Santa Dogs for the Burned Mountains
Park PD called over Writer Yeom, who had been carefully rereading and reviewing the campaign post he had uploaded.
"Writer Yeom, where are the kids?"
"Where else would they be? They're all looking up materials. You told them to research the wildfire situation, PD."
"Ah, right."
"Want to have a meeting? Should I gather them?"
"As expected, Yeom PD knows exactly what's on my mind."
A short while later, the Animal Praise team assembled in the conference room.
"Alright, alright, sit down quick. Time's tight and we've got way too much to do."
At Park PD's words, the writers each tossed something out.
"Looks like overtime starting today."
"Aigoo, and here I thought I was going home early for once..."
"Figures. Like PD would ever let us slack off."
"So you're just going to go home, then?"
Park PD held up a gleaming plastic card in front of the grumbling writers.
"I was going to grease your mouths with some real meat for a change, but if you don't want it, fine. I'll just go to Hanwoo Bonga by myself and eat till I burst..."
"Ahahaha, work is good. Work is great."
"Aww, what are you talking about? That was just a cheer. Just a cheer."
"R-right. It's the trendy work-chant backup these days. Come on, PD, let's start the meeting."
"Ah... suddenly I feel like working."
Park PD looked at each of the writers in turn, grinned, then called the junior.
"Hmm, is that so? Then Junior, hurry up and open the app. Take the orders."
"P-PD, I thought we were going to eat Hanwoo..."
"We are. That restaurant does delivery of their sizzling beef hot pot. Junior, look up Hanwoo Bonga."
"......Yes."
Watching the Junior Writer's face fall a mile long, Park PD snickered.
"Later, once we're done with work, I'll treat you all there for real."
"Woooow!"
"PD, I love you!"
"That's our PD!"
The writers shot finger-hearts at Park PD. Seeing that, he made a face of utter disgust.
"Aigoo, what's with you people? The second someone buys you meat, 'I love you' comes out on autopilot?"
Despite the look of disgust, a smile lingered at the corners of his mouth as he went on.
"Alright, once the orders are in, let's start the meeting. Time's tight, so we can't afford mistakes. Got it?"
"Of course. Dogs going out to volunteer — we have to get this right. First we need to find animal organizations to join the campaign, don't we?"
"I'll draft the cooperation request."
"Then I'll compile a list of animal organizations."
"Ah, PD, there are so many mountains damaged by the fires — which mountain are we holding the event at?"
The writers poured out ideas with shining eyes, as if the talk of a company dinner had never happened.
Watching his team, Park PD smiled with quiet satisfaction. They got stuck here late, can't even go home, and they're still this enthusiastic... This is why I can't help but love this team. He offered them a silent thanks as he proceeded with the meeting.
Grateful was grateful — but there was simply too much to do.
As the writers had said, they needed to contact animal protection organizations and sound out whether they would join the cause. They needed to find sponsors. And they needed to consult with local officials at the wildfire sites besides...
While the Animal Praise team bustled about, Lee Jun was moving just as quickly.
He contacted the Uriteul Director first.
"Director, I'm sorry for calling so late."
Lee Jun told the director, who had answered the phone warmly, that he had something to discuss, and that he would come to Namyangju the next day.
"Understood. Please come carefully tomorrow, then."
As soon as the call with the Uriteul Director ended, he contacted Bangwool-i's guardian, Kim Kang-hoon.
Kim Kang-hoon's reaction was excellent. The idea of running around freely in an open space while also doing something good appealed to him enormously. He then asked if Bangwool-i's friends could come along too.
"Having Bangwool-i's friends come along would be wonderful."
Lee Jun said he would welcome them with open arms.
And one more person. He contacted Benji's guardian.
Lee Jun asked first how Benji's legs were doing.
"Excellent. His condition seems to have returned to his prime. Hahaha."
"That's wonderful news. Actually, there's this project we're planning..."
Lee Jun shared what he had told Kim Kang-hoon, and Benji's guardian was equally delighted.
After ending the call, Lee Jun came out of the director's office and found Go Gi-jin.
"You called for me?"
"Yeah, give Director Go a call and ask. We're thinking of doing a Santa Dog event in Hongseong — would that be alright? I figured Director Go would know the local officials out there."
"Got it."
Go Gi-jin immediately called veterinarian Go Panseok.
"Ing, what's goin' on?"
"Dad, so — you know folks over that way?"
"What're you on about?"
"Well, our kids are gonna go over there and sow some seeds. You know Santa Dog, right? We're gonna do that. Can we go scatter 'em on the mountains over there?"
"Eutta, that's a mighty fine thing you're tryin' to do. Hang on a minute. I'll look into it right away. Ah, and how many of 'em?"
Go Gi-jin's voice was loud, of course — and so was veterinarian Go Panseok's. Standing right next to Go Gi-jin, Lee Jun could hear the father-and-son conversation crystal clear, and his eyes widened.
Veterinarian Go Panseok had understood Go Gi-jin's words perfectly, without any real explanation at all. They really do get along well. So this was what a father-son bond looked like.
For a brief moment, Lee Jun thought of his own father, who had passed away when he was young. And he found himself envious of the Go father and son.
While Lee Jun was lost in thought listening to their conversation, Go Gi-jin asked him,
"Hyung-nim, how many of ours are we takin'?"
"Ah, r-right. A little over fifty, I think?"
At Lee Jun's words, Go Gi-jin answered immediately.
"Dad, he says a little over fifty?"
"Eutta, what good-hearted kids. Hang up for now~."
After the call ended, Lee Jun was still dumbfounded. Seeing him like that, Go Gi-jin smiled awkwardly.
"Well, my dad's voice is a bit loud, y'know?"
Watching Go Gi-jin assume that Lee Jun's startled expression was because of the volume, Lee Jun could only laugh.
"But they'll love it, won't they? Those kids already love runnin' around at the shelter."
Go Gi-jin was already imagining the Uriteul cuties racing through the mountains, his mouth hanging open in a grin.
"They will. They'll love it."
"But Hyung-nim, those kids aren't gonna get lost up on that mountain, are they?"
"They won't."
The conversation between the two stopped at Lee Jun's answer — because a chorus of meows and woofs erupted from Go Gi-jin's phone.
"Eutta, it's Dad."
Go Gi-jin answered with a smile.
"Dad."
"Ing, they said thanks over there. So when're you comin'?"
"We still gotta set the date."
"Got it. Then let me know once the date's decided."
"Will do. Sleep well."
"Alright. Wait — before that, let me see our kids."
"They already came runnin' at the sound of your voice."
"That so? Hehehe, those rascals!"
Veterinarian Go Panseok spent a pleasant moment looking at the three of them, and Lee Jun was surprised all over again. Wait. The whole thing got settled this fast?
Surprised or not, the Santa Dog Event in Hongseong was decided.
Lee Jun contacted Park Joo-hwan PD.
Hearing Lee Jun's story, Park PD was stunned.
"Whaaat? I-it's already decided?"
"Yes, I was surprised it got decided so fast too, but I think it's for the best. Better to do it before it gets any colder. So I was thinking of setting a date right away — when would work for you?"
"Don't worry about us. We're ready to deploy anytime. But when are you planning to visit Uriteul? I'd like to film the kids in advance."
"I'm going tomorrow."
"Ah, tomorrow?"
A note of difficulty could be heard in Park PD's answering voice.
"PD, don't worry. I'll ask Kwak Suho. That's alright with you, isn't it?"
Meaning he would ask Kwak Suho to film the Uriteul footage.
"Alright doesn't even begin to cover it. Do you know how popular Teacher Kwak's videos are? I should be the one asking you. Thank you."
"If I pass that along to Kwak Suho, he'll be over the moon. I'll contact you after I get back from Namyangju."
"Yes, have a safe trip."
Smiling as he ended the call with Park PD, Lee Jun immediately dialed Kwak Suho.
The next day, Lee Jun loaded the three of them into the car at Golmokjib, stopped by Mongmong Animal Hospital to pick up Go Gi-jin, and set off.
"Tired?"
"I'm fine. Just need a nice sweet cup of coffee on the way, is all. Hyung-nim, should we stop by Sugar's place?"
"Kwak Suho's already bought coffee and is waiting for us."
"That so? Eutta, Suho-hyung really does have a knack for this, doesn't he?"
When Go Gi-jin giggled with delight, the three of them laughed along.
"Eome, you lot must be happy gettin' some fresh air after so long. Hyung-nim, it would've been nice to bring them too, huh?"
"Who?"
"Jjaek and One-eye."
Lee Jun recalled Jjaek and One-eye's expressions from when they had stopped by Mongmong Animal Hospital just a moment ago, and chuckled. Those two. They were happy, alright.
The three of them had excitedly told the pair they were going on an outing and invited them along. The two had replied that they couldn't possibly tag along when the bosses were going on a trip, and told them to have a good time — with the most comfortable expressions in the world. They're probably stretching all four legs out and sleeping in the 2nd Floor Cat Playground right about now.
A short while later, they picked up Kwak Suho near his house, and he loaded shopping bags into the car one after another. Then, last of all, he handed a drink tray and a paper box to Go Gi-jin.
"Here, this is coffee for you two. And this is yours, Gi-jin. Cake."
"Eutta, Hyung, you even bought cake?"
"Eat it and get your energy up. You were on night duty, weren't you? And that's food for the Uriteul staff and us to eat during the day."
"Thanks, Kwak Suho."
"Well, even just to buy a loaf of bread out there, you'd have to drive."
Kwak Suho's voice carried a quiet gratitude toward the people volunteering at Uriteul.
From the back seat, Kwak Suho asked,
"By the way, these kids look really happy."
"How happy d'you think they are? They're seein' their friends over there for the first time in ages."
That was part of it — and they also had that look because they were thinking about telling those friends they were going somewhere wonderful.
The three of them were visible in the rearview mirror, gazing out the window, grinning away. I'm glad. They don't hate traveling. Lee Jun was grateful that the three of them didn't get carsick, and grateful that they enjoyed going far in the car.
And he was even more grateful for this. They're so kind.
Contrary to Lee Jun's worries, Sapsaree had been delighted about going to the mountain. He had even said he wanted Bangwool-i and Benji to come too. And then Sapsaree had bragged about it to Hoesaegi and Gkamnyangi.
Hoesaegi and Gkamnyangi had told Lee Jun they wanted to go as well.
In the end, Lee Jun had explained everything to the three of them in detail. Jjaek and One-eye had sat at a distance and listened attentively to Lee Jun's story too.
Jjaek and One-eye, who had shown some interest at the mention of going to the mountain, had quietly slipped away when they heard that people would be coming along. They still seemed to want to keep their distance from people.
Sapsaree, who had initially been excited about going to play on the mountain, had grown increasingly serious as he listened to Lee Jun's story. Hoesaegi and Gkamnyangi were the same.
They said being hungry was too sad, and that they wanted to hurry over and give food to their friends.
The small animals Lee Jun had mentioned to the three of them — birds, squirrels, flying squirrels, gorals, and more. All of them were friends too. Ttochi the hedgehog was a friend. The cows were friends. The sea creatures were friends. To these kids, everyone's a friend.
The thoughtfulness of these kids, who had volunteered themselves as Santa Dogs and Santa Cats, wanting to sow seeds and give food for a mountain that fire had burned to nothing, was truly something to be grateful for.
"By the way, you're amazing. How did you even come up with that?"
Kwak Suho, sitting in the back, asked out of the blue.
"I saw a mountain that a wildfire had burned right through. The fire took everything, but there would still be animals that made it, right? Their homes gone, nothing to eat... It'll recover someday, but if we could help even a little... something like that."
Kwak Suho and Go Gi-jin understood Lee Jun's scattered words perfectly.
"Yeah. That was a good idea."
"Me, I was so moved when our Hyung-nim said he was takin' those kids along."
"Yeah, Gi-jin, you said that well. When I heard this guy was going to do a Santa Dog event with the Uriteul kids, I got goosebumps on my arms. Lee Jun, that really was a great idea. Truly. Those kids are going to love it, right?"
"They sure will. They already love runnin' around at the shelter so much — imagine how much they'll love runnin' on a mountain?"
"They will. I can already picture them having the time of their lives. Really, it was a great idea. Amazing."
"That's right. Our Hyung-nim is amazin'."
"Yeah. He's an amazing friend."
Lee Jun grew sheepish at the two's praise. But he felt good all the same — because their tone carried absolute support for what he intended to do.
"It was a good idea. If it's you, Lee Jun, there won't be any problem managing those kids. We just need to check that they're healthy, right?"
"That's right. They can't be sick if they're going to climb a mountain."
And Kwak Suho — the managing won't be done by me. They'll do it. Hoesaegi, Gkamnyangi, and Sapsaree.
The atmosphere in Lee Jun's car, which had been warm and cheerful from the start, held all the way until they arrived at Uriteul in Namyangju.
When they pulled up at Uriteul, Kwak Suho got out of the car and laughed.
"It's so quiet. Who would ever guess this is a shelter? I mean, you can't even hear any barking."
"You can hear footsteps, though."
When Lee Jun, who had gotten out of the car, said this as he gathered the luggage, Kwak Suho's eyes widened.
"Oh. You're right. Is that the sound of the kids running because we arrived? Because they're happy?"
"Probably."
Lee Jun answered as he listened to the whispering voices from inside the shelter. They're so happy those kids came.
Inside Uriteul, they were already giving welcome greetings to Hoesaegi, Gkamnyangi, and Sapsaree. Of course, sounds of joy that Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin had come were mixed in as well.
"Hyung-nims, hurry on in. They're tellin' us to open the door already!"
Sapsaree was wagging his tail happily, and Hoesaegi and Gkamnyangi were thumping the front gate with their front paws.
"Open the door-ong!"
"We're here!"
"Friends! We're here-dayo!"