Did the title to this post get your attention? Let me explain. I found out that the nearest PETSMART store (an hours drive) was having photo ops with Santa this past weekend. I wanted to take Tippy, but was a little concerned about how she would do with this strangely dressed man. Would she decide he was “out of place” and start barking at him? Would she be terrified of this man in the red suit with funny hair and beard? Despite my concerns, I decided to take her. So, on Sunday afternoon, we set out for her first visit to Petsmart and her first meeting with Santa.
About half way there, I suddenly realized that CATS ARE PETS TOO! We aren’t going to a Dog-smart, but a Pet-smart. That would include cats! Would people bring their cats to get a picture with Santa? Probably. How is Tippy going to react to them? Tippy hates cats! I prayed the rest of the way there that all of the cat lovers had stayed home.
I am happy to report, all went well. There were a couple of cats there, but their owners were holding them, so I’m not even sure that Tippy noticed. There were way too many more important things to pay attention too. So many smells, sights, and other dogs, both big and small. She seemed to get along with all of the other dogs, except one. There always seems to be that one dog in the group that is not happy with being greeted. We just walked away and all was good.
When it was our turn to take a picture with Santa, I was surprised that she walked right up to him. However, when he/we tried to get her to turn around and face the camera, she was having nothing to do with it. She was scared. You don’t just turn your back on something that looks like that! I sat beside her and she calmed down some, so the lady told me I could be in the picture too. I sat down beside of Santa and Tippy climbed up on my lap. Here is the result.
After the picture we walked around to see what we could find that we needed. Everyone who saw Tippy wanted to love on her and commented on her eyes. Most people loved them, but one little boy, about 5 years old, petted her and then told me that her eyes were “creepy.” A couple of other kids asked me why her eyes were different colors. They are definitely a conversation starter.
People would ask me her name. I would tell them and then want to show them the reason for that name. I had to grab her tail to stop it from wagging at a million miles an hour so they could see the tip of white at the end of it. She was so happy with all of the attention! The only time her tail stopped was when she was laying down.
One of the employees helped me find a grain free food to try and also gave me coupons for a free can of pumpkin puree and money off of a bag of sweet potato & chicken jerky wrap treats. Oh my gosh, does she love those treats! At the checkout, the cashiers also loved on her and gave her a couple of treats. I’m pretty sure she wants to go back there.
On the way home, we stopped at Lowes to do some Christmas shopping.
We could certainly tell the difference in the attitudes of the people between the two stores. While everyone at Petsmart was an animal lover, that was NOT the case on this trip to Lowes. Tippy walked toward a little man, not an employee, and I saw his eyes fill with hatred. I really thought he was going to haul off and hit her, even though he made no move. It was just his attitude. I said, “Come here Tippy. Not everyone likes dogs.” and she walked away. He said nothing, but if looks could kill, we wouldn’t be here today.
In the check out line, we did meet a couple of men who were dog lovers. They both had dogs of their own and thought Tippy was great. While we talked about their dogs, and dogs in general, they played with her. One petted her backside and the other squatted down and scratch her behind her ears. She is getting better with men, in general, and was very happy with these two.
It was a good day.
Tippy Tales 