Hello Vet! How are you?

As Kkakong approached politely to greet, Ddangkong and Mong-i-I greeted him by wagging their tails.

『Little brother Kkakong is here? Why does your face look so thin? Are you sick?』
『What’s going on? Are you sick? You look like you have no strength.』
『No, I’m not sick. It’s just that I’m hungry, aren’t I?』
『Why? Did something happen?』
『I don’t know. Suddenly, they’re only giving me half my meal. Brother, I’m starving.』
『What? They’re not feeding you?』

Ddangkong, who liked Kkakong because they shared the same name ending, shouted in anger, immediately showing his displeasure.

Woof woof woof!

When Ddangkong barked loudly, the three people who were deeply engrossed in conversation looked down.

Six eyes were looking up at their guardians with looks full of displeasure.

The first to come to their senses was Ddangkong’s guardian.

“Oh my, look at me. I forgot to give them snacks.”

“That’s right. We got so caught up talking about Woof Woof Animal Clinic that we forgot.”

The guardians hurriedly took out snack containers they had brought in their bags.

Ddangkong’s guardian opened the snack container and said,

“This is the food the Doctoe recommended as a snack substitute.”

“Oh, is this the food that Ddangkong liked?”

“Yeah, it seems tasty. So, now I plan to give this instead of snacks.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Should I switch too?”

“You should ask Hye-rim’s mom, the Doctor explains things really well. But Kkakong’s owner, what is that? Are you putting Kkakong on a diet?”

Ddangkong’s guardian pointed at the cucumber in the snack container and said,

“Yes. Phew, my friend’s dog got a slipped disc. That dog is also a dachshund like our Kkakong and was a bit chubby.”

“I heard that dachshunds have long backs, so you should be careful about slipped discs.”

“So I thought it might be better for Kkakong to lose some weight.”

“He looks fine to me, though.”

“Still, when I saw that dog unable to walk and just lying down, it really scared me. Kkakong, let’s eat cucumber.”

As the guardian brought the cucumber to Kkakong’s mouth, Kkakong turned his head away sharply.

『Did you see that? How are they expecting me to eat that… Awoo!』

Kkakong raised his head and howled.

The sound was very plaintive.

“Look at that. Kkakong looks so pitiful.”

“Yes, he got so skinny in just a week. Kkakong’s owner, you shouldn’t do that. Go to Woof Woof Animal Clinic, a new clinic nearby, and consult with the doctor. Oh, and even have a check-up.”

“Yes, that sounds like a good idea. A dog shouldn’t only eat greens like a goat, they should have some meat too.”

“Should I?”

“What are you all talking about so happily?”

When another pet owner approached them, the two were excitedly promoting Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

“Really? Should I take Somi there too?”

“Yes, definitely check it out.”

“Kkakong should definitely visit there too. Feeding him only greens might cause a rebound effect.”

“Right. Rebound effects are scary.”

As the nearby pet owners kept encouraging, Kkakong’s guardian began to feel slightly concerned.

“That’s true. How long can I only feed vegetables? I should go right away and check it out.”

“Good thinking.”

“Off you go.”

“I’ll go then.”

Kkakong’s guardian got up and headed towards Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

“Is it really that good of a clinic?”

“Absolutely. I usually don’t recommend things, but you should try it.”

Mong-i-I and Ddangkong’s guardians, that day, promoted Woof Woof Animal Clinic to every pet owner they met at the park.

To those always in search of a good animal clinic, it was very good news.

***

Ring.

“It’s newly opened. Can I look around?”

“Yes, feel free to browse.”

“I’ll take this.”

“Where are the puppy foods?”

“Just a moment, I’ll guide you right away.”

Ring.

“Do you have rabbit food too?”

“Yes, we do.”

“What kind do you have?”

“One moment, let me pack this up first, and I’ll find it for you right away.”

“I’ll help you with that.”

Lee Joon assisted the customer looking for rabbit food, stepping in for the cashier.

‘There were quite a few customers yesterday, but today they haven’t stopped arriving since morning.’

Despite being busy with customers, Joon and Sora felt very pleased.

Then, another customer entered as the doorbell chimed again.

The dachshund, Kkakong, entered, looking around as he followed his guardian.

『Is this the clinic the brothers were talking about? Can the doctor really understand our speech?』

Hearing the booming voice, Joon’s eyes naturally turned towards Kkakong.

‘He looks thin. Maybe he has a small appetite?’

Having just finished helping a customer select rabbit food and finding a moment’s respite, Joon approached the area where Kkakong was.

“Welcome.”

“Oh, are you the Doctor?”

“Yes. What’s this little one’s name? He looks very calm.”

“It’s Kkakong. My Kkakong often hears that he’s calm for a dachshund. Perhaps he takes after their dad?”

“Haha, it might be. They say dogs often resemble the owners they live with.”

“Hoho, maybe so. His dad and Kkakong are just alike. By the way, doctor, could you take a look at Kkakong’s back?”

“You came for a disc examination.”

“Yes, since he’s a dachshund, after all.”

“Could you please fill this out, miss?”

As the busy work subsided, Sora approached with a preliminary consultation form.

“Since we’ll be checking Kkakong’s gait anyway, take your time filling it out.”

“Yes, please take care of him then.”

The guardian followed Sora, while Joon lowered himself to meet Kkakong’s gaze.

“So your name is Kkakong. How old are you, Kkakong?”

『Wow. He really understands.』

Kkakong opened his mouth and blinked, his expression revealing his surprise.

“Do you know me?”

『The brothers told me. They said the doctor really understands us.』

“The brothers? Oh, were you talking about Mong-i-I and Ddangkong?”

『Yes, those brothers said the doctor was amazing.』

“Thanks. So, is it true? If they’re your brothers, you must be 3 years old now?”

『Wow, amazing. The doctor really knows everything. He got my age right immediately.』

Joon couldn’t help but laugh at the unexpectedly earthy manner of the dachshund, Kkakong, who looked like a black bean.

He hadn’t been expecting such a character.

“But you look like you’re lacking energy. Are you starving?”

『Wow, unbelievable. Doctor, how did you know? I’m starving right now.』

“That’s what it looks like.”

『Doctor, save me, please. I feel like I might not make it.』

“So it’s not that you don’t eat, but that you can’t.”

Joon felt relieved at this realization.

When Kkakong had entered, he thought he might need to increase his food intake, but forcing an increase is never easy.

『Of course. Why wouldn’t I eat? I’ve been eating only greens. I want to eat that too, and that one as well.』

Kkakong looked up at the snacks hanging on the space wall with hungry eyes.

“Got it. Let’s do a check-up first.”

『Doctor, please explain this to my mom.』

“Sure, sure.”

Joon conducted the examination the guardian requested.

Fortunately, he found that Kkakong’s spine was perfectly fine.

“Miss, there’s nothing to worry about Kkakong. Just avoid letting him stand on two legs or jump from high places. Also, slipping isn’t good.”

“Should I place carpets on the hardwood floors?”

“That would be a great idea.”

Joon provided the owner with various preventive measures to avoid any future back problems with Kkakong.

When he felt the guardian had understood enough, Joon glanced at Kkakong and cautiously brought up another topic.

“And in Kkakong’s case, he’s underweight right now, so you should help him gain 1 to 1.5 kilos.”

“What? Wouldn’t that make him 8 kilos? Isn’t that too much?”

“Yes, please. Kkakong has a long frame, so even at 8 kilos, he wouldn’t be overweight. You mentioned you walk him often?”

“Yes, we go out three or four times a week. He meets friends and plays. Otherwise, what fun would he have?”

“Kkakong is lucky, living in a good home.”

『Of course, my mom and dad are the best.』

Then he murmured softly,

『If only they didn’t only feed me greens.』

“Don’t overdo the diet from now on. Dogs shouldn’t eat too many vegetables. It’s not good, as it can sometimes cause stones.”

“Oh, stones? I didn’t know that.”

Joon advised moderation and concluded the consultation.

『Doctor, thank you so much. I will never forget your kindness.』

“Make sure to eat well and stay healthy, and everything will be okay.”

『Understood.』

As Kkakong, who expressed gratitude multiple times before leaving the clinic, had already become one of Joon’s admirers, he praised Joon to others whenever he met other animals in the park or on the street.

『It’s thanks to the doctor that I’m like this now. If it weren’t for him, I might have collapsed.』
『Huh? That’s impossible. How can a person understand what we say?』

A brown Pomeranian jeered skeptically.

『I’m telling the truth.』
『Really?』
『Of course. Our director is the best!』

Mong-i interjected to support the claim.

『Really?』

Ari, the Pomeranian, still dubious, tilted her head to the side.

She scratched her guardian’s leg, prompting the guardian to pick her up while still listening to Mong-i’s guardian, who continued to promote Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

After hearing it all, Ari’s guardian asked Mong-i’s guardian,

“Is the director really that good?”

“Yes, not only for Mong-i but also for Ddangkong, he answers all your questions quite swiftly.”

“Should we also take Ari there?”

“If you ever need to visit a vet, you should definitely check it out. By the way, I haven’t seen Choco around lately…”

“Right, I don’t think I’ve seen him recently either.”

“Is he busy?”

As the conversation in the park shifted to Choco’s owner.

Choco’s guardian was being persuaded over the phone about Woof Woof Animal Clinic by Ddangkong’s guardian.

– You should definitely go. If a dog who loved walks suddenly dislikes going outside, there might be a problem.

“He’s still young, so it could be nothing. I’ll watch and wait a bit longer.”

– Could it be a knee cap dislocation?

“Knee… what?”

– It’s when dogs’ knees misalign. They say if their legs hurt, they dislike walking because it’s painful.

“That makes me worried. But you know how our Choco is, he’s terrified of animal clinics.”

– This place is different. The director is very nice. Visit before anything serious develops. Our Ddangkong is eating well these days too.

“Should I go?”

Choco’s guardian looked up while talking with Ddangkong’s guardian over the phone.

Just over six months old, Choco was quietly lying on his mat, holding a toy.

– Yeah, Choco is awfully quiet for a poodle. It might be his legs.

“Alright, I’ll go and call you back.”

Getting ready to leave, Choco’s guardian stood up.

“Where’s the bag?”

While the clinic is just a 10-minute walk away, Choco’s nervousness about going outside worried her.

Instead of carrying him, fearing he might fall, she decided to put him in a carrier bag and visit Woof Woof Animal Clinic.