Mum was a tiny, three-month-old puppy with soft, golden fur and big, round eyes that held the innocence of her young age. She was a playful little thing, always full of energy and curiosity, but today was different. Today was Mum’s birthday, and instead of celebrating with joy and excitement, she found herself feeling an overwhelming sadness that she didn’t quite understand.
For as long as Mum could remember, her mother had been by her side. Her mother was her world—the one who kept her safe, who comforted her, who taught her everything she knew. They had shared countless moments of warmth and love, snuggling together in their cozy little bed, playing in the yard, and exploring the world around them. Mum had always felt safe when her mother was near, her tiny heart filled with happiness and security.
But a few days ago, something changed. Mum’s mother had been taken away, leaving the little puppy alone in the big, unfamiliar world. Mum didn’t understand where her mother had gone or why she wasn’t there anymore. She had searched everywhere, crying out in her small, plaintive voice, but there had been no answer. The comforting warmth that she had always known was gone, and Mum was left feeling lost and scared.
Now, on her birthday, that sadness weighed even heavier on her tiny heart. The world seemed so big and empty without her mother by her side. Mum sat in the corner of the small room where she was being kept, her little body trembling with the effort of holding back her tears. But she couldn’t stop them—they came rushing out, flowing like rain from her wide, innocent eyes.
Mum whimpered softly, her cries filled with a deep longing for the one who had always been there for her. She didn’t understand why her mother wasn’t with her, didn’t understand why she had been left alone on such an important day. All she knew was that she missed her mother more than anything, and the pain of that absence was too much for her small heart to bear.
As the hours passed, Mum’s tears continued to fall, her little body shaking with the intensity of her grief. She didn’t want to play or explore; she didn’t want to eat or drink. All she wanted was to feel the comforting presence of her mother, to hear her soothing voice, to be wrapped in the warmth of her love. But no matter how much she cried, her mother didn’t come.
The room felt cold and empty, the silence deafening to Mum’s ears. She curled up into a tight ball, trying to make herself as small as possible, as if that would somehow bring her mother back to her. But the space around her remained empty, and Mum felt more alone than ever.
As the day wore on, the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the room. Mum’s tears had slowed, her tiny body exhausted from the day’s crying. She lay there, her eyes half-closed, too tired to move, too sad to do anything but remember the warmth and love she had once known.
Just when it seemed like the day would end in complete loneliness, the door to the room slowly opened. A kind-faced woman entered, her eyes soft with concern as she approached the little puppy. Mum barely lifted her head, too lost in her sorrow to notice the newcomer.
The woman knelt down beside Mum, gently reaching out to stroke her soft fur. “Oh, sweet little one,” she whispered, her voice filled with compassion. “I know you miss your mother, and I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way.”
Mum looked up at the woman, her big, round eyes still wet with tears. There was something comforting in the woman’s voice, something that made Mum feel just a little bit safer. The woman gently picked Mum up, cradling her in her arms, and for the first time that day, Mum felt a warmth that reminded her of her mother.
“It’s your birthday today, isn’t it?” the woman continued, her voice soothing. “Let’s make sure it’s a special one, even if it’s just the two of us.”
Mum nestled into the woman’s arms, her tiny body relaxing as the warmth began to seep into her bones. The woman held her close, humming a soft tune as she rocked back and forth. It wasn’t the same as being with her mother, but it was something—a small comfort in the midst of her sadness.
The woman stayed with Mum for the rest of the evening, giving her all the love and attention she could. She brought out a small toy, something soft and cuddly, and placed it beside Mum. She even gave Mum a tiny piece of birthday cake, a special treat just for her. Mum slowly began to feel a little better, the pain in her heart easing just enough to allow her to enjoy the moment.
As the night fell and the stars began to twinkle in the sky, Mum lay curled up in the woman’s lap, her eyes slowly drifting shut. She still missed her mother, still felt the ache of that absence, but for now, she wasn’t alone. There was someone who cared, someone who was there to hold her and make her feel loved.
And as Mum fell asleep, her tears finally dried, she dreamed of her mother—of the love they had shared and the warmth she had known. It was a bittersweet dream, filled with both longing and comfort. But for now, that dream was enough to carry her through the night.
Tomorrow would be another day, and Mum knew she would still miss her mother. But she also knew that there were people in the world who cared, who would be there to help her through the hard times. And maybe, just maybe, with time, her heart would begin to heal, and she would find a new kind of happiness in the love she was given.
But for tonight, Mum slept peacefully, her tiny body wrapped in the warmth of a kind stranger’s arms, her heart a little lighter than it had been before.
