Juna was a small, scruffy dog who lived a simple life on the streets. He had no home, no family, and no friends. But despite his loneliness, Juna was a happy-go-lucky dog. He loved to scavenge for scraps, chase squirrels, and bask in the warm sun.
Today, however, was different. It was Juna’s birthday. He knew it because he could feel it deep in his bones. It was as if the world was celebrating, except for him.
Juna wandered through the city, his tail tucked between his legs. He watched as people laughed and hugged their pets, their faces filled with joy. He longed to be part of that. He longed for someone to wish him a happy birthday, to give him a scratch behind the ears, or even just a kind word.
As the day wore on, Juna’s heart grew heavier. He curled up in a deserted alleyway and tried to sleep, but his mind raced with thoughts of all the birthdays he had missed. He remembered the happy barks and wagging tails of other dogs on their special days. He wondered why he was always left out.
Just as Juna was about to give up hope, he heard a faint sound. It was a small girl’s voice, calling out for her lost puppy. Juna pricked up his ears and followed the sound.
When he found the girl, she was sitting on a park bench, sobbing. She had lost her beloved puppy, Max, and she was heartbroken. Juna approached her slowly, his tail wagging tentatively.
The girl looked up, her eyes wide with surprise. She reached out and gently stroked Juna’s head. “Hello there,” she said softly. “Are you lost too?”
Juna didn’t bark or whine. He just looked at her with his big, sad eyes. The girl felt a pang of sympathy for the lonely dog. She pulled out a piece of bread from her pocket and offered it to him.
Juna hesitated, but then he took the bread from her hand and ate it gratefully. As he munched, the girl couldn’t help but smile. She reached out and scratched him behind the ears. “Happy birthday, little guy,” she said. “I hope you have a wonderful day.”
Juna’s heart swelled with warmth. For the first time in a long time, he felt truly happy. He had found a friend, even if it was just for a moment. And as he watched the girl walk away, he knew that his lonely birthday wasn’t so lonely after all.
