Hungry

Your cat pukes, then cries. Is it just a hairball or is something really wrong? A mad dash to the vet leads to a cat who meows when touched, but how is a veterinarian to know what's wrong? Is it a blockage or just a terrified kitty? Even with training, sometimes even the experts don't know. Or do they? Take an MRI of a cat's brain when they're hungry, and it light's up a particular way. Take another shot while they're in pain, and the pattern changes. Researchers believe this could lead towards a better understanding of what a cat's meow really means. The folks over at Garner Tech have created the newest tech to help veterinarians and pet owners alike. Cat-Speak—the collar that translates brain patterns into simple phrases like: I'm hungry I hurt I'm playful I'm sleepy No, your cat won't tell you it loves you, but with our handy Bluetooth collar and phone app, your cats' meows will have research-backed meaning! Bestselling science fiction & fantasy author Raven Oak brings readers a short story set in the near future of unlikely cat-ownership and the snarky, harsh reality many pet owners may face in the near future.