Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Fear of the Pool
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‘A pool? It’s not just playtime in the water—it understands the word hydrotherapy? Did it maybe get treatment before?’
Lee Jun met the eyes of Mongsil, who was staring up at him in surprise, with a meaningful expression of his own.
[I, I don’t like it.]
Mongsil shook his fluffy, Somi-candy head vigorously from side to side to make his refusal crystal clear.
“Does water scare you?”
[Yes, it’s super scary.]
Just moments ago, when asked if he hated water, Mongsil had shaken his head wildly. Now, he was nodding so furiously it seemed his head might fall off.
Mongsil was expressing his utter disdain for water with his entire body.
‘Looks like he had a bad experience with hydrotherapy before. It’d speed up his recovery a ton if he could do it now.’
After rehab ended, Lee Jun asked the owner if Mongsil had ever tried hydrotherapy.
Sure enough, he had.
“Our Mongsil hates water so much. The second we put him in, his eyes bulged out in shock, and then he started gasping for air—you know, throwing his head back and gulping like that.”
“That must have been frightening.”
“Yeah, I thought we were going to lose him.”
“It could’ve been that water suddenly rushed into his nose and scared him. Or maybe his paws couldn’t touch the bottom from the start.”
“That’s probably it. The water was deeper than Mongsil is tall.”
It’s a misconception that all dogs are great swimmers.
Some take to it right away and love it, but others can’t.
For those dogs, you have to start by getting them comfortable with water.
First eliminate the fear, then get them used to water up to their knees, their chest, and eventually floating on their own.
[See you tomorrow, big brothers.]
As Mongsil waved his front paws at Gray and Shadow from his owner’s arms, the cats’ mouths curled up in soft smiles.
The cats waved their front paws in response.
[Bye-nyang.]
[See you tomorrow.]
The cats kept waving their paws until Mongsil was out of sight.
[He called me big brother-nyang.]
[He was talking to me.]
[No-nyang. He was talking to me-nyang. Mongsil follows me well-nyang.]
[What are you saying? Didn’t you see Mongsil following me around, calling me big brother?]
Lee Jun chuckled at the bickering cats and chimed in.
“He said ‘big brothers.’ So Mongsil’s calling both of you big brother.”
[Is that it-nyang?]
[So that’s it. You’re riding my coattails, Gray.]
[What’s that supposed to mean-nyang?]
[Because I’m such a cool big brother, you got called one too.]
[What are you talking about-nyang? I’m cooler-nyang.]
[Look at my front paws. So white and cool, right?]
[M-my front paws are cool too-nyang.]
The cats stuck out their adorable front paws and tussled.
Lee Jun, standing nearby, sank into thought.
“Hmm, what to do? Hydrotherapy would be perfect, but if he’s scared of water, it’ll be tough…”
Lee Jun muttered to himself. Hydrotherapy meant swimming.
But nowadays, there was an easier way: the underwater treadmill.
It was like a rectangular fish tank with a treadmill inside, filled with water deep enough to cover all four legs, letting them walk in place.
It allowed exercise with reduced joint stress, making it ideal rehab for pets recovering from musculoskeletal or disc surgery.
It was also used for degenerative joint issues or obesity.
“It’d be perfect for Mongsil’s bad knee joints… but is there a way to teach him to swim?”
Just then, the cats lounging on the cat tower started chatting while lying down.
[Look, your benefactor’s coming.]
[Yeah-nyang. He’s coming-nyang.]
[He’s your benefactor—won’t you get up?]
[Too lazy-nyang. Wanna stay lying down-nyang.]
Lee Jun burst into hollow laughter at their exchange.
“What? When did they say they lay down again?”
And just as the two cats said, the door opened right away, and Jamongi came bounding in.
[Teacher! Big brothers!]
Jamongi wagged his long tail furiously, grinning ear to ear. His owner followed, panting.
“Whew, it’s really too hot out there. So humid.”
“Come on in.”
Jang So-ra then brought over a large water bowl, filled it from the purifier, and set it in front of Jamongi.
“Jamongi, hot, huh? Have some water.”
Hehe, Jamongi rubbed against Jang So-ra in thanks before drinking.
“Hehe, hanging out with Gray and Shadow’s turning him into a cat.”
“Looks like he’s picking it up. Sometimes at home, he flops down in that loaf position just like them.”
“You rascal.”
Lee Jun, who knew better than anyone how much Jamongi adored and followed Gray, smiled at the pup.
“But your kibble’s already run out? The treats shouldn’t be gone yet…”
Jang So-ra tilted her head curiously, and Jamongi’s owner laughed in response.
“Came for treats. Yesterday at the pool, he shared snacks with his friends.”
“Oh, you went to the pool, Jamongi?”
[Hehe, yeah! Director!]
Jamongi wagged his tail and whole butt in excitement.
“You little guy, had fun, huh? So, was splashing around in the water fun?”
[Hehe, yeah.]
“At first, he was flailing so much I thought we’d have to pull him out and give up. But then he watched the beagles swimming nearby, mimicked them a bit, and just took off on his own.”
“The beagles must’ve been there that day.”
“Yeah, they reserved the whole place—it was beagles only.”
“They booked it out?”
“Yep. The beagle club does a summer pool party like that once or twice a year. Perfect timing. How else would our Jamongi learn to swim? The beagle big brothers and sisters taught him well.”
Hearing Jamongi’s owner, Lee Jun had a great idea.
‘Big brothers and sisters taught him? That could work for Mongsil too.’
***
A few days later, owners of pets from Meongmeong Animal Hospital got a text.
It was an invitation to a pet amusement park in Yongin.
That Saturday, the owners gathered at Evergreen Park were buzzing about it.
“Mongi’s going?”
“Yeah, planning to. We went a couple weeks ago, and he loved it. Was thinking of going again—perfect timing. What about Ttangkongi?”
“Ttangkongi’s going too. Rare chance.”
“Does Ttangkongi swim well?”
“Not sure. Took him a few times as a pup, and he did fine then. Who knows now. Eh, if not, just a nice outing.”
“True. And it’s just our hospital crew, so safe. Nice. Kkakongi too?”
“Of course. Good chance to teach him swimming. It helps prevent disc issues.”
As the excited owners chatted, the dogs a short distance away were deep in conversation too.
Jamongi was raving about the pool, and Mongi jumped in even more excitedly.
[Floated on the water. Felt weird like wearing clothes.]
[Floating on water? Brothers, what’s that mean?]
When Kkakongi couldn’t follow, Mongi pointed at the nearby water bowl.
[Like this, but way bigger than our bath bowl. Jump in—don’t sink. Water up here and super deep.]
What on earth was this brother saying? Kkakongi listened harder but still couldn’t get it.
[Kkakongi lil’ bro, it’s a pool. Way bigger and deeper than our bath tub.]
[Really? Like the mocking place? But huge. Felt amazing?]
Mongi strutted around, gesturing the size.
[Eek. Bath tub that big? Brother, how you survive? No, how Mom stuff you in there?]
Kkakongi, who hated baths, blinked his eyes side to side, up and down.
[Nah. Lil’ scary but super fun.]
[Brother, don’t push too hard.]
Kkakongi pitied Mongi, but it didn’t get through.
[Push what?]
[Means lil’ bro Mongi hates pool but says it’s good for Mom who dragged him.]
[I don’t hate it?]
Mongi’s eyes went wide, and he patted Kkakongi’s shoulder with a tiny paw.
[Kkakongi, pool’s super fun. For real.]
[Psh, no way. How’s bath fun?]
[Pool’s different. Fun.]
[Fun.]
[Kkakongi bro, it’s really fun. Wanna go again.]
Jamongi’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.
[Hmm, been a while—kinda wanna go.]
[Me too. But this time with friends.]
[Wow! So swim and play with Elder Bro, Mongi Bro, and Kkakongi Bro?]
As the three praised the pool in unison, Kkakongi stepped back.
[Everyone’s crazy!]
Just then, Ttangkongi’s owner said,
“Instead of just texting we’re in, how about going in person to say it?”
“Yeah, good idea.”
As the owners stood, they called to the dogs.
“Kids, wanna go to Meongmeong Animal Hospital?”
At the words, the dogs jumped for joy.
[Go, go!]
[I wanna see Director!]
[Hmm, shall we?]
Unlike their excitement, the dogs walked calmly down the street.
[Always be careful and walk slowly on roads.]
It was one of the rules for dogs visiting Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
At the hospital, the dogs sought out Lee Jun.
[Teacher.]
[Sir!]
[Director!]
As the dogs dashed to Lee Jun, Ttangkongi strolled leisurely.
[Lil’ bros doin’ well?]
[We’re good-nyang. How you holdin’ up, bro-nyang?]
[Ttangkongi Bro, long time!]
While Ttangkongi greeted the cats and checked the hospital,
[How’s Mongsil?]
[Said food tastes good-nyang.]
[He climbs up top where it shakes a lot.]
[Good to hear he’s well.]
While Ttangkongi asked after Mongsil, the other dogs clustered around Lee Jun.
[Director! Super big water fun place. This big!]
“Fun, huh?”
[Yeah! Wanna go again.]
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go again.”
[M-me too.]
As Lee Jun responded, Kkakongi sneaked backward.
‘Whoa, why everyone actin’ weird?’
Then Kkakongi’s eyes met Gray’s.
[You think so too, bro?]
Knowing cats hated water, Kkakongi sought agreement.
[Hmph, I’ve seen way bigger water-nyang!]
[Really?]
Jamongi dashed over from Lee Jun’s side, eyes huge.
[How big a water Cool Bro seen?]
[Too huge for words-nyang. Enormous-nyang.]
Gray puffed out his chest proudly, and Shadow chimed in.
[Right. Big as the sky.]
[Wow! So cool.]
[Super big and cool.]
[He said pool big as sky?]
[Yeah-nyang. Huge-nyang.]
[Hmm. Wanna see it sometime.]
[M-me too.]
[Me too. Wanna go, Teacher.]
[Take ’em once.]
Lee Jun nodded.
“Ocean later. Pool first.”
[Yay!]
[Hmm, pool after so long.]
[Hehe, wear fun clothes again!]
As the thrilled dogs circled Lee Jun,
[Crazy! Spouting weird stuff outta nowhere!]
Only Kkakongi quietly backed toward his owner.