room, "why does it make you so sad that Cooper has died? It is a dog. You can always buy a new one and teach it to act similarly."
She looks at you wide-eyed. "What do you mean? I've known him for all my life. Dogs are not all just the same. You can't just buy another one and replace the old one, it's not a thing! They are different just like people, just like..." She cuts herself off, and now she has the look of realization.
"I think I know. You can't understand what I feel because they don't make robots very smart. Remember Dad talking about it, back when we bought you?"
You nod, remembering something of that sort. Something about… "Ellsworth?"
"I'll ask Dad to make you smarter. I need a friend, not just a toy."
image [https://i.imgur.com/S60VxQv.jpg]