Belle, a stray dog, was used to spending her birthdays alone. Every year, she would wander the streets of the small town, hoping to find a kind soul who would share a meal or offer a pat on the head. Today was no different.
With her tail tucked between her legs, Belle trudged through the neighborhood, her ribs visible through her thin coat. The once-familiar streets seemed cold and unwelcoming. She sniffed at every trash can, hoping for a discarded bone or a scrap of food, but found nothing.
As the sun began to set, Belle found a quiet spot behind a garage to rest. She curled up on a pile of old newspapers, shivering despite the warm weather. Her stomach growled with hunger, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of loneliness.
She thought back to the kind old woman who used to leave food out for her. Mrs. Willow, as she was called, had always been gentle and loving. But Mrs. Willow had moved away a few months ago, leaving Belle to fend for herself.
Belle closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of a warm bed and a full bowl of food. When she woke up, the sun was high in the sky. She tried to stand, but her legs were weak. She was so hungry and thirsty that she could barely move.
