An unforgettable customer I met at the pet shop🐶

When I was a freshman in college, I loved dogs and cats so much that I started my first-ever part-time job at a pet shop!

At first, my work was mainly behind-the-scenes, such as taking care of the dogs and cats and cleaning, but as I gained experience, my senior colleague asked me, "Would you like to try sales?" and I began handling live animal sales as well.

As time went by, I felt a growing desire to work at a bookstore while I was still a college student. I thought, this might be the last customer I ever serve. With that in mind, I decided to cherish the time I spent with each person more than ever.

Among them, there is one customer I met whom I still cannot forget🍀

That customer owned a Chihuahua, and they told me that the puppy we had in the shop "looked exactly like my dog when it was small!" When they actually showed me the photo, it really did look just like it, and I remember being surprised and saying, "It really does look just like them!"

They were very worried about whether to welcome a new family member. Because it is such a big decision to welcome a life, I wanted to be of as much help as I could, so I listened to them and did my very best to assist them.

Even if they didn't choose to take the puppy home this time, I hoped that the time spent here would make them feel, "I'm glad I met this puppy" and "I'm glad I came to this shop." That was the feeling I had when interacting with the customer.

The sight of the customer visiting the shop many times and worrying seriously each time left a deep impression on me.

"They came back again."

Every time I thought that, I was happy and hoped that I could be of some help.

Because I had seen them visit many times and struggle with the decision so earnestly, I was truly happy when they finally decided to welcome the puppy home☺️

And on the day they picked up the puppy, I received a letter from the customer, which left a very strong impression on me...!

That was the only time I have ever received a letter from a customer, before or since.
It became an irreplaceable treasure for me, making me feel that "I'm glad I worked in customer service."

We are still in touch even now, and they are the customer who has left the biggest mark on my heart💭

Not "selling a product," but "helping facilitate a meeting with a new family member"

This experience is a precious memory that taught me the joy of customer service and the warmth of the connections between people and animals🐾

Thank you for reading🌷

Nekoneko Tanaka