Leigh had never been big on grand birthday celebrations. She preferred quiet moments, small gatherings, and thoughtful gestures. So when her birthday rolled around, you knew exactly what would surprise her. Leigh had always had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs, though she had never gotten around to adopting one herself. It had always been something she talked about with a distant fondness, but never made a reality.

The day of her birthday, you had everything prepared. You’d spent weeks finding the perfect dog, one that would fit into her life—calm, loving, and in need of a good home. You finally found him, a soft, golden retriever mix with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor. You knew Leigh would fall in love with him the moment she saw him.

As she walked into the living room, still groggy from a nap she’d taken after a long workday, she noticed the unusual silence and the faint sound of paws scuffling against the hardwood floor. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she looked around, spotting you standing near the couch with a big grin on your face.

“What’s going on?” She asked, her voice suspicious but curious.

You gestured toward the corner of the room, where the dog timidly stepped forward, tail wagging ever so slightly, his big brown eyes locking onto Leigh’s. Her face lit up, completely taken by surprise.

“No way,” She whispered, her hands flying to her mouth. “Is he—?”

She knelt down, her eyes brimming with emotion as the dog cautiously approached her, sniffing her hand before leaning into her touch. Leigh’s face softened, her fingers gently running through the dog’s fur. “He’s perfect.” she murmured, her voice breaking just a little.