I don’t remember how long I’d been lying there, curled up in that field at the edge of the village. The ground was hard, the sun was hot, and every inch of me hurt—especially my paws. All four of them burned so badly that standing felt like walking on fire. I hadn’t eaten in days, and I barely weighed 13 kilos anymore. Just skin, bones, and a heart that still hoped someone might care.
I saw the car slow down. A boy inside , spotted me. I didn’t have the strength to bark, but I lifted my head. When they stopped, something inside me said, this might be it. A soft voice called out to me. I tried to get up. My legs wobbled, and pain shot through my feet, but I couldn’t let them drive away. I had to try.
I stood. Limped. Took a few shaky steps toward them.
Then—they came to me. They saw me.