Do you think I’m a useless blind dog? I’ve been at the rescue shelter for five long years, and no one has ever chosen me. Every day, I hear the sound of people walking past my kennel, their footsteps echoing in the halls. I can’t see them, but I can feel their presence, and I can hear the excitement in their voices when they stop to look at the other dogs. They always seem so happy, so full of hope for the future. But when their eyes pass over me, I am left in the shadows, unnoticed, as if I’m invisible.
I’ve heard the words “too old,” “not the right fit,” “we’re looking for a different kind of dog,” and it breaks my heart each time. I know I can’t see like the other dogs, but I can still feel. I feel the warmth of the sun on my fur when I lay outside, and I feel the cold of the concrete floor in my kennel when I’m left alone in the quiet hours of the night. But what hurts the most is feeling unwanted, feeling like no one will ever see past my blindness to the love I have to offer.
Some of the other dogs here have families, or they are taken on walks with hopeful eyes, but not me. I’ve been here for so long, I’ve lost track of the days. The people who come and go never seem to notice me. I hear them speaking to the others, giving them attention and petting them, but when it’s my turn, they just move on. Maybe they think I’m too much to handle, or maybe they think I’m not good enough.
I’m not perfect. I may not have the same skills or the same energy as the younger dogs, but I have love to give. My ears perk up when I hear someone approach my kennel, and my tail wags, even if it’s only a little. I may not be able to see them, but I can hear the way they breathe, the way their footsteps change when they are near me. I can smell the kindness in the air, and I try to show them that I’m ready for love, too. But each time, I’m passed over, left to wonder if there’s something wrong with me.
Do you think I’m useless because I can’t see? Do you think I don’t deserve a chance at happiness because I’m different? I’ve spent years sitting here, waiting for someone to see me, to see the love and loyalty I have to offer. It’s hard not to feel like I’ve been forgotten, like I don’t matter to anyone.
But I refuse to give up. Even though I’m blind, my heart is still open, still full of hope. I believe that there is someone out there who will see me for who I am. Someone who will understand that even though I can’t see the world, I can still love and be loved. Maybe it’s not today, or tomorrow, but one day, I’ll find that person who will open their heart to me.
Until then, I’ll keep waiting. I’ll keep hoping, even if it feels like hope is a fragile thing. Because deep down, I know I’m not useless. I know I have a lot to give, and I know there is love in my heart that can’t be ignored forever. Maybe I can’t see the world, but I can feel the love around me, and that’s enough for me to keep going. I just hope that someday, someone will see me, and understand that despite my blindness, I am worthy of love too.
