Today is my birthday. I’m five years old. As I sit by the window, watching the world outside, I can’t help but hope that life will be kinder to me. My name is Leo, and I wasn’t always like this—paralyzed from the waist down, my body carried by a pair of small wheels.
I remember the days when I could run. Oh, how I loved to chase butterflies in the meadow near our house! My owner, Anna, used to throw sticks for me, and I’d race to fetch them, my tail wagging so hard it felt like it might fall off. Those were the happiest days of my life.
Then came the accident. It was a rainy day, and the roads were slippery. A car didn’t see me as I crossed the street. I woke up in a strange, sterile place, with Anna’s face above me, tears streaming down her cheeks. The doctor said I would never walk again. Anna’s voice cracked as she promised me, “Leo, I’ll take care of you. I’ll never leave you.”
At first, the wheelchair felt like a punishment. I couldn’t chase butterflies anymore. Other dogs would stare at me, some with pity, others with confusion. I felt different, broken. But Anna wouldn’t let me give up. She coaxed me out of my sorrow with gentle words and treats. “You’re still my brave boy,” she’d say, stroking my fur.
Over time, I learned to adapt. I discovered that I could still feel the wind on my face as Anna pushed my wheelchair down the park path. I could still play fetch, even if I couldn’t run. I began to notice things I hadn’t before—the sound of birds chirping, the scent of flowers in the breeze. Life wasn’t the same, but it wasn’t over either.
Today, as I sit by the window, Anna walks in with a brightly wrapped box. She smiles and says, “Happy birthday, Leo!” Inside the box is a new toy—a squeaky bone, my favorite. My tail wags uncontrollably as I bite into it. For a moment, I forget about the wheels and the stares.
I know life will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, moments of frustration and sadness. But as I look into Anna’s eyes, I realize I have something many don’t—a love so strong, it carries me through the darkest days.
Today is my birthday, and I hope life will be kinder to me. But even if it isn’t, I know I have Anna by my side. And with her, I can face anything.
