Hello Vet! How are you?

The evening when Nuri departed for the Doggy Star, Lee Joon arrived home, placed the pet carrier on the living room floor, and opened the door.

“Guys, I’m home.”

At Lee Joon’s words, the cats emerged from the carrier and stood still, paws neatly gathered.

Normally, they would have dashed off without looking back as soon as the carrier door opened.

Seeing them stand still, Lee Joon felt puzzled.

“What’s going on with you guys? Are you sick?”

『Thank you, meow.』
『Thank you.』

“… For what?”

『Thanks for bringing us home, meow.』
『Thank you. It’s nice to be home.』

After saying this, the cats darted off and began their usual tour of the living room.

“What’s with the sudden thanks?”

Lee Joon tilted his head in confusion as he headed to his room.

A little while later, he stood in front of the refrigerator, showing the cats some treats and asked.

“What do you want to eat today?”

『I want the long, tender meat, meow.』
『I want that too.』

“Okay.”

Lee Joon handed each cat a soft stick with one hand.

The cats grabbed the sticks with both paws, lowering their heads in a bow.

『Thanks for the food, meow.』
『Thank you for the delicious treat.』

“Huh?”

Receiving another polite show of gratitude from the cats, Lee Joon squinted at them.

After taking their treats, the cats walked over to their cushions and took their seats.

“Are they into some new game?”

If the game involved bowing, he welcomed it.

With a faint smile, Lee Joon sat on the sofa and tapped his phone screen to watch a video sent by Nuri’s guardian.

In the video, Nuri was saying a final farewell, a gentle smile on his face.

“You did well. And… thank you.”

No matter how effective pain medication was, it must have still hurt.

Lee Joon applauded Nuri, who never lost his smile until the end.

Clap clap clap.

Tap tap tap tap tap.

Hearing a soft patting sound, Lee Joon turned his head to see Gray one and Kkamnyang sitting opposite him, clapping their front paws together in mimicry.

『Looks like Nuri left happy, meow.』
『It’s a relief that Nuri doesn’t look in pain.』

Though there was a slight sheen of tears in the cats’ eyes, they were smiling.

『Can’t we see him again, meow?』

Gray one pointed at the phone with a front paw.

『Like this, meow.』

“Oh, you mean Nuri in the screen?”

『Yes, meow. I feel relieved knowing Nuri went comfortably to the Doggy Star, meow.』
『I’m glad to have heard Nuri’s last farewell.』
『Me too, meow.』

“Well, just a moment.”

Thinking it would be better to watch on a bigger screen, Lee Joon transferred the video to the TV in the living room for the cats.

But suddenly, the cats started running around.

“Why are they like this after asking to see it? Truly mysterious creatures.”

Thinking so, Lee Joon reached for the remote to turn off the video.

Then suddenly, Gray one darted back to the TV, gently placing something in front of it and touching it with his paw.

His actions were exceedingly cautious, as if he were touching Nuri inside the video.

Kkamnyang did the same.

“What is it?”

Lowering his head to inspect the floor, Lee Joon found the treat he had given to the cats earlier.

Though a few bites were missing, Lee Joon could surmise the sentiment behind it.

‘They want to mourn Nuri.’

He wondered how they had come up with such a considerate thought, bringing a smile to his face.

“You want to give the treats to Nuri, huh?”

Nod nod.

The cats nodded in unison.

“You should have said so.”

Lee Joon stood up, went to the kitchen, and brought out all the treats.

He then set up a small table.

“Alright, if there’s anything you want to give to Nuri, put it all here on the table.”

Gray one and Kkamnyang had eyes wide in amazement.

『C-can we really give all of this, meow?』

“Yes.”

The cats began to move swiftly.

『This is delicious, meow. Try this too, meow.』
『You couldn’t eat much before, so have a lot.』

The cats busily brought treats to the table.

Even Gray one placed his cherished fish doll on the table.

『This is warm and nice to cuddle with. If it’s cold on the Doggy Star, hold onto this to sleep, meow.』
『Take this and sleep with it too.』

Kkamnyang brought a teddy bear he slept with and placed it under the table.

Watching them, Lee Joon fell into thought.

‘It was said that there’s a dog out there who looks at the photo of a departed companion and gets sad, but it turns out there’s no need for surprise.’

Perhaps they had wanted to put treats and toys under the photo, just like these two.

‘Maybe those dogs think just like these ones.’

Thinking of the visiting dogs that had come to see Nuri, Lee Joon wished to create a way for them to mourn as well.

That night.

The cats didn’t leave the TV’s vicinity.

Lee Joon asked the curled-up cats in front of the TV.

“Are you going to sleep there tonight?”

『Yes, meow. Nuri might feel lonely, meow.』
『It’s lonely for the first time being alone.』

Gray one and Kkamnyang, who understood how lonely and hard it could be alone, answered together.

“If that’s what you feel…”

Lee Joon moved their cushions over.

They merely glanced at the cushions, showing no interest.

He was bewildered by this unusual behavior, as they usually slept back-to-back.

‘They created a spot for Nuri to lie down.’

Lee Joon moved the cushions and spread a blanket wide in their place.

『Thank you, meow!』
『Thanks.』

Once again, the cats offered a polite greeting to Lee Joon.

Thinking ‘Again?’ Lee Joon let out a chuckle.

“You little ones are acting on Nuri’s last words.”

***

The next day, Lee Joon contacted Ddangkong’s guardian to suggest gathering the dogs who were close to Nuri for a memorial time.

“Since they were close, they might miss Nuri.”

After hearing Lee Joon’s idea, Ddangkong’s guardian was delighted.

“That’s an excellent idea. I’ve been wondering how to console Nuri’s mom. Since we all have dogs, meeting up would mean dog stories would inevitably come up, and that might feel inconsiderate. Yet, ignoring it doesn’t seem right either. Following your suggestion, the mom would surely be happy.”

“The dogs would appreciate it too.”

“I’ll send out the word.”

“Thank you.”

“I should be thanking you. There’s no one else who cares about us this much. But, there’s something else…”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Weirdly, Ddangkong has changed recently.”

“How exactly?”

Lee Joon had an inkling of the issue.

‘It seems he’s keenly adhering to Nuri’s last words.’

He was curious about how the usually composed Ddangkong would express his affection.

“Ddangkong has become very affectionate. I was watching TV yesterday, and he snuggled up next to me. Today, he hugged my husband’s leg as he left for work. That’s not like him. The behavior change is a bit worrisome.”

“No need to worry. It’s because he loves his guardian.”

“Really? That would be great, but… Please check on Ddangkong later.”

“Understood.”

With Ddangkong’s guardian’s help, they gathered at Woof Woof Animal Clinic in the evening, where the dogs who were close to Nuri usually convened.

The TV, which typically showed medical information or prevention guidelines, now played Nuri’s video.

Underneath, a small platform was laid out.

Ddangkong gazed at Nuri on the screen, then walked over to Lee Joon.

『Thank you, Vet Doctor. My brother would have been very happy.』

After saying this, Ddangkong returned to the TV.

Watching him, Lee Joon’s lips curled upward.

Until now, Ddangkong had addressed him as either ‘doctor’ or ‘sir doctor’

But today, he called him ‘Vet Doctor’.

‘It seems he really meant it.’

The dogs placed treats they used to share with Nuri on the platform.

Some even brought cherished toys, just like Gray one and Kkamnyang did.

“Thank you, guys. Nuri would have loved this.”

Nuri’s guardian watched the dogs mourning Nuri with gratitude.

Dogs who had come to visit and hug Nuri were already surprising, and now, they were going above and beyond.

She felt grateful to the dogs for offering what they cherished to Nuri, and even more so to Lee Joon for organizing this gathering.

“Thank you, director.”

“No, I should be the one thanking Nuri. Thanks to Nuri, I could understand these little guys’ hearts much better.”

Lee Joon looked at the dogs, who murmured among themselves in remembrance of Nuri.

『Knowing big brother Nuri is smiling brings peace to my heart.』
『Indeed. Happy to see him not being in pain.』
『That’s fortunate. I was worried about what to do if he were.』
『Lucky indeed.』

At that moment, the TV showed Nuri smiling at his guardians as he closed his eyes.

『Today, I did as big brother instructed. I hugged mom tight. Like this.』

Mong-i walked over and hugged her guardian.

Her small stature meant she could only hug the guardian’s leg, but the gesture moved the guardian.

“Oh, Mong-i!”

『Ahem, I too followed big brother’s words.』

Ddangkong, watching Nuri smile and close his eyes while feeling his family’s affection, leaned against his guardian.

『That’s what I did too. Told my parents thanks for raising me well.』
『I did the same…』

Each dog sought out their guardian, extending their front paws to embrace the guardian’s legs just like Mong-i.

“Oh dear.”

“Guys!”

Smiles spread across the guardians’ faces, moved by the gesture.

Nuri’s guardian felt the same way.

“Guys. Thank you for remembering Nuri.”

As they exchanged glances, Lee Joon recalled Nuri.

‘Did you see that, Nuri? Thanks to you, they will receive so much more love.’

The dogs were already beloved, but now showing such affection, how could any guardian resist adoring them?

Love was evident in the eyes of guardians as they watched their dogs express it wholeheartedly.

Dogs and guardians shared tales late into the night, exchanging thanks with Lee Joon as they left the clinic.

『Thank you, veterinarian. It was nice to honor the brother together.』
『Director, thank you.』
『Thank you so much, doc. Because of you, we saw Nuri’s farewell, really, thank you.』

Guardians added their words.

“Thank you for organizing this gathering.”

“I’ll shower them with love so I won’t regret it later.”

“I had no idea animals’ friendship could be this deep. We should meet up more often.”

“That’s something they’d love to hear.”

“Thank you so much, doctor. Honestly, I debated a lot about coming before I got here. I thought it would be difficult seeing all the dogs, thinking about Nuri.”

“I understand.”

“But now, I’m glad I came. Seeing all these dogs mourn Nuri was unexpected.”

Nuri’s guardian spoke to the dogs.

“Guys, let’s meet at the park on Saturday. I’ll bring something delicious.”

With that, Nuri’s guardian walked off briskly.

Lee Joon watched them until they disappeared from sight, then went inside.

From the cat tower, the cats waved their paws in farewell.

“Such affectionate ones.”

Lee Joon smiled warmly as he tidied the lobby. Just as he was finishing up, his phone chimed.

“What could it be?”

Seeing the caller ID, Lee Joon immediately touched the screen.

-“Hyung. It’s me.”

As soon as he answered, a loud, gruff voice echoed through his ear.

“You’re still so energetic at this hour?”

-“Wahaha. I had no energy, but hearing your voice pumped me right up. How have you been?”

The upbeat voice, contrary to his words, filled Lee Joon’s ear.

“I’m doing well. How about you? Nothing wrong, I hope?”

-“Thanks to you, I’m doing just fine. But speaking of which…”

“Yes?”

-“Well, do you mind if I impose a bit?”

“In what way?”

-“It’s no big deal, really. Just wondering if I could stay at your clinic for a while?”

“Here?”

-“Yes. We occasionally get small animals over here too, but whew, they’re tough to handle. They’re just so small, it feels like I might slip up. So, could you help me out, please?”

“You know I’ve just opened my place, right? There aren’t many cases here. Maybe at the old clinic. Oh, should I ask Woo Jin’s clinic? They’re looking for a vet.”

-“But your clinic is perfect. To be honest, in this rural area, there aren’t many diagnostic tools. I just need the basics.”

“Really?”

-“Lee hyung, couldn’t you take me in for about six months? Don’t worry, I’ll handle all the cleaning and menial tasks myself.”

“Cleaning and menial tasks, what are you saying… Alright. Come on over.”

-“Hyung, thank you so much!”