Hi there! I’m just an ordinary dog, but today I want to share something that’s been on my mind for a long time. You see, I’ve had many birthdays. Every year, my humans throw me a little celebration, but honestly, I’ve never truly felt happy on my own special day. I know it might sound strange, especially since birthdays are supposed to be full of joy, but let me tell you my story.
It all started a few years ago. I was still a little puppy, full of energy and curiosity. My first birthday was a quiet day, just like any other. My humans didn’t know exactly when I was born, but they celebrated it anyway, giving me a big bowl of kibble and a new toy. It was sweet of them, but it didn’t feel like anything special. It was just another day, and I wasn’t sure what a birthday was supposed to be about.
The following years weren’t much different. On my birthdays, my humans would wish me a happy day and give me treats, but they were always so busy. Sometimes they’d leave me alone in the yard while they went out, and I would sit by the gate, watching them drive away. I wasn’t sad exactly, but it wasn’t the happy birthday I’d always imagined. I kept thinking, “Why isn’t this day different from any other?”
Then there was that one year when I had to spend my birthday at the vet. I had been feeling a little under the weather, and the humans thought it would be best to get me checked out. I didn’t understand what was happening at the time. All I knew was that I wasn’t at home, surrounded by the familiar smells of my favorite blankets and the warm comfort of my humans. I was in a cold room with unfamiliar smells and bright lights. The vet was kind, but I missed my humans terribly. That birthday was the saddest I’ve ever had.
On my most recent birthday, my humans tried again. They brought out a cake made of peanut butter and decorated it with dog biscuits, and they made a big fuss over me. I could see the love in their eyes, and I appreciated it. They gave me all their attention, but I could tell they were distracted by something. They kept checking their phones, making plans for the next thing they needed to do. I could hear them talking about work and other things while I sat there, enjoying my cake, but still feeling like something was missing.
You know, it’s not that I don’t love my humans. I do. They’re my everything. They take care of me, walk me, and give me plenty of cuddles. But there’s something about birthdays that makes me feel a little lonely. It’s like everyone gets excited about their own special day, but for me, it’s just a reminder that I’m still just a dog—waiting, hoping, and watching as life moves on around me.
I’ve heard my humans talk about birthdays, about their excitement and the joy of celebrating another year. I wonder what that feels like. I wonder what it would be like to wake up on my birthday and feel the excitement building inside me, to know that this day is truly mine in a way that goes beyond treats and toys. I think about how I would want to feel on my birthday: maybe a little extra love, a fun adventure with my humans, or a day where we just spend time together, no distractions. Just me and them, enjoying each other’s company without the worries of the world.
I still don’t fully understand what it means to celebrate my birthday. Maybe one day, I’ll know what true happiness on my birthday feels like. But for now, I will take what I can get—another year of being with my family, who love me in their own way. I may not have ever felt the happiness I’ve dreamed of on my birthday, but I know that I have something far more valuable: the love and companionship of the ones who care for me every single day.
So, even though my birthdays may not feel like the joyous celebrations I imagine, I know I’m lucky. I’m lucky to have a home, to have people who care about me, and to live each day surrounded by love. And perhaps, one day, my birthday will be different. Until then, I’ll continue to wait patiently, hoping that the next one will bring a little more happiness than the last.
After all, I may not fully understand birthdays, but I understand love, and that’s the most important thing of all.
