Lula was a stray dog, her coat a patchwork of scars and dirt. Today was her seventh birthday, a milestone she’d never celebrated before. She huddled under a discarded cardboard box, her ribs poking through her thin fur. The wind howled, carrying with it the scent of rain, a stark contrast to the warmth she craved.
Lula was sick. Her legs ached, and her belly rumbled with hunger. She remembered the days when she had a home, a warm bed, and a family who loved her. But those days felt like a distant dream now.
As the sun began to set, Lula let out a mournful howl. It was a cry filled with loneliness, pain, and a desperate hope for companionship. She closed her eyes, picturing a world where she wasn’t alone, where she had someone to share her birthday with.
In that moment, Lula felt a warmth spread through her. It wasn’t the physical warmth of the sun, but a spiritual one. She realized that even though she was alone, she was not forgotten. People around the world, strangers who had never seen her, were sending her prayers and well wishes.
With a newfound strength, Lula lifted her head. She may have been alone, but she was not defeated. She was surrounded by love, even if it was from afar. And as she looked up at the starry sky, she knew that her birthday, though filled with pain, was also a day of hope.
