There was a small dog named Oggie who was born with features that made him stand out from the rest of the dogs in the neighborhood. His eyes were a little too big, his nose was crooked, and his teeth stuck out in an awkward way. Other dogs would sometimes tease him, and people who passed by would often glance at him and then look away. Oggie tried not to let it bother him, but deep down, he wished he could be as cute and loved as the other dogs.
Today was Oggie’s birthday, and although he tried to stay hopeful, his heart felt heavy. Every year, on his special day, he hoped someone would remember and celebrate him, but no one ever did. As the morning sun streamed through the window, Oggie looked at himself in the reflection, noticing the tear rolling down his face. His birthday was supposed to be a day of happiness, yet here he was, alone and forgotten once again.
He went outside and sat quietly under his favorite tree in the park. The other dogs were playing, running, and chasing after sticks while their owners cheered them on. Oggie watched from a distance, his heart aching. He longed to join them, but he was too afraid of being laughed at for his looks.
As he sat there, a little boy approached him. The boy looked at Oggie with a soft, curious expression. “Are you lost, little guy?” he asked, kneeling beside him. Oggie wagged his tail, surprised by the kindness in the boy’s voice.
“You’re not ugly,” the boy whispered, gently scratching behind Oggie’s ears. “You’re special. You just need someone to see how wonderful you are.”
The boy spent the rest of the day with Oggie, playing in the park and showering him with attention. For the first time, Oggie felt like someone truly saw him, not for his crooked nose or odd teeth, but for who he really was.
As the sun began to set, the boy’s mother called him home, and he waved goodbye to Oggie. “I’ll come see you tomorrow, okay?” the boy promised.
That night, Oggie curled up in his bed, feeling warmer inside than he had in years. It had been a sad birthday at first, but by the end of the day, Oggie realized something important: love and kindness don’t come from how you look—they come from the people who care about you.
And on that thought, Oggie drifted off to sleep, dreaming of a better tomorrow, where his birthday wouldn’t be sad and where he’d always have a friend to share it with.
