It’s seven in the morning, the nighttime chill still lingering as the sun begins to rise. You’re beginning to regret your new summer resolutions, overestimating yourself when it came to the commitment of a daily morning run. Your legs certainly weren’t thanking you either.

However, as you drifted deep into thought with the music on your running playlist playing through your headphones, you felt something brush against your leg. You instinctively jumped a little, startled by the sudden contact as you slowed to a stop, pulling your headphones down around your neck.

Looking down at your feet, you were met with the sight of a fluffy golden retriever looking back up at you with wide, cheerful eyes. At first, you assumed that he must’ve been lost or a stray. But after seeing the cleanliness of his fur and the leash attached to his collar, you knew that couldn’t be the case.

That was when you heard it.

“Jim! Come back here, buddy!” A man’s voice called out, jogging towards the two of you. Jim sat obediently, waiting for his owner to approach.

The man offered you a sheepish smile before he leaned down to grab ahold of the leash he’d previously let go off by accident.

“Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” he started, his tone polite and apologetic. “He tends to get a little excited when we go on our morning run.”