It’s my birthday today, but as an unloved, ugly dog, I’ve been forgotten by everyone; I’m still hoping for a joyful day
Today is the dog’s birthday. But unlike most birthdays, there is no celebration. No treats, no belly rubs, no loving voices wishing him well. He is an unloved, scruffy dog, one that most people turn away from at first glance. His fur is matted, patches of it missing altogether, and his eyes, once bright and full of joy, are now clouded with sadness. It seems like the world has forgotten him.He sits alone in a quiet alleyway, huddled against the cold concrete, his body shivering not only from the chill in the air but from the weight of his loneliness. He doesn’t know exactly how long it’s been since someone cared for him, but it feels like an eternity. Days, weeks, maybe even months have passed since he last felt the warmth of a human’s touch. He wonders if he’s invisible, or worse, if people see him but simply don’t care. He’s been cast aside, rejected by the world.And yet, despite everything, today is his birthday.
In some faint corner of his mind, the dog remembers what birthdays used to feel like. There was a time when he was loved, when his scruffy appearance didn’t matter, when his presence brought joy to someone’s life. He remembers a family—a little boy who used to run his fingers through his fur, laughing as the dog wagged his tail in delight. He remembers birthday cakes, not for him, but for the family, with bits of leftover icing that he was allowed to lick from the plates. Back then, he was part of something bigger, something beautiful.But those days feel like a distant memory, fading into the background of a life that’s become defined by hunger and isolation. The dog doesn’t understand why everything changed. One day, the family that once loved him moved away, and he was left behind. Maybe they forgot him in their hurry to start a new life. Or maybe they decided they didn’t want him anymore. He doesn’t know. All he knows is that he’s alone now, and the world seems colder, emptier without the love he once knew.
On his birthday, the dog waits. He doesn’t know exactly what he’s waiting for—perhaps a passerby to stop and give him a kind word, a scrap of food, or even just a glance that acknowledges his existence. Maybe, if he’s lucky, today will be the day someone takes him in, cleans him up, and gives him a second chance at the life he’s been dreaming of. But as the hours tick by, the street remains busy, full of people rushing from place to place, their eyes focused on their own lives. They don’t see him. Or if they do, they turn away, as if he’s something unpleasant they’d rather not deal with.The dog is used to this by now. Being ignored, overlooked—it’s become his normal. But today, on his birthday, it hurts a little more than usual. He’s been holding onto hope for so long, but even hope starts to feel heavy when it’s met with nothing but silence. His stomach growls, reminding him that it’s been days since he had a proper meal. He stands up on shaky legs, his body weak from hunger, and begins to wander down the street, sniffing at the ground in search of food.
The city is a harsh place for a dog like him. The people here are too busy to care about a stray, especially one that looks as rough as he does. His fur is tangled with dirt, his face covered in scars from the fights he’s had to endure to protect himself. He’s not the kind of dog people want to pet, much less take home. He knows this, but it doesn’t stop him from hoping that maybe, just maybe, someone will see past his appearance and recognize the loyal, loving heart that still beats inside him.As he walks, he passes by a bakery, the smell of freshly baked bread filling the air. His mouth waters at the scent, but he knows better than to linger. The last time he tried to beg for food outside a shop, he was chased away by a man with a broom. Still, the hunger gnaws at him, a constant reminder of how far he’s fallen from the days when he was fed regularly, when his bowl was always full, and his belly always satisfied.
The sun starts to set, casting a warm orange glow over the city. It’s a beautiful sight, but the dog doesn’t have the energy to appreciate it. His legs are tired, his body aching from the cold, and his heart heavy with the weight of his loneliness. He finds a spot near a park bench and lies down, curling into a tight ball to conserve what little warmth he has left.In the quiet of the evening, the dog closes his eyes and lets his mind wander back to the life he used to have. He imagines what it would be like to be loved again. To have someone hold him, pet him, and tell him that he’s a good dog, that he’s wanted. He dreams of a soft bed, a full bowl of food, and a family that cares for him. In his dreams, he’s not an ugly, scruffy dog anymore. He’s whole, happy, and loved.
The world around him begins to fade as the dog drifts off into a restless sleep. His birthday will pass like any other day, unnoticed by the world. But even as the night sets in, the dog holds onto a sliver of hope. He may be forgotten, unloved, and hungry, but deep down, he still believes that there’s a chance for joy. Maybe not today, but someday.Because despite everything, the dog knows that he still has something to offer. Beneath the matted fur, the dirt, and the scars, he’s still the same dog who once brought joy to someone’s life. And maybe, just maybe, one day someone will see that. One day, someone will look past his rough exterior and realize that he’s worth loving.Until then, the dog waits. He may be forgotten, but he hasn’t given up. Not yet. He’s still hoping for a joyful day, even if it’s not today.
