Today is my little one’s birthday, but I have nothing to give them. I feel so sad. As I lay beside my pup, my fur brushing against theirs for warmth, we huddle together near an old, discarded water drain. The ground is damp and cold, and the stench of the nearby alley fills the air. Yet, we find comfort in each other’s presence, the only thing that remains when everything else has been taken away.
My pup doesn’t know the significance of today. They’re still too young to understand the importance of a birthday, or the joy it should bring. To them, every day is just another day to explore, to run, to learn. But to me, today is a reminder of how much I wish I could give them. I wish I could fill their life with the happiness they deserve — a warm bed, a full belly, toys to play with. I wish I could offer them a life where they could run freely in a yard, where they wouldn’t have to worry about the next meal or whether or not they’d find shelter from the rain.
But all I can give them right now is my love. I press my nose gently against their small body, feeling their soft fur against mine. They nuzzle me in return, blissfully unaware of my heartache. If only they knew that today was supposed to be special, that I should have been celebrating them in the way they deserve. Instead, we’re here, in the cold, with nothing but each other.
I remember the first time I held my little one, so small, fragile, and perfect. The way they looked up at me with trusting eyes, already knowing that I would protect them no matter what. I promised that day that I would always take care of them, that no matter what happened, they would never be alone. And now, here we are, facing another hard day.
As the hours pass, I watch my little one drift off to sleep beside me. They curl up in the tightest ball, their tiny body warm against mine. For a moment, I forget about everything — the hunger, the cold, the sadness. I feel only love.
But then reality comes crashing back. I glance around at the crumbling alley, the litter scattered across the ground, and the dim light that barely reaches us. I long to give them more. I long to give them a safe place to run, to play, and to be loved. I want to celebrate them in a way they’ll remember forever, but the world around us has other plans.
Today is my little one’s birthday, and as much as I wish I could change things, I can only hold them close and whisper promises in the quiet of the night. I promise them that, even though the world is hard and unfair, I will always be there. I will always love them, and I will fight for them every day.
As I rest my head on the cold ground, my little one sleeps soundly in my arms. And for now, that is enough. I may not have anything to give them today, but I have my heart, and that will always be theirs.
