Beneath the shimmering moonlight, my paws already weary from wandering, I am nothing more than a stray, just one of thousands abandoned on these dark, rain-soaked streets, dampened by far more than mere rainwater. A collar around my neck serves as a reminder of a time when I felt I belonged to something greater, my own rebelliousness proved to be my undoing. If freedom was truly so vital, why do I find myself constantly comparing my lot to those who are treated with such tenderness by others? If the bare minimum was once enough to satisfy me, why am I now practically begging for more? I know I am the architect of my own failure, but could I please stop reminding myself of that, over and over? I crave something far beyond a simple owner, i need a distraction from this harsh reality. A single bone would be enough to satisfy me, if only for a fleeting moment. —Mv