The chief and the professor arrived back at their country house that afternoon, utterly downcast. The big moment the chief had planned for her wife’s genius creation had been ruined. What’s more, they were feeling a deep sense of loss. They had lost a part of the family. So you can imagine their shock when they walked into their living room to see Robodog sitting by the fire!

“ROBODOG!” they exclaimed.

They rushed over and wrapped their arms round him.

“We were so worried about you,” said the professor.

“You missed the passing-out parade!” added the chief.

“I know,” began the robot, “but I have been thinking. And feeling.”

“Feeling?” asked the professor.

“Yes. Feeling. And I learned in my short life that feelings go deeper than thoughts. Well, I know this must sound ridiculous…”

“Tell us!” implored the chief.

“…but I don’t want to be a police dog any more. I just want to be your dog. Your pet.”

“But why,” said the chief, “when you could be the greatest police dog in the history of the world?”

“Because I want to feel something that real dogs do.”

“What’s that?” asked the chief.

“I think I know,” said the professor with a smile.

“Well…” said the robot, “this might sound silly, but I suppose… what I want… is love.”

“Love?”

“Yes. If I can love and be loved, then I must be a real dog.”

The professor looked at the chief, and raised her eyebrows.

“We couldn’t love you more, Robodog,” said the chief.

“And I love you both.”

At last. He was a real dog.