Olive woke up on his 9th birthday, his soft eyes gleaming with the wisdom of a puppy who’s seen many joyful days. He stretched lazily, expecting a day filled with love and celebration. As the house buzzed with activity, Olive waited patiently, wagging his tail in anticipation. Surely, today was going to be special.
But as the hours passed, Olive began to notice that there was no mention of his birthday. No extra belly rubs, no special treats—just the usual routine. His heart felt a little heavy, but he kept his tail up, determined to stay cheerful. He wandered around the house, looking for signs of a surprise, but none came.
By the afternoon, Olive lay quietly by the window, the soft sunlight warming his fur. He loved his family dearly, even if today didn’t feel like the birthday he had imagined. As the evening rolled in, he gave a small sigh, his eyes filled with understanding.