A Different Kind Of Heavy Petting

I work in a family-owned coffee shop. It’s pretty good, the customers are (usually) nice, and the pay is mostly okay. I am still in school so it’s different than the other people who work here.

I’m working in the front with the owner since I’m still in the “training” phase of my job. The owner excuses himself to go to the back to prepare some biscuits. I hear the front doorbell ring. I don’t immediately recognize the guy, so it takes a moment for me to start greeting him. Then, I see he’s holding a leash in his other hand.

Me: “Oh, sir, you can’t—”

I’m about to say, “You can’t bring a dog in here,” because I’m worried about a dog peeing on the books and allergies and whatnot. Then, my mind registers that it isn’t just a large dog… but a human woman with a collar around her neck.

Immediately, my mind stalls. Everything just disappears.

Customer: “Good afternoon!”

My mind stalls for another second, before nervously regaining my composure.

Me: “Uh… Y-Yeah, um… Good afternoon, sir.”

Customer: “Can I get a chai latte to go? Also, no milk, please.”

Me: “S-Sure…”

Throughout the whole interaction, I’m looking at the woman on the leash. It feels like she’s glaring straight into my soul and it’s almost like she has a gleeful look at my confusion. I make the latte for them as quickly as I can. I still can’t keep my eyes off the woman.

Me: “Um. H-Here you go, sir. have a nice day.”

Customer: “Thanks!”

He turns to his companion.

Customer: “How’s this, girl?”

He doesn’t hand her the drink. Instead, he holds the cup to her lips and she sips it. That’s when I notice she has some sort of gloves on her hands, like a paw.

Internally, I’m just praying for the owner to come back and end this uncomfortable interaction. Did I forget to mention that the tables inside our shop have patrons at them? The three other people in the shop are staring.

Customer: “All right, let’s get going!”

He scratched around her ears. Finally, they both left. I was left standing at the counter, my mind still reeling.

Even now, it’s been a few days and I still can’t forget this interaction. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.