Today was my birthday. I should have been happy, but my heart felt heavy. I knew that when I came home, no one would be waiting for me with a smile. At Aunt Gaya’s, there were always big celebrations for her daughters – restaurants, balloons, and presents. For me? Not even a “happy birthday.” Sometimes I felt as if nobody loved me. Only memories kept me warm – those golden days when my parents were alive and birthdays sparkled with laughter, ice cream, and the clowns I adored.

Now they were gone, and often I thought maybe it would be better if I were with them up there, in the sky. At my aunt’s house, I didn’t feel wanted; my cousins teased me, and I always ended up being the guilty one.

When the school bell rang, all the students rushed home. I stayed in my seat. Then my teacher, Anastasia Viktorovna, came over and said gently:
— Kolenko, why are you still sitting here? Today is your birthday, they’re waiting for you at home!

My eyes filled with tears. I told her everything that weighed on my heart. She listened quietly, and in the end, she gave me a chocolate bar from her bag. For me, it was like the greatest gift in the world. She hugged me and took me to the school psychologist, who was also touched by my story.

But when I stepped out of the office, a surprise was waiting. By the school door, all alone, with drooping ears and sad eyes, stood a little stray dog. His body was thin, but in his eyes I saw something that made me stop – maybe the same loneliness I carried inside. I knelt down, he sniffed me, and then licked my hand. My heart pounded as if I had just found the friend I had always been searching for.

I carried him in my arms and brought him home. At first, I was scared my aunt would scold me, but when she saw me happy, she said nothing. Maybe she understood I needed someone by my side.

The dog, whom I named Shpata, became my closest friend. He waited for me every day after school, listened to me in silence, and at night slept beside my bed. In his eyes, I felt the warmth I had been missing.

So, even though my birthday had no balloons or parties, I received the most beautiful gift of all – a loyal friend who showed me that love can appear when you least expect it.