Hello Vet! How are you?

『Hyung!』
『Hehe, I missed you.』

Injeolmi lay flat in front of Lucky, and Chaltteok followed suit, laying down as well.

The retriever brothers expressed their joy with their whole bodies, wagging their tails furiously while lying down.

『Have you all been well?』

Lucky asked cautiously, feeling a tinge of guilt about having found a good owner while his friends were still there.

『Yes, yes, we’ve been great. The brothers too.』
『Yes, these days, we get at least one treat a day. We even got one from the doctor this morning.』
『It was really tasty.』
『Really?』
『Yes.』
『Hop on my back. Let’s go to the brothers.』
『There are so many brothers. They’ll be happy to see you.』

Yet, his friends greeted him cheerfully.

When Lucky was at Our Meadow Shelter, he avoided his friends because of his leg pain.

However, the retriever brothers consistently sought out Lucky.

While he eventually got to know them, he hadn’t expected such a warm welcome.

『Thank you. But I can walk.』
『Your leg hurts. Ride on my back.』

While at Our Meadow Shelter, the thing Lucky wanted to do most was run and walk with his friends, and play together.

He couldn’t back then, but now he could.

『It doesn’t hurt. I want to go with all of you.』
『Hehe, then if it hurts, let me know. I’ll carry you.』

Lucky ran off with the retriever brothers and their group of friends, and the retrievers walked slowly to match Lucky’s pace.

Soon, lucky, along with the pack, was able to play Kimbap rolling games.

『Hehe, this is nice.』

Lucky smiled brightly, realizing for the first time how enjoyable it was to play with friends.

Even when they bumped into each other lightly, it didn’t hurt at all. In fact, it felt good.

『Warm.』

Feeling the warmth of his friends, lucky rolled around following them.

Just as he was resting from running, Nureong approached.

『What’s so fun about this?』
『Hyung, lie down here. It’s really nice.』
『Yes, it’s incredibly comfortable. It even smells delicious.』
『Injeolmi, you think everything smells delicious?』

Nureong chuckled as he approached and laid down next to them.

『Hyung, you smell good too.』
『Hmph.』

Nureong chuckled at Injeolmi’s words and rubbed his back against the grass, something he had never imagined doing before.

『Thanks to Doctor Woof Woof, I became close with Hyung Nureong. Hehe.』

Injeolmi and Chaltteok, who liked all the members of Our Meadow Shelter, wished to befriend Nureong too.

However, they couldn’t because, even when they tried to get a little closer, Nureong showed his teeth and pushed the retriever brothers away.

Now, they could lie side by side with the once intimidating Nureong.

『Hehe, Doctor Woof Woof let me play with Hyung.』

Sundae thought the same as Injeolmi.

『Nureong’s gentleness is all thanks to Doctor Woof Woof.』

Sundae, who had been bitten by Nureong twice in the past, was pleased with the current situation.

Though both times he had only been bitten on the fur and hadn’t been hurt, after that incident, Sundae trembled whenever Nureong passed by.

『It’s nice and comfortable.』

Nureong lay down beside Sundae, baring his teeth.

Although running away was a thing of the far past, Sundae, lying beside Nureong, laughed and said together.

『It is comfortable. Try moving like this. Your back will feel really refreshed.』

Following Sundae’s example, Nureong rubbed his back thoroughly on the grass.

『Oh, it does feel cool.』

Gradually, more dogs joined in lying on the ground, as those who had been playing vigorously joined because they had grown tired.

Soon, the shelter was filled with dogs enjoying the Kimbap rolling game on the grass, or lying flat on the gazebo and platform, with barely any standing.

The dogs enjoying the sensation of the grass as a massager now just lay there blankly.

Some dozed off, while others stared aimlessly at the sky.

Amidst this calm, Sundae spoke.

『I want to play here again.』
『Just like Sundae says, it would be really nice to come again and play.』
『That would be incredibly nice, wouldn’t it?』

A pug chimed in.

『It would be awesome. The food is good, the doctor is great, and there are many good friends like you all…』

In this place, where they wouldn’t get scolded for shedding fur, Sundae was really happy.

There was only one small disappointment; they couldn’t go for walks as freely, but that was nothing.

Having rolled and played to his heart’s content after so long, even that small dissatisfaction vanished.

『It would be great just to roll around like this sometimes.』
『Hehe, I also think it’s amazing.』
『What is?』
『Hehe, look at this.』

Chaltteok suddenly stood up and twirled around in place.

『Just being able to run and roll around by myself.』
『I, I’m amazed too.』

Injeolmi suddenly dashed away as far as he could, then ran back energetically.

『I love being able to run as fast as I can. Hehe.』
『Yes, when I went for a walk with the doctor, I had to walk carefully, hehe.』

Chaltteok responded to Injeolmi’s comment.

『Walking with the doctor is nice, but playing now is also nice.』
『Yeah, walking with the doctor was nice because she’d pet us, and now I like playing with the brothers. Hehe.』
『That’s right. We love the brothers!』

Injeolmi and Chaltteok were fond of Our Meadow Shelter.

Maybe because they didn’t know the world beyond it, but it was just nice.

They loved the doctors who always said they were cute, and there were plenty of fun things the older brothers and sisters taught.

But now, there was something else they loved; the play area.

This space where they could play freely was really beloved by Injeolmi and Chaltteok.

『I love it here so much.』
『Me too!』
『I love it too. I want to come and play here every day.』
『Yes, it would be great to come here every day.』
『Me too.』

Lucky shyly added to their conversation.

While everyone was expressing how much they loved the play area, Injeolmi shouted brightly.

『Hehe, I like this place as much as I love Doctor Woof Woof.』
『I like Doctor Woof Woof more, but I like it here too. Hehe.』
『Doctor Woof Woof is amazing; he understands what we want.』
『She helped me when my stomach hurt.』
『My leg doesn’t hurt anymore. Haha.』

Lucky raised his leg high.

『Now, I can even bite and eat the dry food. Thanks to the doctor.』

A dog, who had been treated by Doctor Woof Woof recently and began chewing dry food properly, said.

『Not really love it.』

Nureong lifted his head to glance at his lower abdomen.

Despite Doctor Woof Woof having taken great care of him, he couldn’t forgive her for having his dear peanuts removed.

Injeolmi, who had been watching Nureong, asked.

『Hyung Nureong, are you hungry?』

Having been neutered at a young age, Injeolmi didn’t understand Nureong’s displeasure.

So, when Nureong frowned, Injeolmi thought it was because he was hungry.

『I’m not hungry.』
『Uh? Then why do you look hungry?』

As Injeolmi, wearing an innocent expression, looked puzzled, Nureong sighed.

『There’s something you don’t know.』
『What is it?』

As Injeolmi tilted his head with a silly expression, a short and fat paw tapped Nureong’s back.

『Just forget it.』

Sundae, also wearing a similar expression to Nureong, let out a short sigh.

『Still, it’s not fair that they won’t let us bark. Ah, it’s frustrating.』

A beagle, known for being talkative, grumbled.

『I hate lining up. I only have to give a stern face to make others back off, tch.』

A dog, who had a temper as bad as Nureong’s, added.

From slightly afar, lucky muttered.

『I really like Doctor Woof Woof……』
『I like him too.』

A Maltese, as small as Lucky, agreed with Lucky’s sentiment.

Then, a whiter dog with small, shiny black eyes came dashing into the pack of dogs.

With an egg-shaped face and a snout that tilted slightly downward, much like a pro boxer, with a tough body, broad shoulders, and a firm chest, it was none other than Bullet-proof Typhoon.

Ordinarily bursting with power, typhoon loved walk time most.

So now, being able to run freely, typhoon felt incredibly elated.

He shouted to his friends.

『What are you all doing there?』

Preferring to run, typhoon was curious why his friends just lay around.

Interest piqued, he bounded over to them.

『Why are you lying down? Is this a fun game?』
『The brothers say they don’t like Doctor Woof Woo, but I really like him.』

Injeolmi, grinning innocently, responded.

『I like him too.』

Typhoon beamed brightly as he spoke.

『Didn’t you say before that you disliked Doctor Woof Woof?』
『You mentioned you disliked not being able to run, didn’t you?』
『Yes, I did. But now, I like.』
『Why?』
『Doctor Woof Woof said I could run here from now on. So I’m happy.』

Typhoon shared the conversation he had with Doctor Woof Woof earlier with his friends.

『Really?』
『Yes.』
『Oh, wow, wow, wow!』
『Our doctor is fantastic, huh?』
『Of course, it’s Doctor Woof Woof.』

Everyone cheered.

Then, Chaltteok tilted his head and asked.

『But Hyung Nureong, didn’t you say you dislike the doctor?』
『Uh, well, that’s that, and this is this.』

Nureong answered, his face flushed a little.

At that moment, a voice came from afar.

“Kids, it’s time for treats!”

It was the voice of their beloved Doctor Woof Woof.

Woof!

A very small, yet lively bark quietly echoed throughout the play area.

In contrast, the footsteps were thunderous.

Thud thud thud.

Thud thud.

Tap, tap tap.

The dogs sprinted with all their might toward Doctor Woof Woof.

Lucky also ran as fast as he could.

The expression on Lucky’s face as he ran was brighter than ever.

***

Having heard from Lee Joon and Go Gijin about the new play area at Our Meadow, Jang Sora was curious about what it looked like.

However, up until just earlier, she had been too busy to find a moment to ask.

They had been so busy that even lunch was rotated among them, and finally having some free time, Jang Sora approached Go Gijin.

“Mr. Go, may I see photos of the Our Meadow play area?”

“Hehe, you’re going to be shocked when you see it.”

“I’ve been so curious after hearing both of you talking about it, but only now do I get to see it.”

Seeing the photos of the play area on Go Gijin’s phone, Sora’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Is this really the play area at Our Meadow?”

“How does it look? Isn’t it incredible?”

“Yes, it’s really impressive. It’s so spacious. I’d believe it if someone said it was a garden attached to a hotel. Wow, look at this—why are these sunshades so fancy?”

Jang Sora couldn’t help but exclaim as she viewed the play area photos.

“That’s right. This is said to be quite a high-end one. Do you think that’s all? There’s more like platforms and even a gazebo. Look here. This part is a space for the dogs to rest if it rains suddenly.”

“The dogs must have loved it.”

“They loved it indeed. Would you like to see?”

Go Gijin found the video of the dogs playing and touched the screen.

Woof woof woof!

Arf arf arf.

The sound of dogs barking came along with the video of them running around, and Jang Sora couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Oh my… look at those dogs’ faces.”

“How is it? They look really happy, don’t they?”

“Yes, you can see how happy they are at a glance.”

“That’s right. The dogs truly loved it. Those adorable creatures running at lightning speed with smiles must have been seen by the director…”

“… Sniff!”

“Hmm?”

Go Gijin stopped speaking and looked at Jang Sora.

“I am so, so happy for them. It’s just so wonderful. Sniff, sniff.”

“Why, why are you suddenly crying?”

Just then, the veterinary door opened, and Lee Joon entered.

“Everyone worked hard today. You must be tired. Owner of Sugar brought these saying they’re new… huh? Manager Jang. Why are you crying?”

『She was talking with Strong hyung and ended up crying.』
『Strong hyung made her cry.』

“Really?”

Lee Joon looked at Go Gijin and asked.

“Did you make Manager Jang cry?”

“No, no, it wasn’t me. I just showed her these.”

Go Gijin clicked on the video still open on his phone.

“A shelter?”

“Yes. Then suddenly, she started to cry after seeing this.”

“Sniff, sniff, I just thought the dogs would really enjoy this, and that’s why…”

“Of course they like it. They really loved it. So stop crying and have some of this. The owner of Sugar said these are their pride and joy.”

“Yes…”

“Next week we’re going to Our Meadow, right? When you see it, you’ll just chuckle out of joy. It’s just so wonderful. So eat this, rest up, and let’s work hard next week when we visit.”

“Yes, director.”

Jang Sora took a sip of the coffee Lee Joon brought and continued.

“It’s such a relief.”

“Right.”

“Absolutely. It’s truly wonderful that there’s a space they can run around freely. Yum!”

Go Gijin spoke while putting a piece of cake into his mouth.

“Wow, this is too delicious! I have to go out and get a big one to eat today.”

“The Sugar owner said they’d love to hear your tasting review.”

“Hehe, it’s really delicious.”

Seeing Go Gijin savoring the cake which he stuffed in his mouth, Gray one leapt down from the cat tower.

『Give me a treat too!』
『I’m hungry too.』

Kkamnyang said, sticking out his lips sulkily.

‘These guys must be hungry because they see us eating something among ourselves.’

Lee Joon thought so as he glanced at the clock; it was a little past 4PM. The cats should be feeling peckish.

“What do you want to eat? Churu? Maybe a can? A treat? Chews?”

Lee Joon rummaged for the cat treats, offering options.

『Give me those round, hard, tasty ones.』
『I want square ones.』

“Gray one wants toothpaste chews, Kkamnyang craves treats.”

As Lee Joon took out the treats the cats wanted from the packet, they made loud, distinct cries as they shot up to the cat tower.

『Someone’s coming!』

Just as Gray one mentioned, the bell on the hospital door rang shortly afterward.

“Hello? This is Director Lee, right?”

“It’s been a while. Team Leader Park.”

Lee Joon greeted warmly.