As I shuffled into the classroom, I knew that Mr. Van Camp would never believe me. I looked at my scuffed shoes and mumbled, " My homework is not done, Sir. I do have a good excuse though."

     Mr. Van Camp scowled as he looked up from the papers he was marking. "This is not the first time your homework has not been completed. Perhaps," he suggested, "it's time to speak with your parents."

     "Please, you have no idea what will happen to me if you phone my home," I moaned.
     "Well, let's hear your excuse. It better be good."

      I followed him to his desk as he sat in his chair, and he looked at me, "Well, you see when I got home after school the hospital called." I paused, tears coming out from my eyes and then I continued, "They told me that she won't make it to this weekend," I declared.

      "Who won't make it?"questioned Mr. Van Camp, " is it your mother, your aunt or your sister?" he asked with confusion in his eyes.

      I looked at him and I said, "It is my dog." I paused, and then I explained, "She's very important to me."
      
      "Is that why you didn't do your homework?" Mr. Van Camp questioned, "why is she very important to you?"

     "Because she's my only best friend in the world," I continued, "we go to the beach together, we often travel together, and eat together."

     He stared at me for a long time and asked, "With a dog?" He was amazed that I was eating with the dog at the same table.

     "Yes, because of that I didn't have the time to do my homework," I replied, "I've been visiting her every time the school ends." I said.

     "Where is she right now?" he asked with a concerned look on his face.

     "She's at the hospital," I replied, in a low voice and I continued, "and she saved my life once when a lightning bolt hit the power line and went onto our rooftop and caused a fire." I paused for a minute then continued, "I was in my room that day when it happened and the smoke started to get inside my room and I couldn't see anything." Then as the memories came back I started sobbing and then I continued, " I went unconscious and then I felt someone dragging me from behind and then when I woke up it was my dog. She was beside me waiting for me to get up." Suddenly I started crying. "Thats how my favorite best friend save my life." I sob.

      "I see thats really sad," he said, "I'll give you one more day to do your homework," he replied

      "Thank you so much Mr. Van Camp I really appriciate it."