Hello Vet! How are you?

The corners of the mouths of Gray one and Kkamnyang drooped as they watched the tearful Nuri.

Without a single cue, the cats got up and clung to the glass door of the ward.

『Don’t be too sad, meow!』
『Don’t be sad, meow.』

Even though Nuri couldn’t physically touch the cats due to the glass door, their warmth resonated with him.

The cloud of gloom lifted a bit from Nuri’s face, and a spark of vitality returned.

『Thank you, woof.』

Just then, the door to the ward creaked open.

“Nuri, how are you doing? Feeling a little less pain?”

It was Vet-nim.

Nuri rolled his eyes, delighted at the sight of him.

However, the glass door was packed with cats.

‘Blocked, woof.’

Though his view was obscured, nuri didn’t mind, knowing that the cats were there to comfort him.

“Why are you guys acting like that? Do you want to be flying squirrels?”

『Squirrels! What are you talking about, meow!』
『I’m not a squirrel. I’m a cat, meow!』

With a thud, the two cats hissed and stepped away from the glass door.

Finally, the vet came into view.

Nuri wagged his tail softly at the vet approaching with a gentle expression.

Nuri liked the vet.

When they first met, he was astonished to find someone who could understand him.

‘It was the most surprising day in what’s been a fairly long life, woof.’

The shock quickly gave way to happiness for Nuri.

By chance, his mom had picked out food he disliked, but thanks to the vet, it was replaced with something tasty.

‘I nearly had to eat that stinky, tasteless food again, woof.’

For this reason, nuri liked the vet.

And he likes him still today.

‘I wasn’t scared because the vet explained everything, woof.’

The vet explained everything he did.

Without it, being poked and prodded without understanding would have been terrifying.

“So, why were you acting like that? Did you want to get in the ward? You should have said so.”

A clicking sound followed by the cats’ voices ensued.

『It’s not that we want to get in there, meow.』
『That’s right. We want to be here, meow.』

“No, nuri is in there. You guys should go into the empty ward.”

『Not going to happen, meow. We’re going to hug Nuri, meow.』
『That’s right. Nuri is crying.』

Silence followed the cats’ meowing.

Why so? Just as Nuri tilted his head in confusion.

“How sweet.”

The vet gently petted the cats.

The felines leaned against him, seemingly enjoying the affectionate contact.

‘It would feel nice to be petted too, woof.’

As Nuri watched the cats with envious eyes, he heard the vet’s gentle voice.

“I’m going to open Nuri’s ward now, but you can’t disturb Nuri, alright?”

『Why not, meow! We need to comfort Nuri, meow.』
『That’s right. We must stay by Nuri’s side.』

“You all know this because you’ve been through it. It hurts if you touch this line. And it bleeds.”

The vet gestured toward the long line.

‘The vet said I would feel better if this line was connected, woof.’

And that turned out to be true.

Something unpleasant flowed from the line into his front leg, and soon the dizziness and nausea disappeared.

『I know, meow. I’ve had it, meow.』
『So have I. It hurts if you touch it. Of course, I won’t touch it.』

Puffed up with confidence, the cats spoke, leaving Lee Joon a bit flustered.

『So don’t close the door, meow.』
『Yes, nuri is lonely.』

“Let’s see if it’s okay. I’ll ask Nuri.”

At Lee Joon’s words, Gray one and Kkamnyang turned their heads swiftly to Nuri.

‘Being together is better than being lonely, woof.’

Feeling the warmth from the cats’ hearts, nuri nodded slowly.

The cats then carefully positioned themselves on either side of Nuri.

“Can you step out for a moment? Nuri needs to get an injection.”

The cats turned their heads, looking at something.

It was the shiny box in the vet’s hand.

『Is that what you’re going to poke with? Meow?』

“Yes. Gray one, you have a great memory.”

『Hehe! I remember everything Hyung did for me, meow! And once we get that, it stops hurting, woof.』
『I, I remember too. If you poke there, it doesn’t hurt.』

Watching the proud look on Gray one and the hurried words of Kkamnyang, nuri felt a surge of curiosity.

What could make the cats so happy like that?

Though curiosity piqued Nuri for a moment, he quickly lost interest.

In truth, at that moment, what difference did it make whether it hurt or not?

Soon, he would no longer see his beloved family.

‘I’ve lived a long life, woof.’

With that thought, nuri plopped down on the floor.

After a moment, the vet’s hand gently stroked Nuri’s head.

“You got the shot, so you should feel much better soon. You’ll be able to eat when you get home.”

The mention of food made Nuri’s eyes sparkle as he asked again.

{I can eat, woof?}

“Yes.”

In recent days, his inability to eat properly had saddened both his mom and his nuna.

It got to the point where he vomited everything, which made his nuna cry terribly.

‘If I eat, my nuna will smile, woof.’

Nuri’s mood lifted at the thought of seeing his nuna smile, and he grinned from ear to ear.

The vet’s hand enveloped his head.

“Eat a lot.”

His kind voice, accompanied by a gentle pat, came over Nuri’s head.

It was the stroke he had envied not long ago.

‘It feels good, woof.’

Enjoying the vet’s touch, nuri closed his eyes.

Gray one and Kkamnyang carefully settled beside him.

Nuri, feeling their warmth at his side, slowly closed his eyes.

‘Earlier, even though the floor was warm, I couldn’t fall asleep… woof.’

The peaceful breath of Nuri sounded as he snugged into a deep slumber, his face serene.

***

『Goodbye, meow.』
『Eat well and stay strong.』
『Thank you, woof.』
『See you again, meow.』
『If it hurts, say it does, okay?』

Bidding affectionate farewell, nuri waved his paw to the comforting cats and left Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

Within ten minutes, he arrived home.

“Aww, our Nuri, you did well today.”

His father lifted Nuri from his mom’s arms, hugging him tightly.

A little later, nuri sniffed around the living room after being freed from his father’s embrace.

“Is Nuri checking who came while he was away?”

“Who could’ve come so soon? No one’s here.”

Ignoring mom and nuna’s conversation, nuri sniffed through the living room to the kitchen.

He wasn’t checking for visitors, as they assumed.

‘It’s my favorite smell, woof.’

He was seeking comfort in the scent of his most beloved family.

Sniff, sniff.

Within the family’s scent, he could smell his own creeping in, which made him feel much better.

Nuri’s previously expressionless face began to change.

His tightly sealed lips parted slightly, and a soft pink tongue peeked through.

Just then, the voice he loved most resonated.

“Mom! Mom! Nuri is smiling!”

His nuna exclaimed happily.

“Oh my, it’s true. Nuri, aren’t you in pain?”

His mom, too, regarded him with joy.

『It’s so nice, woof.』

Indeed, seeing his nuna and mom smile was wonderful.

Nuri stared at his mom and nuna, who smiled wide at him without blinking.

‘Let’s remember this well, woof.’

Wandering around the living room, nuri stopped in front of his water dish.

Lap.

First, he dipped his tongue, simply savoring the taste.

『It tastes good, woof.』

Building courage, nuri took a few more sips.

Slurp, slurp, slurp.

It was still okay.

Nuri continued drinking with excitement.

He wanted more but suddenly, his nuna picked up the bowl.

“Nuri, stop drinking this and try this.”

From a bowl filled with something mushy, a savory scent wafted, tickling his nose.

Saliva pooled in his mouth, and his appetite awoke after a long time.

‘It’s going to be delicious, woof.’

Lick.

Just one lick confirmed it was indeed delicious.

Chomp, chomp, chomp. In no time, nuri emptied the bowl.

『It’s tasty, woof. I hope I get to eat it again tomorrow, woof.』

While licking his empty bowl, nuri’s nuna clapped her hands.

“Oh, our Nuri’s so good.”

His nuna smiled brightly, and staring intently at her, nuri thought of his conversations with the cats.

‘If I go to the Doggy Star, my family will be sad, woof.’

Recalling how his remaining companions missed those who had gone to the Doggy Star, he thought.

‘I’ll remember my nuna smiling. And I want my nuna to remember me smiling, too, woof.’

Barking excitedly, nuri beamed brightly.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached, and his mom arrived.

“Did Nuri bark just now? Really?”

“Yes, mom. Nuri seemed more energetic after having some soft food.”

“How long has it been since Nuri last barked?”

“It’s been so long, hasn’t it?”

The family rejoiced at Nuri’s bark.

Recently, he barked so infrequently it was counted on one hand.

“I hope it stays this way…”

“There’s hope. My friend’s dog had liver cancer but lived over a year.”

“Surgery?”

“No, he didn’t have any.”

“Really?”

“Yes, so maybe our Nuri can live a long time, too.”

“He should.”

The family dreamed of hope.

If not, they might have cried holding Nuri.

Such an event would surely sadden Nuri even more.

But contrary to the family’s hopes, nuri sensed their sadness, and it made him glum.

‘I don’t want my cherished family to be sad, woof.’

His mouth corners were about to droop, but Nuri forced a smile.

But as they dropped again, nuri stood up quickly.

He then wandered around the living room, purposefully wagging his tail high.

“Look at that. Isn’t our Nuri in a really good mood?”

“Yes, usually he’d be sleeping by now.”

“It’s a nice sight.”

As Nuri became more alert, his family seemed happier, noting how recently he had been sleeping more.

While wandering, nuri felt a bit cheered up.

But it was brief.

Suddenly, fatigue washed over him.

Nuri settled in the cushion set in the middle of the living room.

‘I can see mom, dad, and nuna, woof.’

In the perfect spot to see his family, nuri watched them chat while keeping their eyes on him.

“Nuri seems lively after returning from the vet. Maybe it’s because of the IV fluids?”

“Should we continue the IV fluids for a few more days?”

“If nothing happens, after finishing the medicine, we’ll go in a week.”

“Medicine? But can Nuri take medicine? He’s never taken it before.”

“That’s my concern too. The medicine is said to be bitter, so if he refuses, we can mix it with tasty treats.”

“Is it okay to give him snacks?”

“Give Nuri whatever he wants to eat.”

“I see…”

His mom and dad spoke while glancing back at Nuri.

‘Hehe, they’re smiling at me, woof. But why do they look sad, woof?’

Nuri assumed it was because he was viewing them with a sorrowful gaze, so he blinked.

Then he recalled something the vet said.

‘The medicine will stop the pain and boost my strength, woof. So, even if it tastes bad, I will eat it all, woof.’

Recalling the vet’s words over and over, nuri resolved to finish the medicine.

However, the next day.

The medicine he tasted after a night’s sleep was unbearably awful.

Yuck!

‘Ew, why does it taste like this, woof!’

It was extremely bitter, leaving a strange taste swirling in his mouth.

It was the oddest taste he’d ever experienced.

“Nuri, you have to take this to get better, alright?”

Nuri tried recalling the vet’s explanation from the day before and managed to swallow the medicine.

Miraculously, as soon as he took the medicine, he felt revitalized.

‘It’s true, woof.’

Energized, nuri roamed around excitedly.

“It seems like the medicine is working. Nuri seems so much more lively and is sleeping less.”

The family was pleased.

However, nuri was the one who was most delighted.

‘I can keep seeing my family, woof.’

Although Nuri had indeed been sleeping more recently, he hadn’t spent all that time asleep.

‘I was in pain, woof.’

When it got too painful, he’d curl up in a corner, hiding it from the family.

But having no more need for that, nuri brightened up every evening when the family gathered, his wide eyes sparkling as he wandered around the living room.

“It seems the medicine is really effective.”

However, the effectiveness of the medicine gradually diminished.

Initially, after taking the medicine, nuri felt no pain until his next dose.

Yet as days passed, the pain returned.

Today was one of those days.

There was a while before his next dose, and his belly ached terribly.

‘Just need to hold on a little longer, woof.’

Nuri, relying on his life’s experience, speculated his mom would soon leave, so he gritted his teeth to hold in the pain.

Soon his mom approached and cuddled him close.

“Nuri, I’ll be back quickly. Rest well.”

Nuri giggled as he saw his mom off by the front door.

But as soon as the door clicked shut, he flopped down on the spot.

『Ah, it hurts, woof.』

Overwhelmed, nuri slipped into unconsciousness.

***

When he awoke, his cat friends were looking at him.

『It’s been a while, meow.』
『How did you get here, woof?』
『What are you talking about? This is Woof Woof Animal Clinic, meow.』
『Your mom brought you here while crying.』
『Why…?』

Nuri couldn’t remember anything.

All he recall was a severe pain before he fell asleep.

“Oh, I was in so much pain, woof. But now I’m not, woof.』
『Hyung gave you something to make it not hurt, meow.』
『Really, woof!』

Nuri nodded as he looked at the long line in his front paw.

『Is your condition getting worse, meow?』

Gray one asked, examining Nuri’s face.

『No, but… the medicine made it hurt, woof.』

While hearing his mom’s cries outside, nuri slowly continued.

『That’s why I didn’t want to show my pain, woof.』
『You’re what’s most important, meow. If it hurts, say so, meow. Hyung told me to say if it hurts, meow.』

Echoing Hyung’s advice to speak up about pain, Gray one raised his voice.

『That’s right. Say it if it hurts. That way, it will hurt less.』
『No, woof. It will only get worse, woof. I know that best, woof.』

The effects of the medication were diminishing with each passing day, and the pain intensified.

Nuri, experiencing it full force, slowly shook his head.

『That worries me, woof.』

Four eyes gazed intently at him, forming gentle triangles.

『Don’t worry too much, meow. It’ll be okay, meow.』
『That’s right. The pain will go away in the end.』

The cats reassured him, pulling Nuri close in a hug.

Intuitively aware that Nuri’s time was limited, Gray one and Kkamnyang offered their comfort sincerely.

While the cats consoled Nuri within the ward, a conversation between Lee Joon and Nuri’s guardian unfolded in the consulting room.

“Doctor, is Nuri in a lot of pain? Fainting means he must be in a lot of pain, right?”

“That may be the case. While I’ll use somewhat stronger pain relief, the pain will likely increase.”

“Then… what should we do? There’s no possibility of recovery, but it will just get more painful…”

What should he say?

Lee Joon could only bite down hard on his lower lip.

“I want to see Nuri for even one more day, but I don’t know if that’s truly the right path for him.”

“……”

“I feel like keeping him with us may be selfish. Yet, when I see how he looks at us, it seems like he wants to stay with us… I don’t know.”

A sigh framed the guardian’s dilemma.

“Doctor, what would be best? Hoo, it’s a silly thought, but if only I could ask Nuri… that’s what I’d truly want to do.”