Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Sugar's Loneliness
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[My friends and I all used to sleep with our owners when we were little, but now I sleep alone....]
Sugar's mouth stuck out in a pout.
His expression looked so forlorn that Lee Jun stroked his big head.
Sensing that Lee Jun understood his feelings, Sugar leaned against him and continued haltingly.
[I used to sleep with Dad every single day, and when I woke up, he'd pet me and say I was pretty, and even if I woke up in the middle of the night, he'd pat me and tell me to go back to sleep....]
Sugar recalled how his owner used to soothe him as a puppy and wiggled his front paws up and down.
But it didn't look that way to Go Gi-jin and the owner.
The two of them looked at Sugar with concern.
"Eung? Sugar, why are you suddenly like this?"
"Why is our Sugar suddenly barking like that? His front paws don't hurt too, do they?"
"No. He's just finally voicing all the loneliness he's felt until now."
"Loneliness? Our Sugar wouldn't feel that...."
"He must be feeling lonely."
"Ah.... He must miss his friends. When he wasn't sick, we went to the park every day to see them, but he hasn't been able to go at all since he got ill."
The owner hugged Sugar tightly as he spoke.
"Sugar, once you're all better, let's go for a walk in the park with Dad, okay?"
The owner's face was full of affection as he spoke to Sugar.
Seeing that, Lee Jun said to Sugar.
"See? He loves you so much. What loneliness is there?"
[Hing. That's true, but still....]
"Look at him twisting his body and whining like that—it seems like he needs to go potty. Hang on a sec."
Go Gi-jin scooped Sugar up in his arms, and Sugar beamed happily.
It was a completely different expression from moments ago, and the owner gave an awkward smile as he watched.
"Seeing our Sugar so happy in Mr. Go's arms makes me feel good and a bit sad at the same time. I want to hold him like that too, but it's not practical...."
"I can't hold him either. So don't feel too bad about it. And is holding like that the only way to show affection?"
Lee Jun trailed off there and turned his gaze toward the cat tower.
Gray and Shadow were watching them with curious expressions from the cat tower when their eyes met Lee Jun's.
"Come here."
The cats didn't even say "why" as they bounded straight over to Lee Jun.
Seeing that, Sugar's owner laughed.
"They're dog-cats. The kind that listen really well too. They call this 'nyang-dog' or something, and Director, you've got two of them."
"Hahaha, is that so?"
Lee Jun laughed and, instead of scooping up the running cats, enveloped the seated ones in a big hug.
"They feel the affection even like this."
[Thanks for the hug-ong.]
[Thank you.]
The cats, diligently practicing Nuri's teachings, purred contentedly in Lee Jun's arms.
Watching their utterly relaxed faces, Sugar's owner reflected.
'When was the last time I hugged our Sugar like that?'
The fact that he couldn't recall right away meant it hadn't happened recently.
Sure, he petted his forehead or gave his hips and sides a good thump.
But he hadn't hugged him that tenderly.
'Sugar wanted this. I've been making Sugar lonely.'
Now understanding Sugar's feelings, the owner slowly spoke up.
"People always say Sugar looks so reliable and sturdy because of his size. I guess I've been treating him that way too."
Lee Jun thought he understood what the owner meant.
"Isn't it because he feels like a friend? Little dogs like Chihuahuas seem like they need to be babied and protected, but big ones like Sugar feel more like sturdy friends. Like someone you really click with.... You don't baby your friends like that."
"Yeah. I think that's how I've been seeing him."
"But now that Sugar's three, he seems to miss more active attention. Especially sleeping alone at night—he seems really lonely about that."
"At night? We keep him outside because it's too hot."
"Well, with that coat, yeah, it must be hot."
"Exactly. It's sweltering for him. Especially in winter with the heat on—he just flops on the entryway floor, not knowing what to do. So he lives inside only in the summer with the AC on, and outside the rest of the time."
You really have to hear both sides.
Thinking that, Lee Jun continued.
"Is Sugar's sleeping spot far from the house?"
"We have a small yard, and I set it up there."
"So Sugar's house is separate from your bedroom?"
"Yes."
"Does your bedroom have a balcony? Or a window?"
"There's a balcony."
"How about setting up his bed there? Then Sugar would feel like he's sleeping with you."
"Ah.... Is that why he slept there?"
Sugar's owner looked like he'd realized something and said to Lee Jun.
"Some nights, I'd find him sleeping by the entryway or under my bedroom window. That must've been him wanting to sleep with me. Oh man, I just figured it out."
"Sugar's wish seems to have gotten through to you."
"Yeah? Then for Sugar's discharge gift, I better get to preparing it quick."
"It'll be the best gift."
"Thanks to you, Director, I finally understand our Sugar's heart. Thank you."
"No problem."
"I should head out now. See you tomorrow."
As he left, the owner gave Sugar a thorough petting and greeted Go Gi-jin.
"Mr. Go, thank you. I don't know how to repay this kindness."
"Kindness? Thanks to the boss, I'm thrilled every day."
"Then I'll make sure you're thrilled again tomorrow."
"Oh man, now it feels like the boss is whipping me to bring out the good snacks."
Go Gi-jin said that, but he grinned widely at the thought of tomorrow's sweet treats.
Once Sugar's owner left, Go Gi-jin asked Lee Jun.
"But why'd the boss suddenly say he's in a good mood?"
Lee Jun recounted his conversation with Sugar's owner from earlier.
It included Sugar's wishes too.
"Eung? This little-headed guy thought that far ahead?"
"You're the only one who'd call Sugar's head little."
"Eung? Really? Anyway, they live too comfy, that's why they think like that...."
Go Gi-jin continued, looking at Sugar.
"Hey, Sugar, you're one Haenguni bastard. Your dad's treating your illness, visiting every day—what more could you want?"
"He's a happy guy."
"Damn right. He gets fed on time, doesn't have to work. And the day after tomorrow? Off to the slaughterhouse? Compared to those guys, you all are living in heaven right now."
To Go Gi-jin, who had seen farm animals' lives, the animals here seemed to be in paradise.
"Yeah."
From that day on, Go Gi-jin seized every chance to brainwash Sugar: "You're happy. Really happy."
Hearing it so often, the words naturally came from Sugar's mouth.
[I'm a happy dog. A really Haenguni dog.]
Repeating it to himself, Sugar eventually found life overwhelmingly joyful.
Watching the change, Lee Jun praised Go Gi-jin.
"Gi-jin, you've given Sugar some amazing positive messaging. You've become his mentor."
"That'd be great. Gotta live happy while you're alive."
Go Gi-jin felt the same as Lee Jun.
The Meongmeong Animal Hospital, already brimming with happy vibes, grew even livelier with Go Gi-jin's addition.
In that atmosphere, Sugar recovered at a rapid pace.
Ten days flew by, and finally, Sugar's discharge day arrived.
"Whew, bringing cakes and drinks like this even on the last day. How can I thank you enough?"
Go Gi-jin couldn't stop grinning at the table laden with cakes and drinks.
"Doctors, thank you so much. I don't know how to express my gratitude."
"Just live well without getting sick again. That's all we want."
"Right. Sugar, take care now, yeah?"
Go Gi-jin's big hand ruffled Sugar's head vigorously, and Sugar rubbed against him, sticking close and refusing to let go.
[Doctor. Come with me.]
"Look at that—Sugar likes Mr. Go so much he doesn't want to leave. He's asking him to come along."
"Wahaha, why am I so popular? Even the cows love me when they see me."
"You'll have to visit Sugar often now."
Go Gi-jin said to Sugar with a pleased face.
"I'll be at your dad's place a lot anyway, so we'll meet there, yeah? Make sure your dad eats at least one cake a day."
***
After Sugar's discharge, Go Gi-jin gained confidence in small dog care.
"They all seem the same. Treat 'em nice on one side, and they warm up on the other."
"Exactly. So you gotta open your heart first."
"Mine's always wide open. They just won't come near me."
Settled at Lee Jun's Alley House, Go Gi-jin eyed the cats they lived with—not just at the hospital, but at home—with a wry expression.
Gray and Shadow still only stared at him days later, never approaching.
"Well, at least dogs are fine."
But that was just because Go Gi-jin and Sugar clicked so well.
[Uwaaaah! Is this crazy doctor nuts? Save the person... no, the dog!]
A prickly-looking Pomeranian wailed in Go Gi-jin's grasp.
"Hang on just a bit. I'll be quick."
It wasn't even surgery—just ear cleaning—and Go Gi-jin fumbled awkwardly.
The moment the clumsy cleaning ended, the Pom bolted to Lee Jun and shot Go Gi-jin a resentful glare.
"Big Bro, looks like I'm just not cut out for small animals. No idea how many times today alone. Why do they all hate me?"
Go Gi-jin sighed with a utterly deflated look.
But the next day, a Samoyed came in, and he was on fire.
Treated like Sugar, the Samoyed adored it.
"Gi-jin, thanks to you, I feel alive."
Lee Jun had an easy time with the big dog thanks to Go Gi-jin's assist.
He mustered courage that way, but crumpled whenever a small dog showed up.
The cats still ignored him.
Not just Gray and Shadow—even visiting cats treated Go Gi-jin like he was invisible, cloaked in invisibility.
"Cats are just too damn hard. Think I can't learn 'em."
"What are you talking about? Can't you see them sitting by you? You know they'd never come near if they hated you."
"Sure, but they won't even let me touch...."
Go Gi-jin tentatively reached for Gray.
Gray bared his teeth and hissed once.
As Go Gi-jin started deflating again, the cats moved to the living room window.
Soon,
Tap tap, tap.
A knocking sound came from the window.
Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin headed to the living room window.
"Huh? What's that guy want?"
[What's going on-ong?]
Beyond the glass stood one of the alley cats they saw on commutes.
Lee Jun hurriedly opened the window.
"Come on in. Hungry?"
[Yes. Oh, no—that's not it, Captain. Big trouble.]
[I'm not captain-ong. Yellow's the captain now-ong.]
[No time for that. Captain. One guy's on the brink of death. Save him please.]
"Why? Is someone sick?"
Lee Jun asked at the mention of a cat near death.
[Spotty got crushed under a massive rock-like thing and can't move.]
"What? Crushed?"
[Yes. Big trouble. He might die.]
"Crushed? What do you mean?"
Lee Jun relayed the cat's words to Go Gi-jin, who snorted.
"Big Bro, let's go. Go save that cat."
"Let's go."
Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin followed the cats to the scene.
Gray and Shadow, who came along, darkened at the sight.
"Whew, that's rock-solid alright. How'd this happen?"
"Must've collapsed."
"Yep."
"But how'd he think to go in there?"
"Cats love hiding spots, so he probably thought it was one."
Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin clicked their tongues at the two toppled pieces of furniture before them.
Lee Jun tried lifting one slightly, but it wouldn't budge from the floor.
"Better call 119 first. No clue how to even start the rescue."
"Let me give it a shot."
Go Gi-jin walked toward the spot where the teary-eyed, limp cat lay.