Selah McClure stared out her bedroom window at the unfamiliar neighborhood. Moving to a new town at seventeen felt like the end of the world. Her long brown hair fell across her face as she sighed deeply. In the distance, she spotted a small black dog trotting alone down the sidewalk, looking as lost as she felt.

The next morning, Selah ventured outside to explore her new surroundings. The small black dog from yesterday appeared from behind a bush, cautiously watching her. "Hello there," Selah whispered, noticing the dog had no collar. The dog's ears perked up, but he maintained a safe distance, his eyes reflecting the same wariness Selah felt about this new place.

Over the next week, Selah brought treats to the little Chihuahua-dachshund mix she'd named Tuscan. Slowly, Tuscan began to trust her, eventually allowing her to pet his shiny black coat. "We're both outsiders here, aren't we?" Selah murmured as Tuscan finally curled up beside her on a park bench. Something about his presence made the unfamiliar town feel less lonely.

Selah's parents agreed she could keep Tuscan after discovering he was indeed a stray. "You know, we're different but the same," Selah told Tuscan as they cuddled on her bed. Tuscan might be small and furry while she was tall and human, but they both understood what it meant to search for belonging. Together, they faced their new world, no longer alone but connected by the universal need for friendship.