WAIT.

When my Susan and I are out on walks and bound together by a leash, she tries not to yank on my collar too much. This is appreciated as my collar is around my neck.

I let Susan do the checking for traffic (I take care of sniff patrol) and we trot across most streets without stopping. At busy streets, she always says, "Wait." and I stop and wait - thus preventing being yanked back onto the curb by that pesky leash. But better that than get flattened by a Prius.

Yesterday we approached a particularly busy intersection near a university. There were no other pedestrians around. So I was startled when a loud, authoritative voice - not Susan's - said:

"WAIT."

I was so surprised I sat right down. Imagine my embarrassment when I realized it was a talking stoplight...very unsettling.

It talks.