Stories about our beloved pets

The sixth book in the Hae-wan-namu's 'Story Sparkle' series of children's stories for elementary school students, 'The Dog Who Listens Well', has been published.
This book, through the small stories of the lovely animals around us, helps children think about the preciousness of life, the concerns about coexistence with other animals, and animal rights.

This fairy tale is written based on the personal experiences of three authors, Lee Geum-i, Lee Myeong-sin, and Park Hye-seon, making the story even more vivid and moving.
Author Lee Geum-i imagined a happy future for a stray cat she met by chance at a pension, and author Lee Myo-shin designed a post-retirement life for a retired guide dog she met at a school for the blind where she had been volunteering for several years.
Author Park Hye-seon tells a hilarious story about a miniature rabbit she bought at a subway station who ends up in her hometown in the countryside and starts a new life.
I hope that through "The Dog Who Listens Well," you will once again feel a warm heart toward the preciousness of all living beings.

“It’s dirty, so don’t touch it.
“You can transmit germs.”
Are you talking about me? You say I'm dirty.
If there's an animal as clean as a cat, let it come out.
I work so hard to groom my hair.

--- p.17

The first butler I remember was a young man.
I remember playing with a toy mouse.
But when he moved, he left me behind.
The second butler was a newlywed couple.
I was loved like their baby.
That newlywed couple had my voice surgery.
If you want to live together for a long time, you have to do that.
But when the real baby was born, they sent me to another home.
I ran away after getting hit by a bottle thrown by my grandfather at that house.
--- p.33

I am a guide dog that helps the visually impaired.
No, now that he's retired, he can't be called a guide dog anymore.
He's just an old dog.
In human terms, he is well over sixty years old.

--- p.39

“Oh my, it’s so big, so of course I’m surprised when it tries to bite me.
“They should be locked up or tied up in wire mesh.”
The child's mother said angrily.
I didn't mean to ask.
It was really unfair.
“Seulgi listens to the children read books once a week.
Foreign libraries are already holding events like this. Looking at foreign examples, we've heard that children become more engaged in reading and gain confidence through reading books, so we're trying this out.
And Seolgi is a well-trained child.
“I’m right here with you, so you don’t have to worry······.”
--- p.52

Instead of reading a book, Jaebin told me his story.
I waited quietly.
“If I read it in front of my mom, she’ll nag me and scold me for stuttering even more.
I'm scared that I'll get in trouble... I'm groping because I'm scared.
“Adults don’t understand my heart.”
Jaebin looked at the face.
I know how you feel because I used to nag you when I didn't know how to do something while studying.

--- p.55

My grandparents came to the hospital in Seoul and decided to stay overnight at my daughter's house.
As soon as I entered, I had to watch my granddaughter and daughter fight without even being able to take off my clothes.
“Even though it’s a mini rabbit, it poops a lot.”
“What animal doesn’t poop?”
“Then we should at least lock him up.
“Because I keep letting it go, it ends up in the back of the refrigerator, the back of the closet, and everywhere else.”
“Think of Mom as Tori and Miffy.
“Do you like being locked in a cage all day?”
--- p.63~64

The locals just stopped and watched for a while.
Then the village started crying and told me to leave.
“Ugh, where’s our Tori Miffy? Where did she go?”
The rabbit that was there just now disappeared? Grandpa and Grandma were startled and ran over.

--- p.81