My Short Stories. The forever friend.

Lily had always wanted a pet, but her parents weren’t sure she was ready for the responsibility. Every day, she would walk past the animal shelter on her way home from school, pressing her face against the glass to watch the dogs wag their tails and the cats stretch lazily in the sunlight. One afternoon, as she peered inside, a pair of big brown eyes met hers. It was a scruffy little dog with floppy ears and a patchy coat, sitting quietly in the corner of his kennel.

Something about him felt different—like he was waiting just for her. She ran inside, her heart pounding. “What’s his name?” she asked the shelter worker.

“We call him Benny,” the woman said with a smile. “He’s been here the longest. A bit shy, but he’s got a lot of love to give.”

Lily knelt down, offering her hand. Benny sniffed it cautiously, then licked her fingers. In that moment, she knew—he wasn’t just a pet. He was a friend. A forever friend.

After much pleading and a few promises of extra chores, Lily’s parents finally agreed. Benny came home that evening, curled up in her lap as they drove. From that day forward, he never left her side. Whether chasing butterflies in the garden or snuggling under the blankets on rainy days, Benny had found his home. And Lily? She had found the best friend she had always dreamed of.

Pets are for life.