**The Ugly Old Dog’s Birthday Wish**
Happy birthday to me. My name is Gus, and I’m an old, ugly dog. My fur is patchy and gray, my eyes are cloudy, and my joints ache with every step. Despite my appearance and age, deep down, I still hold onto a small hope that someone might care about me, even if just a little.
I’ve lived most of my life on the streets. When I was young, I had a family who loved me, but as I grew older and less energetic, they abandoned me. Since then, I’ve been wandering the city, searching for scraps of food and a safe place to rest.
Today, on my birthday, I find myself in a quiet park. The children playing nearby don’t notice me, and the passersby avert their eyes. I settle under a tree, trying to find some comfort in the shade. My heart aches with loneliness as I watch the world go by, each person too busy to see the old dog lying by himself.
As the day goes on, I can’t help but wish for a bit of kindness. Just one person to acknowledge me, to show that they care. My birthday wish isn’t for anything grand—just a little attention, a gentle pat, a kind word.
As the sun begins to set, I start to lose hope. Another birthday, another year gone by without anyone to care for me. Just as I’m about to close my eyes and surrender to the sadness, I hear soft footsteps approaching.
A woman with kind eyes and a gentle smile kneels down beside me. “Hello there,” she says softly. “What’s your name?”
I look up at her, my tail wagging weakly. She reaches out and strokes my head gently. “You look like you’ve been through a lot,” she continues. “Happy birthday, old friend.”
Her words fill my heart with warmth. She rummages through her bag and pulls out a small piece of chicken. “Here, you deserve a treat on your special day.”
I take the food gratefully, savoring every bite. It’s not just the taste that makes it special, but the fact that someone cared enough to give it to me. The woman stays with me for a while, talking to me and stroking my fur. Her kindness makes me feel valued, despite my age and appearance.
As the evening draws in, she stands up to leave. “I can’t take you home,” she says with a hint of sadness in her voice, “but I’ll come back to visit you, I promise.”
I watch her walk away, my heart lighter than it has been in years. For the first time in a long while, I feel a glimmer of happiness. Someone cared about me, even if just for a little while.
As night falls and the park grows quiet, I curl up under the tree, feeling a warmth inside that the cold world outside can’t touch. Today, my birthday wish came true. I may be old and ugly, but for a moment, someone cared about me. And that makes all the difference in the world.
Happy birthday to me.
