Hello Vet! How are you?

Office worker Yoo Ji-yeon became noticeably downcast as quitting time approached.

The mood in the office stood in stark contrast to her solitude.

“Have a great weekend, everyone.”

“See you next week.”

“Come on, let’s just leave already.”

With a golden weekend ahead, her colleagues exited the office with bright faces.

Yoo Ji-yeon joined them in heading home, but as she drew nearer, her steps grew heavier.

“Sigh, I just want to rest…”

What kind of mess did her dog create today?

Yoo Ji-yeon took a deep breath and opened the door.

Pant pant pant!

Her dog, Jamong, with its flapping long ears and a wide grin, leapt into her arms.

Stumble.

Jamong’s overwhelming energy made Yoo Ji-yeon step back.

“Wait, Jamong!”

While enduring Jamong’s energetic greeting, Yoo Ji-yeon scanned the house.

The floor was clean, and nothing was wrong with the dining table.

The trash can was in place.

The bathroom door was closed.

‘What’s gotten into him today?’

Suddenly, Jamong clinging to her leg appeared like an angel.

Strength surged in her legs, which had felt as heavy as a thousand pounds moments ago.

Yoo Ji-yeon, with Jamong still hugging her leg, walked deeper into the house.

“Our Jamong, you’ve been so good today.”

Jamong felt pleased at her nuna’s fond tone.

Just having his nuna come home made him feel like he owned the world.

And to be praised right after she arrived!

Jamong released his tight grip from his nuna’s leg.

Wagging his tail excitedly, he went to his water bowl and drank.

Slurp slurp slurp.

“I swear, you drink so cutely.”

Heading to her room, Yoo Ji-yeon smiled.

However, it was short-lived, through the partially open door, she spotted a white item on the floor.

What was that? What white object was in the room? She felt unease creeping in.

Did he pull out all the tissues?

Yoo Ji-yeon swung open the partially open door.

In front of her eyes unfolded pieces of white cottons.

“Ahhh!”

A scream that was both a cry and a wail echoed throughout the villa.

Startled, Jamong retreated a few steps before dashing to the carrier in the corner of the living room.

The carrier, with its door removed, was Jamong’s precious nap spot and treasure chest where he stored his valuable toys.

Then, the roar came.

“Jamong, come here!”

Jamong, who had just been peeking with his head out, quickly retracted into his carrier.

Then a voice called out again.

“Who did this? Jamong, it was you, wasn’t it?”

At the slightly less stern voice than before, Jamong peeked out again.

Tilting his head to the right and left, Jamong slowly moved his head side to side, then extended a paw.

Thump.

A white paw stepped out of the carrier onto the floor, only to retreat again quickly.

Then again, thud.

The paw reached a little further, only to withdraw once more.

After a few more repetitions of this, Jamong carefully poked his head out from the carrier.

“Jamong, Jamong come here quickly!”

Jamong finally emerged from the carrier at the sound of the voice again.

His back was arched higher than usual.

His long tail sadly drooped down.

Plod, plod, plod.

Jamong walked as slowly as he possibly could.

Upon arriving in the room, Yoo Ji-yeon held up a torn pillow in front of him.

“What’s this? Huh?”

Jamong turned his head away at the sight.

“Don’t look away. Why did you do this?”

But Jamong continued to avoid Yoo Ji-yeon’s gaze.

“Looking away won’t solve anything. You caused it, so you have to fix it.”

Yoo Ji-yeon shook the pillow.

That’s when Jamong’s frowning face suddenly changed.

His drooping tail rose up.

Then he dashed quickly out of the room.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Yoo Ji-yeon scolded Jamong, though her tone was less angry.

Pat, pat, pat, pat.

After the sound of Jamong’s brisk steps, he dropped his toy in front of Yoo Ji-yeon and wagged his tail vigorously side to side.

He lowered his front body while lifting his bottom.

It was a playful stance.

His eyes shined with excitement.

Pant, pant, pant!

Watching Jamong eagerly waiting for her attention, Yoo Ji-yeon let out a long sigh.

“You crazy dog! How can you want to play in this mess?”

Yoo Ji-yeon, too exhausted to yell anymore, flopped down on the bed.

Whoosh, Jamong came alongside her and licked her face.

Jamong looked at her with eyes full of anticipation.

“What?”

Her voice still tinged with lingering anger snapped out.

Whine.

Jamong’s expression darkened rapidly.

His pitiful look spurred Yoo Ji-yeon to reach out and stroke Jamong’s large round head.

The warmth passing through her fingertips prompted Yoo Ji-yeon to let out a half-hearted laugh.

“Really, what wrong could you have?”

And she thought.

‘Who else would welcome me if not Jamong?’

Before Jamong came, Yoo Ji-yeon disliked the silent home, often making plans to return late on purpose.

Or she would buy beer and end the day by drinking.

Now, even though it was cumbersome with much to clean, the house felt cozy.

Though worried about Jamong potentially causing another accident, it was okay.

‘I have had this pillow for a long time anyway.’

Might as well take this opportunity to buy a new one.

“Jamong, shall we go for a walk tomorrow?”

At the word ‘walk’, Jamong jumped up and dashed to the living room.

Then he was off, dashing around the house.

***

The following morning.

Dart, dart, dart.

Jamong dashed down the street.

Behind him, Yoo Ji-yeon, holding onto the leash, was being pulled, shouting.

“J-Jamong!”

But Jamong did not slow down.

In his mind, there was only the thought of getting to the park as quickly as possible.

Shortly afterward, they arrived at Evergreen Park.

“Huff, puff, huff!”

Yoo Ji-yeon was breathless, almost on the verge of collapsing.

Buzz, buzz, buzz. Jamong’s tail wagged energetically.

Soon, as he sniffed around, he took step by step.

Although the fact that Jamong didn’t run was reason enough to rejoice, Yoo Ji-yeon remained vigilant.

Jamong was elated, roaming through the park.

Sniff sniff sniff!

From smelling one tree to suddenly racing to another tree, jamming his nose into it, then racing to sniff the bushes.

Sometimes, he retraced his steps to mark his territory.

Yoo Ji-yeon could not afford to let her guard down for a moment, given how he kept altering his direction without pause.

Taking photos or videos of her beloved dog during walks?

Taking calls on her mobile phone during walks?

Those were tales from another world for Yoo Ji-yeon, as she had to remain attentive to Jamong’s sudden burst of energy.

When she could finally take a break was when Jamong, having scoured the park, rested while munching on treats.

The park provided benches and tables for people to relax, and today too a group of dogs and their caregivers gathered there to rest.

The owners chatted animatedly on the benches, while the dogs underneath exchanged stories.

『Yo bros, I’m here again.』
『Who’s talking?』
『You know, the one that tears through the park like a maniac.』
『You mean the one with the huge ears, walking all over, nosy and busy!』
『Oh, that one? The restless one stirring the park!』
『Yes, that’s the guy.』

As soon as Kkakong responded, a loud bark broke out.

『Hey guys! Hello!』

Jamong raced over to where the group of dogs clustered.

『Whoa, whoa!』

Mong-i, startled at Jamong’s vigor, leapt and hid behind Ddangkong.

『Hey! Sit down, pal!』
『Yes, sir!』

At Ddangkong’s single command, Jamong promptly sat in place.

Yet unaware of what was happening, Yoo Ji-yeon breathed a sigh of relief, grateful Jamong had stopped.

“Ahhh… This is exhausting!”

“Jamong’s nuna still seems to struggle.”

“Beagles are exceptionally energetic.”

Those frequenting the park with their dogs naturally became familiar faces.

Jamong was now a ten-month-old puppy.

Yoo Ji-yeon, too, had been walking in Evergreen Park with him for nearly three months.

Lying on the bench in exhaustion, Yoo Ji-yeon lifted her head to greet them.

“Oh, hello.”

“Here, have this. You look so worn out.”

Ddangkong’s guardian handed her a drink they had packed.

“Thank you.”

Yoo Ji-yeon gratefully accepted and drank it.

“Jamong still looks full of energy.”

“Yes… he’s overflowing.”

Remembering the previous night, Yoo Ji-yeon nodded weakly.

“He’s still young. Kkakong was such a troublemaker until he was two.”

“That’s right. Our Mong-i, too, was so bite-happy when young. Especially biting my heels, I couldn’t even walk.”

“Ddangkong did that too.”

“But at least they don’t rip wallpaper or gnaw on doors, do they?”

“One wouldn’t imagine that from their sweet faces.”

“When I saw the picture of what Jamong did, I was speechless.”

“Seriously. I couldn’t even fathom a pillow ending up like that.”

“Kkakong used to gnaw things a lot too, but not to that extent, just the table legs a bit.”

“That’s pretty serious, too.”

Everyone chimed in on Jamong’s mischief.

“Still, Jamong’s messes are mild. I know a beagle who put a hole in the bathroom door.”

“Oh my, were they okay?”

“They took him to the vet for an x-ray, thankfully, he was fine. But, they’re so cute yet overwhelming.”

“They truly are cute.”

“At least Jamong is calm here.”

Yoo Ji-yeon smiled with satisfaction.

“Maybe he just enjoys meeting friends.”

While the conversation carried on, Jamong kept observing his owner, tilting his head side to side in a serious manner.

『What’s bugging you? Is something on your mind?』
『Maybe it’s because they didn’t give him a treat?』
『Oh, is that so? Then just go ahead and ask for it.』

As Kkakong was about to extend a paw to nudge his owner’s leg, Jamong spoke up.

『Bros, isn’t it right to welcome our owners home?』
『Pup, what do you mean? Of course, you should welcome them.』
『Absolutely. It’s such a joy!』
『Exactly. I’m always thrilled when mom and dad come home.』

Kkakong spoke with a beaming smile, truly delighted.

Bark bark bark.

Kkakong’s bark echoed through the park.

A sleepy grey cat on a rock in the bushes yawned and muttered something annoyedly.

Ddangkong chastised Kkakong.

『Hey, pup. Keep your voice down.』
『Sorry, did I bark too loud?』

Kkakong promptly lowered his voice.

『But Jamong, why are you asking such a thing?』
『I feel like my nuna doesn’t like it.』
『No way. Moms and nunas love it. They don’t hate it!』

To Mong-i, who found joy in eagerly greeting returning family members, Jamong’s perspective seemed strange.

『They praised me for watching over the house.』
『Yeah, they say you did a good job guarding it.』
『You guys are lucky. I got scolded even yesterday.』
『Really?』
『Did you do something wrong, Jamong?』
『I was just waiting for my nuna…』

Jamong’s voice was filled with regret.

He dedicated his attention all day to listening for any sounds from outside, hoping his nuna would soon come home.

Every time he heard a noise outside, he dashed to the entrance.

But his nuna did not come.

He repeated this a few times until he began to miss her so much.

Jamong then ran to the room where his nuna’s scent lingered.

Lying in bed, surrounded by his nuna’s scent, he licked everything; the blanket, the mattress, the pillow.

Then he returned to the entrance.

Though he was hungry and thirsty, Jamong only waited for his nuna’s return.

She continued not to come home.

Growing anxious, Jamong returned to the room, lay on the blanket that smelled like her, and bit the pillow.

He felt a little more at ease.

Biting and gnawing, he felt some comfort.

After a while, he heard his nuna’s footsteps from afar.

Overjoyed, Jamong ran to the entrance, wagging his tail furiously.

Finally, his nuna appeared.

He wagged his tail exuberantly, welcoming her.

He drank the water he had been too excited to drink and relieved himself now that she was home.

He was utterly delighted.

Jamong, recounting the previous day’s events, wore a forlorn look.

『I love my nuna so much, but…』

Jamong felt so sad.

Why, when he cherished his nuna, did she sometimes appear displeased compared to the others who received affection and seemed so joyful?

But thinking his nuna didn’t truly dislike him reminded him of her gentle pats and tasty treats.

‘Oh, perhaps she doesn’t dislike me?’

Jamong began to feel confused.

『Jamong, but did your nuna get mad just because you waited quietly?』

Ddangkong asked Jamong, who looked solemnly at his owner.

『I waited but…』
『Didn’t you go into the bedroom?』
『Right? Surely, you entered the bedroom and bathroom, didn’t you?』
『Huh? How did you guys know?』
『Didn’t I tell you I did the same thing? Oh, the memories!』

Kkakong shrugged and continued speaking.

『Hyung, it’s obvious. He did something to deserve a scolding. Jamong, what did you do?』
『Me? I didn’t do much.』

Jamong naively enumerated his misdeeds from the previous night.

The faces of the three dogs listening became increasingly somber.

『Jamong did something wrong.』
『Yes, she has every reason to be upset!』
『Indeed, if it were my house, you would’ve been scolded already. Who can raise a dog like that, right?』

While Jamong was being chastised by Ddangkong, Mong-i, and Kkakong, Yoo Ji-yeon was receiving advice from the owners.

“I think perhaps the little guy gets quite stressed being alone all day.”

“He would certainly want to play. Beagles are hunting dogs, right?”

It made sense.

“Yes, you’re probably right. Not like I can quit my job like that or afford a house with a yard.”

Sighing, Yoo Ji-yeon felt bad.

She thought she had the ability to raise him well, but it was harder than she had expected.

“Oh, how about visiting Woof Woof Animal Clinic?”

“The Woof Woof Animal Clinic?”

“They opened up nearby, and the director there really understands these dogs.”

Ah, he must be good with treatments, she thought.

“But Jamong isn’t sick or anything.”

Yoo Ji-yeon wasn’t aware of Lee Joon’s reputation due to her busy work schedule.

“While he’s good with treatments, it’s more than that. It’s like he truly knows what your pets are thinking.”

“It’s as if he can understand them, really?”

“Really?”

Being around animals all day, he probably does have more insight than us. Yoo Ji-yeon responded nonchalantly.

“It’s true.”

Yoo Ji-yeon learned about Lee Joon’s feats belatedly.

“Is it true?”

“It is.”

“They’re open today, so you should head over.”

“I’ll stop by and get some food, too.”

Yoo Ji-yeon set out from the park with Jamong.

Yet, Jamong, who moments before had been running wild, surprisingly walked slowly.

‘Is he tired already?’

They hadn’t even been out for an hour.

Thinking something was up with Jamong, she walked until the animal clinic came into view.

Yoo Ji-yeon smiled.

“So, this is the place.”

—