Chapter 1The Godmother of Strays

I run a pet clinic and often treat stray animals. After stumbling upon a mysterious online forum, I discovered they revere me as their "Godmother."

Scar_the_Ranger: [The Godmother’s getting off work. Who’s on escort duty?]

The_Bitty_Brawler: [Pausing my sparring match. I’ll go.]

Ambassador_of_Good_Taste: [Treasure hunt canceled. I’ll go.]

Mount_Mochi: [Date postponed. I’ll go.]

Cheeseburger: [Mouse hunt called off. I’ll go.]

I looked out the door at the neat rows of cats and dogs, all standing at attention.

No wonder my walk home at night was never lonely.

* * *

I own a small veterinary clinic called "The Healing Paw."

Most days, the paws I heal belong to cats and dogs. When work is slow, I also treat the stray cats and dogs in the neighborhood.

Of course, my services aren't exactly free.

The animals I treat often pay a terrible price.

Neutering.

You’d think that after "the snip," the cats and dogs would be psychologically scarred by my clinic and grow to despise me. But surprisingly, the number of new faces only increased, while the old ones became regulars.

Lately, even perfectly healthy cats and dogs have been loitering around the clinic. Some have even been tailing me, their movements furtive and suspicious.

I suspected they were forming a gang to case the joint, planning some kind of massive revenge plot. But when I looked closer, their big, clear eyes held no trace of malice.

Their strange behavior was utterly baffling.