I have been in the shelter for many years. I no longer remember exactly how long it has been, but I remember the days slowly passing, one by one, as I waited. I waited for someone to see me, to choose me, to take me to a place I could call my forever home.
When I first came to the shelter, I was just a young cat, full of energy and hope. I thought it would only be a short stay. Every time new people visited, my heart would beat faster. I would sit up straight, wave my tail, and hope they would notice me. I dreamed that someone would reach out, open their arms, and say, “You’re the one I’ve been looking for.” But each time, they walked past me. They chose younger, prettier cats. They chose someone else.
Days turned into months, and months turned into years. I watched many friends leave. I watched their cages become empty, while mine always stayed the same. I have grown older here, but my wish has never changed. I still long to have a forever home—a place where I can finally belong.
Living in a shelter is not a bad life, but it is not a real life. There are kind people who feed me and care for me, but the shelter is only a temporary stop. It is not a place to grow old. It is not a place to build memories with a family. It is not a place to truly feel what it means to be loved every day.
What I want is simple. I want to sit by someone’s window and watch the world go by. I want to hear someone call my name, just mine, with love. I want to curl up on someone’s lap and know that I will not be left behind again. I want to give my heart to someone who will keep it safe.
Some people think that older animals cannot feel as deeply as younger ones, but that is not true. The longer I have waited, the more I understand how precious love is. I will not take a forever home for granted. I will treasure every moment.
I have been in the shelter for many years, but I still believe that somewhere out there, my forever home is waiting for me. Until then, I will keep hoping. I will keep dreaming. And maybe, one day soon, someone will walk in and finally say, “Let’s go home.”
