Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Kkakongi's Howl of Hunger
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As Kkakongi approached with a polite greeting, Ttangkongi and Mongi wagged their tails in welcome.
[Kkakongi lil' bro's here, huh. Bro, why's your face all halved like that? Somethin' hurtin'?]
[It's 'cause I'm starvin'. Not hurtin'.]
[No pain? Then what's up?]
[I ain't hurtin'. It's just hunger. Ain't it?]
[Why? Somethin' happen?]
[Dunno. They just suddenly gave half rations. Us brothas are starvin' to death.]
[What? No food?]
Ttangkongi, who had a soft spot for Kkakongi since they shared the same ending syllable in their names, exploded in anger.
He immediately showed his fury.
Woof! Woof! Woof!
As Ttangkongi barked loudly, the three people deep in conversation looked down.
Six pairs of eyes stared up at the guardians, filled with dissatisfaction.
The first to snap out of it was Ttangkongi's owner.
"Oh dear, look at me. I forgot to give the kids their treats."
"Right? We got so caught up talking about Meongmeong Animal Hospital."
The owners hurriedly pulled out the treat containers from their bags.
As Ttangkongi's owner opened the container, she said,
"This is what they bought, but Director said to give this instead of treats."
"Oh, is this the kibble Ttangkongi loves?"
"Yeah, tastes good apparently. So now we're switching treats for this."
"Good idea. Should I switch too?"
"Hye-rim's mom should go ask. Director explains it well. By the way, Kkakongi's mom—what's that? You putting Kkakongi on a diet these days?"
Ttangkongi's owner said, looking at the cucumbers in the treat container.
"Yes. Sigh, my friend's dog got a slipped disc. Same breed as our Kkakongi, a bit chubby though."
"Yeah, Dachshunds have long backs, so they gotta watch for back issues."
"So I figured Kkakongi should slim down a bit too."
"I think he's fine as is."
"But seeing that dog unable to even walk, lying there—it scared me. Kkakongi, wanna eat cucumber?"
When the owner held a cucumber to Kkakongi's mouth, he whipped his head away.
[Brothas, see that? How'm I s'posed to eat that...... Ow-ow!]
Kkakongi threw his head back and howled.
It sounded utterly pitiful.
"Look at him. Poor Kkakongi."
"Yeah. He's gotten so skinny in just a week. Kkakongi's mom, don't do that—there's Meongmeong Animal Hospital that just opened nearby. Go consult the director there. Ah, maybe even get a checkup."
"Yeah, I think it's too much. Dogs need some meat too, not just grass like a baby goat?"
"Should I?"
"What're you all chatting about? Atmosphere looks so lively."
As another pet owner approached them, the two excitedly promoted Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
"Really? Should I bring Somi sometime?"
"Yeah, definitely go."
"Take Kkakongi too. If he yo-yos after all that grass, it'll be worse."
"Right. Yo-yo scares me."
With everyone egging her on, Kkakongi's owner started feeling uneasy.
"You're right. Can't feed him veggies forever. Alright, I'll go right now."
"Good call."
"Go for it."
"Alright, I'll head over."
Kkakongi's owner stood up and headed to Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
"But is it really that good?"
"Of course. I'm not one to recommend places lightly—go check it out."
That day, Mongi and Ttangkongi's owners promoted Meongmeong Animal Hospital to every pet owner they met in the park.
It was great news for pet owners always thirsty for a good vet clinic.
***
Ding-a-ling.
"New place, huh. Mind if I look around?"
"Sure, take your time."
"I'll take this."
"Where's the puppy food?"
"Please wait a moment. I'll guide you right away."
Ding-a-ling.
"Do you have rabbit food?"
"Yes, we do."
"What kinds?"
"Hold on. Let me finish this up and find it for you."
"I'll get it for them."
Lee Jun stepped in to help the customer looking for rabbit food, in place of Jang So-ra at the register.
'Yesterday was busy enough, but today customers haven't stopped since morning.'
Jang So-ra and Lee Jun were swamped but felt great.
Just then, the door opened again with a chime, and a customer entered.
The Dachshund Kkakongi entered with his owner, looking around.
[This the hospital the brothas talked 'bout. Director really gets what we say?]
Lee Jun's gaze naturally turned to Kkakongi at the distinctive voice.
'He's skinny. Picky eater?'
Having just finished helping with the rabbit food, Lee Jun had a moment and approached Kkakongi.
"Welcome."
"Oh, ah— you're the director?"
"Yes. What's this one's name? Looks so calm."
"Kkakongi. He hears that a lot. Proper for a Dachshund. Takes after his dad maybe?"
"Haha, could be. They say dogs take after their owners' personalities."
"Hoho, maybe. His dad's just like Kkakongi. Anyway, Director—could you check his back?"
"Here for a disc checkup."
"Yes, since he's a Dachshund."
"Guardian, could you fill this out?"
Jang So-ra, done with her task, approached with the initial visit form.
"We need to check how Kkakongi walks anyway, so take your time."
"Yes. Please take care of us."
The owner followed Jang So-ra, and Lee Jun crouched to meet Kkakongi's eyes.
"So your name's Kkakongi. How old are you, Kkakongi?"
[Oh wow. He really understands.]
Kkakongi gaped, blinking in shock.
His surprise was obvious.
"You know me?"
[Brothas told me. Director talks to us dogs.]
"Brothas? Oh, Mongi and Ttangkongi?"
[That's right. Them brothas said Director's the best.]
"Thanks. Anyway, if those two are older brothers, you're three now?"
[Whoa, for real. Director knows everythin'. Even guessed my age spot-on last time.]
Lee Jun chuckled at the thick accent of the black bean-like Dachshund Kkakongi.
He hadn't expected this kind of character.
"But you look weak. Starved?"
[Holy cow. Yeah. Director, how'd ya know? I'm starvin' to death here.]
"Looks like it."
[Director, save me please. Yeah? I'm 'bout to keel over.]
"You're not refusing food—you can't eat enough."
Lee Jun felt relieved.
Seeing Kkakongi enter, he'd thought to increase portions, but forcing it isn't easy.
[That's right. Why wouldn't I eat? They only give me grass. I wanna eat that, and oh, that too.]
Kkakongi eyed the treats on the space wall, sparkling.
"Got it. Let's check you first."
[Director, go easy on my mom.]
"Sure, sure."
Lee Jun performed the requested exam.
Happily, Kkakongi's spine showed no issues.
"Guardian, nothing to worry about with Kkakongi. Just avoid him standing on hind legs, jumping from heights, or slipping."
"Should I put carpets on the floors?"
"That's a great idea."
Lee Jun explained ways to prevent back problems for Kkakongi.
Once the owner seemed to grasp it, Lee Jun glanced at Kkakongi and casually mentioned,
"And Kkakongi is underweight now, so aim for 1 to 1.5 kilos gain."
"Pardon? That'd make 8 kilos—isn't that too fat?"
"Yes, get him there. With his frame, 8 kilos won't be fat at all. You walk him often, right?"
"Yes, three or four times a week. He plays with friends too. What else would he do?"
"Kkakongi, Haenguni guy. Good home."
[You bet. My mom and dad are the best.]
Then he muttered softly.
[If they just skipped the grass.]
"No more extreme dieting. And too many veggies aren't good for dogs either. Not all, but some get stones."
"Oh, stones? Didn't know."
Lee Jun advised moderation and ended the visit.
[Director, truly thanks. I won't forget this favor.]
"Eat well, stay healthy. That's enough."
[Got it.]
Kkakongi, thanking him repeatedly until the door, had become Lee Jun's devotee.
Whenever he met other animals in the park or streets, he praised Lee Jun.
[I got this good thanks to that Director. Without him, I'da collapsed flat.]
[Eh? No way. Someone understanding us?]
A brown Pomeranian scoffed smugly.
[For real.]
[Hmm.]
[That's right. Our Director's the best!]
Mongi chimed in from the side.
[Huh?]
The Pomeranian Ari still looked skeptical, tilting her head.
Then she scratched at her owner's leg.
The owner crouched and picked up Ari.
While doing so, she finished hearing Mongi's owner promote Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
After listening, Ari's owner asked Mongi's owner,
"That director's that good?"
"Yes. He nails it for Mongi, Ttangkongi—whatever you're wondering."
"Should I bring Ari sometime?"
"Go when you need a vet. Ah, but haven't seen Choco lately..."
"Yeah, not around much recently."
"Busy?"
As the park folks' talk shifted to Choco's owner,
Choco's owner was getting promoted Meongmeong Animal Hospital by Ttangkongi's owner.
-Well, just go check. If a dog who loved walks suddenly hates going out, something's wrong, right?
"He's still young, could be. I'll watch a bit more."
-Maybe patellar luxation?
"Patella... what?"
-It happens. Kneecap slips outta place—anyway, if knee hurts, they hate walks. Hurts to walk.
"That's worrying. But you know Choco hates vets big time."
-This one's fine. Director's super kind. Go. Don't let it get worse. Ttangkongi's eating great now too.
"Alright?"
Choco's owner looked at Choco while on the phone with Ttangkongi's owner.
Just over six months old, Choco lay quietly on his cushion, hugging a toy.
-Yeah. Choco's too quiet for a Poodle—maybe legs hurt.
"Okay, I'll go and call back."
Choco's owner stood, preparing to leave.
"Where's the bag?"
Only a ten-minute walk, but Choco trembled like an aspen outside.
Carrying him risked dropping.
So she put Choco in the carrier and headed to Meongmeong Animal Hospital.