Lots and Lots
Watching Hoesaegi and Gkamnyangi demand that the gate be opened, Kwak Suho spoke up.
"I've gotta film this. They're way too cute. It's like they're saying, Open the gate! I have arrived! Right?"
You're not wrong, Kwak Suho.
Lee Jun huffed a quiet laugh, watching Kwak Suho frantically switch on the camera in his hands.
A moment later the front gate swung open, and the three of them shot through like arrows. The Shelter Director and staff who had come out to greet Lee Jun's party looked startled for a beat, then broke into smiles.
"Heh heh. Those rascals."
"They're heading to their friends, right?"
"That'd be it. Hello there."
"Welcome. You must have had a hard time coming so early."
"Not at all."
"Heh. Mornings are hard on everybody. And these go inside, I take it?"
"I'll get 'em."
"Let's do it together."
Once the luggage Lee Jun's party had brought was carried inside, Lee Jun turned to the Shelter Director.
"Director, you and the staff should have some of this. We'll go say hello to the little ones."
"Go on, then. Please, eat up."
"Aigoo, thank you as always. But what about Director Lee and Dr. Go?"
"I slept in the car, I did."
He couldn't keep waiting the ones who welcomed him like that. Lee Jun's attention was already pulled toward the Uriteul cuties whispering as if to say Meongmeong Teacher, I missed you, and he answered with a smile.
"I'll eat a little later. And I'll tell you about the Santa Dog Event after I've gone to see them."
"Aigoo, that's our Director Lee. Then let's go together."
"It's all ri—"
Lee Jun had been about to say it was fine, then changed his mind.
"Then we'll head to the cuties' kennel. If the rest of you could take some treats around to the other kennels..."
That would be the fastest way to get snacks to every dog at Uriteul.
Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin picked up the boxes and walked toward the kennel of the cuties — the dogs who thought of Uriteul as their own home.
The closer their footsteps drew, the louder the woofs and ruffs and bows grew.
Tap-tap-tap-tap.
The sound of running paws grew louder too.
"Aww, is it really that good? Well, I'd be happy too. Smell of tasty treats like this, and the teachers they've been missin' walkin' in."
A deep smile settled on Go Gi-jin's lips as he answered his own question, clearly delighted. He had missed them too. It had been a while.
And sure enough, the moment the kennel door opened, Go Gi-jin bellowed.
"Hey, you lot! I missed y'all!"
Lee Jun followed him in and greeted the dogs.
"Have you all been well?"
Kerrr-ruff-ruff-ruff.
Bow-wow-wow-wow.
Woof-woo-woof-woof!
The dogs' booming voices rang through the kennel, short and thick. These were dogs who rarely raised their voices, but in this moment they could not help but bark. The Meongmeong Teacher they had missed so terribly had just walked in, smiling brightly.
"Teacher, I missed you so, so much. Hiiing."
"I— I missed you too."
"Teacher! Hehehe."
The dogs bounded over to Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin, leaping and hopping. Their barks were high and bright, and every leaping motion was full of life. Every face was overflowing with smiles.
Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin beamed as they stroked them one by one, calling each by name, taking the greatest care. When those affection-filled hands touched their heads and backs, the dogs' faces brightened even more.
As Kwak Suho filmed the dogs smiling with faces that said they were so happy, so overjoyed, the rims of his eyes grew a little red.
Kids this bright and good-hearted...
People would probably take one look at those faces and step backward.
All at once it was as if he had swallowed a mouthful of bitter powdered medicine.
While Kwak Suho watched the dogs with a bittersweet smile, Gkamnyangi came into Lee Jun's view, perched on the back of the retriever Injeolmi.
So Gkamnyangi's over here. Then where are the others?
He turned, and this time there was Hoesaegi riding on the back of Injeolmi's brother, Chaltteok. A little farther off, Sapsaree stood between Nureongi and the bull terrier Taepoong-i.
When their eyes met Lee Jun's, Hoesaegi and Gkamnyangi waved their front paws, and Sapsaree swished his tail. I'm here, the gestures said.
Lee Jun answered the three of them with a smile. I'm here too, so don't worry — go play with your friends.
Then he went back to stroking the dogs. Go Gi-jin threw himself into it right alongside him.
"There, there. I'll pet every last one of you, so just hold on~. Now then, where's Deokgu... Aigoo, there you are."
Deokgu, grinning so wide his eyes nearly disappeared, swished his tail as he walked over to them.
"Deokgu, you're walking so well now."
Lee Jun held out a fist to the approaching Deokgu. Deokgu bonked his big forehead against it, and the tail that had been swishing went into a rapid flutter.
It was how Deokgu had greeted Lee Jun back when he was hospitalized at Mongmong Animal Hospital. A head-bonk on the fist plus a wagging tail meant he was in a very good mood.
Lee Jun looked at him and smiled, a little wistfully.
"This guy. He's this gentle and good. People just don't know, do they?"
"Well, you don't see a dog as big as Deokgu every day. Honestly, if I'd run into him somewhere else, I don't think I could've gone near him."
"Hyungnim's right. Folks take one look at a big dog and step back. And if it doesn't look like a purebred, they back up even farther."
"That's true enough."
The dogs before them were hard to adopt out, for any number of reasons. Even a large size pushed you down the adoption list. And if you weren't a purebred on top of that?
Then you just get pushed back forever. Though these kids don't seem to mind.
The dogs in the kennel looked brighter than they ever had — incomparably so.
This might be better than being adopted somewhere that barely walks them.
They ate good food. There was a rest area where they could run and roll to their hearts' content. And there were friends — so many friends — to play with whenever they wanted. Plus a dedicated animal hospital right on their doorstep.
While Lee Jun looked around the kennel, lost in thought, Deokgu was already scooped up in Go Gi-jin's arms, grinning hehe.
"Anyway, that guy's strength is something else. Looks just like when you hold Hoesaegi, Jun."
"Nah, it's not that bad."
"Alright, I'll give you that — more like Cocker Aji?"
"That sounds about right."
"So these kids are joining in?"
"We'll check their condition first. Can't have anyone getting sick. Exams first."
Lee Jun smiled at the dogs, who were craning their necks in wait.
"Aww, these rascals have been waitin' on us somethin' fierce. Good heavens... is gettin' held by the teacher that nice?"
Before anyone noticed, the dogs had swarmed in around Go Gi-jin, who was still holding Deokgu. Watching them huddle close with shining eyes, murmuring to be picked up, Lee Jun couldn't help laughing.
That Gi-jin. He really can understand what the dogs are saying. I'm sure of it.
While Lee Jun was thinking that and watching him, Go Gi-jin was already scooping dogs up one after another, holding them high and stroking them. Beside him, Deokgu grinned at his friends, as if to say, Feels great when the teacher holds you, doesn't it?
"You okay?"
Meaning: isn't that heavy?
"I'm fine. I figured it out with Sugar, remember? These kids love bein' held too. Even that Sugar, who's got a dad and everything, went wild for it — so how much more these ones?"
Go Gi-jin's eyes crinkled softly as he went on.
"Just you wait. I'll hold every last one of you."
"Yeah, that's great, but let's give them their treats first."
"Ah, that's right. Hey, you lot! Let's eat somethin' tasty. But you know the rule, yeah? One each. Ah, no — today's two each. That's alright, right, Hyungnim?"
"Of course."
Lee Jun told the dogs again: today they could each pick two treats.
Yaaaay!
The dogs let out a cheer, then lined up in a neat little row. A moment later, two treats sat in front of each of them.
"Alright, everyone listen while you eat. Teacher's thinking of taking you to the mountain, and the reason we're going is..."
Lee Jun stopped mid-sentence. He had wanted to say they would sow seeds to restore a burned mountain, but he found himself wondering whether the dogs would even understand.
Maybe I should just say we're going to run around and play? Or that we're going to bring food to our friends?
While Lee Jun hesitated, the dogs poured out words in a rush.
First among them, Injeolmi of the retriever brothers — Gkamnyangi riding on his back — called out as if shouting.
"We're going to bring food to our friends. Hihihi! Right, Gkamnyangi hyung?"
"I— I'm going too. Hoesaegi hyung told me. He said our friends can't eat and their tummies hurt."
After Chaltteok spoke, the Welsh Corgi Sundae followed.
"Teacher, I can run a whole lot. Sapsaree hyungnim said we have to run really far. I'll run far, far away and give it to our friends."
"Hmph, with those legs? I can run farther. Isn't that right, Teacher?"
Nureongi looked Sundae up and down as if he were ridiculous, then went on.
"There are friends going hungry. I want to help them."
"Me too! I'll help our friends too."
"With those short legs?"
"Let's see who can run farther."
Sundae huffed and glared at Nureongi, who gave a little snort of a laugh.
"Suit yourself."
"Talking about running right in front of me — you'll both lose to me. Hmph. Nobody can match me at a sprint. Meongmeong Teacher, I can run a whole, whole lot."
The bull terrier Taepoong-i thrust out his bunched, muscular body with pride, looking at Lee Jun with his small eyes. It was a look that asked him to agree — wasn't he right?
Lee Jun watched the bunch of them stating their case with such confidence, and a warm, pleased smile spread across his face.
This is a good sight.
These were the same dogs who, when they first arrived at Uriteul, had either shrunk into themselves or done nothing but snap with rebellious eyes. Now they were stating their own minds, bold and clear, and it was a truly good thing to see.
Especially Nureongi. He was so prickly at first. Now he's practically the boss.
The fierce Nureongi who wouldn't even let them put a muzzle on him for his neuter surgery was gone.
That aside — how do they already know about the Santa Dogs?
He was still turning that over when a familiar voice reached him.
"The friends said they were coming too-ong."
"They're very good friends."
"That's right! They're really, really good friends!"
The three of them looked at Lee Jun with proud faces. Well? Didn't we do good? the expressions said.
"You three told them?"
"That's right-ong! We're going to the mountain to give our friends food-ong."
"We'll scatter food for the ground friends too."
"Ground friends?"
"Hoesaegi hyung said the ground friends got hurt and all the grass is gone."
"That's right. He said the grass that keeps you from getting itchy is all gone. It's a big problem."
Sundae, who loved the kimbap-roll game of lying down and rubbing his back on the ground, put on a grave face.
"It is a very big problem. When the white snow comes, the ground friends might shiver and shake."
Gkamnyangi said this with a serious face, and Hoesaegi nodded and picked up the thread.
"That's right-ong. That's why Gkamnyangi gets cold when it snows-ong."
"I— when did I?"
"You did-ong. That's why Gkamnyangi wears a cool vest-ong. Then he's not cold-ong."
"Hmph. I do look cool in a vest."
Gkamnyangi preened, but Hoesaegi paid him no mind and kept going.
"So we have to put grass clothes on the ground friends too-ong."
"The ground friends are pitiful. Let's give them lots and lots of grass."
"Hyungnim said if we run around, we can give the ground friends lots of grass."
Meanwhile, Lee Jun was honestly astonished.
They're saying the ground friends are bare, so we have to put clothes on them? Right now? Wow. So that's a way you can explain it.
Hoesaegi, Gkamnyangi, and Sapsaree had cut straight to the heart of it. Lee Jun was genuinely impressed.
In any case, thanks to the three of them, every dog understood the situation — and had even resolved to run their hardest for the bare mountain.
Lee Jun shot the three of them a firm thumbs-up.
"Kids, You-One!"
But the three of them, who had no idea what that meant, rounded their eyes.
"Hyungnim-ong. Is Youwon coming-ong? But who's Youwon-ong?"
"Yeah. I've never heard of Youwon. What's he look like?"
"Hehe, a new friend? I want to meet Youwon!"
"Ah, no... it means you three are the best. That you're so cool and amazing and handsome."
At Lee Jun's words, the three of them made the exact same face.
"Of course-ong. I am handsome and cool-ong."
"Hmph. Well. That's true enough. Though I'm the most handsome, of course."
"Gkamnyangi-ong, what are you saying-ong? I'm the most handsome-ong."
"Hmph! That's just what you think."
"No-ong. I'm the most handsome, that's why Lady Lara did the moonlight park walk with me-ong. Gkamnyangi, you never got to do the moonlight park walk with Lady Lara-ong."
Once upon a time that would have wilted Gkamnyangi on the spot. Now he just smirked.
"Hmph. I did the moonlight walk with Lady Nana, and we strolled our walking path too."
Gkamnyangi even lifted his chin. Watching him, Hoesaegi spoke in a slightly deflated voice.
"That's true-ong. I never got to stroll the walking path with Lady Lara-ong. But, Gkamnyangi-ong. I'm going to give the ground friends so, so much-ong. I'll give our friends so much too-ong."
"I— I'll give them a whole lot too."
What does Lady Nana have to do with sowing seeds?! Lee Jun was still failing to follow Hoesaegi and Gkamnyangi's conversation when Sapsaree spoke up, beaming.
"Hehe, hyungnims! Let's share lots and lots! Lots and lots for our friends!"
"Lots and lots!"
"Lots and lots, we'll give them lots and lots. Hehehe."
"Lots and lots."
The words lots and lots rang through the kennel, loud and clear.
Lee Jun smiled at the dogs and said,
"That's right, kids. Let's go. Let's go give them lots and lots."
At Lee Jun's words they all cried Yaaaay! in one voice. Then Injeolmi asked,
"Hehe, Teacher! But is the mountain bigger than our yard?"
"No way. Where would you find a place bigger than our yard?"
"Yeah?"
The retriever brothers, born and raised at Uriteul, declared that the playground and yard Namgoong Hyun had built for them was the best there was.
Looking at them, Lee Jun couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
Taking kids like these out to a wide-open mountain seems like a good thing, but...
Then he shook his head.
Well. I'll worry about that when the time comes.
Lee Jun gave a warning to the Uriteul dogs who would be joining the Santa Dogs.
"But you all — you can't go off somewhere else once we're there. When Teacher calls you back, you have to come. Don't forget."
"Of course. I like Uriteul the best."
"Hehe, obviously. There's lots of tasty stuff, and lots of friends! We get to run and play every single day. Uriteul is the best."
"That's right. We don't even get scolded. It's the best. The best."
"That's because you kids are good."
And thank you, kids. For thinking of this place as your home.
Lee Jun had come to Uriteul for the Santa Dog Event, but another thought ran through him as well.
I'll make it so you can live even more comfortably than this.
Watching them talk, bright-faced, about helping their hungry friends and the bare ground friends, Lee Jun promised himself he would do exactly that.
Time passed quickly.
In the days that followed, Animal Praise ran themselves ragged to make the Santa Dog Project a success, and Lee Jun fought tooth and nail to get the Uriteul dogs to Hongseong safely, in the best condition possible.
And so, a week and two days after Lee Jun's party had visited Uriteul, they gathered again in Hongseong.
The cuties of Uriteul, of course — and Bangwool-i and Bangwool-i's friend, Benji and retired police dogs like Benji.
Hoesaegi, Gkamnyangi, and Sapsaree roared before them all.
"Let's give them lots and lots-ong!"
"Understood. Lots and lots!"
"Lots and lots!"