Standish and Bean by Aaron F. Schnore
Two very different cats, whose owners take them to the vets at the same time every year, form an unlikely friendship. Image generated with OpenAI I. The waiting room of the Happy Paws Veterinary Clinic was bright and scrubbed, with blanched wood floors and animal prints in plastic frames. Near the reception desk, a coffee maker gurgled. The smell of stale coffee mingled with the sharp aroma of antiseptic. The door opened and The Grand Dame entered, swinging an expensive pet carrier in her manicured hand. The carrier itself was cylindrical and emitted a faint, pulsing hum. Its transparent casing was spotless, every bolt, bushing, and LED light installed with precision. Inside, a regal Oriental Shorthair sat upright on his haunches, tail neatly coiled around his paws. His coat was pale and sleek, smooth as porcelain. His ears were oversized and sharply angled, rising from his skull like twin sails, alert to the slightest sound. The cat's name was Standish. With a level stare, he sc...
