This year is different. For the first time in my life, I’m celebrating my birthday. I’m 17 years old now, but until this moment, I’ve never had a birthday party. I don’t really understand all the details, but I know something special is happening, and I can feel the excitement in the air. My tail wags uncontrollably as I realize I’m finally going to be part of a celebration, just like all those happy moments I’ve seen on TV when humans sing and laugh around a cake.
My life hasn’t always been easy. I remember the days when I roamed the streets, hungry and lonely, looking for a place to sleep, a little bit of kindness, or just someone to pet me. I didn’t know what it meant to have a family, to feel love, or to be part of something bigger than myself. I just tried to survive each day the best I could.
But everything changed when I found my new family. They took me in with open arms, fed me, gave me a warm bed to sleep on, and most of all, they gave me love. It felt strange at first, this feeling of belonging. But little by little, I began to trust them. And now, I realize that they are the reason this year is different from all the others. They are the reason I’m smiling today, my tail wagging in pure joy.
As the day of my birthday approaches, I don’t know exactly what’s coming. But when I wake up, I can feel it in the air. There’s something special about today. My family is acting a little more excited than usual, and they keep saying “Happy Birthday” to me. I don’t know what it means, but the way they say it makes me feel warm inside.
Then, it happens. My human brings out a small cake, and the candles are flickering brightly on top. My eyes widen with wonder as I watch them. There’s something magical about this moment. I’ve never had a cake before. I’ve only ever dreamt of things like this.
My human lights the candles, and they sing a song to me. I don’t understand the words, but the love in their voices fills my heart. I feel something inside me stir—something that’s been waiting for this moment for so long. I don’t know what a wish is, but as I look at the candles, I close my eyes and make a silent wish. I wish that I can stay with this wonderful family forever, that I’ll always have love, and that I’ll never be alone again.
Then, it’s time to blow out the candles. At first, I’m not sure what to do, but my family encourages me. They laugh as I lean forward, my nose sniffing the cake, and then I gently blow at the flames. A puff of air and they’re gone. The room fills with cheers, and my heart swells with happiness.
The cake is delicious! It’s soft and sweet, and I savor each bite. I’ve never tasted anything like it before. I feel like I’m in a dream. I’m eating cake, surrounded by my family, and everything feels perfect. For the first time in my life, I feel truly cherished, truly loved.
After the cake, we all sit together on the couch. I curl up between my humans, my head resting in their laps, and I close my eyes. The warmth of their hands on my fur, the softness of their voices, the love I feel—this is my home. This is my family. And today, I realized that I don’t need anything else.
As I drift off to sleep, I smile in my heart, knowing that this birthday, my first birthday celebration, will always be one of my most treasured memories. It’s not just about the cake or the candles; it’s about the love that surrounds me. It’s about the feeling of finally belonging, of having a place where I’m wanted and needed.
For 17 years, I’ve lived without knowing what it’s like to be truly cared for, but now, with my family, I’ve found my forever home. And that’s the best gift I could ever receive.
