There is this dog shop – yeah dog shop, not pet shop – along Kelawai Road, which started their business about two years (or more) ago. It looked grand and professional, at least for me.
The first time I went was when me and DARL first dated. We went there just to look around and see if there was any Golden Retriever available. I haven’t had Gobi yet at that time. I still remember there were a lot of customers and a guy took us upstairs to look at their puppies. He even took my contact number and mentioned that he would contact me when they have Golden Retriever puppies. I’ve never received their phone call since then.
The second time I went, I was looking for some sort of ear cleansing thingy for Gobi. All the Chinese staffs – or rather owners/shareholders – were busy, and I was attended by an Indonesian maid. I have no issue with Indonesian maid, but I needed some professional advice from someone who had experience with dogs. None of them attended me. When I was paying at the counter, I asked for their operation hour. The lady wasn’t very friendly and just passed me a business card.
The third time I went, I was with DARL. We were looking for a strong harness we saw on some website for Xiao Bi. We explained to the guy who attended us that Xiao Bi was very strong and the similar harness that they had in the shop won’t work. He showed us an impatience expression and didn’t even bother to talk much. We left and I told DARL that I won’t go back to this shop again.
Today, with Xiao Bi’s prison break, I thought I should get her a durable rubber toy to play with, to distract her from destroying my garden. I went to this shop again, and I saw only a guy (same guy), and an Indonesian maid. When I entered the shop, my mobile phone rang, and I answered the phone. When I was talking on the phone, the guy came to me and asked:
“What are you looking for?”
I showed him that I was on the phone. He showed me his impatience expression (again), and with his arms in front of his chest, he continued watching the football match on the TV.
It was quite a long conversation with my colleague. When I was done, I asked the guy if they have any other Kong Toys, and showed him the one I was holding. He took a glance at the toy, and with his eyes on the TV and arms in front of his chest, he said:
“That’s all we have.”
I didn’t bother much as I have made up my mind to get Xiao Bi a toy. I walked to another side of the aisle and looked around. I then asked if they have this Clicker thingy for dog training. Without even looking at me, and still with his lazy arms in front of his chest, he said:
“No.”
That’s it. I made the sound ‘chk’, threw whatever I had in my hand back on the rack, turned my back, and walked out from the shop. The maid looked at me in shock, and I couldn’t be bothered.
I guess I was just stupid enough to think that some people may learn manners when they have been in the business for two years. No more next time.
