Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Volunteer Day at the Shelter
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Not in the neighborhood, but in Namyangju, and right in front of Our Yard Shelter, hearing the words Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
Lee Jun's head automatically turned toward the source of the sound.
"Oh? Guardian-nim!"
The guardian who had been sweeping up snacks from Meongmeong Animal Hospital every week lately stood there with surprised eyes.
It was Namgung Hyun, who had visited just the day before.
"Director. Here to volunteer?"
Namgung Hyun's voice was filled with delight.
"Yes, it's a place I've been coming to since my student days. Are you volunteering here too, Guardian-nim?"
"Yes."
"So this is the place you've been volunteering at?"
"Yes. Director, are you with 'Together With Us' by any chance?"
"Yes."
"Haha, I knew it."
No wonder he had such a good vibe about the director.
Namgung Hyun, who was good at reading people, felt a sense of kindness from Lee Jun.
And his guess was spot on.
"Meeting you here of all places, Guardian-nim. I'm really in a great mood today."
He already had a highly positive image of Namgung Hyun just from hearing he volunteered.
And now they were at the same place. A sudden surge of camaraderie welled up.
But such emotions had to be put aside for the moment.
Items were being unloaded from the car one by one. Mobile equipment and medications for today's treatments.
Lee Jun walked toward where the equipment was set and said,
"I'll get to work."
"Ah, right. I got so happy seeing you, Director, that I held you up. See you later."
Lee Jun headed into the shelter with the equipment, while Namgung Hyun went to the parked car.
The two parted ways to attend to their respective tasks.
Surgical equipment, medications, and parts.
As he carried them into the shelter, the barking of the dogs—who already knew they had arrived—grew even louder.
Dogs barking happily at the regular visitors.
Dogs barking warily at strangers.
Dogs barking just because their companions were.
Lee Jun was completely desensitized to dog barking by now.
Normally, he would just smile and think, 'Yeah, yeah, I'm happy to see you too, guys.'
But not this time.
[Whoa, it's the doctors. The doctors are here!]
[Hehe, Doctor. It's been a while. I was waiting.]
[Hing, I missed you.]
[Me, pet me today.]
[Me too! Pet me twice.]
[Me three times!]
Dogs joyfully greeting him like they missed humans.
[Doctor! My leg hurts so much.]
[My tooth hurts so bad I can't eat.]
[My side itches like crazy here.]
[You too? Me too. My ears are so itchy.]
Dogs complaining about somewhere hurting.
[G-Go away. Hurry up and go!]
[Don't come closer. Just try it!]
[Eek, s-scary.]
Dogs on high alert out of nowhere.
Mixed in between were occasional cat cries.
Nyaooo!
Meow!
Kyao!
This was on a whole different level from just reading expressions and guessing if they were happy, upset, in pain, or resigned.
'So that's what they were thinking.'
Among the shelter animals, some lived comfortably like it was their own home, but most did not.
Moreover, those who hadn't adapted to the shelter wouldn't show signs even when they were in pain.
Whenever he saw those animals, Lee Jun wanted to do his absolute best to treat them.
Even with the shelter staff and volunteers watching over them, there were simply too many animals, so most didn't get treatment.
On top of that, even though 'Together With Us' volunteered, their main focus was neutering and vaccinations.
That alone took up all their time.
So unless it was a severe illness or something obvious at a glance, they had to let it pass.
But now things were different.
'Finally, I can find the silent dogs and silent cats.'
Animals in pain but enduring it. Or those sending pain signals that people just didn't notice.
Lee Jun was excited at the thought of finding and treating them.
'Without a doting guardian to carefully check them, being in pain on top of that is just too heartbreaking.'
To Lee Jun, quality of life was key.
Living long was important, but living without pain was even more so.
That was his treatment philosophy.
A short while later, a meeting was held in the shelter's largest room.
The 'Together With Us' president displayed data on the monitor and said,
"Today, we have 20 neuters for males: 15 dogs and 5 cats. And 10 for females, 3 of which are cats."
Surgeries required prior coordination with the shelter.
They needed fasting for anesthesia, beds for recovery—space for post-op animals.
Above all, the number of volunteering vets that day determined how many animals could be done.
"They said new intakes increased, and it's true."
Someone sighed.
"It's spring."
"Yeah."
"We'll have to do this many next week too."
"We'd better move fast."
"Right. Let's start with the surgeries."
Everyone headed to their positions.
[Doctor. When do we eat? I'm hungry!]
A puppy that looked like a retriever wagged its tail in greeting.
Born in the shelter, just turning 6 months old.
With no wariness at all, as the shelter was its home.
"I'll give you some soon."
[I want to eat now...]
"Hang in there a bit. Sleep a little, and I'll give you something tasty."
[Okay...]
It fell asleep, and Lee Jun finished the surgery in a flash.
Next up was a tiny Chihuahua that made him wonder how it even ended up here.
The Chihuahua was trembling in fear, eyes full of wariness.
Lee Jun said softly,
"It's okay."
[S-Scary.]
"I'll make it not scary."
[...How?]
It was still shaking, but as it met Lee Jun's eyes, he thought,
'Seems like one with a strong bond to its guardian. How did it end up here?'
He wanted to ask its name, where its home was, how it got here—but excitement was taboo for an animal about to be anesthetized.
Lee Jun asked the Chihuahua,
"Want something to eat?"
[The square pouch thing...]
"I know. The squishy meat-smelling one, right? With the carrots packed in."
The Chihuahua's eyes widened.
[H-How...]
"Let's eat that after you sleep."
Lee Jun gave it a kind smile to reassure it.
In the nonstop surgeries, Lee Jun was grateful for his ability.
No matter what, he was easing the anxiety of the animals trembling on the table, even if just a little.
After five surgeries, the junior assisting him stretched his back and said,
"Whew, Senior. Let's rest a bit."
"Should we?"
"Yeah. My back hurts from bending over so long."
"Alright, let's do that."
As the two stretched and adjusted their postures, the door burst open.
"L-Lee, Doctor Lee."
A shelter staff member ran to Lee Jun.
"Yes."
"Could you come to the next room?"
"Next room?"
"We're trying to neuter Nureongi, but he's got a nasty temper."
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Lee Jun and the junior went to the next room.
The first thing that caught the eye was a Nureongi that looked about 15 kilos, baring its teeth and growling.
Grrrrrr.
Its eyes gleaming, it glared wildly as if ready to bite at any moment.
"Lee, good you came. Let's muzzle this guy."
Lee Jun's senior, who handled general affairs for the volunteer group, looked troubled as he spoke.
The senior held a short, thick leash like a rope, and another junior nearby fumbled with a muzzle.
"S-Senior. I can't get this muzzle on him at all. We need it for the anesthesia injection..."
"Give it here."
Lee Jun took the muzzle from the junior and stood in front of Nureongi.
Nureongi showed even more wariness.
Grrrrr.
[D-Don't touch me. Just try!]
Lee Jun took one more step closer to the hostile Nureongi.
[D-Don't come. Come closer and I'll bite!]
Lee Jun stared straight into Nureongi's eyes.
Up close, beneath the manic glare from moments ago, there was fear.
"Nureongi. I'm not going to hurt you."
Lee Jun's low, calm voice reached Nureongi's ears.
For a brief moment, its rigidly raised tail relaxed slightly.
But it quickly stiffened again, unnoticed by all except Lee Jun, who had been watching the tail from the start.
'Life on the streets must have been rough.'
Lee Jun felt pity for Nureongi.
[Liar. You're gonna grab me and hit me!]
"I won't hit you. Promise. Never."
[L... Huh?]
Nureongi made the same face as other animals when they first realized he understood them.
"That's right. So trust me. Anyway, Nureongi, what do you want to eat?"
Grrrr...
Nureongi still bared its teeth, but its expression was much softer.
"If you don't say, you won't eat. So tell me right now what you want."
Lee Jun took another step closer. If Nureongi lunged, it had plenty to bite.
"S-Senior!"
"Shh!"
Lee Jun put a finger to his lips for silence and waited for Nureongi's answer.
[I, I...]
Nureongi couldn't answer.
Lee Jun felt a pang.
This Nureongi had no memory of tasty flavors.
As he was about to say he'd give the best treat and to look forward to it, Nureongi slowly said,
[The long, squishy one.]
Soft stick, huh.
"Yeah, I'll give you that."
[Want two.]
"I'll give you ten."
Nureongi's eyes widened.
Lee Jun stroked its forehead and said,
"So, sleep a bit. Then you can eat something tasty."
As Lee Jun petted Nureongi, the surrounding colleagues gasped in shock.
But he didn't stop there—he administered the anesthesia injection himself.
"I'll handle this one's surgery."
"Y-Yeah. Please do."
"P-Please."
Looking at Nureongi on the table, he thought,
'Good thing I brought lots of treats.'
***
After the scheduled surgeries were done.
A brief rest time was given.
Lee Jun decided to make good use of it.
[Pet me.]
[Me too!]
[I want gum.]
[Krrrng, me first!]
[I want that, that one.]
He went to the area with big guys who had good temperaments but too much strength and size to handle.
Naturally, they had almost no adoption inquiries.
The ultimate goal of Our Yard Shelter and Together With Us was a shelter with not a single animal left.
For the animals that came here to find families, becoming 'together with us' instead of alone.
Everyone knew it was a goal converging to zero feasibility.
So Lee Jun dreamed of a feasible future.
'I want to build a shelter where these guys can run freely and rest comfortably.'
A goal that might be even harder than Together With Us's, in some ways.
But Lee Jun had no intention of giving up.
Seeing the guys craving affection with their whole bodies, Lee Jun shouted,
"Alright, everyone line up. No line, no gum or pets!"
But they still swirled chaotically around him.
However, after a few more words from Lee Jun, they settled.
One by one, they sat, took the dog gum, and pushed their heads forward.
Lee Jun stroked their foreheads one by one.
Namgung Hyun, passing by after lunch, saw the scene.
"It's really amazing. How do they listen to him so well?"
He had just heard about Lee Jun's feats over lunch.
He knew Nureongi too.
"I nearly got bitten to death just trying to give it a treat once."
Yet here he was petting that Nureongi without even a muzzle.
Even giving the injection alone.
"Brave, or do the dogs just naturally follow Woof Director? Thinking about him at the hospital, probably the latter."
A bit later, Lee Jun emerged from the pens.
Thud thud thud.
The dogs all spat out their gum and rushed to the entrance.
Woof woof woof!
Wan wan wan. Woo woo woo!
The once-quiet pens grew noisy again.
Lee Jun shouted loudly,
"Bark and I won't come!"
Silence! It stopped abruptly.
"Good, stay like that and I'll come back once more before I go."
Over thirty dogs wagged their tails furiously without a single bark.
Seeing Namgung Hyun outside, Lee Jun asked,
"Had lunch?"
"Yes. Heard you did Nureongi's surgery?"
"Yes."
"That guy's super fierce. How'd you manage?"
"Hung ten soft sticks, and he mellowed right out."
"Soft sticks?"
"Yeah. Oh right, I need to grab a pack for him."
As Lee Jun headed to the office, he told Namgung Hyun about Nureongi.
"Tsk, poor guy."
"Big guys like that are all pitiful. Nureongi probably didn't get adopted because he's fierce, and those earlier ones have good personalities but are too energetic and huge."
"Small ones get adopted easily, I guess."
Namgung Hyun, who sponsored and recently started volunteering but didn't know all the ins and outs, asked.
"Pretty much."
"Then the Chihuahua we did today should adopt well?"
"Usually, but that one might be tough."
Lee Jun recalled the Chihuahua earlier and gave a bittersweet smile.