Nude was the name the shelter staff had given him when he first arrived, a skinny, shivering ball of fur without a collar or tags. Six years later, he was still there, a fixture in the overcrowded kennels. Today, however, was different. It was Nude’s birthday.
As the sun began its descent, casting long, mournful shadows across the shelter yard, Nude curled up in his worn-out blanket. He’d seen countless other dogs come and go, their tails wagging with joy as they were led away to their forever homes. But Nude had always been left behind.
His heart ached with a loneliness he couldn’t quite express. He remembered the days when he’d had a family, a warm bed to sleep in, and someone to scratch behind his ears. Now, all he had were the cold, concrete walls of the shelter and the occasional kind word from a volunteer.
As the day wore on, Nude watched the other dogs playing in the yard. Their laughter and barking filled the air, a stark contrast to the quiet of his own kennel. He longed to be part of their joyful chorus, to feel the warmth of a loving hand on his coat.
