My world is a little different. It’s a bit wobbly, a bit off-kilter, because my back legs don’t work quite right. I get around just fine, though, with a determined little hop-skip that gets me where I need to go. But it’s not my wobbly walk that makes people whisper. It’s my fur. It’s the color of midnight, a deep, glossy black that some folks say brings bad luck.
I’ve heard the whispers, the hushed comments that follow me like a shadow. “Black dogs are unlucky,” they say. “Especially disabled ones. Double the bad luck.” I don’t understand. I’m just a dog. I love chasing butterflies in the sunshine, sniffing out tasty smells in the grass, and snuggling close for a warm cuddle. I don’t understand how the color of my fur or the way I walk could make me unlucky.
I’ve seen the way people react when they first see me. They’ll smile at the other dogs, cooing and offering gentle pats. But when their eyes land on me, their smiles falter. Some quickly look away, their faces etched with a mix of pity and discomfort. Others whisper to each other, their words just barely audible, but I hear them. “Poor thing,” they say. “Such a shame.”
I’d watch other dogs bounding through the park, their owners laughing and throwing balls. I longed to join in the fun, to feel the wind in my fur as I ran alongside them. But I held back, hesitant to draw attention to myself, afraid of the reactions I might receive.
I’d often curl up in my bed, my head resting on my paws, a quiet sadness settling in my heart. I’d think, Is it true? Am I really unlucky? Is it my fault that people stay away? The thought was a heavy weight, a constant reminder of my perceived flaws.
I didn’t choose to be born with wobbly legs. I didn’t choose to have black fur. I’m just me. And all I want is to be loved, to be accepted, to be seen for the loving, loyal companion I truly am. I just want someone to look past the superstitions, past the pity, and see the happy, playful dog inside. I just want someone to understand that a black dog with a disability doesn’t bring bad luck. He just needs a little love.
