Hello Vet! How are you?

“Not the pool, not playing in water, but understanding the term hydrotherapy. Has Mongshil been treated before?”

Lee Joon made eye contact with Mongshil, who was staring at him with a surprised expression, and gave it a meaningful look.

『I don’t like it.』

Mongshil shook its fluffy cotton candy-like head vigorously to express its dislike.

“Are you scared of water?”

『Yes, I’m very scared.』

Until a moment ago, Mongshil had been shaking its head vigorously in response to the question about disliking water, but now its nodded so fiercely that its head seemed like it would fall off.

Mongshil was expressing profoundly with its whole body just how much it disliked water.

“It seems Mongshil had a bad experience with hydrotherapy before. If it undergoes hydrotherapy now, its recovery would be much quicker.”

After the rehabilitation treatment was over, Lee Joon asked the guardian if Mongshil had previously received hydrotherapy.

As he suspected, Mongshil had received it before.

“Our Mongshil really dislikes water. The moment Mongshil got into the water, its eyes looked like they would pop out from shock, and then it started gasping for air, you know? That kind where you tilt your head back and gasp.”

“You must have been surprised.”

“Yeah, I thought Mongshil was in danger.”

“Mongshil might have been startled if the water suddenly entered its nose; or maybe its feet couldn’t touch the bottom from the beginning.”

“That’s probably it. The water depth was higher than Mongshil’s height.”

People often mistakenly think all dogs are good swimmers.

While there are dogs that swim well and enjoy it from the start, there are also those who don’t.

For such dogs, getting used to water is the first step.

They must first overcome their fear of water, then get used to knee-deep, then chest-deep, and eventually be able to float in the water.

『See you tomorrow, oppas.』

When Mongshil, nestled in its caretaker’s arms, waved its front paws at Gray one and Kkamnyang, the corners of the cats’ mouths curled up.

The cats responded by waving their front paws as well.

『Goodbye meow.』
『See you tomorrow.』

The cats waved their front paws as they saw Mongshil off until it disappeared from view.

『Mongshil called us oppa.』
『Mongshil was talking to me.』
『No, meow. Mongshil meant me. Mongshil follows me well, you know.』

“What do you mean? Haven’t you seen Mongshil calling me oppa and following me everywhere?”

Seeing the bickering cats, Lee Joon smirked and chimed in.

“Mongshil said oppas. That means Mongshil was calling both of you oppa.”

『Is that so, meow?』
『Ah, I see. Gray one, you should know you’re lucky because of me.』
『What do you mean, meow?』
『Because I’m the cool oppa, you got to be called oppa too.』
『What are you talking about, meow? I’m way cooler.』
『Look at my front paw. How white and cool is it?』
『My, my front paw is cool too, meow.』

The cats playfully extended their dainty front paws and squabbled.

Lee Joon stood by, lost in thought.

“Hmm, what to do? It would be tough if Mongshil’s afraid of water, even though hydrotherapy would be beneficial…”

Lee Joon muttered the word hydrotherapy, referring to swimming.

These days, however, there is a simpler method available – the aquatic treadmill.

The device resembles a rectangular aquarium with a treadmill inside, filled with water deep enough to submerge all four legs, allowing the pet to walk in it.

It is a great rehabilitative exercise that reduces joint pressure, particularly beneficial for pets recovering from musculoskeletal surgeries or disk surgeries.

It’s also used for degenerative joint diseases or obesity.

“It’s the perfect therapy for Mongshil with its knee joint issues. Is there no way to teach Mongshil to swim?”

At that moment, the cats lounging in the cat tower casually conversed while lying down.

『Look who’s coming, your savior.』
『That’s right, meow. Coming this way.』
『Are you not going to get up for your savior?』
『I’m feeling lazy, meow. I just want to lie down.』

Listening to their conversation, Lee Joon let out a chuckle.

“When did they lie down again?”

As mentioned by the two cats, the door soon opened, and Jamong dashed in.

『Doctor! Hyungs!』

Jamong cheerfully wagged his long tail while flashing a wide smile.

His guardian followed shortly behind, panting.

“Wow, it’s really hot. So hot.”

“Welcome.”

Sora then brought a large water bottle, filled it at the water dispenser, and set it down in front of Jamong.

“Jamong, are you hot? Have some water.”

Jamong lovingly nudged Sora with his body in gratitude and then drank the water.

“Haha, he’s getting more like Gray one and Kkamnyang after playing with them.”

“He must be learning from them. Sometimes, he even loafs like a cat at home.”

“The little guy.”

Lee Joon, who knew better than anyone how much Jamong adored and followed Gray one, smiled at him.

“But you ran out of food already? The treats aren’t supposed to run out yet…”

At Sora’s puzzled query, Jamong’s guardian replied with a laugh.

“I’m here to buy treats. Yesterday, we shared treats with Jamong’s friends at the swimming pool.”

“Oh, Jamong, you went to the pool?”

『Hehe, yes, director!』

Jamong wiggled his tail so vigorously that even his hips wobbled.

“Oh, it must have been fun. Did you enjoy playing in the water?”

『Hehe, yes.』

“At first, Jamong was struggling so much that I considered taking him out. But then, he started imitating the beagles swimming next to him and eventually went on swimming.”

“Must have been the day the beagles came for a visit.”

“Actually, it was a place rented by the beagle group, so only beagles were there.”

“Rented out?”

“Yes, the beagle meet-up does it once or twice during summer. We were lucky to have the chance. Otherwise, when would Jamong have learned to swim? The beagle hyungs and nunas taught him well.”

Hearing this, Lee Joon had a great idea.

“The oppas and nunas taught him? That could work for Mongshil too.”

***

A few days later, the guardians of pets attending Woof Woof Animal Clinic received a text message.

The content invited them to a pet amusement park in Yongin.

That Saturday, gathered at Evergreen Park, the guardians were buzzing with excitement over the prospect.

“Is Mong-i going?”

“Yes, planning to. She loved it when we went two weeks ago. So I thought of going again, and this is perfect. How about Ddangkong?”

“Ddangkong’s going too. It’s a rare opportunity.”

“Does Ddangkong swim well?”

“I’m not sure. We took him a few times when he was little, and he was good back then. But now, who knows? It doesn’t really matter. It’s just a chance to get some fresh air.”

“True, it’s reassuring knowing our clinic dogs are going. How about Kkakong?”

“We’ll go. It’s a rare chance for him to learn swimming. You’ve heard swimming is good for preventing disk issues.”

While chatting excitedly, a short distance away, the dogs were also engaged in animated conversations.

When Jamong excitedly recounted the swimming pool experience, Mong-i eagerly responded.

『I floated in the water. I took off my clothes, and it felt weird.』
『Floating in water? Hyung, what does that mean?』

Unable to comprehend, Kkakong focused more intently but still couldn’t grasp it.

『Kkakong, he’s talking about a swimming pool. Much larger and deeper than our bathing place.』
『Yeah, it’s like a bathing place, but really big. Was it this big?』

Mong-i paced around, trying to gauge the size.

『Whoa. Is there such a big bathing place? Hyung, how did you survive? What was your mother thinking putting you in there?』

Normally averse to baths, Kkakong’s eyes wobbled nervously.

『No, it was a bit scary and very fun.』
『Hyung, don’t pretend.』

Kkakong seemed to pity Mong-i, but his feelings didn’t reach Mong-i.

『What does pretending mean?』
『It means Mong-i doesn’t want to go to the swimming pool, but is pretending to like it for mom taking him there.』
『I really don’t hate it.』

Mong-i, with wide eyes, tapped Kkakong’s shoulder with his little paw.

『Kkakong, swimming pools are really fun. Honestly.』
『Come on, can’t be true. How can it be fun like a bath?』
『Swimming pools are different. They’re fun.』
『They’re fun.』
『Kkakong, it’s a fun place. I want to go again.』

Jamong’s eyes sparkled.

『Hmm, I’d like to visit too.』
『I want to go with friends this time.』
『Wow! Does this mean we’ll all swim and play together with hyungs and Mong-i and Kkakong?』

As the three praised the swimming pool, Kkakong took a step back.

“What’s up with everyone!”

Meanwhile, Ddangkong’s guardian suggeste.

“How about telling them in person rather than signing up by text?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Upon hearing this, the guardians stood up and addressed their dogs.

“Guys, shall we go to Woof Woof Animal Clinic?”

At the mention of Woof Woof Animal Clinic, the dogs jumped and cheered.

『Let’s go, let’s go!』
『I want to see the director!』
『Hmm, let’s go.』

While the dogs were excited, they calmly walked down the street.

〈Always be cautious, walk slowly when on the road〉

This was one of the guidelines for the dogs from Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

Arriving at the clinic, the dogs sought out Lee Joon.

『Doctor.』
『Doc!』
『Director!』

As the dogs ran eagerly toward Lee Joon, Ddangkong leisurely strolled over.

『Have you been well, hyungs?』
『We’ve been well, meow. How’ve you been, bro?』
『Long time no see, hyung Ddangkong.』

While Ddangkong exchanged greetings with the cats and glanced around the clinic.

『How’s Mongshil doing?』
『Mongshil said the food is delicious, meow.』
『Mongshil’s pretty good at getting on the shaky thing.』
『Glad Mongshil’s doing well.』

While Ddangkong was inquiring about Mongshil’s well-being, the dogs huddled near Lee Joon.

『Doctor! I played in a really big water! This big!』

“Did you have fun?”

『Yes! But I want to go again.』

“Sure, sure. We’ll go again.”

『I want to go too.』

Accepting the dogs’ eagerness, Kkakong slowly backed away.

‘Why’s everyone acting so strangely?’

Around that moment, Kkakong locked eyes with Gray one.

『Do you agree with me, hyung?』

Knowing cats generally dislike water, Kkakong sought affirmation from Gray one.

『Humph, I have seen much larger water, meow!』
『Really?』

Jamong, who was beside Lee Joon, darted over with wide eyes.

『Cool Hyung, how big was the water you saw?』
『So colossal I can’t describe it, meow.』

Gray one puffed out his chest as he replied, with Kkamnyang joining in.

『Right, as big as the sky.』
『Wow! That sounds super cool.』

Jamong’s eyes sparkled.

『It is super big and cool.』
『Did you say there’s a swimming pool that’s as big as the sky?』
『Yes, meow. It’s gigantic.』
『Hmm. I’d love to see it once.』
『Me too, meow.』
『Me too. Doctor, I want to go.』
『Why not take them once?』

Nodding, Lee Joon replied.

“The sea will be for another time. First, let’s go to the swimming pool.”

『Yeah!』
『Hmm, it’s been a while since going to a pool.』
『Haha, I get to wear that fun outfit again!』

As the excited dogs circled around Lee Joon,

“What’s going on with everyone spouting nonsense all of a sudden!”

Only Kkakong retreated backward, slowly moving toward his guardian.