Today is my 15th birthday, and as I sit here alone on this quiet street corner, I can’t help but think about how different my life might have been. I’m just a stray dog, with fur that’s a little grayer than it used to be and eyes that have seen more than any dog’s should. My bed is a worn piece of cardboard tucked against a building, and my meals depend on the kindness of strangers who pass by. But today, of all days, I find myself wishing for something more—a candle to blow out, a simple sign that someone remembers I’m here, that my life has mattered.
I think back to a time when I had the boundless energy of youth, darting through alleys and exploring every corner of the neighborhood. Back then, I didn’t need much. Just a warm place to sleep and enough food to fill my belly. But as the years have gone by, I’ve started to long for something I never knew I would miss—a family. I’ve seen other dogs walk past me with their owners, the bond between them evident in every step. They share a world filled with affection and security, things I can only dream of.
Tonight, the air feels colder, and the streets are quieter than usual. As the streetlights flicker on, I catch my reflection in a puddle and notice how much I’ve changed. My face, once bright and full of curiosity, now carries the weight of years spent alone. If I had a wish to make on this birthday, it would be for one moment of warmth, one moment to feel loved and seen. I imagine a soft blanket, maybe a gentle hand running through my fur, and a candle’s tiny flame flickering just for me. I would close my eyes, make my wish, and blow it out, knowing that someone cared enough to make that moment special.
Suddenly, a passerby stops and kneels down, their eyes filled with kindness. They pull a small treat from their bag and offer it to me. My heart swells with gratitude as I take it gently from their hand. In that simple act, I feel a warmth I haven’t felt in a long time. Though it’s not a candle or a cake, it’s enough—a small acknowledgment of my life, a reminder that I’m not entirely forgotten.
As they walk away, I settle back down on my makeshift bed, holding onto that fleeting moment of connection. Tonight, I may still be a stray, but in my heart, I carry a wish and a sliver of hope. Maybe, just maybe, my next birthday will find me in a home where someone lights a candle just for me. Until then, I’ll keep dreaming, waiting, and surviving, one day at a time.
