Today is my birthday, but I can’t help feeling a little sad and unloved. This tiny puppy, with its big, teary eyes, mirrors my emotions—a mix of longing and hope. Birthdays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, yet sometimes, they can also bring feelings of loneliness.

But just like this little pup, I’m holding on to hope that love and affection are out there, waiting to be found. Even in solitude, there’s a quiet strength that keeps me moving forward, one small step at a time.