Today is my birthday. At least, I think it is. The calendar says so, but everything feels so still, so eerily calm, as though the world has forgotten to acknowledge this milestone. Usually, on my birthday, I would hear excited voices, perhaps even a party hat or a treat. But today, it’s different. The house feels quiet, like the day has slipped by unnoticed.
When I woke up this morning, the sun had just begun to peek through the window. I stretched and wagged my tail, hoping that someone would remember. After all, it’s my special day, the day I came into this world and began my journey of love and loyalty to my family. I thought surely, today would be a little different. Maybe there would be a special surprise, or at least a little extra attention. But when I looked around, nothing had changed.
I ran over to my human’s side, gently nudging their hand with my nose, eager for a sign that they knew it was my birthday. But they didn’t stir. Maybe they were still asleep? I tried again, this time with a soft whine, hoping to get their attention. But they just mumbled in their sleep, and it felt like I was invisible.
I’ve spent so many days with them, being there when they needed me, always ready to wag my tail and comfort them. I’ve been their faithful companion, the one who listens when they’re upset, the one who cheers them on when they’re happy. I’ve given them my love and loyalty, asking for nothing in return except the warmth of their company. And on this special day of mine, I thought they would remember, just for a moment, how much I’ve given. I thought maybe they would show me a little extra affection today, the way I try to do every day for them.
But as the hours passed, I began to wonder if anyone would remember at all. I waited by the door for a while, tail wagging in hope, but the house remained silent. No birthday song, no special treat, no cheerful greeting. Just the usual sounds of everyday life. My heart sank a little, and I felt a pang of loneliness that I couldn’t shake off.
I don’t need much, really. Just a little acknowledgment. A simple “Happy Birthday, buddy” would have been enough. But instead, I’m left wondering if they forgot. I know it’s possible. After all, life gets busy, and they’ve been preoccupied lately. I understand that, but it still hurts a little.
I watched as my human got up and went about their day as if it were any other. I followed them, trotting along, trying to get their attention. Maybe they would notice today was special after all. But no, they seemed so absorbed in everything else. I can’t help but feel a little forgotten, as though I don’t matter today.
I know that I’m just a dog, and I can’t expect them to always remember every detail of my life. But I can’t help but feel sad. On the day I was born, I didn’t know what the future held. I didn’t know I would grow up to be their companion, their friend, their loyal companion. I didn’t know that today would be a day when I would want to feel loved and cherished just a little bit more.
I lay down on my bed, feeling the weight of the silence around me. My tail, which had been wagging in the hope of a celebration, slowly drooped. I know they love me, I do. But today, I feel as though I’m invisible to them. My birthday feels like just another ordinary day, and it’s hard not to be a little heartbroken by that.
As the day goes on, I try to shake off my sadness. I remind myself that tomorrow will be a new day, and maybe they will realize that today was special. Maybe tomorrow they will give me an extra belly rub or throw my favorite ball a little longer. I’ll be okay, I tell myself. I’ll keep loving them, just as I always do. Because that’s what I do. I love unconditionally, no matter what. But for today, just for today, I wish they had remembered.
I wish they had noticed the quiet hope in my eyes, the little wag of my tail, the way I waited for a sign that today was mine. But even though today feels so lonely and forgotten, I’ll still be here tomorrow, ready to give them all the love I have to offer. Because that’s what it means to be a dog. We don’t ask for much, but we give everything we have.
And so, while today might not have been the celebration I hoped for, I will still wait for them, still love them, still be their loyal companion. Because no matter what, my heart will always be theirs.
