My name is Bruno. I used to be the happiest dog in the world. My owner, Emma, was my everything. She found me as a puppy abandoned by the side of the road and brought me home. From that day, I was no longer alone. We shared six wonderful years together filled with walks in the park, cozy nights by the fire, and moments where I felt like the most loved dog on Earth.
But life doesn’t always go as planned. Emma fell on hard times. She lost her job and struggled to pay the rent. Our house, which had always been filled with laughter, grew quiet and cold. Emma tried her best to keep me fed and cared for, but it became harder with each passing day.
One morning, she sat me down and looked into my eyes with tears streaming down her face. “Bruno,” she said, her voice trembling, “I love you more than anything, but I can’t take care of you anymore. I have to take you to the shelter. They’ll find you a better home, one where you’ll be happy and safe.”
I didn’t understand her words at first, but I could feel her sadness. The car ride to the shelter was silent except for the sound of her sniffling. I rested my head on her lap, trying to comfort her, though my own heart felt heavy with an unshakable sense of dread.
When we arrived at the shelter, I saw rows of cages and heard the barks and whimpers of other dogs. My paws felt like lead as Emma led me inside. A kind-looking woman at the desk greeted us, but all I could focus on was the tension in Emma’s hands as she gripped my leash.
Then came the moment I dreaded most. Emma knelt down to hug me one last time. “I’m so sorry, Bruno,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “This isn’t your fault. You’re the best dog, and I hope someone will love you as much as I do.”
That’s when it hit me—I wasn’t going home with her. My heart shattered. I let out a low whimper that quickly turned into a howl. Tears filled my eyes as I pawed at her, begging her not to leave. I didn’t care about the shelter, the other dogs, or the kind woman holding my leash. All I wanted was Emma.
As she walked away, I barked and cried louder than I ever had before. My chest ached, and my legs wobbled as I tried to follow her. But the shelter worker held me back, and the door closed behind Emma, leaving me alone in a strange, cold place.
The days that followed were the hardest of my life. I couldn’t eat or sleep. I sat at the front of my kennel, staring at the door, hoping Emma would come back for me. The other dogs tried to cheer me up with friendly barks, but I couldn’t bring myself to join them. My heart felt as though it had been left behind with her.
One night, a volunteer sat by my kennel and whispered softly, “You miss her, don’t you, Bruno? I can see it in your eyes. But don’t lose hope. There’s someone out there who will love you just as much.”
Her words gave me a tiny spark of hope. Maybe Emma had left me because she wanted me to have a better life, even if it wasn’t with her. I decided to trust her love and believe that, someday, someone else would see the good in me and take me home.
Until that day, I’ll hold onto the memories of Emma, her laughter, and the warmth of her embrace. She may not be by my side anymore, but her love will always be in my heart. And though my tears have dried, I know that a part of me will always be waiting for her, hoping to see her one last time.
