I am a dog with a face unlike any other. My features are far from perfect. My tongue hangs out far longer than most, and my nose is crooked, making me look unusual. Worst of all, I lost one of my eyes, and now the world is a blur, with only half of it visible to me. I know I am not what people imagine when they think of a beautiful, healthy dog.
Sometimes, I lie on my bed at the shelter, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I can hear other dogs barking, playing, and wagging their tails, and I wonder why no one ever notices me. The people who come to the shelter pass by my cage without giving me a second glance. When I look at them, I see their faces full of hesitation, like they are searching for something in me that isn’t there. They don’t see the love I have to offer.
I wonder if it’s because I am so different. I know my appearance is strange—my features do not conform to the ideal image of a dog. I’ve been told that my face scares people, that my awkward movements make me seem less worthy of affection. I watch the other dogs in the shelter get adopted one by one, their shiny coats and bright eyes catching the attention of the visitors. And yet, no one ever stops to look at me. It makes me wonder, *Do they think I’m ugly?*
Every day, I watch new dogs get adopted, and my heart breaks a little more. I try to be brave. I try to wag my tail when I hear footsteps approaching, hoping someone might take a chance on me. But deep inside, I fear that my strange face and my missing eye will be too much for anyone to accept. I am not like the others. I am not the cute puppy with a soft, fluffy coat. I am not the energetic dog that runs in circles or fetches a ball with enthusiasm. I am just… me. A dog with a lot of love to give, but seemingly not enough of anything else.
It’s hard to stay hopeful when it feels like no one wants to see the real me. The me who loves deeply, the me who will sit quietly beside you when you need comfort, the me who dreams of a family who will see past my imperfections and love me for who I am. I know that in my heart, I am worth it. But will anyone else see that?
Maybe one day, someone will look at me and see more than just my face. Maybe one day, someone will understand that my imperfections make me special, not less deserving. But until then, I remain here in the shelter, waiting… hoping… longing for the day when I will finally find a family who will look past the surface and love me for the sweet, loving dog I truly am.
