Today is my 7th birthday. Seven long years spent waiting in a rescue camp, hoping that someone will finally notice me, love me, and take me home. My heart is full of love to give, but for all this time, I’ve been alone, watching others find their forever families, while I wait, hoping that someday it will be my turn.

A Story of Solitude

For seven years, I’ve lived in this shelter, my temporary home that, day by day, feels more permanent. The shelter staff has been kind to me, and I’m grateful for the care they’ve shown, but nothing can replace the warmth of a true home. Every morning, as the sun rises, I dream that today will be the day someone walks in, sees me, and says, “This is the one. He’s coming home with me.”

Yet, the days blur into weeks, and the weeks into years. Each passing season has marked another stretch of time in my life that I’ve spent waiting—hoping for a family that never comes. The barks and excited footsteps of other dogs remind me that they, too, long for homes, but somehow, I’ve been overlooked.

The Unseen Heart

I don’t know why I’m still here, waiting. Maybe it’s because I’m not a puppy anymore. Maybe it’s because my fur is a little scruffy, or because I’ve grown accustomed to the routines of the shelter. But what no one sees are the countless dreams I have of running free in a yard, of curling up beside someone who loves me, of finally knowing what it feels like to belong.

My eyes may not sparkle like a young puppy’s, but they hold a story. A story of loyalty, patience, and resilience. I’ve held onto hope all these years, believing that one day, someone will walk through those doors and see me for who I am—a loving dog with a heart full of kindness and a soul that longs for connection.

A Birthday Wish

Today, on my 7th birthday, I’m making a wish. I’m wishing for a family. A family who will take me in, give me the love I’ve been waiting for, and in return, I’ll give them my whole heart. I know I’m not the newest or the youngest dog in the shelter, but I promise you, I am one of the most grateful.

There are many like me in shelters everywhere—dogs who have spent years waiting for their second chance. Our stories are often forgotten, and our lives defined by solitude. But we still have so much love to give, and all we need is someone to see us, to give us a home.

A Call to Action

As I wait here, I ask anyone reading my story to consider the dogs like me, who have spent birthdays in shelters, waiting for a family. We may not be the puppies that everyone rushes to adopt, but we are just as deserving of love and a place to call home.

On this 7th birthday, my greatest gift would be to leave this rescue camp for good, to never have to wait for another birthday alone. I believe in second chances, and I hope someone out there believes in me too.

Happy Birthday to me—may this be the year I finally find my forever home.