Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Meeting Elderly Ttangkongi
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Thud thud thud.
Lee Jun pulled out a toolbox, hammered in a nail, and hung up the framed picture he’d just received.
“Director, this painting is so pretty.”
“Yeah. I never expected to get such a precious gift.”
“She must have been so grateful. Anyway, it’s really well done.”
Lee Jun and Jang So-ra stood there for a while, admiring the picture.
Lee Jun smiled at the beaming Mongi in the painting and found himself grinning too.
‘If only all the animals who come here could smile like you.’
No, he resolved to make it happen.
Jang So-ra was thinking the same thing.
“It’d be great if all the animals coming to our hospital could smile like Mongi.”
“Yeah.”
“That really would be wonderful. Getting such a nice gift in our first week since opening... Director, I have a feeling our hospital’s going to do well.”
“We can only hope so.”
As Lee Jun and Jang So-ra gazed at the picture again,
Ding-a-ling.
A woman carrying a small dog entered the hospital.
“Welcome.”
“When did this place open? I don’t remember it being here before.”
“We opened yesterday.”
“Oh, I see. Mind if I look around? I want to check out the kibble and treats you have.”
“Sure, take your time.”
“Can I put him down?”
“Of course.”
Thinking the owner should feel free to browse, Lee Jun started toward the exam room.
But he quickly changed his mind.
[Get me somethin’ tasty this time.]
A raspy voice had spoken.
‘The way he talks is unique.’
Curious about the gravelly voice and odd speech, Lee Jun approached the dog.
“What’s this kibble?”
“Oh, that one’s made with herring.”
“Herring? Do pups like it? The salmon one I got last time, he barely touched...”
“Some dogs love it, but if he didn’t like the salmon, he might not go for this either. How about trying something else?”
“I thought he liked fish since he scarfs down salmon treats.”
[The treats were soft and easy to eat. Tasty too. But the kibble? Nah.]
The Yorkshire Terrier was sniffing around the hospital, exploring, then spoke again.
To Jang So-ra and the owner mid-conversation, it sounded like barking, but to Lee Jun, it was clear as day.
[Somethin’ soft like those treats. Get me that.]
His speech and appearance both carried the weight of years.
Lee Jun crouched down where the Yorkshire Terrier could see him.
Sensing him, the dog looked over.
The Yorkshire Terrier showed no fear of the animal hospital or the vet.
He spoke casually, like addressing a passerby.
[A new vet doc, eh.]
“Hi. I’m veterinarian Lee Jun. What’s your name?”
[Ttangkongi.]
“Nice name, Ttangkongi.”
[My mom gave it to me, so it’s good.]
Ttangkongi turned his head to glance at his owner, who was picking out kibble.
“Yeah. So, Ttangkongi, the kibble doesn’t taste good?”
[Nah, it ain’t that.]
Lee Jun gazed at Ttangkongi. He looked pMongchi enough; no lack of appetite there.
“Ttangkongi, how old are you?”
[Thirteen? Somethin’ like that.]
“I see.”
Thirteen. Lee Jun mulled it over before continuing.
“Ttangkongi, is it hard to chew the kibble? I mean, it tastes fine, but it’s too hard, so you don’t want it?”
[Well, sometimes.]
“What about softer kibble? That’d be easier to eat.”
[They got that? Can’t I just stick to soft treats?]
“Treats alone aren’t good. Want to try some soft kibble? It’ll be tasty.”
[Alright, I’ll give it a shot.]
“Okay.”
Lee Jun scooped up Ttangkongi, who had wandered close, and walked over to the owner.
“Hello, ma’am.”
“Hello. Are you the director?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Oh my. Looking forward to working with you. I didn’t know there was a clinic here. You opened yesterday?”
“Yes.”
“It’s so clean. And your staff is so friendly. I’ll have to come by more often.”
“Thank you. I heard your pup isn’t eating his kibble well.”
Lee Jun brought it up first.
“Yeah... Ttangkongi used to eat fine, but he’s gotten so picky. I’m at a loss what to feed him now.”
“What kibbles have you tried here for him?”
“Hmm, this one, that one over there, and those too.”
The owner pointed to more than five varieties.
“You’ve tried quite a range here alone.”
“Yeah. Sigh... Must be the age. I’m worried. He’s thirteen now.”
“Have you tried canned food, or maybe semi-moist kibble?”
“Canned food?”
The owner tilted her head.
Jang So-ra picked up a can and chimed in.
“Like this?”
Ttangkongi reacted immediately.
[Mmm, that one was decent. Pretty tasty, actually. Since we’re here, grab one?]
But the owner, not understanding, said,
“He seemed to like this... But isn’t this a treat? I didn’t want to give too much meat.”
“Oh, I see. This is main meal canned food—like stew or porridge made from kibble. Treat cans are different.”
“Oh, I didn’t know.”
“It’s great for dogs who have trouble chewing hard food. Also good for ones who don’t drink much water.”
“He doesn’t drink a lot. But Director, Ttangkongi’s teeth are sturdy. Nothing loose.”
“Even so, it can be different from when he was young. It’s worth switching. Better than just treats.”
“Should I?”
“This kibble’s good too. It’s nice and soft.”
As Lee Jun pointed out the semi-moist kibble, Jang So-ra brought over a sample he’d mentioned.
“Feel it. Soft, right?”
The owner touched the sample bag and widened her eyes.
“It is.”
“Want to try feeding him here? If he doesn’t like it, take the sample home. Buy if he eats it.”
Lee Jun opened the bag and gave Ttangkongi one piece.
Slurp.
Ttangkongi licked it up and said,
[Oho! This ain’t bad.]
“Right? Tasty? Hold on.”
He poured some into a small dish, and Ttangkongi devoured it in seconds.
“Oh my goodness! Ttangkongi! I can’t believe he’s eating kibble like that.”
The owner was so thrilled she clapped.
But Ttangkongi, ignoring her, tapped the dish with his front paw.
[More!]
After Ttangkongi polished off two sample bags right there, the owner beamed.
“Director, I’ll take this kibble. And the main meal cans too.”
“Sure, one moment.”
As Jang So-ra packed the food, Lee Jun said to the owner,
“Do you have time?”
“Hm? Time for what?”
“If you’re not busy, I’d like to at least listen to Ttangkongi’s heart before you go.”
“Oh, thank you!”
“No problem. Prevention is key.”
He didn’t want to overwhelm her, so Lee Jun just checked heart and lung sounds and took his temperature.
“Sounds good. But given his age, I recommend annual checkups.”
“Yeah, I was thinking of that. Thanks. I’ll try this and come back.”
“Take care.”
The owner paused on her way out and grabbed some business cards from the counter.
“Can I take a few more?”
“Of course. We appreciate it. Oh, and I almost forgot—opening gift.”
Jang So-ra put a gift box in a bag.
“Thank you. See you soon. Ttangkongi, say bye to the nice doctors.”
[Thanks. I’ll eat well.]
“Yeah, eat up. And drink lots of water.”
Lee Jun waved with a pleased smile.
“Dogs all have their own personalities. Different ways of talking too.”
“Oh my, calling barks ‘speech’? Director, aren’t you too deep into your concept?”
“Hahaha, maybe?”
Lee Jun laughed heartily at Jang So-ra’s words.
***
The next day, Ttangkongi and Mongi met at the park.
They often ran into each other now, walking at similar times.
[Howdy.]
[Oh, young Mongi fella. Howdy do?]
[Yeth. Tho, almoth died a few dayth ago.]
[What’d you say? Nearly croaked?]
[I ate thome grapeth.]
[What? Why’d you eat that? Grapes are poison!]
[Well, how it happened wath...]
As Mongi recounted his near-death experience to Ttangkongi, their owners were chatting away too.
“So, Mongi almost died.”
“Why?”
“I told you I’ve been going to the hospital a lot lately, leaving the house empty.”
“Oh, right. How’s Hye-rim’s grandpa?”
“A bit better.”
“Good. But what happened to Mongi?”
“He ate grapes...”
“Oh no, how? How much? Is he okay now?”
Ttangkongi’s owner stared wide-eyed at Mongi, sitting next to Ttangkongi.
“Oh, he didn’t swallow them. They got stuck in his throat.”
“That’s even worse. A few years back, a dog died from a treat getting stuck.”
“Exactly. Luckily Hye-rim ran him to the animal hospital and saved him... I was shocked when I heard. Thinking that tiny cutie almost had a big problem... Ugh.”
Mongi’s owner shuddered, looking at him.
“And not even right outside—running all that way without Mom. Hye-rim must’ve been exhausted.”
“No, it wasn’t far. The new Meongmeong Animal...”
“Oh, Hye-rim’s mom. While we’re at it, the new Meongmeong Animal... Huh?”
They both stopped short, eyes widening.
They were talking about the same hospital.
“Meongmeong Animal Hospital, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Yeah. That’s where Hye-rim took him. The director there saved Mongi. He’s skilled, kind—so great.”
“I went yesterday too. Was gonna introduce it to you, so I brought this.”
Ttangkongi’s owner pulled business cards from her walk bag.
“You did? It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”
Mongi’s owner smiled as she took one.
“Yeah, really great. Remember how worried I was about Ttangkongi barely eating kibble?”
“You were.”
“He nailed the reason right away.”
“That director. He seems to really understand dogs’ feelings.”
“Right? I swear he was talking to Ttangkongi.”
Just then, a black Dachshund walked up.
[Hey, brothers. Good to see ya.]