By daily 
Today was a day Mon had both dreaded and longed for. The sun cast a golden light over the yard, and the air was filled with the familiar scent of grass and flowers. It was his birthday. A day that should have been filled with cheers, excitement, and endless birthday wishes. But Mon didn’t feel the joy others might on their special day.
“If only I weren’t so ugly,” Mon thought to himself, pawing at his reflection in a puddle. His ears drooped, and his tail dragged along the ground.
Mon watched as other dogs in the park received pats, treats, and playful barks of celebration. He stood at a distance, certain that his rough, patchy fur and slightly crooked smile kept him from deserving the same.