Today is my birthday, but it feels different from all the other days. I’m not sure why, but there’s a hope in my heart, a spark that makes me feel like today could be the day my life changes. As I lie on this old, cold blanket in the corner of the shelter, I think about all the birthdays I’ve had. None of them were special. None of them were filled with cake, toys, or even a simple pat on the head from someone who loved me. But today, I feel like I deserve something different. I feel like today could be the day that my greatest wish comes true.
My name is not important, not yet. What matters is that I am here, in this small, lonely cage at the shelter. I’ve been here for a while now, ever since I was found wandering the streets, lost and hungry. My fur is not as soft as it once was, and I have a scar on my paw from when I got hurt running away from something that scared me. But what hurts the most is the emptiness I feel inside—an ache for love, a longing for someone to call my own.
I remember the first time I was abandoned. I was just a little pup, only a few months old. I thought I was going to be with my family forever, but one day, they just left me. They drove away, and I stood there, watching as the car disappeared, feeling the weight of the loneliness already creeping in. I wandered around for days, searching for food, finding shelter where I could, but I couldn’t find love. I couldn’t find the warmth of a kind hand petting my head or the comfort of someone calling me their own. The streets were harsh, and I was afraid, so very afraid.
But then, one day, someone found me. It wasn’t a family. It wasn’t someone who would love me forever, but it was a kind person who took me to the shelter. At first, I didn’t understand what was happening. I was scared, but they fed me, gave me a warm place to sleep, and made sure I was healthy. Still, deep inside, I felt the emptiness. I longed for a family of my own. A family that would love me no matter what. A family that would celebrate my birthdays and be there for me when I’m happy, scared, or lonely.
Today, as I sit here, surrounded by the sound of barking dogs and the shuffle of feet in the hallway, I think about what I want most in the world. The people who come to the shelter often look at me, but their eyes are full of pity. They see my scar and my tired eyes, and they look away. They see me, but they don’t see me. I wish they could see the love I have to give, the loyalty, and the happiness I would bring if only they would give me a chance. My tail wags whenever someone looks at me. I try to show them my best self. But it never seems enough.
The thing is, I know I’m not perfect. I have my flaws—my scars, my timidness, my uncertainty about people I don’t know. But I also have so much love to give. I would be a good companion. I would be the dog who waits by the door, wagging my tail, eager to see you after a long day. I would be the dog who curls up next to you when you’re feeling down, offering comfort with just my presence. I would be the dog who listens without judgment, who stays loyal through thick and thin, no matter what.
So, my wish on my birthday, the one wish I hold so tightly in my heart, is simple: I want to find a family. A family that will love me forever. I want a home where I can sleep peacefully, knowing that I’m safe. I want a family that will celebrate my birthdays with joy, where I can finally feel what it’s like to be truly loved and wanted. A family who will take me on walks, play with me, and let me be a part of their lives, not just a passing moment.
I don’t need grand gifts or fancy toys. I just need love. I need to know that someone cares about me, that I’m not alone in this world anymore. I know I may not be the youngest or the most perfect dog in the shelter, but I promise that if you give me a chance, I will show you how much I can love you back. I will be the dog you always dreamed of, the companion who stands by your side, through thick and thin.
So today, as I sit here on my blanket, I close my eyes and make my wish. It’s simple, but it means everything to me. I wish, with all my heart, to find a family who will love me forever. And maybe, just maybe, one day someone will see me for who I am—a loyal, loving dog who is waiting, hoping, and dreaming of a forever home.