I’m humming as I walk down the street in the late afternoon sun when I looked up and saw an unusual sight here in the city of animals.

A human pest. Ugh. They’re always hanging around. They’re like those pet cats back when humans had society… some are pets, like those scientifically programmed to stay young and cute. Others hang out in alleys, feasting on leftover food.

At least this one is a youngster. But I realize I’d better get away. It’s one of those youngsters who’s always causing trouble… pets that ran away from their humans. They’ve formed a clan and are called street rats.

Seeing as my best bud frank is a literal rat, it’s kinda insulting. Then again, I guess he’s sort of like them— fierce, always ready for a fight.

I keep going on my day. It ignores me and scampers off down a dark alleyway. Even a perfect animal world is ruined by that one species.