I Accidentally Joined a Pet Group Chat

The very first night in my new apartment, a dark shadow darted across the living room.

Before I could even process it, a monstrous rat was already charging straight for my feet.

Terrified, I fumbled for my phone, desperate to call maintenance for help.

Just then, a new message popped up on my screen.

The sender was Ace Rat Catcher C Ginger, and the message read: On-site rat catching service, two cans of wet food, immediate deployment.

How could they be so fast? My mind was swimming with questions, but I opened the door anyway.

The hallway outside was empty, not a soul in sight.

I was about to close the door when a soft Meow stopped me.

Looking down, I saw a ginger cat standing by the entrance, its paws neatly together, looking incredibly polite.

I stared at it for a few seconds, and a wild, ridiculous thought bubbled up.

Are you Ace Rat Catcher C Ginger? I couldnt help but ask.

The ginger cat responded with two Meows, and then, another message from Ace Rat Catcher C Ginger appeared on my phone.

After I moved into my new place, the building management added me to the residents' group chat, saying it was for important announcements. I didnt pay much attention at first, especially since everyone's profile picture was some kind of animal.

Then one day, I idly scrolled through the chat.

Evil Fuzzybutt: [I'm so mad! Mom caught me stealing snacks and spanked my butt a few times. Tonight, I'm definitely tearing up her slippers!]

Lord Poshpaws: [Useless! How can you let that human walk all over you?]

[I am the tiny emperor.jpg]

Goldie the Fatcat: [Hey everyone, when you drink water, does it sometimes taste kinda spicy?]

Lord Poshpaws: [Idiot! Your water dispenser is probably leaking electricity, kick it over already!]

Sweet Cheesus: [Mom's trying to clip my claws, help! Call the cops!]

I watched, amused, for quite a while. I figured it was just the neighborhood kids, playing animal characters in the chat. Honestly, their cute, quirky conversations were quite heartwarming.

Just then, a new message popped up.

[I think there's a stranger in my house.]

[Observing from the shadows.jpg]

The senders profile picture was a small husky. From previous messages, it seemed like a four or five-year-old kid. My heart jumped. I was about to ask if he was home alone when I saw the other group members expressing doubt.

[Are you sure it's a stranger?]

[A stranger in your house again? Last time you said there was a stranger, and it was just your dad in a different shirt.]

[Meow, Ill call the police for you!]

I hesitated, wondering if I should tag the building management. Then, the husky replied, [Hehe, turns out it was just Dad wearing a mask. As a reward, tonight I'm peeing in his room.]

False alarm. While I found it funny, a faint, unsettling feeling lingered.

That day, I got back late from an interview.

As I flicked on the light, I saw a dark shadow scuttle across the living room floor.

My heart lurched. I was just about to crouch down and peer under the coffee table.

When a large rat shot straight for my feet.

I shrieked, leaping onto the coffee table.

Immediately, I panicked and messaged the group for help.

[There's a rat in my house! Does anyone know of a reliable, immediate rat catching service nearby? Urgent, waiting online!]

[Meow? Rat? What's a rat?]

[A rat is a fast little toy that squeaks when you squeeze it. Dad won't let me play with them.]

[Are you new? Never seen you before. Why is your profile pic a human? What species are you?]

Cant my profile pic be human?

What did what species even mean?

No time to think. The squeaking of the rat made my skin crawl.

I immediately opened an app to find an on-demand service.

Just then, someone in the group tagged me.

Ace Rat Catcher C Ginger: ?

[Two cans of wet food, no haggling, immediate on-site service.]

[At your door, open up Meow.]

That fast??

I opened the door, but the hallway was empty.

Just as I was about to close it, a cats meow caught my attention.

A very polite ginger cat stood at the doorway, its paws pressed together.

As our eyes met, an unbelievable thought popped into my head.

Youre Ace Rat Catcher C Ginger?

The ginger cat meowed twice, and a message popped up in the group.

[Its the cat.]

[Two cans of wet food, immediate deployment.]

I chuckled, reaching out to stroke its head.

The ginger cat tilted its head, dodging my hand.

[Meow meow meow, thats extra. A head pat costs half a sausage.]

I dont have pets, so I naturally didnt have any cat food cans.

I negotiated with Ginger, offering four sausages as payment.

It licked its paw and agreed.

But it demanded payment in installments.

Deal made.

The nimble Ginger followed the rat from the living room to the kitchen.

Aside from accidentally knocking over my water glass on the table.

The rat-catching service was successfully completed.

Ginger, sensing my fear, placed the dead rat outside the door.

[Human, cat accidentally broke your cup. Cat can charge you one less sausage.]

I shook my head, [We agreed on four sausages, not one less. But can I get a head pat for free?]

Ginger let out a soft Meow.

It lowered its head and rubbed against my palm.

Before leaving, it said I could call it in the group if I needed it again.

After the house grew quiet, I finally processed everything.

It all felt like a dream.

The animals in the Starry Cove Community chat group were real.

Their profile pictures were their actual selves.

No matter how fantastical last nights experience was.

When the sun rose the next day, I still had to hustle for interviews in this new city.

I live on the 12th floor. When the elevator reached the 10th, a guy stepped in, leading a husky.

He looked familiar.

Of course, I meant the husky.

I stared at it intently.

It sensed my gaze and stared back just as intently.

The guy looked at our staring match. You two know each other?

I quickly waved my hands. How was I supposed to tell him I thought this husky was the one from the group chat?

I certainly couldn't ask if it peed in his room yesterday.

Just then, the Starry Cove Community chat popped up with a new message.

Dad's Big Brain: [Saw a girl in the elevator, she looked familiar, like Id seen her somewhere before. Hehe, she smells so nice, want pats.]

Evil Fuzzybutt: [Stupid dog!]

Lord Poshpaws: [Stupid dog!]

I tentatively reached out my hand, and sure enough, the husky leaned in for a rub.

The guy gave me a look that screamed, You said you didnt know each other!

As I petted the dog, I gently asked, Whats your name?

Liam.

I squatted down and gently squeezed the dogs paw. Nice to meet you, Liam.

The guy:

Im Liam!

I looked up, embarrassed.

Oh, my bad, my brain wasnt working.

Liams face flushed slightly. Its okay, I just didnt react fast enough. Hes called Buddy.

[Big Brain! Miss, Im Big Brain! My mean dad got my name wrong, hit hit hit!]

Big Brain immediately stood up and got into a scuffle with Liam right there in the elevator.

Liam cursed the stupid dog while fighting back.

I stood by, laughing and trying to mediate.

After a morning of rushing around, Id interviewed at three companies.

The results didnt look promising.

I decided to head home and grab something to eat.

Walking back along the street, I suddenly spotted a pet supply store for sale.

Thinking of the Starry Cove Community chat, an idea sparked in my mind.

Isnt this the perfect way to directly understand customer needs?

Who wants to be a drone when they can be their own boss?

I tallied up my savings, contacted the current owner, and bought the store.

Then, I started advertising in the group.

[Does anyone like this little toy?]

[New stock: biscuits, freeze-dried treats, small snacks! Welcome to bring your humans for a taste test!]

The ads exploded in the group chat.

No dog or cat had ever posted a short video in the group before.

They immediately sensed that I was different.

Lord Poshpaws: [Its a human! Its a human! Its a real human! A human snuck in!]

[My reign is over.JPG]

Ace Rat Catcher C Ginger: [The cat told you guys last time]

Sweet Cheesus: [Human, can you tell Mom that I dont like getting my claws clipped?]

At first, the pets in the group were astonished by my human identity.

Once they realized I meant no harm, they grew accustomed to it.

They would even frequently ask me to relay messages to their humans.

So, I simply launched a special offer.

For any single purchase over five hundred dollars, I would provide one free pet consultation.

My first client was Liam.

He bought ten pounds of dog food and several small toys for Big Brain.

You can really communicate with them?

I offered a noncommittal shrug.

He raised an eyebrow, gave me a mischievous grin, then ruffled Big Brains head and said, Alright, then ask him, he eats too much, Dad cant afford him anymore. Can he be more self-sufficient?

I waved at Big Brain, subtly picking up my phone.

After a moment, I managed to suppress my laughter and said, Big Buddy says its okay if youre broke, he can go out and eat poop, and he can take you with him. Hell eat the poop, and you can have the good bits.

Liam looked down, a profound expression on his face. Big Brain gazed back at him with sincere eyes.

Stupid dog, is this how you repay the old man who raised you so painstakingly?!

Liam fiercely rubbed Big Brains head.

Dad's Big Brain: [???]

[Giving Dad all the good poop bits, and hes still not happy! So unfair to a dog, hit hit hit!]

Big Brain straightened up, waving its two paws, and started another brawl in my store.

I had no idea how one dog could be so fond of hitting people with its paws.

My second client was also a familiar faceor rather, a familiar feline.

It was the little tabby cat from the group, Sweetie.

Her owner was a young woman.

Holding the cat, she said, a bit shyly, Sweeties been acting strange lately, always meowing at the wardrobe. Im a little scared. If you can really talk to pets, could you ask her whats wrong?

I immediately thought of online news stories about strange men hiding in wardrobes.

But the young woman insisted it wasnt that.

I was afraid of that, so I already checked. Theres nothing in the wardrobe.

That was odd.

I took Sweetie, carried her into the back room, and then tagged her in the group chat.